: 5
epee eee
SA

3S

tetas

a,
SS ES.

Se ge Ae

ata
Sa
eS

a
«
“Sa

es

rae

ants

%

: pe ee
apt
aa

.
’
+
‘ ¢
.
'
” -
Z -~

rie f

2 oe 7
, .
. we)
hte sy See ral
. / 4 es
J ;

“
’
a

fe 15 is

THE

WILTSHIRE
Arehenlogieal ont Batural Wratory

MAGAZINE.

Published undey the Direction of the Sactety

FORMED IN THAT COUNTY A.D. 1853.

VOR TV:

DEVIZES:
Henky Butz, Sarnt Joun Srreev.
LONDON:
Bett & Davy, 186, Freer Srreer; J. R. Surrn, 36, Sono Sevan,

1858.

DEVIZES:
PRINTED BY HENRY BULL,
SAINT JOHN STREET.

CONTENTS OF VOL. IV.

fo. X.
Baynard Monuments in Lacock Church: By Mr. Epwarp Kire..... 1- 8

Earls of Wiltshire: By G. Poutyrr Scrorg, Esq., M.P............ 8- 25

On the Ornithology of Wilts, No. 7, [Strigide]: By the Rev. A. C.
MMT le eesti Ci aeals oro acd Wi eins nine bi dug disea cuiv wis 6: 005,8 S'S. v pis 26- 35

Kington St. Michael, General History of the Parish: By the Rey. J.
MEPINCRHON GLE Oa Atcatsiaicrers arc.h. vie) cteis eic'el tanialey 6.3 Uetcen ce ene 36-128

Kuncron Manor. Early History, 36. Manor under Glastonbury Abbey, 37-42.
After the Dissolution of Monasteries, 42. Family and Pedigree of Snext of King-
ton, 42-45. Partition of Snell’s Estate, 45-46. Swinley and Moreshall, 46.

Kixyeton Lanewey, 47. Fitzurse Farm, 48. St. Peter’s Chapel, 49.

Sr. Mary’s Priory, 51. Kalendar of Obits, 60. King’s Almswomen, 67. Priory
Charters, 68. Priory after the Dissolution, 71.

Easton Percy, 72. Manorial History, 74. Manor House, 77. Pedigree of Langton,
77. Lower Easton Percy, 78. Pedigree of Lyte, 79. Upper Easton Percy: Crom-
well’s, 80. Monuments and Inscriptions, 82-88. Kington Cross, 88. Parish
Charities, 89-91.

AvsBREY AND Britton, 91. Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S., 92-108. Memoir of
John Britton, F.S.A., 109-128,

Qo, XL.
On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil Contents: By

BerEyy ey CUNNINGION, BAGS. 52. ccc chneiice scacvs cescece d's 129-142
The Church of Biddeston St. Nicholas: By E. W. Gopwiy, Esq...... 143-146
err ine CurOn « Y DItt. os sis s cet ws as ov'oc's Pens abece ss 146-148
Composition for Estates in Wilts, Temp. Cromwell: By F. A. Car-

RRMPMET URED a ETc Pe Yo) certs etelas ayes ctalaleisitinis Sis ne Gtx a/Sec eis, came weeks 5 148-157
Bells of the County of Wilts, with their Inscriptions, (No. 4.): By

ra SEIN. date als ere'eial vice ciel vient am eas tat sled bees 158-159
The Guild of Merchants, formerly in Devizes: By Mr. Epw. Kirn.... 160-174
The Battle of Ethandun: By Grorcr Marcuam, Esq............... 175-188
The Flora of Wiltshire, No.1: By T. B, Frowrr, Esq., M.R.C.S., &c. 189-194
Perambulations of Forests in Wilts, A.D. 1800. .................... 195-207

Clarendon, 197. Westwood, 198. Milchet, 199. Gravelee, 200. Bradene, 200. Sa-
yernak, 202-204. Chut, 205, Chippenham, 206. Melksham, 206. Selewode, 207.

Inventory of Church Goods at Calne, 5 Edward VI................. 208
Wild Darell of Littlecote: By Coantes Epwarp Lona, Esq......... 209-232
Pedigree of Darell, 226,

lv. CONTENTS.—VOL. IV.

fio. XE.

Account oF THE FrrrH GENERAL MEETING, AT BRADFORD, 11th,

12th, and 18th August, 1857.02. ..6 2200 wee cere sins son seresece 233-248

Articles exhibited at the Temporary Musenm.................... 249-252
On the Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset: By the Rev. J.

WSTEERINSON ete oie ecco cicln ain ce icin ie siwic Steinbatee a, sisters) els leaerae eens 253-256

Aioads of Informagion £08 WD) Oise ccieriels sxe cve iis ove so 670) = stulelevans celine 257-266
Monkton Farley Priory: By the Rey. Canon Jackson, F.S.A....... 267-284
On the Ornithology of Wilts, No. 8, [Insessores]: By the Rey. A. C,

SSRBET EE. co oreo ns = Siew Naren Sino eae pitts oles wie stell Uo isla solo eeictereien se 285-298
The Battle of Ethandun: By G. Povrerr Scrore, Esq., M.P........ 298-306
Abury: By Wrrttam Lone, Esq., M.A... .eeeeeee cee eee eee 307-363
List of Contributions to the Society’s Museum and Library... ... .. 363-364

Lllustrations,

Brass in Lacock Church, Robert Baynard, Esq., (1501), and his wife Elizabeth,
p. 3. Kington St. Michael: St. Mary’s Priory, ec. 1670, 51. Easton Perey
Manor House, 77. Exterior of Church, 81. Interior of Ditto, 81. Portrait of
John Aubrey, 92. Birth place of ditto, at Lower Easton Percy, 94. Portrait
of John Britton, 109. John Britton’s Birth-place, 110. Clerkenwell Wine-
vault, 111. The Fox in the Cradle, 116. Profile of Britton, 124.

Skulls cf Fossil Buffalo, p. 188. Font and Doorway at Biddeston St. Nicholas,
144. Bell Turret, at Ditto, 145. Ditchridge Church: South Doorway and
Sculpture, 146. Priest’s Door and Font, at Ditto, 147. Arms of the Devizes
Guilds, 160.

Monkton Farley Priory: Architectural Fragments, p. 280. Gravestone of Ibert
de Chat, 282. Effigy of Dunstanville, 284. Abury and Silbury, with sur-
rounding country, (Sir R. C. Hoare,) 309. The Great Circle of Abury and
the Kennet Avenue, (Aubrey,) 315, The Circles on Overton Hill, anda
Small Circle in a lane near Kennet, (Aubrey,) 317. Twining’s plan of
Abury, 320. View of Abury and its precincts, as restored by Stukeley,
322. View of Abury, restored, according to the plan of Stukeley and Hoare,
323. The Great Circle, surveyed by Stukeley, 1724, 325. The Great Circle,
surveyed for Sir R. C. Hoare, 1812-19, 326. Ground plan of a portion of the
remains of Kennet Avenue, 329. “Shelving Stone” at Monkton, and
‘“‘Devil’s Coits,” Beckhampton, 330. Monument, Kennet Parish: (from
Aubrey), 344. Small Circle near Kennet, (Falkner), 345.

WILTSHIRE
Arehoatagical on Batural Bietory

MAGAZINE,

No. X. JUNE, 1857. Vor. LY.
Contents,

Pace

BayNAarD Monuments In Lacock Cuurcu: By Mr. Edward Kite. . 1

Earus oF WItTsHIRE: By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., M.P.......... 8
On THE ORNITHOLOGY or WITS, No. 7, [Strigide]: By the Rev.

REC SIU LUI te eeb, Sera cok’ Bete elic Sich ol ccd ad Qdisesicis soos 26- 35
Kineton Sr. Mricwaxrt, General History of the Parish: By the Rey.

SME AACS ONS) SG AC 25.5: chsssyshaiel at o/s) e1ePavcle’tters, 0 e.cleions) iret eee 36-128

Taneton Manor. Early History, 36. Manor under Glastonbury Abbey, 37-
42. After the Dissolution of Monasteries, 42. Family and Pedigree of
SyewL of Kington, 42-45, Partition of Snell’s Estate, 45-46. Swinley and
Moreshall, 46.

Kincton Lanetery, 47. Fitzurse Farm, 48. St. Peter’s Chapel, 49.

St, Mary’s Priory, 51. Kalendar of Obits, 60. King’s Almswomen, 67.
Priory Charters, 68. Priory after the Dissolution, 71.

Easton Percy, 72. Manorial History, 74. Manor House, 77, Pedigree of
Lyte, 77. Do. of Langton, 78. Lower Easton Percy, 78. Upper Easton
Percy: Cromwell’s, 80. Kington Vicarage, 80. The Church of St.
Michael, 81. Monuments and Inscriptions, 82-88. Kington Cross, 88.
Parish Charities, 89-91.

AUBREY AND Britton, 91.

Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S., 92-108.
Do. of John Britton, F.S.A., 109-128,

ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Brass of Sir Edward Baynard and Lady, in Lacock Church. . 3
Kineron§r. Micwarn,—Exterior of Church .............. 81
Interior’ of ditto: . . .de5 0 P28. 81
St. Mary’s Priory, c. 1670........ 51
Easton Percy Manor House ........ 77
John Aubrey, Portrait............ 92
F ri Birth-place at Lower
Easton Perey . 94.

John Britton,( Portrait in next number yr
an », Birth-placeat Kington.. 110
A », Clerkenwell Wine-vault, 111
r} », The Fox inthe Cradle... 116
s », Profile of Britton ...... 124

DEVIZES:
Henry Bout, Saint Jonn Srreer.
LONDON :

Bett & Darby, 168, Firer Srreer; J, R, Surrn, 36, Sono Sevare,

WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE,

‘¢ MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.’’—Ovid,

Hapnard Atlonuments iw Aacock Church.

Gia South Transept of Lacock Church is attached to the Manor

sh) ‘ of Lackham in that parish, and appears to have been used by
many of its successive owners as a place of interment. The object
of the present paper is to describe three ancient memorials of the
Baynards which it contains, as illustrating in some degree the
pedigree of that family, or rather the portion of it connected with
the descent of the Lackham estate.

At the period of the Domesday survey, Lacham was held by
Ralph [de Mortemer] of William de Ow, and by him (together
with other Manors in Wiltshire) of the King.! At a somewhat
later date it belonged to the family of Bluet.? Elinor, the daughter
and heiress of Sir John Bluet, Knight,? by marriage with Edmund

1 Wyndham’s ‘Domesday’ xxxii. 12. Mr. Britton in his ‘Beauties of
Wiltshire,’ vol. iii, states that William de Ow was attainted of treason in the
reign of William Rufus, and his estates forfeited to the Crown; but omits to
mention his authority.

2 The names of three individuals of this family,—Roger de Bloet, B. Bluet,
and Sir William Bluet, occur in the Cartulary of Lacock Abbey, an abstract
of which is printed as an appendix to the ‘ History of the Abbey,’ by the Rey.
Canon Bowles, and J. G. Nichols, Esq., 1835; (see p. xv. xviii. xix.) An Emma
Bloet was elected Abbess of Godstow in Oxirrdshire, A.D. 1248. From the
‘Testa de Nevill’ compiled early in the 14th century, it appears that the heir
of Ralph Bluet held, at that date, one Knight’s fee in Lackham of the Earl
Marescall, and the Earl of the King. An obit for the soul of ‘Rafe Bluet’
was celebrated annually on the 20th of February, in the Priory of Kington St.
Michael, to which he had been, in all probability, a benefactor.

8 Sir John Bluet was buried in the Abbey Church of Lacock, where, until
the Dissolution, four candles of wax, lighted during the daily Mass for the
Dead, were maintained about his tomb.

wou. 1V.—NO. X. B

2 Baynard Monuments in Lacock Chureh.

Baynard, Esq., of Dunmow, Co. Essex, circa a.D. 1349, conveyed the
estate to that family.’

From an ancient document on vellum, formerly in the possession
of the Lady Mary Montagu, (daughter and. heiress of Sir Robert
Baynard), entitled “ l/ustrations collected by John Philipott,” (Som-
erset Herald, temp. James I.) “of the Family of Baynard, shewing
their Antiquitie, Nobilitie, Patrimony, and Posteritie,’ printed in
Gent. Magazine, May, 1826, p. 418; it appears that the Baynards
were of Norman family, the first of whom, Ralph Baynard, built
Baynard’s Castle, near Paul’s Wharf, in London, in the reign of
William Rufus. He had grants of land in Essex, Norfolk, and
Suffolk. Baynard’s Castle was forfeited by some act of felony, and
granted to Robert de Clare. From John Baynard of Co. Essex,
who died 23 Edward III., [1349,] the Wiltshire branch of the
family descended, as exhibited in the pedigree annexed.

Lackham continued in the possession of the Baynards for nine
successive generations, until Mary, the heiress (above mentioned)
of Sir Robert Baynard, Knight, by marriage with the Hon. James

1 This statement is made on the authority of the pedigree in the Wilts Visit-
ation, where Elinor, the wife of Edmund Baynard, is described as daughter and
heiress of Sir John Bluet; but the following extracts furnish the name of an
intermediate owner, Peter de Cusaunce, Knight, from which it would appear
that Sir John left two daughters and cohetresses, one of whom by marriage with
Peter de Cusaunce conveyed to him the Lackham estate, but dying without
issue, it passed into the hands of the other daughter, Elinor, wife of Edmund
Baynard :—

‘1346, John de Peyton obtained license to have a chapel in his Manor of
Lackham, in the parish of Lacock.”—Wyvill Register, Sarum. In the year
1349, the King presents to this chapel ‘‘ on behalf of the heir of Alianore Bluet,
Lady of the Manor” ; and in 1352, Peter de Cusaunce presents as ‘‘ Lord of the
Manor of Lackham.” Wilts Institutions.

Leland’s account of the descent of Silchester, (Co. Hants,) another property
of the Bluets, is as follows :—‘“‘ one of the Blueths leavyng no sons, the land not
entaylid to the heire [male or generale] came by mariage to one Peter de Cus-
ance, Knight, and after to one Edmunde Baynard,”—Itinerary vi. 53.

Peter de Cusaunce was Sheriff of Wilts, 1377, and presented to Hilmarton
(which he appears also to have obtained by marriage with a Bluet) in 1380.

The connexion of John de Peyton with the Manor of Lackham, unless he held
it as trustee for the heir of Bluet, does not appear. The family of Peyton were
seated in Co. Suffolk, and, with this exception, the name has not been met with
in any documents relating to Wilts.

{NyusnifHADUUUR IN

EDW. KITE , DEL

ff |

ie 1G U {
TE RNY y
mi ey bi Ghee i

Fee :
Ce

8)

|

|

(

Sele)
She
ey ) WT VI

TI TTI TR AT RSA ATT STA TI TRI TINT Ped ead NTTITT Sd TTSSATITTY CAT MAT ET Ree TTT ET TTR ITIAT)
Momunental Brags iw Itarock Chuck Wilts ;
ROBERT BAYNARD ESQ.(1501.), AND HIS WIFE ELIZABETH.

b h a
TEETER Uk) QI

By Mr. Edward Kite. 3

Montagu, third son of Henry, third Earl of Manchester, a.p. 1635,
conveyed it again to the family of Montagu, in whose hands it
remained until purchased by Captain Rooke, R.N., the late
proprietor.

The first of the memorials referred to, is a fine Monumental
Brass in the floor of the Transept, bearing the engraved effigies of
Rosert Baynarp, Esq., (fourth in descent from Edmund, above
mentioned,) and Exizaseru his wife, daughter of Henry Ludlow,
Esq., of Hill Deverill, (see plate). Robert Baynard, who died in
1501, is represented in a suit of plate armour, as worn at that
period; the head and hands are bare, the hair long; round the neck
is a gorget of mail, and a skirt of the same appears beneath the
body armour, over which is a tabard, or surcoat, embroidered with
arms of Baynard, quartering those of Bluet. A large sword hangs
from the left side, and the feet rest on two dogs.

The female figure has the kenne/, or triangular head dress, which
was adopted at the close of the fifteenth century, and a loose
mantle bearing the arms of Baynard, quartering Ludlow. The
gown, which appears beneath, is cut square to the neck, the sleeves
are tight, with fur cuffs, and the end of the girdle forms a long
pendant, reaching almost to the feet.

The inscription is as follows :—

“Hic jacet Robertus Baynard, armiger, bir eqreqtus et legis peritus, tn
armis fellicis multum strenuus, Dapifer precipuug tnter primos, pacts
conserbator Uiligentissimus, urorem habens Clisabeth Uebotissimam, cum
totitem filtig et filiabug subcnumeratis; qui obitt ppb} die Augusti Ao unt
meecee primo. Quorum animabus proptecietur Deus, anen.”

‘Here lyeth Robert Baynard, Esquire, a good man and skilled in the law,
a very active soldier, one of the best of house-keepers, and a zealous promoter
of peace. He had a most loving wife, Elizabeth, with as many sons and
daughters as are reckoned below. He died 26 August, a.p, 1501. On whose
souls Gop have mercy. Amen.”

Beneath the inscription are the effigies of eighteen children,
thirteen of whom are sons, and five daughters. The second son is
represented as a priest; the remainder have loose gowns, trimmed
at the neck and sleeves with fur; the eldest (whose primogeniture

B2

4 Baynard Monuments in Lacock Church.

appears to be distinguished by greater stature), wears a gypciere,
or external purse, attached to his girdle.

At the corners of the slab, are four shields, bearing alternately
the following arms :—

1st and 3rd. Quarterly, 1. and 4. Or, an eagle with two heads displayed
gules, Brurr. 2.and3. Sable, a fess between two cheyrons
or, BAYNARD.

2nd and 4th. Quarterly. 1.and4. BaArnarp, asabove. 2. and 3. Argent,
a chevron between three fox’s or marten’s heads erased sable,
LupDLow.

The second memorial is a tablet of wood, originally decorated
with colouring and gilt, but now much defaced. It is attached to
the east wall of the Transept, and bears in the centre, the following
inscription, eulogising the virtues of Edward Baynard, Esq., who
died in 1575 :—

‘‘ Heare lyeth ye Body of Edward Bainarde
Esqvire who for the space of many yeares
yeven to his dyinge day was Jvstice of
Peace and Corvm and sometimes Cvstos
Rotvlorvm and Hygh Sherriffe of the
County of Wiltes: a bovntyfvll friend
to his [bret] hren and sisters and to
his ser [van] ts liberall, and an enemy
to noe man: he lyved to the age of 63
yeares and dyed and was bvryed the 21
day of December 1575.

Lett envy saye what it can,

This was an honest man .

Whoe in his life did many goode,

And to the trveth firmely stode :

Religiovs, wise, and jvst was hee,

And ever lyyed worthylie.” ;

Round the inscription are eight shields of arms, setting forth
the following alliances of the deceased and his ancestors :—

BAYNARD impaling Argent, a chevron between three fleurs-de-lis sable.

BAYNARD ....- Azure, two swords in saltire between four fleurs-de-lis or,
Barrow (?)

BAYNARD ....- Argent, a chevron between three marten’s heads erased
sable, LupLow.

BAYNARD ....- Azure, a cheyron between three pears pendant or,
STEWKELEY.

SANIVARID ios ' Or, a chevron between three garbs sable, BLAKE,

BAYNARBD ..... Azure, fleury, a lion rampant or, Pooe.

By Mr. Edward Kite. 5

BAaYNARD ..... Gules bezantée, a cross coupée or, WALSINGHAM,
BAYNARD ..... Party per fess embattled Or and Sable, six crosses patée
counterchanged, WARNEFORD.

The whole is surmounted by a ninth shield, bearing Baynard
and Bluet, quarterly, with the crest of Baynard, and date 1623.

The individual thus commemorated, was great grandson of
Robert Baynard above mentioned; he was thrice married, and by
his third wife, Elizabeth, daughter of John Warneford of Seven-
hampton, Esq., had issue ten children, the eldest of whom, Sir
Robert Baynard, Knight, of Lackham, erected to the memory of
his father, and nearly half a century after his decease, the monu-
ment here described.

The third and last memorial (which is precisely similar to the
above, and erected at the same date,) commemorates Ursuta, wife
of Str Roserrt Baynarp, Knight, and daughter of Sir Robert
Stapleton of Wighall, Co. York, Knight, by his second wife Olave,
daughter and coheir of Sir Henry Sherington of Lacock, Knight,
and widow of John Talbot, Esq., of Salwarp, Co. Worcester. The
inscription is as follows :—

‘‘ Heare lyeth the Body of the Lady

Ursyla Baynard Davghter of Sir

Robert Stapilton of Wyghall in the

Covunty of Yorke Knight, and wife

to Sir Robert Baynard Knight, by

whome [s]hee had issve Edward her

Sonne heare bvryed and Mary hir

Daughter. Shee lyved to the age

of 36 yeares and departed to God

in most firme Fayth in Christ in

the yeare of ovr Lorde God 1623.
God’s goodness made her wise and well beseeming,
Discreet and Prvdent, Constant, Trve, and Chaste,
Hir virtves rare wan hir mvch esteeming,
In Coyrte and Coyntry, still with favovr graste,
Earth coyld not yelde more pleasing earthly blisse,
Blest wth two babes, thovgh Death brovght hir to this.”

The shields around the inscription set forth the following alli-
ances of the Stapleton family :—

* Argent, a lion rampant sable, SrapLeron. ¢mpaling, Sable, fretty or, Bux-
LEU, or BEAULIEU.

6 Baynard Monuments in Lacock Church.

STAPLETON impaling, Chequy, or and azure, a canton ermine within a
bordure gules, DE RicumonpD.

STAPLETON ..... Barry of eight or and gules, Frrzatan.

STarLeTon ..... Bendy of six or and azure, PHILIBERT.

STAPLETON ..... Ermine, on a fess azure, three fleurs-de-lis or, UFFLET.

STaPLETON ..... Ermine, a lion rampant azure, PICKERING.

STAPLETON ..... Barry of six or and vert, (? azure) CoNSTABLE.

STAPLETON ..... Gules, two crosses formée or, each charged with a cross
potent sable, between two flaunches chequy argent, and azure,
SHERINGTON.

On the upper part of the monument is a shield with the arms of
Stapleton, quartering Fitzalan, enclosed within a Garter; and
above, the crest of Stapleton, with the date, 1623.

The Parish Registers of Lacock, which commence in the year
1559, contain the following entries relating to the Baynard
family :—

Baprisms.
‘©1560. Phillippe, sonne of Robert Baynard,! ye ixth of ffebruarie.
1561. Marie, daughter of Robert Baynard, gent. xvth March.
1561. Edmunde, sonne of Edward Baynard, esq., iij Januarie.

1562. Mary, daughter ,, 3 5 sty xviij Januarie.
1563. Robert, sonne ,, ne = “ xxvj May.
1565. Nicholas, ,, ~ + A: % xiiij April.
1567. John 35 55 53 A os xxyj Januarie.
1569. Giles, = 3 An 5 nA xxj Januarie.
1571. Phillip, _,, 7 4 3 A xxxj October.
1573. Edward, ,, “ 3 5 a§ xyij April.
1575. Beniamine,, oF) A 35 55 xxij Februarie.

= Anne, daughter ,, viij July.
1616. Edward, sonne of Robart tee Esq. -» Xix August.
1621. Mary, daughter of St Robert Baynard, Kt xxvij March.”
MARRIAGES,
“©1584, Edward Perce, gent, and Marie, daughter of Edward Baynard, esq.
ij February.
1614. Edward Reade, esq.,2 and Anne Baynard, xxviij April.
1635. James Muntague, Esq. and Marie Baynard, daughter of St Robert
Baynard, Kt xj November.”

1 Afterwards of Silchester, Co. Hants. See Pedigree.

2 Of Corsham.—see Pedigree. ‘‘ Robert Baynard of Lackhame, and Edw.
Reade of Cossam, both of Wilts, squires, and Brethren in Law; at their
joint Charge repaired with Masons work, barr’d with Iron, and glazed, the

upper Window on the East part of the North Cross Ile [of Bath Abbey].

Their Arms are there,” —Antiquities of the Abbey Church of Bath, 8vo. 1723.

—— > se.

PACK HRY,

s and corrections.

ohn Bluet,
ts, Knight.

NE, m. to William Temy Four ¢
Rood Ashton, Esq, (names

CicELym. to
ghby, of 1 Robert 7hite.
rs Piddle, 2 Thos. bring-
rset. ton, of Hert-
fordshir,

| Henry,
Awn,bap,8 Bladen, C
n.1562 July, 1575. Somerset.
Feb., m, 28 April,
#4 %° Ed. 1614,to Ed.

ij Reade, of ”*
Corsham,
ae

Henry. Tuomas. |

PEDIGREE OF BAYNARD, OF ACKER aT

From the “‘ Wilts Visitation” of 4.p. 1623, (Harl MS, 1443), with additions and corrections,

EpMunp Baynarp, of Dunmow, Co. Essex,_Exinor, daughter and heiress of Sir John Bluet,
Esq- (anciently Bloet,) of Lackham, Co. Wilts, Knight.
m, ¢. A.D, 1349. cS

Putte Baynann, of Lackham, presented to_ . . . dau. of
the Chapel, as Lord of the Manor, a.p. 1410.
Ing. p. m. 3, Hen. V. [1414].
¥
Rowenrt Baynarn, of Lackham. Inq. p.m —Jocosa, dau. of
16, Hen. VI. [1437-8].

Puitip BayNarp, of Lackham, Sheriff of_ . . . dau. of
Wilts, 28, Hen. VI. [1449-50.] |
Ropert Baynarp of Lackham, died Aug._Etizannru, dau. of Henry Ludlow, of Hill '
26, 1501. Monumental Brass in Lacock | Deverell, Co, Wilts Esq-
Church, ai a 4
rile i ore Meee wt a fie
AYNARD, of_JANE, dau. of Nicholas Stewkeley, Grorce. Eleven other sons, (names § Jan¥, m. to William Temy) Four other daurs,
Lackham. of Affeton, Co. Devon, Esq. unknown.) of Rood Ashton, Esq. (names unknown.)
|
Rogert Baynarp, of Lackham, Ann, dau. of Robert Blaake, Mary, m. to Roger Blaake,
Sheriff of Wilts, 26 Hen. VIII., | of Calne, Co. Wilts. of Pinhill, in Co. Wilts.
[1634.]
=e |
Etnor, d. of Edw.—Epwarp BAaynaRb, of Lackham, b, c, A.D.—EtizaABeTu, d.of 2 Ropert, of 5 THoMAs, of—E izaBEtu, d. and coh, of GERTRUDE, m. ANN, m. to John CiceLym. to
Walsingham of Che- 1512. Sheriff of Wilts 15538. Bur. 21 | John Warneford, Silchester,Co Barton, Co. | George Barnes, of London, to Ambrose Ad- Willoughby, of 1 Robert /hite.
silhurst, Co. Kent, Dec. 1575. Monument in Lacock Church. | of Sevenhampton, Hants,m. and Gloucester. | Alderman, laine, of West- Turners Piddle, 2 Thos. bring-
Ob. s. p.—Buried at Hem. 1. Mary, d. of Leonard Poole, of | Co. Wilts, Esq. had issue. bury, Co, Wilts. Co, Dorset. ton, of Hert-
Lacock, Aug. 20, Sapperton, Co. Gloucester, who died with- 3. wife. 3 Lawrence. fordshir,
1559: 2. wife out issue. 4 Richard, ob.
8. Dp.
j | | | | Henry, of=Ann,d.of Tuomas, of SRO ae sie
/ 7 ir Law-
Epucnp, bap. Sir Ropert BayNnarp, of—Ursura, d. of Sir Nichotas, Joun, bap. Gites, bap. Pururp, bap. Epwarp,bap. Brngamin, bap. Mary, bap. ANN, bap,8 —_ Bladen, Co. | . . Hobbs. a sey Wilts unneede:
3 Jan. 1561, Lackham, Knight, bap. 26 | Robt. Stapleton, of bap. 14 Ap- 26 January 21 Jan, 1569, 31 Oct. 1571, 17 Apr., 1573. 22 Feb,, 1575, 18 Jan.1562 July, 1876. Somerset. hae , b ,
bur. at Lacock, May, 1563. Sheriff of Wilts | Wighall, Co. York, ril, 1565. 1567. ob. living 1623 bur. at La- m. and had bur, at Lacock, m. 2 Feb., m. 28 Apul, :
25 November 1629, [5 Chas. I.] Buried | Knight, bur. 9 Nov 8, p. in Ireland,m. cock, 28, Noy issue, 21 May, 1634. 1584 to Ed. 1614,to Ed. @
following. at Lacock, 7 June, 1636. 1623. Mon. at La- and hadissue 1616. Perce. Reade, of
cock. Corsham,
- i Ann, m. BarparnaA,m, Francesm. 4 ELIZABETH.
Epwarp, bap. 19 Aug. Mary, only daughter and heiress, bap, at Lacock HENRY. THOMAS. Se eee to John £0 Henry to James
1616. bur. at Lacock, 26 Mar. 1621, m.11 Nov. 1635, to the Hon. coded a. Thos. Moore Still. Gorge. Deane.
30 Mar. 1617. James Montagu, 3rd son of Henry, 3rd Earl of of Heytesbury, Co. Wilts

Manchester, ob, c. 1683, xt. 63.

By Mr. Edward Kite. 7

Boriats.

“©1559. Elynor Baynard, xx August.
1561. Edmonde, sonne of Edward Baynard, Esq. xxvj November.
1575. Edward Baynard, Esquier, xxj December.
1616. Mr. Philip Baynard, xxviij November.
1617. Edward, the sonne of Robert Baynard, Esq., xxx March.
1623. Ursula, the wife of St Robert Baynard, Knight, ix November.
1634. Beniamine Baynard, gent., xxj May.
1636. James Baynard,! iiij Januarie.

Sr Robert Baynard, Knight, vij June.’

sik Michael Brickett, Chaplain to Edward Baynard, Esq., was
buried at Lacock, onthe 7th of May, a.p. 1565.

The Porch of Lacock Church,? which is a late “ Perpendicular”
addition, was doubtless erected by an individual of the Baynard
family, as appears by a shield in the centre of the stone groining
of the roof, which bears the arms of Bluet and Baynard quarterly.

The arms of Baynard are also to be seen, together with many
others, on the roof of the Cloisters of Lacock Abbey, denoting,
perhaps, in this instance also, a benefaction to the building.

1 This name does not occur in the Pedigree.

2 This Porch occupies a rare and curious position, being attached to the west

front of a western tower, and quite unconnected with any other part of the
Church.

Epwarp Krre.
Devizes, March, 1857.

Earls of Wiltshire.

By G. Povutzrr Scrorr, Esq., M.P.

@ IN the times preceding the Conquest, the Saxon dignity of
ons ‘Schireman,’ or ‘EHaldorman’ corresponded to the Norman
one of “Count,” afterwards anglicised into Earl; both being
rendered in the Latin of cotemporary Chroniclers by ‘ Comes,”
and the ‘Shire’ or ‘County’ by “Comitatus.” The Saxon Earl
was in fact the ruler of the shire; who in peace presided, with the
Bishop, in the shire-gemot and other Courts of Justice, and in
war led the forces of the shire to battle.! He received, through his
Deputy the ‘“ Vice-Comes” or Sheriff (Shire-reeve, collector of
taxes in the shire) the whole or a portion of the profits, to the
King’s use or to his own. The best authorities are of opinion that
for some time subsequent to the Conquest, the grant of an Earl-
dom conferred the chieftainship and absolute command over
the county.? But before long these large administrative and
military powers appear to have been withdrawn, except in the case
of the Counties Palatine. The chief civil and military authority
within other counties was administered by the Sheriff, as the
King’s officer, not the Earl’s. | Whatever power the latter
exercised was solely by reason of such territorial possessions
(Baronies or Knight’s services) as he might hold there; and the
pecuniary profits of his Earldom consisted in the receipt of “the
third penny” of all pleas levied in the county courts. This was
his recognized legal perquisite, and paid over to him by the Sheriff.
The investiture with the dignity of an Earl was accompanied from
the earliest times by the girding on of the sword by the Sovereign

1 Selden’s letter to Vincent, prefixed to his Discovery of Errors.
2 Dugdale Preface to Baronage.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., MP. 9

himself in open Parliament, who declared it (the Earldom) “to be
held thenceforward as freely by the sword, as he (the King)
held England by the Crown.” A detailed account of this ceremony
on occasion of the Lord Henry Stafford being created Earl of Wilt-
shire by Henry VIII. in 1509, is still extant in a MS. in the
Herald’s College.

The Saxon Chroniclers make mention of but two noblemen
holding the dignity of Ealdormen, or Earls of Wiltshire. The
earliest of the two is WuLstan or Weoxtan, who, in the year 800,
the first of the reign of Egbert, and indeed on the very day of his
accession to the throne of Wessex, yaliantly resisted an invasion of
the Mercians under Ethelmund, at Cynesmeresford.2 The Chro-
nicle asserts that the slaughter was tremendous, but “the Wilt-
shiremen were victorious.” Earl Wolstan died shortly after of the
wounds received in this battle, and his widow, Elburvey, (or
Alburga), who was daughter (or more probably sister) of Egbert,
thereon took the veil, and founded the Priory of Wilton, of which
she became the first Prioress. The chronicle subsequently makes
mention of one AETHELM, “ Comes Wiltunensis,’ Ealdorman of
Wiltshire, as having been employed to carry to Rome the alms-
offerings of Alfred and the West Saxons in the year 888. He is
also reported, in company with other leaders, to have gained a
victory over the Danes at Buttington in 898, and to have died
in the same year.’

Edward of Sarisburie is mentioned in Domesday as Sheriff (“Vice-
Comes”) of Wiltshire; and this office was certainly hereditary in
his family together with the Earldom of Salisbury, being enjoyed
by his grandson Patrick, and great-grandson William, whose
daughter and heiress, Ela, conveyed both by marriage to her
husband, William Longespee. But the dignity of Eart or
Witrsuree was for the first time after the Conquest created by
Richard II, in the 21st year of his reign, (1897), when in open
Parliament he conferred it wpon his favourite William Le Scrope.

1 It is printed in full by Mr. Courthope in his edition of Nicolas’s Peerage.

2 Quere Somerford Keynes on the Isis in the extreme north of the county ?

§ Henry of Huntingdon states him to have been slain in a battle with the
Danes at Port in Hampshire.

10 Earls of Wiltshire.

1397. I. Sir Witt1am Le Scrorz, first Hart or WItTsHIRE, was
the eldest son of Richard, the first Lord Scrope of Bolton, Chan-
cellor to Richard II., by Blanch De la Pole sister of Sir Michael
De la Pole, Earl of Suffolk. From the depositions taken in the
celebrated suit of his distinguished father with Sir Robert Gros-
venor for the right to bear a particular coat of arms, we gather that
he served with distinction in 1869 in a Crusade against the infidels
in Lithuania, and again beyond Venice in the Army under Charles
Duke of Duras, afterwards King of Naples; and subsequently in
France in the years 1859 and 1363.

The military experience acquired in these foreign services, and
the influence of his father and maternal uncle Sir Michael De la
Pole, both holding the highest posts in the Government of Richard
II. conduced doubtless to his appointment, in 1383, to the office of
Seneschal, or Governor, of the Province of Acquitaine. In 13885
he was made Governor of the town and Castle of Cherbourg, and
continued during five years to hold both these confidential and
important posts. In 1892, while in Acquitaine, he was directed
to conclude a treaty of Peace with the King and Queen of Castile,
and was also commissioned to receive the homage of the Count
of Armignac.

In 1898, Sir William Scrope, who had risen high in the confi-
dence of his Sovereign, was employed about his person, first as
Vice-Chamberlain, and in 1395, Lord Chamberlain of the house-
hold. In 1394, he was admitted into the Order of the Garter, on
the decease of Sir Bryan Stapleton. In 1895, he was sent as one
of the ambassadors to France to negotiate the King’s marriage
with the Princess Isabel; and on the 9th May was empowered to
sign the treaty. In 1397 he was made Governor of the Castles of
Beaumaris and Queenborough. Three years before, in 1394, he
had obtained from the King the grant of the Castle, Town, and
Barton of Marlborough, in Wiltshire. And in the preceding
year, he had purchased from the Earl of Salisbury, the Sovereignty
of the Isle of Man.

In 1397, on the occasion of the Cabal formed by the Duke of
Gloucester, the King’s uncle, against the Monarch and his

:

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., MP. ; 11

favorites, Sir William Scrope, who ranked high among the latter,
took a leading part in the impeachment of the Duke, for which he
is severely censured by Walsingham. It has always been difficult
to unravel the true moral character of these transactions. What-
ever it may have been, the fidelity and attachment of Lord Scrope
to the person and interests of his Sovereign are unquestionable, and
were rewarded by his elevation, at this period, to the dignity of
Earu or Wixtsurre, and the grant of many of the estates forfeited
by Gloucester’s leading partisans. The chief of these, the Earl of
Warwick, was committed to the custody of the Earl of Wiltshire
and his brother, Sir Stephen Scrope, in his Island of Man.

In the following year, 1398, he was commissioned as one of the
ambassadors to negotiate a treaty of peace with France. Being
appointed Lord Treasurer, he remained in England to assist in the
Council of the Duke of York, during the absence of the King in
Ireland, and had likewise in conjunction with Sir John Bussy,
Sir Henry Grene, and Sir William Bagot, the charge of protecting
the young Queen Isabel, then placed for safety in Wallingford Castle.

The fall of his unhappy master necessarily involved that of the
Earl of Wilts from his powerful eminence. Bolingbroke, whose
star now rose in the ascendant, could not forgive the part he had
taken in repealing the Patent reserving the estates of the Duchy
of Lancaster to their owner during his exile. On the landing of
Henry at Ravenspur, the Council of Regency, finding that they
could not hold London owing to the King’s unpopularity there,
erected the Royal Standard at St. Albans, and collected there a
large force. This army however, through the vacillations of the
Duke of York, deserted the King’s cause ; whereupon Lord Scrope,
with Bussy and Grene, fled westward, and took shelter in the
Castle of Bristol. Henry, having secured the Metropolis, marched
towards Wales, where King Richard had just landed from Ireland,
and on his way laid siege to Bristol Castle. It surrendered after
four days resistance, and the Earl of Wiltshire with his two com-
panions, although their lives had been promised them in the con-
ditions of capitulation, were beheaded immediately, without trial,
on the 30th July, 1399. (Chronicle of London, p. 84.)

12 Earls of Wiltshire.

The high favour in which this nobleman was held by his Sov-
ereign, his fidelity, and the melancholy fate which overtook him in
the prime of life in consequence, are alike touched upon by
Shakespeare in his historical drama of Richard II. He it is of
whom Lord Roos is made to exclaim with indignation,

‘The Earl of Wiltshire hath the Realm in farm,’’!
and whose execution with that of his companions, when an-
nounced by his brother, Sir Stephen Scrope,? is bewailed so
pathetically by the beleaguered King in the celebrated passage,

“Of comfort no man speak ;
Let’s talk of graves, of worms, of Epitaphs,” &c.

Richard’s regard for the Earl was also manifested by his will, dated
7th April 1899, in which he bequeathed him two thousand marks
and a gold cup of the value of £20, and appointed him one of his
executors, a post Scrope did not live to fulfil. The Earldom of Wilt-
shire was, of course, forfeited together with all his estates, on his exe-
eution and subsequent attainder. The Rolls of Parliament describe
an affecting scene as having occurred at Westminster, when the
judgment pronounced against the Earl of Wilts was confirmed,

1 Act II, scene 1. This was not a mere figure of speech. Shakespeare
employs the same phrase in several other places; as where Richard himself,
in the last scene of the first Act, is made to say apologetically,

“« And for our coffers are grown somewhat light,

We are enforced to farm our Royal Realm.”
and in the Ist scene of the 2nd Act, the dying Gaunt thus laments over the
state of the island,

‘“‘This precious stone set in a silver sea,

This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land,

Is now Jeas’d out (I die pronouncing it)

Like to a tenement or paltry farm.” &e.

Fabian’s Chronicle states, ‘‘ In this 22nd yeare of King Richard, the common
fame ranne that the King had letten to farm the realme unto Sir William
Serope, Earl of Wiltshire, Sir John Busbey, Sir John Bagot, and Sir Henry Grene,
Kts.” And Lord Treasurer Burleigh in a formal harangue made before Queen
Elizabeth in Council, in the year 1595, upon the expediency of appointing a
Commission for the reform of abuses, a written copy of which was presented to
the Queen, refers, as toa known and unquestionable fact, to ‘‘ the perilous
precedent of King Richard the Second, in letting the whole realm to farm to
the Lord Serope, his Treasurer.” Strype Ann. iv. p. 329.

2 This Sir Stephen Scrope was at that time in right of his wife, Milicent, Lord
of Castle Combe in Wiltshire, which still is held by his direct descendants.

lin i a lal

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 13

on the 19th November, I. Henry IV. 1399. His venerable father,
Lord Scrope, Richard’s late Chancellor, rising from his seat, his
eyes streaming with tears, while admitting the justice of the sen-
tence, and deploring the conduct of his son, entreated that the pro-
ceedings might not affect the inheritance of his other children; a
prayer which the politic King granted in gracious terms on the
instant.}

It does not appear that William Lord Scrope held any other
territorial possessions in the county from which he took his title,
than the Town and Castle of Marlborough, then however one of
its chief strongholds. His two brothers, Roger and Stephen,
having married two of the three coheiresses of Robert Lord
Tibetot, were at the time in possession of two-thirds of the Barony
of Castle Combe, and therefore of extensive fiefs within the county.
And this may have been one of the reasons for the selection of
Wiltshire as his Earldom.? He himself married Isabel, daughter
of Sir Maurice Russell, of Dorsetshire, but had no issue by her.

The arms borne by Scrope, Earl of Wiltshire, were, according to
a Roll of arms compiled in the reign of Richard II., Quarterly
Ist and 4th, the arms of the Isle of Man, with a label of three
points argent; and 2nd and 4th, azure a bend or, (his family
coat), with a label of three points gules. His crest was a plume of
feathers azure, issuing from a coronet or, signifying the sovereignty
of Man. His badge was a crab or, being the crest formerly borne
by his family, and retained by the Masham branch, while that of
Bolton kept the royal plume.

II. Burter, Earn or Wirrsuire. 1449.

Exactly half a century later, in the year 1449, this dignity was
revived by Henry VI., in favour of Sir James Boteler, or Butler,
Knight, son and heir apparent of James, fourth Earl of Ormond,

1 Serope and Grosvenor Roll.

2 The Cathedral Church of Salisbury had the duty enjoined of prayers to be
said and sung in it for the prosperity of the Earl of Wiltshire during his life,
and the repose of his soul after death, by the will of John Waltham, Bishop of
London, in requital for his best and most valuable vestment bequeathed on this
condition to the said church.

14 Earls of Wiltshire.

in Ireland. Ormond then held the important office of Lord Deputy
of Ireland, and stood high in the confidence of the Sovereign ; both
he and his son being zealous partisans of the House of Lancaster.
The former dying in 1452, the Earl of Wiltshire succeeded him as
fifth Earl of Ormond. In 1454 he was made Lord Deputy of Ire-
land, and was appointed Lord Treasurer, and in the next year elected
a Knight of the Garter. The Earl of Wiltshire was with the King
in the battle of St. Albans, and fought on his behalf at Wakefield,
Mortimer’s Cross, and Towton. In the last conflict, which sealed
the fate of the Lancastrians and established the supremacy of the
House of York, he was taken prisoner, and immediately executed.
By the general act of attainder passed in the same year (1461),
against the late King and his principal adherents, all the estates of
the Earl of Wiltshire were forfeited, and the Earldom became
a second time eatinct.

It does not appear from the evidence yet met with, that Butler
Earl of Wiltshire, or any of his family, possessed property within
the county. Through his first wife, Avicia, daughter and heir of
Sir Richard Stafford, he had come into possession of large estates
in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Dorset, including the Isle
of Lundy, but of none it is believed in Wilts;! and he had in-
herited through his mother, Joane, widow of Humphrey de Bohun,
many manors in Essex, particularly that of Rochford, his chief seat
in England, and which afterwards passed to the Boleyn family, to
be noticed subsequently. The Arms borne by Butler, Earl of
Wiltshire, were those of Ormond; or, a chief indented azure.

III. Srarrorp, Eart or Wittsurre. 1470.

A few years later the dignity of Earl of Wiltshire was conferred
by Edward IV. upon Sir John Stafford, Knight, a grandson of
Humphrey first Duke of Buckingham and sixth Earl of Stafford.
This noble family had long been connected by property with the
county. The elder branch represented by the Duke of Bucking-
ham possessed the Manors of Knooke and Orcheston St. Mary, near

1 Collect. Top. ITI. 265. Ralph Butler, Baron of Sudeley, was in 1470 Patron

of Upton Lovel, near Warminister. But this was a different branch; so also
were the Butlers of Badminton who presented to the Church of Nettleton.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., UP. 15

Heytesbury, those of Clatford, Wexcomb, and Ditchampton near
Wilton, the Borough of Bedwin, the Hundred of Kinwardeston, and
a Manor in Sutton-Mandeville in the Hundred of Dunworth. The
bulk of these estates, forming a portion of the great fee of the Clares
Earls of Gloucester and Hertford, had passed to the Staffords by
marriage of Margaret Audeley, sole daughter and heiress of Hugh
de Audeley, Earl of Gloucester, by his wife Margaret, coheir of
Gilbert de Clare Earl of Gloucester, to Ralph first Earl of Stafford,
21 Edward III. They were successively possessed by Hugh his
son, and Thomas his grandson, Earls of Stafford, by Humphrey first
‘Duke of Buckingham, and his grandson Henry second Duke, who
was beheaded without trial at Salisbury, I. Richard III., 1483,
and by Edward Duke of Buckingham his heir, on whose at-
tainder the Manors escheated to the Crown, with the Dukedom and
its dependent fees.

A junior branch of the family represented by Sir John Stafford,
Knight, seventh son of Humphrey fifth Earl of Stafford and first
Duke of Buckingham, became possessed of the important Wiltshire
Manors of Warminster and Westbury, by his marriage with Con-
stance, daughter and heir of Sir Henry Grene, of Drayton and
Lowick, in Northamptonshire, who had inherited them from his
mother, daughter and heir of Thomas Mauduit of Warminster.
And it was the heir of this marriage, Sir John Stafford, who was
ereated Earl of Wiltshire, by Edward IV. 5th January, 1470, pro-
bably with the view of attaching this branch of so wealthy and
powerful a family to the fortunes of the House of York; the
Staffords having long been adherents of that of Lancaster.
He was moreover made a Knight of the Garter in 1471, but did
not live long to enjoy his honors, his death taking place in 1473;
_ when he was succeeded in the Earldom of Wilts, by 2. Epwanrp
Srarrorp, his son and heir, who dying in 1499, without issue, the
Earldom again became extinct. Edward Stafford, Earl of Wilts,
was buried in the Church of Lowick, otherwise Luffwick, in the

county of Northampton, where his monument still exists.' THis will
is to be scen in Sir Harris Nicolas’s ‘Testamenta Vetusta,’ p. 437.

“Vitis engrayed in ‘Gough’s Sepulchral Monuments,” yol ii, pl, exxx, p. 339,

16 Earls of Wiltshire.

The Arms borne by the Staffords, Earls of Wilts, were, Quarterly,
1. France and England in a bordure argent; 2. Bohun, azure a bend
argent cotised between six lions rampant or; 3. Bohun, azure ona
bend argent, cottised or, between six lions rampant of the third, three
mullets sable ; 4. or, a chevron gules, with a crescent for difference.

IV. Henry Srarrorp, Eart or Wittsnrre. 1509.

Very few years were allowed to clapse before the dignity was
again revived in the person of Henry Stafford, younger son of
Henry, second Duke of Buckingham and seventh Earl of Stafford,
and cousin therefore of Edward the last Earl of Wiltshire. He
was created Earl of Wiltshire by Henry VIII. on his accession to
the throne in 1509. He had been elected a Knight of the Garter
by Henry VII. in 1495. He married Muriel, sister and coheir of
John Grey, Viscount Lisle, but died without issue in 1528; when
the Earldom again became eetinct.

His father, Henry, Duke of Buckingham, held as heir to Hum-
phrey Bohun Earl of Hereford, the following Manors in Wiltshire,
Pool, Manyngford, Upavon, Nether-Avon, Farley Court, and
Wokesey. But it does not appear that the Earl himself possessed
any estates within the county. He bore the same Arms as the
preceding Earls of the same family.

V. Boreyn, Earut or Wittsuire. 1529.

Within the brief space of six years the Earldom was once more
revived by Henry VIII., in the person of his Treasurer of the
Household, Sir Thomas Boleyn, (otherwise Bollen or Bullen), of
Blickling, in Norfolk, Knight. This Nobleman being son and heir
of Sir William Boleyn and Margaret his wife, daughter and coheir
of Thomas Butler sixth Earl of Ormond, the brother and heir of
James Butler Earl of Wiltshire, above mentioned, might be con-
sidered to have some hereditary claim to the dignity, He was
created Viscount Rochford in 1525, from Rochford in Essex, which
with other large estates in the same county, he had inherited from
the Ormonds. Sir Thomas Boleyn was also allied to many others
of the nobility. He had married Anne, daughter of Thomas

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 17

Howard, Duke of Norfolk and Earl Marshal; his grandfather,
Sir Geoffry Boleyn, who was Lord Mayor of London, had
espoused one of the daughters and coheirs of Lord Hastings.
He was himself a person eminent as a scholar and philosopher,
the friend of Erasmus, who at his desire wrote several
tracts.|. The ground of his high favour with Henry VIII. was,
probably, his being the father of the lovely Anna, who from the
moment of her appearance at Court as maid of honour to the
unhappy Queen Catherine, had excited the passion of the British
Sultan. Sir Thomas Boleyn was himself commissioned to proceed
to Rome to obtain the sanction of the Pope to the annulling of the
marriage with the Queen, (where it is said he exhibited Protestant
tendencies by refusing to kiss the Pope’s toe); and probably for his
ready acquiescence in the views and wishes of his Royal Master
was created by him Earzt or Wittsutre, and likewise Earl of
Ormond in Ireland, December 8th, 1529. He had been elected
Knight of the Garter in 1524; he died 1538, five years after the eleva-
tion of his daughter to share the Throne of the Tyrant, and two
after her atrocious execution. Her brother George Boleyn Vis-
count Rochford, having been condemned at the same time, and
beheaded shortly after her, the Earldom of Wiltshire became
Extinct upon the death of his father.

It does not appear that he or his family at any time held any
territorial property in the county. A cotemporary MS. document
in the British Museum, gives the following description of the
standard borne by him as Earl of Wilts in the gorgeous ceremonies
of that time: “Per fess sable and gules, both semée of Stafford
knots argent, differenced by a crescent gules. The device a swan
(derived from the Bohuns) wings endorsed argent, ducally gorged
and chained or. Motto, Humble et Loyall.” Boleyn Earl of
Wiltshire bore for Arms, Or, a chevron gules, between three bulls’
heads sable.

VII. Pavrerts Earss or Wirsuire. 1550.

The next (and last) revival of this dignity was in the person of
William Paulet first Baron St. John of Basing, created in the
ee Seem naierS One hs CO REND tmRDeaos

c

18 Earls of Wiiltshire.

reign of Edward VI. Earl of Wiltshire, 19th January 1550, and
Marquis of Winchester, 12th October 1551, in which latter dignity
the Earldom of Wiltshire has been ever since, and is now merged.

Sir William Paulet, Powlett, or Poulett, Knight, was descended
of an ancient family which for a long period were connected with
the county by property. William Paulet second son of Sir John
Paulet or Poulett, Knight, of Meleoombe Paulet in the county of
Somerset, had by marriage with Eleanor, sister and heir of Elias
Delamere, Sheriff of Wilts in the 2nd year of Henry V., acquired
the Manors of Fisherton Delamere, Longbridge Deverill, and
other estates in Wiltshire; in which county the elder branch of
the family already possessed extensive estates, by the marriage of
Sir John Poulett of Goathurst with Elizabeth, daughter and heir
of Sir John Reyney of Rowde and Sherston. Sir John Paulet, son
and heir of this first mentioned marriage, died in 1470, leaving
his son and heir Sir John Paulet, K.B., who married Alice,
daughter of Sir William Paulett of Hinton St. George, Co.
Somerset, and had issue,

Srr WitiiAm Pavtet, Knicut, porn circa 1483.

The first notice we have of this eminent person is that he held
the office of Comptroller of the Royal Household to Henry VIII.
in 1533. At this time he must have been of mature age; and being
but the younger son of a junior branch of his family, could only
have risen so high in the favor of the Sovereign by the exercise
of those qualities of sagacity and discretion which distinguished
him throughout the latter part of his long career. Having early
espoused the principle of the King’s supremacy in Ecclesiastical
affairs, he was commissioned by Henry in the year above-mentioned,
in conjunction with Lord Rochford the brother of Queen Anne, to
attend the meeting of the Pope and the King of France in the
South of France, at which the questions then pending between the
Papal See and the King of England were to be discussed. A few
years later, in 1539, he was in reward for his services created Baron
St. John of Basing, a dignity to which he had something of an
hereditary claim, through his great grandmother, Constance de

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esqg., U.P. 19

Poynings, daughter and eventually coheir of Sir Thomas de
Poynings, Lord St. John, in the reign of Edward ITI. In 1544, he
attended the King in his expedition to France and at the siege of
Boulogne, and having for many years served in the high offices of
Lord Treasurer, President of the Council, and Great Master of the
Household, he received the last proof of the confidence of the Soy-
ereign in the appointment to be one of his executors, to whom
during the minority of the young Prince Edward VI., the Govern-
ment of the Kingdom was to be entrusted.

In that capacity Lord St. John joined in 1547 in the election of
the King’s uncle the Earl of Hertford, (immediately created Duke
of Somerset), as Lord Protector. But two years later, acting as
Lord President, he took the lead in deposing the Duke from that
station, and was by the Council of Regency appointed Treasurer in
his stead. In the next year 1550, he was created Hart or Wixt-
SHIRE, and was made Master of the Wards and Liveries, as well as
Lord Lieutenant of the County of Southampton in which his chief
estates lay, and especially the ancient seat of the St. Johns, Basing,
where the Lord Treasurer had erected a strong and stately mansion,
reported by Camden to have been the most magnificent possessed
at that time by any subject. In 1551, he was raised to the still
higher dignity of Marquis of Winchester.

Under that title and exercising the office of High Steward, he
presided at the trial of his former friend Somerset, and sentenced
him to execution. He had the honour of sumptuously enter-
taining the young Sovereign both at Waltham and at Basing
House in the same year.

It was generally said at the time that “this sagacious nobleman,
and his friend the Duke of Northumberland (Warwick), together
ruled the Court ; he by his counsel and wit, the Duke by his stout
courage and proudness of stomach.”! His counsel appears to have
been generally of that very prudent character, which keeps clear
of danger by taking always to the strongest side, and is ready to

18trype Index to Annals.

20 Earls of Wiltshire.

turn in the opposite direction so soon as perils are discerned ahead.
Actuated by this characteristic discretion, Lord Winchester, as the
intimate friend and ally of Northumberland, took part in his am-
bitious intrigues for raising his daughter-in-law, the Lady Jane
Grey to the throne, by virtue of the Patent obtained from the
immature and expiring Prince, but stopped short when after the
death of the King, he found that the attempt was likely to fail;
signed the order to the Duke to lay down the arms levied in her
name against Mary, and led the array of the Council of State to
proclaim the latter as Queen in the city. Asa natural result, he
was retained by the new Sovereign in his office of Lord Treasurer.
Indeed he soon obtained great influence over that Princess, which
it is but justice to him to say, he appears to have wisely and
honestly exercised. He persuaded the Queen to refuse to grant
away any crown lands without his assent, and introduced much
order and economy into the Exchequer, of which he had through-
out her reign the control. He was elected by Mary to the Order
of the Garter, and appointed her Lieutenant General of the King-
dom south of Trent.!

On the death of Mary, (1558), he was still continued in the
office of High Treasurer by her sister Elizabeth. In 1560, and
again in 1569 he splendidly entertained the Queen and her Court
at his mansion of Basing ; on one of these occasions Elizabeth is
reported to have playfully lamented his great age, (he must have
been then near eighty), saying “By my troth, if my Lord Trea-
surer were but a young man I could find my heart to have him for
a husband before any man in England.” No doubt he would have
made a very amiable and acquiescent one.

At length having served in the highest offices of State, (among
the rest for more than thirty years as Lord Treasurer,) and sat in
the Privy Councils of no less than five Sovereigns, Henry VII.,
Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary, and Elizabeth, this venerable
nobleman died at the advanced age of eighty-seven, at Basing,
(where he was buried) on the 10th March, 1571. He lived it is

1 Strype. Index to Anne.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 21

said by Holingshed, to see the children of his children’s children, to
the number of one hundred and three descendants of his own blood.
“A rare blessing” adds the Chronicle, “to men of his calling.”

It is related that being asked by some one “how he had so safely
and honourably passed through such tempestuous times, in which
so many of all sorts had miscarried ?”’ his reply was, “ By being a
willow, and not an oak.” So long a career of uninterrupted pros-
perity and honourable employment in exalted positions was, indeed,
in those times unexampled, and could only have been exhibited by
a character such as he here gives himself, one that would yield
always to the storm instead of attempting to oppose it. No doubt
there is little of heroism, or even generosity in such a character.
And the facility with which Lord Winchester acted in turn as the
bosom friend and counsellor of both Somerset and Northumberland,
and in due time, when their fortunes changed, not merely deserted,
but took the lead in convicting and destroying them, exposes him
to the suspicion of treachery and selfish cowardice. But such con-
duct was perhaps not incompatible with a desire to pursue the
course most conducive to the public good. Public opinion at all
events seems to have been generally favourable to him. He was
the Ulysses of his day ; crafty, but wise and prudent, no less in his
country’s interest than his own. He “feathered his own nest,” no
doubt, but was no Bird of Prey. He truckled to the truculent
tyranny of his master Henry; but it was in fear and trembling that
he executed those wrathful mandates—in many of which we must
remember he was associated with Cranmer. Certainly a nobleman
who could retain the confidence successively throughout the better
part of half a century, of Henry VIII., Mary and Elizabeth, must
have been a most loyal and submissive, if not a servile subject.
Possibly we shall make the nearest approximation to his true
character, if we designate him as the most thorough and accom-
plished “Courtier” which our history can produce. The motto he
chose “Aymez Loyaute,” expresses probably the feeling that
really animated his career.

The Marquis of Winchester was an early supporter of the Re-
formation. He purchased, or otherwise obtained, Church lands of

22 Earls of Wiitshire.

the Crown. Among these were the Priory and Lands of Edington

in Wilts, which were made over to him in 1549, (3. Edw. VI.)

after the execution of Sir Thomas Seymour of Sudeley, the first

grantee on the Dissolution.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Capel, Knight,
and by her had four sons and four daughters. He was succeeded
in his accumulated honours by his eldest son,

1572. John Paulet, 2nd Hart or Wintsu1re and Marquis of Win-
chester, who died shortly after his father, in 1576, and was
succeeded by his son and heir,

1576. John Paulet, 3rd Marquis and Earl of Wiltshire, a poet and
a man of letters. He died in 1598, and was succeeded by his
son and heir,

1598. William Paulet, 4th Marquis and Earl of Wiltshire. This
nobleman, like his great grandfather, but forty years later,
namely, in 1601, had the honour of sumptuously entertaining
Queen Elizabeth at Basing House, for a period of thirteen
days, to the no slight impoverishment of the Marquis, who
in fact says Stowe, was forced not long after, to sell his
house in Austin Friars, London, in order to pay the debts
incurred by his costly living at Basing House. Dying in
1628 he was succeeded by his son and heir,

1628. John Paulet, 5th Marquis and Earl, celebrated for his gal-
lant and obstinate defence of Basing House, in the cause of
King Charles against the Parliamentarian forces. The siege
lasted upwards of two years, from August 1643, to October
1645. The Journal of this siege was printed in Oxford in
1645, and is said by Granger to have been one of the most
eventful episodes of the Civil War. The Marquis repeatedly
declared that ‘Even if the King had no more ground in Eng-
land than Basing House, he would maintain it for him to the
uttermost.” Colonel Gage relieved the garrison twice, but it
was finally stormed by Cromwell in person, with the aid of
treachery from within. The plunder taken is said to have
amounted to £200,000. The house was burnt to the ground,
and has not since been rebuilt. All that remains is a heap of

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 28

ruins within the very extensive garden walls. The gallant
Marquis survived till 1674; but met with no recompense after
the Restoration from his ungrateful Sovereign, for the enor-
mous sacrifices his Loyalty had entailed on him. His epitaph
in Englefield Church, where he was buried, was written by
Dryden. He was succeeded in his honours and titles by his
son and heir,

1674, Charles Paulet, 6th Marquis and Earl of Wiltshire, This
nobleman was of so eccentric a character, that he wag styled
by Burnet, “The greatest riddle of the age.” Granger, how-
ever, represents him to have “assumed the character of a
madman, as the first Brutus did in the reign of Tarquin,” in
order to avoid compromising himself by taking that active
part in public affairs which his rank and station would have
required from him if capable of business, during the arbitary
and cruel reign of James TI. He however, under this mask
of incapacity, covertly exerted himself in abetting and in orga-
nizing the Revolution of 1608, by which that Monarch was
driven from the Throne his bigotry and tyranny had justly
forfeited ; and for hig eminent services on that occasion he
was created Duke of Bolton in 1689, He in the same year
raised a Regiment for the support of William of Orange in the
reduction of Ireland. The Duke resided chiefly at Bolton Hall,
near Bolton Castle in Yorkshire, from whence his title was
derived. He had become possessed of this ancient inheritance
of the Scropes, by marriage with Mary, one of the natural
daughters of Emanuel, eleventh and last Lord Scrope of Bolton,
and first Earl of Sunderland, who on his death in 1630 with-
out legitimate issue, had entailed his vast estates on his na-

; tural children, a son who died unmarried, and four daughters,
; who ultimately inherited the whole between them, Dying
in 1699, he was succeeded in all his honours by

1699. Charles Scrope Paulet, 2nd Duke of Bolton, seventh

Marquis of Winchester and Earl of Wiltshire, Baron St.
John of Basing. This nobleman assisted with his father in
the great work of the Revolution, and was one of the persons

24 Earls of Wiltshire.

appointed at Exeter, in 1688, to manage the resources of the
Prince of Orange as Sovereign of England. He was con-
stituted one of the Lords Justices of Ireland in 1697. In
1706 he was placed on a commission for settling the terms
of the Union between Scotland and England. In 1714 he was
elected Knight of the Garter, and three years later was
appointed Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He died in 1722,
at the age of 62, and was succeeded by his son and heir,

1722. Charles 3rd Duke, 8th Marquis and Earl. He like his
father served in several high offices of State; but perhaps is
better known as the nobleman who first raised an actress from
the boards of the theatre to the high level of the Peerage, in
the person of the celebrated Lavinia Beswick, alias Fenton,
who as the Polly Peacham of Gay’s Beggars’ Opera, was then
charming the world of fashion. She died Duchess of Bolton
in 1760. The Duke himself died in 1754, without issue, when
the estates and honours passed to his brother and heir,

1754. Harry Pawlet, 4th Duke, 9th Marquis and Earl, who had
before his brother’s death represented Southampton in five
successive Parliaments. Dying in 1759, he was succeeded by
his son and heir,

1759. Charles Paulet, 5th Duke, 10th Marquis and Earl, K.B.,
who died in 1765, without lawful issue. The honours and
estates then devolved upon his brother and heir,

1765. Harry Paulet, 6th and last Duke of Bolton, eleventh Marquis
and Earl, &c., an Admiral of the white. This nobleman died
in 1794, leaving no male issue, and the Dukedom consequently
became extinct.!. But the Marquisate and Earldom reverted

1 Bolton Castle, with a great part of the Duke’s other estates, thereupon
devolved, by virtue of an entail created by the preceding Duke, on Jane Mary
his natural daughter, wife of Thomas Orde; who by Royal license assumed the
name of Powlett, and, in October 1797, was created Baron Bolton, of Bolton
Castle in the county of York. His Lordship died in 1807, and was succeeded
by his son William Orde Powlett, 2nd Baron Bolton, and the present possessor
of Bolton Castle and Bolton Hall. Thus, it is remarkable, that these large estates
so long the property of the Scropes of Bolton, have not been alienated by grant
or sale since the time of Edward III., but are still owned by the blood of the

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 25

to the next male heir, George Paulet, eighth and only sur-
viving son of Norton Paulet, son and heir of Francis, eldest
son of Lord Henry Pawlet, second son of William 4th Mar-
quis of Winchester and Earl of Wiltshire. He died 22nd
April 1800, and was succeeded by

1800. Charles Ingoldsby Burroughs Pawlett, son and heir, who
died 29th November 1843, leaving as his successor in all
honours his son and heir,

1843. John Paulet, present and 14th Marquis of Winchester,
Earl of Wiltshire, and Baron St. John of Basing, in the
Peerage of England, Premier Marquis of England, Hereditary
bearer of the Cap of Maintenance, Lord Lieutenant of the
County of Southampton, and Colonel of the North Hants
Militia.

The Arms borne by the Paulets, Earls of Wiltshire and Mar-
quisses of Winchester have always been the family coat, viz. :
Sable, three swords in pile argent, pomels and hilts or; with which
the Duke of Bolton quartered the arms of Scrope (azure a bend
or,) within a bordure or. Crest,—a Mailed arm proper, holding
a sword, same as in coat. Motto,—‘‘ Aymez Loyaute.”

Most of the estates in Wiltshire held from an early period
by this branch of the Paulet family, were long since alienated.
The Manor of Longbridge Deverill was sold by William, first
Earl and Marquis, 14th Elizabeth, to William Mullens, from
whom it passed to the Ludlows, owners of the adjoining Manor
of Hill Deverill}

The Manor of Fisherton Delamere continued in the possession
of the Earls of Wiltshire down to Henry eleventh Marquis
and Earl, and sixth and last Duke of Bolton, who sold it, eirca
1778, to Webb Seymour, Duke of Somerset.

Scropes ; having twice during that period been transmitted through natural
daughters to their present possessor. The Hampshire estates of Basing and
Hackwood, inherited from the St. Johns, passed likewise to Lord Bolton, to-
gether with those in Yorkshire. The mansion at Hackwood contains numerous
portraits of the successive Earls of Wiltshire and Marquisses of Winchester of
the Paulet blood.
; 1 Hoare’s Hundred of Heytesbury, p. 41.

26

On the Ornithology of GHilts.

pe

No. 7.—STRIGIDZE (Ouwis).

ie YSE the Hage enjoyed distinction as the favourite of Jove, and
Sead its plume was sought for by the North American Indian,
and by the Highland chief in Scotland, asa mark of nobility :
or if the Hawk was held sacred by the Turks and Egyptians,
and had respect shown to it alive or dead, and is still found
embalmed in the mummy pits on the borders of the Nile; not a
whit behind hand is the Ow/ in honour, consecrated by the most
learned nation of old to their tutelary Deity, the Goddess of Wis-
dom. And indeed there is a great deal in the appearance, character,
and habits of this bird to warrant such a distinction : there is such a
remarkably wise expression in its face, it has such a dignified look,
its movements are so deliberate, grave and solemn, that we are ready
to agree with the Athenians, and to set down the Owl as the very
emblem and personification of learning. And yet again, when we
examine the bird, and observe the large facial disk, or ruff of
feathers encircling the face, giving it the most grotesque appear-
ance; while peeping forth from this circular fringe and almost
buried in it, projects the short strong hooked beak: when we
observe the large staring eyes, glaring forth so solemnly from their
ruff, and the head so large and apparently so out of proportion,
the figure before us is at once so grave and so ludicrous, so digni-
fied and so grotesque, that we are in doubt whether to put it down
as a very wise ora very foolish bird. But apart from its appearance,
very interesting is the whole family of owls, and well worthy of
observation: plunderers though they are, and living by what they
can murder, and that too not openly and by day, as the Falconide,
but skulking along on noiseless wing, in the silence and darkness
of night they are clever fellows too; aye, and noble withal, and

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 27

much to be respected; then how sagacious they are, and how much
they know: to be sure if you look at one in broad daylight, when
the sun dazzles and confounds him, he cuts but a sorry figure, but
so would a man, were his powers of vision so keen and so sensitive ;
but observe him, when the shades of evening have fallen on the
earth, how cunning, how thoughtful, how active he seems now,
“yet not restless or hurried in his movements, but deliberate and
calm. All day long he will sit in his snug dark retreat, dozing
away the hours of dazzling sunshine, to him so insupportable,.
snoring and dreaming as owls only can do; but no sooner has the
sun gone down and twilight begun, than out comes the owl from
its lurking place; gliding along in silence; hunting over the fields;
dropping on a mouse, which any vision less keen would fail to
discover; bearing it off to its nest; and returning again to its
hunting ground ; and thus ridding mankind of a vast number of
this most destructive of little four-footed vermin. Now to enable
the owls to effect this in the twilight, and even the dusk of night,
they are furnished with several attributes peculiarly adapted to
their requirements: thus their powers of sight and hearing are
remarkably acute, as I have before observed; and in addition to
this, their plumage is so soft and downy, and their wing feathers
in particular so pliant, that in striking the air they offer the least
possible opposition, and move along noiselessly, with a slow gentle
and uniform motion ; in which respect they differ widely from the
flight of other birds, the flapping of whose wings may be heard,
often at a considerable distance.

But though of such signal service to mankind, and though en-
joying such a reputation for wisdom, the poor owl is not looked
upon with a friendly eye; on the contrary it is now, and always
has been regarded with superstitious feelings by the inhabitants of
this, as well as other countries: without doubt, its habits of seclusion
by day, its spectre-like and noiseless movements by night, and its

_ solemn appearance are the principal cause of this popular error:

£
ib

z
a

then its frequent lurking place, the church tower ; its haunts, the
churchyard and the neighbouring meadows: its ghostly and silent
flittings ; its wild unearthly and dismal shriek, coming suddenly on

28 On the Ornithology of Wiits | Strigide].

the belated peasant, combine to startle and terrify him into the
belief that something ominous has occurred, and lead him to think
that the owl bodes no good, and knows more than he ought, and
portends calamity: and this idea is greatly strengthened by the
strange pleasure which the bird seems to evince in singling out
and hooting at the window of the sleepless and fever-racked in-
valid, a greeting ever dreaded as the unfailing forerunner of death,
but which was only a scream of surprise, with which the bird
testified its perception of the light burning in the sick man’s room,
and to which it was attracted from its hunting fields. Thus the
ignorance of man has from time immemorial attributed evil to the
owls, and caused them to be regarded with suspicion and super-
stitious horror, and consequently to be persecuted in every way ;.
and was it not for their habit of keeping close to their hiding
places during the day, and only emerging with the declining light,
they would probably soon be exterminated from our island, without
any regard to their real harmlessness, and the immense benefit
they confer on man.

It is very rarely indeed that an owl is seen abroad when the sun
is shining, but should one from any cause be driven or tempted
from his retreat during the day, it is attacked on all sides, mobbed,
persecuted, and pursued by a host of small birds, screaming and
chattering, and scolding, who knowing its helplessnesss at such a
time and seizing the opportunity, rejoice to take the common enemy
at a disadvantage, and worry him with great gusto.

Like their diurnal brethren of prey, owls reproduce the indi-
gestible parts of the animals they have swallowed, as fur, feathers,
bones, &c., in large pellets or castings, many bushels of which may
be seen at the foot of the hollow tree, or the bottom of the
ruined ivy-covered tower, which they have selected for their abode.
Like the hawks too they live in pairs; but rarely drink; carry off
their prey in their feet, for which their sharp claws are well fitted ;
and, like the buzzards and harriers, beat their hunting grounds in
regular order, near the surface of the earth. Indeed, if we look
back to the family of falcons, we shall see in many respects a
gradual approach to the owls in the genera last described, these

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 29

marks of similarity becoming more and more apparent as we
advance: thus the buzzards, though essentially belonging to the
Falconidze, possess a heavy form, an indolent appearance, plumage
soft in texture, downy and loose, flight easy and buoyant, but not
swift, and (as the American Naturalist Wilson says), “they are
often seen coursing over the surface of the meadows, long after
sunset, many times in pairs;” in all these points they betoken a
decided approach to the owls, which however becomes yet more
marked in the intervening family of harriers, for in addition to all
the above-named points of resemblance in flight, plumage, and
appearance, these birds possess the form of beak, and the peculiar
and distinct disk of close-set feathers, surrounding the face, for

-which the owls are so noted ; add to this, that the skeletons of the

harriers and the owls show a close affinity; as do their eggs; and
in both the large aperture of the ear is conspicuous. Thus the two
families of diurnal and nocturnal birds of prey, the falcons and the
owls, approach one another by gradual and almost insensible steps,
so smoothly, evenly, and easily does nature pass from one link to
another in her great chain, so gentle are the transitions from one
genus to another.

The family of owls may be divided into two groups, those which
possess horns, and those which have smooth heads: these horns or
ears are simply two tufts of feathers on the head, varying in length
according to the species; which can be raised or depressed at the
pleasure of the bird, according as it is actuated by sudden fear,
rage, or excitement of any kind, or is slumbering in repose. There
are six species which I am able to enumerate as belonging to this
county; the first and last of which are very rare, and only oc-
easional stragglers, the remaining four being sufficiently common :
but the largest owl of all, the king of owls, the “Eagle Owl” as
British Ornithologists style it, ‘Bubo Maximus,” Hibou Grand
Due, I regret to say is not entitled to a place in our Wiltshire
Catalogue. Of the six species which we possess, three are with,
the remaining three without the above mentioned horns or tufts.

Scops eared Owl (Scops Aldrovandi), very rarely indeed does this

beautiful little bird make its appearance in England, and then only

hs hel OG

30 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Strigide. |

in the summer is a straggler occasionally seen, which has left the
warmth of Italy, and the shores of the Mediterranean for our
colder climate: its favourite haunts seem to be the hot countries
near the equator, but every summer it is extremely common
thoughout Italy, and I found no difficulty in procuring a
specimen at Genoa. It is described as a late-flying species,
seldom leaving its retreat, till after the sun has gone down below
the horizon : its cry is said to be a constant repetition of the word
“ew,” which becomes very monotonous and tiresome to the
listener: the colour of its plumage is difficult to describe, each
feather being mottled, speckled, barred and spotted, and pencilled
with every shade of dark and pale brown and grey; and a re-
markably pretty bird it is, and very diminutive, its total length
being little more than seven inches: the head is furnished with
two little tufts of feathers or ears, each tuft consisting of about
seven feathers. Its principle food is insects of various kinds, but
it will also occasionally prey on mice and other small animals. I
have but one instance to record of its occurrence in Wiltshire, and
that alas! is now destroyed, having been pulled to pieces by the
grandchildren of its owner; it was killed about twenty years since
in the south of the county. I may add, that several other instances
of its occurrence in various parts of the county have reached me,
but on examination, the species proves in all these cases to have
been mistaken.

Long eared Owl (Otus vulgaris). Conspicuous amongst its con-
geners from its long tufts or horns, which measure nearly an inch
and a half in length, this handsome species stands forth, as a very
type of the family of owls, so complete is the ruff of feathers sur-
rounding the face, so large the orifice of the ear, so buoyant its
flight, so thoroughly nocturnal its habits: as in the species last
described, nothing can exceed the beautiful pencilled markings of
its plumage, the darker shades of brown contrasting with the more
delicate tints of the same colour, and the whole blending together
and harmonizing with indescribable beauty. It frequents thick
plantations during the day, and breeds very early in the spring, in
our large woods, preferring the deserted nest of another bird to the

7
‘

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 31

trouble of building for itself; the young, if disturbed, are said to
throw themselves on their backs, to hiss violently, to snap quickly
with their hooked beaks, strike furiously with their sharp claws,
and puff out their down like a turkey cock. Mice and moles con-
stitute their favourite food, but in addition to this, Montagu says,
that they will take small birds off their roost. The long eared owl
is indigenous to Wilts, and though but sparingly distributed
throughout the county, breeds here annually. Mr. Marsh possesses
one killed at Gritnam wood, near him, in 1840, and has seen it in
the neighbourhood of Salisbury. Mr. Hayward and Mr. Stratton
have seen it at Lavington, and Mr. Elgar Sloper, of Devizes, kept
one alive, which was taken from the nest at Aldbourne in 1853,
where there had also been a nest of these birds the previous year.
I have other instances of the occurrence of this owl at Erchfont,
and other places.

Short eared Owl (Otus brachyotos). Far more numerous than the
last, and well known to most sportsmen is this species, which
arrives here in October, and leaves us again in spring: unlike its
congener, the ‘long eared’, this owl never enters woods and plan-
tations, or perches on a tree, but prefers the open common, the
turnip field and the moor, amidst the long coarse grass of which if
makes it nest. It will hunt readily by day, and this habit together
with the smallness of its head, and its general appearance, have
procured it the provincial name of the ‘Hawk’ Owl: it is also
called the ‘Woodcock’ Owl, from its arrival and departure oceur-
ring simultaneously with that bird. It preys chiefly on mice, and
has been known to congregate in considerable numbers, when an
unusual abundance of that destructive little quadruped has threat-
ened to ravage a district. It is a bold pugnacious bird, and when
wounded will spring at its assaillant with great fierceness, leaving
unmistakeable evidence of the sharpness of its bill and claws. Its
horns consist of but four feathers in each, so very little longer
than the rest of the plumage on the head, that after death they are

difficult to discover : I believe that it is when in repose, and while
undisturbed that this bird erects its tufts, and when startled or in
fear depresses them, but there are conflicting opinions on the

32 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Strigide].

point. This species occurs frequently throughout the country, and
is so often roused by partridge shooters in turnips, and from the
long grass by the side of ditches, that it is needless to particularize
localities of its capture.

Barn Owl (Strix flammea). We now come to the smooth headed
or hornless owls, unadorned with the feathery tufts which he have
noticed as belonging to the foregoing species: first of these, and
by far the most common of British owls is the species now under
consideration, the ‘ Barn’ or ‘ White’ owl, which rejoices in a great
many provincial names, as the ‘Church’ owl, the ‘ Hissing’ owl,
the ‘Screech’ owl, &c.; though called white, and having a white
appearance generally, as it is seen emerging from the Church
tower or barn, in either of which it loves to dwell, and hunting
over the meadows on noiseless wing, yet when seen nearer, its
plumage will be found to be more beautifully marked, and more
delicately pencilled than that of almost any other bird: the under
parts are pure white, here and there slightly speckled with faint
yellow ; but the upper plumage, which is of a remarkable softness
in texture, is of a dark buff or light yellow colour, the tips of the
feathers speckled and spotted with black, presenting a very pleasing _
appearance. The ruff in this species is very distinct, the mouth
and gullet very wide, the ears extremely large, the wings very
long and broad, and the flight very buoyant. It feeds principally
on mice, of which it destroys an extraordinary quantity, and which
it seizes and swallows at once, without any attempt to tear them in
pieces with its claws; and is quite guiltless of touching poultry or
pigeons, notwithstanding the prevailing opinion to the contrary,
and the deeply rooted prejudice to the much maligned bird in con-
sequence. It is probably to be found in every village in the
county, though its nocturnal habits conduce to screen it from the
vulgar gaze: during the day it reposes with closed eyes in the
retreat it has selected, but as twilight comes on it issues forth in
silence, making no perceptible noise as it strikes the air with its
woolly wings, but ever and anon screeching out its note of joy and

wild and startling notes, as it has done since the days of Ovid.
‘‘ Est illis strigibus nomen, sed nominis hujus
Causa quod horrendi stridere nocte solent.”’

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 33

the hard breathing or snoring generally attributed to them, seems
to belong to the young birds alone, which give audible tokens of
their somnolency as you approach their nursery. There is one
remarkable habit in the nesting of this species related by Yarrell,
Hewitson, and others, and of which Mr. Marsh was on one occasion
an eye witness; viz., that it does not lay its full complement of eggs
(usually four) in regular daily succession ; but that after hatching
two eggs, it will lay two more, the latter being hatched in due
course by the warmth of their elder brethren ; while a third laying
often ensues, which becomes hatched as the preceding, the same
nest thus containing at one time young birds in three separate stages
of advance towards maturity; an admirable provision of nature as
Hewitson remarks, whereby the old birds are enabled the more
readily to supply the demands of their voracious progeny.

If Ulysses and Aineas are to be accounted especially fortunate in
having their wanderings described by such able pens as those of
Homer and Virgil, we may in like manner congratulate the ‘Barn’
owl, in having secured for itself the very able championship of Mr.
Waterton, who has laboured most assiduously and with the power
which he can so well wield, to defend this much injured harmless
benefactor of mankind from the persecutions to which it is exposed
at the hands of the wanton, the thoughtless, and the ignorant.
Mr. Waterton has likewise induced this species to take up its abode
in a place he has especially provided for its accommodation in a
ruined ivy-covered retreat at Walton Hall, and here he delighted to
watch its movements; and he declares he is amply repaid for the
pains he has taken to protect and encourage it by the enormous
quantity of mice which it destroys: from him we learn that when
it has young, it will bring a mouse to the nest every twelve or
fifteen minutes, and that above a bushel of pellets or castings was
cleared out from its retreat within sixteen months of its occupation
of it, each pellet containing the skeletons of from four to seven mice:
he also discovered by constant and close attention to its habits, that
it will occasionally catch fish by plunging into the water, and
seizing its slippery victim in its claws. As a boy I possessed one
of these owls, which I kept in an aviary for a considerable time, and

D

34 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Strigide].

wishing to see its method of seizing a live bird, I one evening
turned two sparrows into its apartment; of these it took no notice
whatever, which apparent apathy on the part of my pet, I attri-
buted to the brightness of the evening, but great was my astonish-
ment on the following morning to find one sparrow roosting quietly
in a corner, and the other, bold as he was and resolved to the letter
to take the bull by the horns, snugly domiciled on the top of the
owl’s head, actually nestling in the soft long feathers there, while
the owl, good easy bird, sat on its perch quite unconcerned, though
fasting for thirty-six hours. Macgillivray affirms that it is only
to be seen in the enclosed and wooded parts of the country, but I
can speak from experience that it frequents no less the wilder and
bleaker districts, abounding indeed in all places; and taking up its
abode indiscriminately in towers, ruined buildings, ivy-covered and
hollow trees.

Tawny Owl (Syrnium stridula), very plentiful throughout the county
is this species, though not so often seen as the last, but perhaps
this may arise from its more retired habits, as it loves the solitude
of thick woods, and seldom leaves its lurking place till nightfall ;
it is more destructive than the ‘ Barn’ owl, not always contenting
itself with mice, rats, and moles, but sometimes preying on young
rabbits and leverets as well: these birds are very clamorous at
night, making the woods and meadows re-echo with their loud
and melancholy hootings: Gilbert White declares that at such
times their throats swell as big as a hen’s egg ; and Waterton says
that neither in Europe nor America has he,ever heard an owl utter
sounds so much resembling the human voice as those which our
‘Tawny’ owl sends forth: that observant naturalist adds ‘“ were
you to pronounce the letter O in a loud and very clear tone of
voice, and then after a short pause, repeat the same letter in a
drawling tremulous accent, you would have a tolerably just idea of
the hooting of the Tawny Owl: it will some times produce a sharp
ery, which sounds not unlike the word ‘quo-ah,’ both male and
female utter this cry.” This species occasionally adopts the deserted
nest of another bird, but usually lays its eggs in a hollow tree, on
the soft bed of its own pulverized castings: Hewitson says, that

4

"
‘|
a

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 35

like the Barn owl, it deposits its eggs at irregular intervals, the
first being sat upon as soon as laid; the young of the same nest
differ in consequence very considerably in size. It has been called
the Wood, the Ivy, and the Brown, as well as the Tawny Owl.

Little Owl (Noctua passerina). Rare in England, but very
numerous on the continent, especially in the warmer parts of it, is
this diminutive species, scarcely larger than the blackbird; it is
essentially nocturnal, being quite incapable of moving by daylight,
but as night approaches, it becomes extremely active, and shows
great dexterity in securing its prey, which consists of mice, beetles,
and small birds. Rennie, in his edition of “ White’s Selborne” says,
“T recollect seeing in Wiltshire the remains of a specimen of the rare
Sparrow Owl, ‘ Strix passerina,’ nailed up to a barn door :’”’ but more
recently another was killed in the neighbourhood of Chippenham
in 1838, and is now in Mr. Marsh’s collection.

This closes the list of the owls, found in this county, and with
the owls is concluded the account of the first division or Order, the
Birds of Prey.

ALFRED CHARLES SMITH.

Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, March 8rd, 1857.

v2

36

Aington St. Michael.
By the Rey. J. E. Jackson,

(EMQHE original name of this Parish was simply Kington. Upon
its connection with Glastonbury Abbey it was called
Kington Monachorum or Moyne: sometimes, from a Priory of
Nuns settled here, Kington Monialium or Minchin Kington (Min-
chin being Saxon for Nun); and finally (about a.p. 1280) from
the Saint to whom the Parish Church was then newly dedicated,
Kington St. Michael.

Including the two large Tythings of Easton Piers and Kington
Langley, the Parish contains 3950 acres, about 1300 inhabitants,
and 220 houses. Easton Piers is in the Hundred of Malmsbury ;
the rest in that of North Damerham.

It lies about three miles north of Chippenham, the turnpike road
to Malmsbury passing between the two villages of Kington St.
Michael and Kington Langley, about three quarters of a mile from
each. Eastward of this road the soil is chiefly Oxford clay: west-
ward, cornbrash and Forest marble. The adjoining parishes are, on
the north, Leigh Delamere and Stanton St. Quintin: on the west,
Yatton Kaynell, and Allington (in Chippenham Parish) ; on the
east, Draycote Cerne ; and on the south, Chippenham and Langley
Burrell. There is a small outlying portion of Kington called
Peckingel on the bank of the Avon, between Langley Burrell and
the Tithertons: and it has also three or four pieces of detached
land between Allington and ‘“ The Long Stone,” on the Marshfield
Road.

As the name denotes, it was anciently crown property. In the
year 934 King Athelstan bestowed a large portion of it upon
Atheline one of his officers by a Deed,! in substance as follows:

1 Printed in the New Monasticon, vol. i., Glastonbury: p. 59. Is the name
of this Saxon officer to be recognized in that of the contiguous hamlet of
Allington: scil. Atheline-town ?

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 37

“JT, Aruetstan, King of the Anglians, raised by the hand of the
Almighty to the throne of all Britain, freely give to my faithful
servant Atheline a certain portion of land, to wit, 15 cassates
(farms) in a place called by the natives At Kingtone ; to hold it with
all rights, &c., thereto belonging, free from the irksome yoke of
bondage, so long as he lives, to leave the same for ever at his death
to any heir he pleases. If any one (which God forbid) swollen
with insolence, shall dare to infringe or curtail in any matter great
or small this my writ of gift, let him know that at the last day of
Judgment when the Archangel’s trumpet shall sound, he, together
with the traitor Judas (called by the Sower’s holy seed, the Son of
perdition), and with all impious unbelievers who deny that on the
altar of the Cross Christ took away the sins of the world, shall
perish everlastingly in fiery torment.

This grant is made in the year of our Lord 934, at the town of
Buckingham.

+ Aruetstay, King, &e.
- Constantine, Viceroy, and many others.”

A few years afterwards, Edmund the Elder, Athelstan’s brother,
by Deed dated at Chippenham a.p. 940, gave to his officer Wilfric
30 holdings (mansiunculas) at Langley: which is presumed to mean
Kington Langley.!

Manor UNDER GLASTONBURY ABBEY.

In the same reign (c. 941) the connexion of this manor with
Glastonbury Abbey began by a donation of eight hides from the
King, and of the 80 mansiunculae just mentioned, from Wilfric.?

In 987 the monks received a further and principal gift of 40
manses at Kington from Ethelred II., or the Unready, “to be by
them held so long as the Catholic Faith should endure in England.”

It was probably as a fee for this alienation and in order to secure
the estate to the Church that a devout Lady, one Elswith wife of
a nobleman called Elphean, paid to the crown 40 mancuses* of gold.

1 The Deed, naming the boundaries, is in the New Monast, I. p. 60,
2 New Mon. I. p. 4.
3 From manu-cusa, coined with the hand.

38 Kington St. Michael.

For the same purpose she also purchased Merton in South Damer-
ham.’ King Ethelred’s grant of Kington is witnessed by (the
probable instigator to the gift) Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury,
afterwards Abbot of Glaston, and Oswald Archbishop of York.
These donations were confirmed by the Popes, Lucius II. in
1144, and Alexander III. in 1168.2

From the Glastonbury charter and some other scources, a few
notices of Kington have been gleaned, possibly interesting to local
readers.

The only place under the name of Chintone in Wilts, mentioned in
the Domesday survey, is an estate of no great extent then held by
Ralph de Mortimer, a large owner in this neighbourhood. It had
been held in the reign of the Confessor by one Alwin a Saxon,
under the Church of Glastonbury. It is probable that the land
alluded to was that afterwards given by the Mortimers to endow the
Priory of Kington.’ The principal estate of the Abbey of Glaston-
bury seems in the Domesday survey to be described under the
name of Langleghe.*

The wood called Haywood, then much larger than it is now,
belonged at this time partly to the Abbey, partly to one William
of Haywood (now a farm house adjoining): and between these
proprietors many disputes took place, according to documents
which John Aubrey has copied.°

In other documents it is mentioned that the Abbot of Stanley
had 40 acres at the western side of the Parish: and the Abbot of
Malmsbury 21 acres, given to his house by William Wayte of
Chippenham, and Edith his wife: doing service for the same to the
Abbot of Glastonbury as Lord of the Fee.6 Thomas Verdon was
also a holder under the Church. The Prior and Convent of Monkton
Farley (chief landowners in Allington) exchanged 22 acres near
Fowleswyke Gate with the Abbot of Malmsbury.”

1 New Mon. Glaston, No. C. and Sir R. C. Hoare’s South Damerham, p. 3.
2 Do, I. 37. 3 Wyndham’s Domesday, p. 389.
4 Wyndham’s Domesday, p. 109. 5 Collect. for N. Wilts, I. 102.
6 Malms. Chartulary, No. 218.
ne PO; (Jones’s) B, Mus, p. 110.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 39

a.pD. 1171. The Glastonbury estate here was let to farm at £8.
From the small quantity of stock upon it, 24 oxen, 11 heifers, 26
pigs and 250 sheep, it is evident that very mele of the parish was
then enclosed.

‘About the year 1200 a violent commotion took place amongst
the monks of Glastonbury, in consequence of an attempt on the
part of the Crown to unite that Abbacy with the See of Wells.
After a very long controversy, the matter was settled by the Pope’s
delegates, who decreed that though the two offices should remain
distinct, a portion of the estates of the Abbey should be assigned to
the Bishop of Wells. In this Kington was included. The con-
troversy was revived on the succession of Bishop Jocelyn to the
See of Wells, and was finally settled in 1218 by the restoration of
Kington (with some others) to its former owners; but the Advow-
son was to remain with the Bishop.!

A.D. 1235-53. After the recovery of the Manor, Glastonbury
Abbey being then under the government of one of its best Abbots,
Michael of Ambresbury, Kington partook of the benefits of his
administration. A fresh adjustment of Tithe, deranged during the
late dispute, gave satisfaction to the inhabitants: a new grange
was built, the Church restored, and Abbot Michael gave money to
found an obit for himself and a charity to the poor. The charity
and obit have of course long disappeared, but the village still un-
consciously retains a reminiscence of this benefactor in the name
which it bears: having selected from the calendar for its renovated
Church one that should be also complimentary to the renovator.

The Historian of the Abbey, Adam of Domerham, says that about

this time it was much in debt; an unfortunate predicament to

which the improvements at Kington had perhaps contributed. For
purpose of relief Abbot Robert of Pederton leased the Manor to
one Robert Pentone for his life. The name of the lessee, when
quickly pronounced, so nearly resembles that of the lessor as to
make the transaction likely to have been a little family affair; for
which, confirmation by the Pope was necessary, and was granted by
Pope Alexander in 1258.

1 New Monast. I. p. 5.

40 Kington St. Michael.

In 1266 the King granted to the Abbot and his successors in
their Manor of Kington a Market every week on Tuesday, and a
Fair there every year for three days, viz. :—on the eve, on the day,
and on the morrow of St. Michael. Also Free Warren in all his
demesne lands of the Manor of “ Kington,” so that no one should
enter those lands to hunt therein, or to do ought which to the
right of warren pertains, without the consent of the said Abbot or
his successor, under a penalty of £10. Witnesses, William (Bitton)
Bishop of Bath and Wells; and others. The grant is dated at
Kenilworth, 6 Nov. 51 H. III.

In 1287 the Manor having again fallen into hand (probably by
the expiration of Robert Pentone’s term for life above mentioned),
the Abbot and Convent applied to their own use the produce of
their grange at Kington. Besides the sum of £160 a year allowed
out of their general rental for the uses of the kitchen, the cook was
to take 20s. a year out of the Manor of Kington, to be divided
between himself and the “ Pittancer.” The total annual consump-
tion of grain at the Abbey was 360 quarters of wheat, 338 of
barley, and 920 of oats: of which quantity the bailiwick of King-
ton supplied during the six winter months 240 of wheat and barley
and 50 of oats: during the summer 50 quarters of oats a week.

The Abbot of Glastonbury had certain jurisdiction and franchises
throughout the scattered Hundred of which North Damerham
forms a part. There was a chief Bailiff for the whole Hundred, to
whom the Bailiff of North Damerham was responsible. These
franchises were granted by charter of King Henry III.’: before
which time the four parishes of Kington, Nettleton, Grittleton,
and Christmalford (forming the principal part of North Damer-
ham) seem to have been considered as in the Hundred of Chip-
penham. In 1321 Edmund Gascelyn, Lord of the Hundred of
Chippenham formally by deed quitclaimed to the Abbot, all rights
and profits of summons and distraint, &c., in these four parishes.

1 Printed in New Monast. I. p. 45: also Harl. Chart. 58. J. 22. Many of
these notices of Kington are to be found in Bishop Tanner’s Collection, Bodl.
Lib. Oxford; marked T,T. 342.

2 Plac. de Q. W. p. 802.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 41

The deed was dated Feb. 2, 14 Edw. II.!. The Abbot’s Hundred
Court was held at Kington: and Aubrey has preserved a letter of

apology for non-attendance, from one John of Artherne, (47
Hen. III.)?

1517-8. From a fine MS. volume in the British Museum (Harl.
MS. No. 3961) containing a Terrar of the Glastonbury Estates in
the time of Abbot Beere, 1517, the following extracts are taken,
relating to their property at Kington. After special perambulation
and measurement it was stated on the faithful report of Richard
Snell the Przepositus or steward, John Tanner, Wm. Neck, John
Kington, H. Gingell of Langley, and others, that

“¢ Richard Snell the Lord’s farmer held the Manor House (curia dominicalis)
and about 320 acres ; thereof 20 were in Peckingell mead, 20 in Moreshall, 30
in Ruydon (Riding), paying to the Prioress of Kington as Rectress for certain
feeding there 8s. 6d. per annum. Also 400 acres in Heywood. A common
called Langley Heath, 310 acres, where the Lord and customary tenants inter-
commoned, with rights of common to Thomas Montague, John Gingell and their
tenants in Langley.

“The Freeholders in Kington were John Saunders of Heywood, who held the
land late Thos. Bolehide’s (now Bulidge), paying a couple of geese yearly of
the value of 8d.; Thomas Tropenell, and the Prioress of Kington. The Abbot
of Malmsbury also held as of this Manor a house in Malmsbury, late William
Hall’s.

‘Amongst the customary Tenants were Isabel Russell, widow, for Syddelyate,
La Nayshe, Culverwell; Wm. Neck of Langley, for James’s Cross; Robert
Colchester, for Stanton’s Dene (the hollow between Swinley and Stanton Park) ;
Thos. Stockman, for Peckinghull and some land lying beyond the Avon in
Kayleway ; John Bullock, for Peckinghull and Pennicroft, paying 12d. to the
Lord and 6d. to the Prior of Bradenstock, and haying a bed of hay allowed
him ; John Kington, for Ellenstubb near Easton lane end; Walter Amyatt, for
Priday, Bydellwell and Vernalles cross; Robert Bell, for Hintelthorn, and
many others.

**The Guardians of the Chapel of St. Peter at Langley held for 90 years half
an acre of land round the said Chapel paying 2d. ayear. The inhabitants of
Kington had common in Heywood from 3 May to Feb. 2, The Lord’s farmer
to pay 3s. 6d. to the Vicar of the Parish Church, though the Abbot disputed the
payment and considered that the Prioress was liable. It was particularly to be
observed about the common called Langley Heath, that the farmer of the Lord
of Langley Burrell and the Rector there claimed rights of common utterly un-
known to the Abbot: also that the same Lord of Langley Burrell claimed x114 a
year for a right of oad from Pekinghull Mead to the Abbot’s land in Kington,

1 Printed in Aubrey’s Coll. for N. W. I. 110,
2 Coll, for N. Wilts, I, p. 106,

42 Kington St. Michael.

by what title was unknown. And the Prioress had the right of erecting gallows
within that part of the Manor where her lands and those of the Abbot were
intermingled.”

AFTER THE DISSOLUTION.

In 1536 (27 Hen. VIII.) on the attainder of Abbot Whiting,
an enquiry was made into the value of the Manor by Richard
Pollard and Thomas Moyle :

‘«Tt was found to be worth in rents, free and customary, £23 17s. 3d. The
Demesne farm £3 7s. 8d., besides 28s. for the Fee of Richard Snell, Bailiff
there. Other casualties including 53s. 8d. for sale of wood, £5 Os. 13d. Fines
of land 20s. There was a wood of 300 acres (Haywood) chiefly of scrubbed and
lopped oaks worth to be sold £142. The Timber of great oaks £20. 25 men
in the Manor ready to serve the King, and two Bondmen both body and goods
at the King’s pleasure.” (Val. Eccl.)

1540. (32 Hen. VIII.) Whilst the Manor was in the hands of
the Crown the following return (in {the Augmentation Office) was

made of its profits and outgoings, by Richard Snell the Lord’s
Farmer and Bailiff.

“‘ Freeholders paying quit rents, John Saunders, 8d. for the price of 2 geese
for a tenement at Haywood, late Bolhides. Thomas Tropenell, for land late
Baring’s 5s. 93d. The late Abbey of Malmsbury’s land 10 pence.

“¢ Customary Tenants, Richard Snell, 67s. 8d. for the Demesne Court, viz. :
The Hall, Chamber, Kitchen, Grange, Barton, Dovecot, and Croft on the north
side of the Court: besides having to repair all the houses in Kington, and to
provide meet hay for the horses of the steward and their officers there, as well for
the holding of the Courts as for the good governance of the Lordship. 10s. from
the Toll of the Fairs there holden this year on the Feast of St. Michael. Total
£23 6s. 33d.

‘‘ Tifeholders. 16 pence for the rent of all shrouded oaks and other trees
growing on the Lord’s common called ‘‘Langley heath,” and 10s. for the
Agistment of the cattle of the Lord’s Tenants in the wood called Heywood. Also
for fees at the Courts, Heriots, and Strays. Total income £32 1ds, 2d.

‘The outgoings in wages to the steward and King’s officers at the Courts of
Kington, Grittleton, &c., as well as for the good governance of the Lordship,
53s. 2d. The Manor house and ‘‘ Pounfold” were also repaired at the King’s
expense.” >

The Manor then became the property of the family who had
been for some years its stewards, viz. :
SNELL or Kineron.

This name is an old Wiltshire word signifying “sharp.” “Roger
commonly called Snell” of Allington, near Chippenham, occurs in

By the Rev. J. BE. Jackson. 43

the list of the Vicars of Malmsbury, in 1312.1 By what peculiar
display of dexterity the Vicar of Malmsbury had earned the
cognomen, does not appear; but, if Aubrey’s tale be true, it was
one that fitted the Ex-bailiff of the Abbot’s Manor of Kington
exceedingly well. For he mentions a tradition as current at that
time in the village, that the Bailiff, foreseeing the Fall of the Abbeys,
and as a necessary consequence, the termination of his own services,
had followed the example of another unrighteous Steward on the
eve of dismissal, by providing for himself at his Master’s expense.
He forgot (so the story went,) to settle with the Abbey for the latest
arrears of rent, and poor Abbot Whiting having something else
to think of than any balance there might be to his credit in his
Bailiff’s books, Snell used that money in buying the estate. The
purchase was made in 1543, for £803 17s. 24d.

By Letters Patent dated 22 April, 835 Hen. VIII. (1543), the
King granted to Nicholas Snell of Mychels Kyngton, gentleman,
all the Manor of Kyngton with all rights, together with Haywood
(220 acres), late part of the possessions of the Abbey of Glaston-
bury, to hold to him and his heirs for ever, paying yearly at
Michaelmas £3. 8s. 41d. to the Crown, and an annual fee of 16s. 8d.
to the Steward.?

The village would no doubt gladly cherish any malicious joke
against their new landlord ; first perhaps because he had been the
Steward and was now the Squire, but chiefly because, for his own
benefit, he deprived them of certain usages to which they had been
accustomed. The Abbot’s Park, or Demesne in hand, in which
was a large carp-pond, or rather several ponds in train, lay west of
the Church and Court-house, “extending round to the ditch in a
close called Ryding, north of the said house.” This seems to have
included the present Lodge farm, Haywood farm, and about 40

1 Wilts Instit.

2 See orig. grant, 35 Hen. VIII., Roll 121, part 3. In the Chapter House
Fines, and in Harl. MS 760, p. 29, Sir Edward Darell is mentioned as having
died in 1549 seized of the Manor of Kington St. Michael, leaving William his
son and heir. Possibly this may refer to some other part of the Parish. The
Abbot’s estate certainly belonged at that time to the Snells,

44 Kington St. Michael.

acres now Captain Clutterbuck’s. The feeding was common to the
Abbey tenants, and they also had certain parcels of land in the
Westfield then unenclosed, between Kington and Draycote. The
new owner wishing to enlarge his prospect and grounds shut them
out of the Park and took away their Westfield allotments. “So,”
says Aubrey, “ heretofore they had been able to keep a whole plough,
but since, having only work enough for half a plough, they lived
poorly and needily:” and probably wished the Abbot back again.
The first of this Kington family of Snell came from Biddestone,
haying married a Keynell, of an ancient house from which Yatton
takes itsname. After the step from Steward to Landlord, they
were returned to Parliament, married well, and were Knighted.
Nicholas the purchaser, was Sheriff of Wilts 1565: M.P. for
Chippenham 1555, for the County 1557, and for Malmsbury 1570.
He rebuilt the Court-house at Kington, which still remains, in a
decayed condition, but presenting at the back (which was formerly
the front) some architectural features not without elegance, in the
Italian style then newly in fashion. Over the entrance on a stone
shield is a cross flory, the arms of his family.1_ His grandson Sir
Thomas Snell married a daughter of Sir Robert Long of Draycote.
He was in the Navy, “a good astrologer,” says Aubrey emphati-
cally, “and a Captain in the Iceland voyage.” He died 1612.
His only son and successor Sir Charles Snell was one of the early
associates of Sir Walter Raleigh: but on what sort of footing, and
for what particular object, (not very creditable to so eminent a
name,) we are informed by the same authority. “Sir Walter’s
companions in his youth were boisterous blades, but generally those

1 The House is now the property of Mr. Coleman. The west front is sur-
mounted by avery large carving in stone six foot high, representing birds eating
out of a basket on a human head. Perhaps an allusion to the dream of
Pharoah’s butler, (Gen. xl. 17.) previous to his ‘‘ head being lifted up from off
him,” and applicable here to the then récent and similar fate of Mr. Snell’s
predecessor and late master, Abbot Whiting. It was at this house Aubrey saw
one of his wonders. ‘‘ Having spoken of mists it brings to my recollection that
in December, 1653. being at night in the Court of Sir Charles Snell’s house at
Kington St. Michael, there being a very thick mist, we saw our shadow on the
fog, as on a wall, by the light of the lanterns, about 30 or 40 foot distance or
more.” Nat, Hist. of Wilts, p. 15.

tn tt an teal i

SR wl lt eA oe

SNELL OF KINGT)

bN ST. MICHAEL.

Arms, Quarterly gules and d ure, over all a cross flory or.

Wiitram Snert—Frorend; d. and coh. of
of Biddeston, Co. | Wm. Keynell of Bid-
Wilts. deston.
ad
|
Ricwarp Snerir—Joan, di. of Nicholas
of Kington, Reeve | Marsh o aston, Wilts.

to the Abbot of

if
}
Glaston.

oe
3 ANNE......=NicHOLAs Syett of Kington,=1. Arice d. of Geo
bur, at K.1573 Esq., M.P., Sheriff 1565. of Oxford, Arn

Buried there 1577. Purchased 3 escallops or. f

|

e Pye=2. Mary d. of

FRIDESWIDE
=Thos. Barkesdale.
of Keeyil, Wilts.

Wm. Cleveland
d. 1569.

, Sable

. Kington. |
t
|
2. Susanna=Joun SyELI—KATHARINE Tuomas SNELL=ELIzaBETH Ep!) D Lone eae re- JoAN, wife of Epirn, wife Crcrny, GyLE
bur. 1570. of Kington, | dau. of John of Lockswell,|d. of John ‘Titheron, Kel- married Hugh Rich. Tay lorof of ToGhiGl wife of wife of
Esq. Buried | Warneford of nr. Chip. Bur. | Bowssar of loway{, son of Barrett, of Ti- Castle Combe. StokesofTi- Thomas Richard
1587. Sevenhampton at Chip. 1607. | Stone, Glo. Sir y Long therton who therton Lu- Bayley, Kington,
Wilts, Esq, yeote and died 1627. eas, (Wilts, of Bol- of Cors-
Bur. 1566. all. Vis. 1623.) den. ham,
3m Taomas=Anner dan. of Henry. Many, mar. at Kington ieee AenEs mar, |{1cHaRD,=Jupiru d. of Epwarp =MAnrcanet
WELL, Kt., | Sir RobertLong 1582, to John Berkeley married at at Kington, |f Locks- | Wm.Bayliffe of Fox- | d. of Rich.
f Kington, of Draycote and of Beyerstone, Esq. K.to John to Bowyer vell, bur. | of Monkton, ham1623 | Dauntesey
mr. 1612, | Wraxhall, liv- Their son Maurice mar, Younge, Worsley, t Chipp. | Bur. at Chip. | of Potterne
ing 1610. at K. 1614, Barbara d. 1593. Esq., 1596, 1638. 1628.
of Sir Walter Long. |
|
‘® CHartes Syett, Henry =PENELOPE, eld- CHARrtEs=BArBaAra, 2nd NicHonas Gast ote 8rd sister Susan, ae Syewt s.and h.=Karaprtne Anne, THos.=Exiz. d.
&. of Kington, born Newman est sister and Sroxzs. sister and coh. Gent., bur. at Hing. and coheir. born d.unm, of Alderholt, Co.Dors, d. of Philip of Robt.
*90. d. unmar. bur. of King- coheir. died in died in her 1662, "ret, 84, 1588, bur. at K. and of Box, Wilts, Pleydell, of Stratton
HK. 25 Noy. 1651. ton. her brother’s brother’s life- 1661, et 74, M1. bur. there 1658, Will Co. Gloue.
Admin, 1652. lifetime. time. : proved 1662, Mancarer.

he
By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 45

that had wit, except otherwise upon designe to gett them engaged
for him: as for instance Sir Charles Snell of Kington St. Michael,
in North Wilts, my good neighbour, an honest young gentleman,
but kept a perpetual sott. Sir W. engaged him to build a ship (The
Angel Gabriel) for the designe for Guiana, w® cost him the
Manor of Yatton Keynell, the Farme at Easton Piers, Thornhill
and the Church Lease of Bps. Canning, w® ship upon Sir Walter’s
attainder was forfeited.”! Sir Charles was further “famous for
having till the Civil Warsas good hounds for the hare as any were
in England for handsomeness and mouth (deep-mouthed) and
goodness, and suited one another admirably well.’? He was the
last male owner and died unmarried and intestate in 1651. Upon
his death the Manor of Kington descended to his three sisters and
heirs-at-law, or their representatives. A partition was made in
1656. The three sisters were Mrs. Penelope Newman, Mrs. Bar-
bara Stokes, and Mrs. N. Gastrell.

The eldest, Penelope, having died in her brother’s lifetime, the
representatives claiming her third at the partition, were the families
of Sadler, Coleman, and Edward Stokes. The Sadler’s share, lying
at Allington and Peckingell, is now the property of their descendant
the Rev. Isaac Sadler Gale. Mr. Walter Coleman of Langley, in-
herits his ancestor’s portion.

The second sister Barbara, wife of Charles Stokes, also died in
her brother Sir Charles’s lifetime. In 1679 this undivided one third
was sold by her grandson John Stokes for £5500, to the Trustees
of the marriage of John Lawford, Esq., of Stapleton, Co. Glouc.,
and his wife Jane, daughter of Sir William Duckett. In 1713 it
was again sold, to Mr. Ayliffe White, of a family fomerly of Langley
Burrell and Grittleton. His grandson (of the same names,) dying
in 1826, his estate was purchased by Mr. R. H. Gaby, Mr. N.
Atherton, and Mr. W. Whitworth. Mr. Atherton’s house and
lands were again sold (1856) to Captain Hugh Clutterbuck, second
son of the late Thomas Clutterbuck of Hardenhuish, who now
resides at Kington. The Lodge farm, late Mr. Whitworth’s, has
EE SRS FEARLESS ROT ED

1 Lives of Eminent Men, II. 514.
2N. H. of Wilts, p. 60.

46 Kington St. Michael.

descended (1857) to his son-in-law, William Peel, Esq., of Swindon
Lodge, near Manchester.

The youngest of Sir Charles Snell’s sisters, Mary the wife of
Nicholas Gastrell, was living at the time of the partition in 1656.
Her third share descended entire to her great grandson Jonathan
Power, Esq., of Kington St. Michael, who died unmarried in 1748.
Mr. Power’s estate was apportioned under an Act of Parliament in
1783 amongst his four sisters. Haywood farm, the share of his
eldest sister Margaret (wife of Wm. Clifford), is now the property
of her descendants the Misses Mascall of Allington. The share of
his second sister Elizabeth, Mrs. Gilpin, has since passed into
various hands. The share of his third sister Rebecca wife of John
Knott, was purchased by the late Joseph Neeld Esq., of Grittleton.
And that of the fourth sister, Mrs. Sarah Coleman, including the
old Grange or Manor House north of the Church, now forms a
further part of the property of Mr. Walter Coleman of Kington
Langley.

All the above were included in the estate formerly belonging
to Glastonbury Abbey. The House in which Captain Clutterbuck
lives is said by a doubtful tradition to have been a summer residence
of the Abbot: and the hill near it, south of the Church, is still
called “the Tor Hill,” after the more celebrated one of that name
at Glastonbury.

Swintey. (Swine-lea.)

Is a Farm on the N.E. side of the parish, divided from Stanton
St. Quintin’s by a grassy hollow called Stanton Dene, along which
runs the boundary brook. It was held under Glastonbury by the
Fitzurse family. A William Westbury, Hen. VI., had land here
as also at a neighbouring farm called Whitman’s (now Whitelands).
Some Estcourts “of Swinley” were buried in Kington Church, 1706.
The property was purchased by the late Mr. Neeld of Grittleton.

MoreEsHALL.

A smaller farm than the last, between Swinley and Leigh Dela-
mere: probably takes its name from some ancient owner. An

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 47

Alice More was Prioress of Kington in 1431. Aubrey says it be-
longed to Kington Priory, but in the Schedule of the Estates of
that House, only a field or two appear under this name. In 1700
it belonged to a Mr. Chapman; and in 1856 it was bought from
the family of Burt by the late Mr. Neeld.

LANGLEY, OTHERWISE Kineton LANGLEY.

This hamlet is scattered over the high ground which forms the
south east side of the Parish, and is traversed by 30 acres of common
forming a pretty village green, skirted by farms, cottages, and gar-
dens, and commanding an extensive view. The name of the Parish
is prefixed to that of the hamlet, in order to distinguish it from
Langley Burrell adjacent. Sometimes, for the same reason, it was
called North Langley.

It has been already stated (p. 37,) that 30 households with their
land were given here by the Anglo-Saxon King Edmund the Elder,
to his officer Wilfric, about a.v. 940. The grant, which is a fair
specimen of the style used in old monastic charters, (or at least in
documents pretending to be such,) runs thus in translation :—

“-+- O Cross! that rulest over all Olympus, glorious foundation of
the Throne of Curist our Lord, my Alpha and Omega, bless with
thy mark the beginning, middle, and end of this writing. More
brilliant than the stars and holier than all other gifts in the sight
of Curist, thou hast endowed with largest privileges the Royal
House of Edmund King of the Anglo-Saxons. This, Wilfric en-
riched by Sovereign bounty, is able to proclaim with truth, so that
by the characters of this writing to all it may be made known :—
viz., that the said King, under favour of Gop, in the nine hundred and
fortieth year since the Virgin Mother presented her Divine progeny
to the world waiting for the Holy Spirit, and in the second year of
his reign, endows the said Wilfric with 30 tenements at Langley
to himself and his heirs. . . . Letall therefore now ponder the wise
saying of a Christian writer, ‘Render O ye rich, unto Caesar the
things that are Cewsar’s, and unto Gop the thing that are Gon’s. Do
works of piety and justice and you set an example to the Catholic

48 Kington St. Michael.

Church.’ Confirmed by King Edmund to Archbishop Wulfhelm
at the well known place called Chippenham.”

By this favourite, on whom Grittleton and Nettleton were also
bestowed, Langley was transferred to Glastonbury Abbey.

Lanoiey Firzurse, ok Firzursr Farm.

Under the Abbey a portion of Langley was held at the Conquest
by Urso, founder of the Fitzurse family, who also held under the
same Lords, Clapcote in Grittleton, and Swinley above mentioned,
by service and payment of scutage. In 1221 his descendant Jordan
Fitzurse, tired of paying scutage, and wishing to make his estate
independent of the Monks, resisted their claim, but finally sub-
mitted. Some Deeds (copied by Aubrey) refer to transactions
between this family and the Abbey, touching certain mills and
ponds; and now and then a quarrel with the neighbouring lord of
Langley Burrell about boundaries and rights of feeding.

From whatever other amiable qualities the Fitzurse family may
have derived its name, a good affection towards Churchmen clearly
was not one of them, if itis true, as always has been stated, that
Reginald of that ilk was one of the assassins of Thomas 4 Becket.

Their principal tenement here is still recognized in the name of
Fitzurse farm, now an ordinary house on the north side of the vil-
lage green, but formerly one of greater pretension. In Aubrey’s
time it was an ancient building with a great hall; and a moat, of
which there are some traces.

In Edward VI. it had passed into the hands of Thomas Montagu,
one the Abbot’s tenants; and from his representative William
Montagu, Esq., it was bought about 1580 by Sir Owen Hopton,
Kt., of a Suffolk family, Lieutenant of the Tower.! It came to Sir
Ralph Hopton of Witham Friary, Co. Som., created, for his loyalty
to Charles I., Baron Hopton of Stratton, Co. Cornwall.? He died

1 Proceedings in Chancery, vol. II., p. 18.in a suit by Wm. Montagu against
Sir Thomas Tasburgh and others, to discover deeds relating to this property,
which had been settled (by Thomas Montagu) on him and his brothers.

2 Sir Ralph was nearly blinded by an explosion of gunpowder at Marshfield
after the battle of Lansdown; and was carried to Chippenham and thence to
Devizes.

\
vi
4

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 49

in 1652 leaving no children; and his uncle Sir Arthur Hopton, on
whom the Barony was entailed, having predeceased him, his (Sir
Arthur’s) four sisters became his coheiresses,! from whom, or from
whose representatives, it was bought in the middle of the 17th
century by Mr. Bampfield Sydenham. From him it descended to
the late Mr. Sydenham Bailey, to whose children it now belongs.

The greater part of the Glastonbury lands in Langley, now belong
to Mr. Walter Coleman, whose ancestor obtained them by marriage
with one of the representatives of one of the three sisters of Sir
Charles Snell, the grantee at the Dissolution ; as already mentioned.

In 1765 an estate in Langley belonging to Mrs. Maynard, who
then resided at the old Manor House in Kington, was purchased
from her Trustees, Charles Viscount Maynard, Dr. Thomas [ Bishop
of Winchester], and the Rev. Wm. Butler, by Sir James Long of
Draycot. This is now the property of Viscount Wellesley.

A property of the Gingells, customary tenants under the Abbey
in 1273, was sold in 1664 (being then worth £100 a year) to
Samuel Martin.

At the Dissolution a large part of Langley, called “The Heath,”
was unenclosed. It isnamed in Abbot Beere’s Terrier, as measur-
ing 310 acres: and was common both to the Abbey tenants and the
owner of Fitzurse Farm.

Sr. Perer’s Cuapet, Kineton LAnGLey.

This stood about the middle of the village, on the north side of
the road: but had been converted into a dwelling before 1670. In
Abbot Beere’s Terrier (1517), it is stated that the wardens of St.
Peter’s Chapel at Langley, held of the Abbey for 90 years half an
acre of ground, paying 2d. a year.

The village Revel used in old times to be kept on the Sunday
following St. Peter’s Day (29th June), and was, Aubrey says, “one
of the eminentest Feasts in those parts. Old John Wastfield of Lang-
ley told him that he had been Peterman at St. Peter’s Chapel in

10 the Peerage. But the Wilts Visitation, 1623, (see ‘‘Butler,”’) mentions
Mary a daughter of Sir Arthur Hopton, and widow of — Gurney, of Co. Som.,
who married William Butler of Langley, son of Thomas Butler of Hanger, in
Bremhill.

E

50 Kington St. Michael.

the beginning of Q. Elizabeth’s reign.” The “ Peterman” seems
to have been the person chosen by the parish at the festival of the
Dedication of the Chapel, to collect money for charitable purposes.
Such was the primitive custom at the yearly village feast, founded
probably on a still more ancient precept: ‘Go your way, eat the
fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom
nothing is prepared.” [Nehem. viii. 10.] These rural meetings,
when dissociated from the religious character, lost one element of
respectability ; and a Wake or Revel (from the French reveiller, to
waken), signifying originally a vigil, or night-fast, observed before
the day of Dedication, is now obliged to be defined in our dictionaries,
as a feast with loose and noisy jollity. Sometimes it leads to worse,
and in the year 1822 Kington Langley Revel was the occasion of,
what Aubrey might have called, one of the eminentest riots in
those parts. Some offence having been given to the villagers at
the feast by a party of young men from Chippenham, several
meetings were afterwards held for the purpose of planning revenge,
and it was ultimately resolved that a grand attempt should be made
on the 7th of September. Accordingly in the course of that even-
ing about 30 or 40 men assembled at Chippenham, and about half-
past 10 o’clock commenced their outrage by appearing in the street
armed with bludgeons, and attacking all who came in their way ;
Mr. Joseph Hall, a saddler, was so severely bruised as to expire
within a few hours. Mr. Reynolds, a brazier, died shortly after-
wards. Constables were knocked down and beaten, and in short
not less than thirty-one men, women, and children were more or
less wounded.

The hamlet contains a population of about 600 and is a mile
and a half from the Parish Church. This distance from Clerical
superintendence and the wholesome discipline of Church and School,
having been found to produce the usual ill effect of ignorance and
irreligion, testified by numerous and increasing cases brought
before magistrates and boards of guardians, as well as by
Sabbath breaking and irregularities of various kinds, the attention
of the neighbourhood was called to the subject in the year 1853.
By the exertions of some gentlemen, and especially Mr. E. L.

weary -F newer ya . Ape oe as =

=. a9
=> Oty

=~:
Sa

Sr dope pea Poy Saale geass
a te age pg opp sg yl rng

PIs
ee

ee ee

~[to0991 tatv 1tnoay ‘ATUaNY NHOF AG NANVL HOLENS VY WOU4 GaYOLS3y
"SLTIMS T3VHOIW iS NOLONIXM fAUOINd SAUYW Gs

Spee

Daeg

¢
Y
u

5.
Freie ey i = Se abet a! z % ?
A a a PDE RT Sn ae og lh tn Ta ee an nao ss theta banat nabs ein nee SY SES a aoa, ee

pn! ale a - &

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 51

Clutterbuck of Hardenhuish, subscriptions were raised, and a new
Church, bearing in recognition of the old Chapel the name of St.
Peter, was built, and consecrated by the late Bishop of Gloucester
and Bristol, on Thursday April 19th 1855. The site and £50
were given by Mr. Walter Coleman; £200 by the late Mr. Neeld
of Grittleton ; and the sums of £100 each by Mr. Clutterbuck, the
late Rev. R. Ashe of Langley Burrell, Viscount Wellesley, and
Mr. Sheppard. By further subscription a School has since been
added, and a resident Curate is provided by the Vicar of Kington
St. Michael’s. Langley was sometimes called Langley Fearne
(1513), or Langley Fernhill (1660).

Sr. Mary’s Priory.

About three quarters of a mile north of Kington Church by the
footpath leading to Leigh Delamere, in a pleasant open pasture-
country, a very old farmhouse, with a heavily coped garden wall on
on the eastern side, is the present representative of Priory St.
Mary’s. It was a House of Benedictines, for a Prioress, Sub-
Prioress, and eight or nine Nuns, reduced to four at the Dissolution.
Bishop Tanner quotes an authority to prove that it existed before
A.D. 1155,! but neither the exact year of foundation, nor name of
the Founder, have been positively ascertained. It was attributed
in Aubrey’s time to the Empress Matilda, mother of King Henry
II., the founder of the neighbouring Abbey of Stanley near Chip-
penham. This may have been the case; but the charters of St.
Mary’s Priory, in which her name does not occur, seem to point
out another person, one Robert of ‘Bryntone, or as he is also
called, “ Robert, son of Wayfer of Brintone.” Whether projected
or not by some previous benefactor, he at least was the first to set
the House up (“ locum constituit”), by a gift of Tithes (in Dorset-
shire) for maintenance: and the Nuns held the site by sufferance
until it was formally assured to them by another of the family,
Adam Wayfer of Brintone. The gift was confirmed by Sir Hugh
de Mortimer, whose family, as already stated, held an estute in this

+ Pardon, monialibus de Chinton,”—Rot. Pip. 2 Hen. II., Witescire.
D2

52 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

parish, of the Abbey of Glaston.1 In the Martyrology of the
Priory, a day was set apart for commemoration of “Adam de
Wayfer and the Mortimers, who gave us all our land in Kington.’”

Besides the land, they had also the Rectorial Tithe, and pre-
sented to the Vicarage. The Rectory originally belonged to
Glastonbury Abbey, but under the arrangement before alluded to
(p. 39,) it was transferred to the See of Bath and Wells, and then
given to the Nuns by Robert Burnell, Bishop.

Their estate lay chiefly about the House; including more than
now forms the Priory Farm. Amongst their outlying property were
the granges of Studley near Calne, and Cadenham, with Tithes
there and at Redmore, given by Alexander of Studley ; the Rec-
tory of Twerton, near Bath, by Wm. Malreward; a Manor at
Great Somerford, (held by a chief rent under the Earl of Arundell
at the Dissolution,) given by Richard de Heriet ;? land at Bradley,
near Alton, Hants, by Petronilla Bluet; Tithes at Stures and
Sanford, Lazarton and Stapleton, near Stourpayne, Dorset, by Wm.
of Harptree and Roger Villiers; besides certain tenements at
Malmsbury, Sherston Parva, Uffeot, Leigh Delamere, (where a
sinall field adjoining the Rectory garden still bears the name of
“The Minchery,’’) Calne,* and Boyton, Co. Wilts ; Cam and Dod-
dington, Co. Gloucester. To stock their home farm, Wm. de
Longespee, Earl of Sarum, gave them by will in 1225, 100 ewes
and 6 cows. The coppice between the Nunnery and Easton Piers

1 The Priory continued to pay a chief Rent to Glastonbury till the Dissolution.
(Val. Ecc.)

2 The Brimpton alluded to is in Berkshire, a few miles south of Reading. In
one of the Priory Charters (No. 7), several places in that neighbourhood are
named as of the estate of Mortimer, and at Brimpton itself the fourth part of a
Fee held under Edmund de Mortimer belonged to these very Nuns, (I. p. M.
IV. 87.) Though little is known of this family of Wayfer, still as they assumed
the name of “‘ Brintone” from their residence, it is clear that they were terri-
torial clients there as here, of the great House of Mortimer. Their name is also
met with in that capacity, in Salop. In later times a Roger Mortimer, who
died 1336, married a daughter of Sir Robert de Wafre; and in 4.p. 1349, a
Richard Wayfer was Rector of Luckington, about six miles from Kington.

3 The Nuns had also some Tithe in Little Somerford.

4 For their land and Tithe there, they paid an acknowledgement of two
pounds of wax per annum to the Churchwardens of Calne.

bout OF > a Oi eee

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 53

was given by the owner of that Manor, Sir John of Easton, to pray
for the souls of himself and family.

Below this coppice, and beyond a rivulet south of the Priory, in
a field called the Minchin meadow were their fishponds. And on
the east side of the House wasa large ground called the Nymph
Hay,' where the Sisters with their young scholars used to take
exercise. In his remarks upon Nunneries as places of education,
Aubrey thus describes their appearance :—

“The young maids were brought up, (not at Hackney, Sarum
Schools, &c., to learn pride and wantonness,) but at the Nunneries,
where they had examples of piety and humility, modesty and
obedience, to imitate and practice. Here they learned needlework,
the art of confectionary, surgery, [anciently no apothecaries or
surgeons: the gentlewomen did cure their poor neighbours: their
hands are now too fine]; physic, writing, drawing, &c. Old
Jacques, who lived where Charles Hadnam did, could see from his
house the Nuns of the Priory of St. Mary’s, Kington, come forth
into the Nymph-Hay with their rocks and wheels to spin, and with
their sewing work. He would say that he hath told threescore and
ten, but of Nuns there were not so many, but in all, with Lay-
Sisters, as widows, old maids, and young girls, there might be
such a number. This was a fine way of breeding up young women,
who are led more by example than precept : and a good retirement
for widows and grave single-women to a civil, virtuous, and holy
life. In the old hedges belonging to the Priory were” (and still
are) “a good number of Barberry trees, which t’is likely the Nuns
used for confections. Their last priest? was Parson Whaddon,

1 Now corrupted into ‘‘Empty.” Names, like the coin of the realm, sufter
by curreney ; and every parish map is rich in riddles which it is by no means
easy to solve. Such as “ Izell’s” from Hast-hills, ‘‘ Vanity-field” from Wal-
nut-tree-field, ‘‘Marriage Park” (near Malmsbury,) from Mauduit’s Park,
“Crawlboy’s wood” from an old Norman name Croile-bois. A copse on
Bedwyn common planted whilst Lord Ailesbury was travelling in Sicily, and
called, in order to mark its age, the ‘‘ Sicilian” plantation, is now ‘ Thistle-
hand.”

2 The Priory had a Priest to perform Divine Service from the time of its
foundation, with a stipend of £5 6s. 8d., nearly equal to the whole Tithes of
the Rectory £6 13s. 4d. (see Val. Eccl.)

54 Kington St. Michael. [Zhe Priory.

whose chamber is that on the right hand of the Porch with the
old fashioned chimney.”

There is an engraving of the remains of the Nunnery in the
Gent. Mag. 1803, p.717. On the eastern side of it was a square
Court, the north wing of which was a Chapel. This had a Norman
doorway, but transomed windows.! It fell to decay soon after the
Dissolution, but a few arches were standing in 1800. In the ter-
raced garden freestone coffins have been occasionally found; and
in one grave which, by the chalice discovered in it, had been that
of a priest, a stone of the thickness of a grinding stone haying in
the centre a heart held between two hands.

The Editors of the New Monasticon had never met with any
impression of the Seal of this Priory.

Names or PrioressEs oF St. Mary’s, Kineron,
Collected from Deeds, Registers, and the Book of Obits kept in the
Nunnery.

A.D.
Mentioned in Aubrey’s MSS.
Priory Charter, No. xi. (see infra.)

ELEANOR .
ce. 1280. CLaricia .

. . Enpiru or Brisrow .
. AMICE :
. . CHRISTINA eorecenes :
See MO ROLLTA
1319. Joan DurEDENT

1326. Drionysta “of Horsehill
under Chobham, in
Surrey.”

.. . Isapet Husee
13849. Lucta Pass .
1481. Attce More .

Book of Obits, 26 Dee.

Do. doe. . Mov. 10;

Do. do. January 4.
Lambeth Reg. Reynolds.
Resigned 8 March, 1825. Obit kept
21 Mar. [ Lamb. Reg. Reynolds. ]
A Nun of Bromhale, near Wind-
sor; made Prioress by the Arch-
bishop of Canterbury. Lamb. Reg.
Reynolds.

Obit kept 27 March.

Late Sub-Prioress, Obit kept 2 Ap.

1434. Peed shinee ttacan Shera Obit 21 March.

1 Aubrey has preserved the pattern of this window in his unpublished MS.

called ‘‘ Chronologica Architectonica.”

4

» gn nae aE i = -

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 55

. Susanna. . . . ~ Obit 23 May.

. Auice Hanxerton. . Do. 11 June.
... Curistina Ny—E . . Died 1454. Obit kept 2 Dec.
1454. Anice Lawrence . . Resigned 1492. Sarum Register.

1492. Karuarine Moteyns . A Professed Nun of Shaftesbury,

elected 2 April. Sar. Reg.

The Names of the Nuns at Kington in the time of Katharine
Moleyns, Prioress, were

Joan Bristow. Joan Hodges. Agnes Burnell.
Alice Mershefeld. Christina Westbourne. Mulier Chynne.
Alice Lawrence. Christina Woodland. Alice Hawkins.
1506. Atice Staunton . . A Nun of this house: appointed
Prioress by the Bishop, by lapse.
Audley Reg. Sarum.

1511. Cicety Boprnnam . . Afterwards Abbess of Wilton.

About this time happened the abduction of a Prioress by a very
troublesome clerk at Castle Combe, as related in Mr. Poulett
Scrope’s History of that parish, p. 297. Sir John Scrope (who
died 1517) in a supplication to the Archbishop of Canterbury, sets
forth at great length sundry grievances endured by him at the
hands of Sir Thomas Kelly, curate under Sir Ingeram Bedyl, the
Rector: amongst which “he prayeth to be recompensed for his
wrongful trouble and vexation that he hath had by the menes of
the said Thomas Kelley, that robbed the poor Monastry of Kyngton,
and carryed away the Prioress of the same.” Cicely Bodenham was
of a family settled at Bodenham in the Hundred of Downton. In
the stained Chancel window, given by herself to Kington Church,
Aubrey says there was remaining in his time, the greater part of her
Picture in her cope and robes.

1534. Exizaneru Pepe . . Val. Eccl.

. Mary Dennis }

Of an old family at Pucklechurch. She was the last Prioress,
and was pensioned with £5 a year. Aubrey’s statement that “she
died in Somerset within the memory of man,” is corroborated by a
note written on the fly-leaf of a Manuscript in Corpus Christi Coll.
Oxford, [No. cexx. fol. 3. b.] “This boke was appertaining to

56 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

Marye Dennis sometyme Ladie Abbesse of a certain Nunnery in
Glostershyre [read, Wiltshire]: She dyed in Bristowe 1593, a good
olde maide, verie vertuose and godlye: and is buried in the church
of the Gauntes on the Grene.”

The Convent was subject to the authority of the Bishop of Sarum
both as Diocesan and Visitor. Under his license they elected their
own Prioress, and presented her to the Bishop. If any thing in
the election was found to have been uncanonical, it was annulled,
and the Bishop then nominated. If properly conducted, it was
confirmed, a mandate was issued to the Archdeacon to install the
new Prioress, and a formal declaration of submission by her and the
Convent was duly made, signed, and sealed with the mark of the
cross.'. The Nuns did not like the visitation of the Bishop and his
Officers ; and were desirous of having for their Patron the Abbot
of Glastonbury : he being the Head of the First House of Regulars,
of the same Religious Order as themselves (Benedictine), and
moreover their own Landlord in chief. A curious story is told in
some Deeds in the Registry at Sarum,’ of a bold attempt to dispense
with the Bishop’s right of superintendance, made by one of these
Ladies, Dame Alice Lawrence, Prioress in 1454. She permitted a
certain Irish Franciscan friar, whose name is lost, to forge a Latin
document purporting to come from Rome, by which the Priory
was released from the inspection of the Diocesan, and transferred
to the care of the Abbot. Of course as soon as the Bishop’s
right was denied, he applied to Rome, and the fraud was discovered.
Dame Alice was quietly admonished to send in her resignation :
but as she was considered to have been the dupe of the Franciscan
friar, her sentence was lenient, and she was allowed to continue
in the House in the rank of a Nun.

The following is the substance of the Latin Deeds that relate to
this transaction :—

1. Tue Forced Document: purporting to be a Rescript from Pope
Innocent VIII., a.p. 1490, addressed to the Abbot of Glastonbury,

1 See “‘ Audley” and ‘‘ Mortivale” Registers.
2 Langton” Register.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 57

transferring to him from the Bishop of Sarum, the rights of Visitor
over Kington Nunnery.

“ Tnnocent, &c., to our beloved son, the Abbot of St. Mary of
Glastonbury of the Order of St. Benedict, in the Diocese of Wells,
greeting:

“The circumspect anxiety of the Holy See is cheerfully directed
to such measures as may usefully administer to the wants of Reli-
gious Persons. And to such as are most eminent for virtue and
merit, it more particularly extends the favour of its protection.

“On behalf of our beloved Daughter Alice Lawrence, the
Prioress, and of the Convent of St. Mary of Kington, of the Order
of St. Benedict, in the Diocese of Sarum, a Petition lately sent to
us sets forth, that, whereas it hath been the ancient custom for the
Bishop of Sarum to visit that Monastery for the purpose of re-
forming manners and correcting vices ; his suite of horsemen and
attendants upon those occasions is so great, that the means of the
Monastery are unable to bear the expense thereby occasioned. That
this hath happened, not once only, or in the regular course of the
Visitation of the Diocese, but as often as he likes. That the Cells
and other private apartments, appropriated to prayer and the use
of the Nuns, are required for the accommodation of a number of
secular attendants: and that the Bishop at pleasure supplies the
Monastery with a chaplain of his own nomination, whensoever and
whomsoever he may chuse.

“And whereas it has been further represented unto us, that, if
the Convent is withdrawn from the visiting jurisdiction of the
Bishop, and is placed under that of a Prelate Regular for the cor-
rection of faults and instruction in morals, the Prioress and Convent
will be able to serve God more securely and quietly, and the fre-
quent offences that arise out of its subjection to secular persons will
in future be avoided :

“We therefore, desiring to entertain this application favourably,
and exonerating the said Alice from all penalties, &c., &c., do
hereby order, that you (the Abbot) summon the Parishioners of
Kington and all others whom it may concern, and inquire diligently
into the truth hereof. And if these allegations are founded on

58 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

truth, that you forbid, by our authority, all opposition on the part
of the said Parishioners: and that you collate and assign unto the
said Alice the Priory whereunto belongeth cure of Souls, the annual
value whereof doth not exceed, as she declareth, 36 marks sterling :
and that you do induct her into corporal possession thereof, and
when inducted, protect her, in all her rights until her death.

“No previous grant or privileges to the contrary withstanding,
whether made to the Priory, or the Bishop and Chapter of Sarum :
as to election, &c., &e.

“ And that the said scandals, occasioned by the superintendence
of secular officers, may for the future be put an end to, we decree
that the Convent be exempt from all Episcopal Jurisdiction what-
soever, and be forthwith subject to your’s.

“Likewise, we empower you once every three years, or more
frequently, if desirable, to visit the said Monastery for the correc-
tion of morals; reforming whatever may seem to you to require
reformation. And if our Reverend Brother the Bishop of Sarum
shall again interfere with the same, let him know that he will
incur the wrath of the Almighty, and of the Apostles Peter and
Paul.

“Given at Rome 28th June, a.p. 1490, and the 6th of our
Pontificate.”

The Bishop of Salisbury having apprized the Court of Rome of
the Forgery, received the following instructions :—

2. The Pope to the Bishop of Salisbury.

“To our venerable Brother greeting. Whereas we have lately
received a copy of certain Letters purporting to have been issued by
us at the instance of Alice Lawrence, Prioress of Kyngton, and have
carefully inspected the same: which Letters it is your desire should
be recalled and pronounced to be, as they most palpably are, surrep-
titious : whereof a copy is now enclosed to you with these presents :

“ We, being anxious to investigate the matter thoroughly as we
are bound to do, bid you endeavour by every means to obtain pos-
session of the original Letters themselves and send them to us,
and also ascertain by whom the despatching of them was contrived,

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 59

with such other information as you can procure. Also that you
compel any person detaining them, or otherwise offering impedi-
ment, to give them up and bear testimony to the Truth, under pain
of Ecclesiastical censure. For which purpose, if need be, you will
call in the aid of the Secular power.

“Given at St. Peter’s, Rome, under the Seal of the Fisherman,
27 July, 1491.”

3. The Answer of Thomas Langton, Bishop of Salisbury, to the Pope.

“Most Holy Father: After our humblest commendation and
devout kisses of your Holiness’s blessed feet ; I received your Letter
enclosing the copy of the document purporting, &c., and conveying
your Holiness’s orders. Whereupon I so proceeded against the
Prioress and other suspected parties, as to obtain possession of the
original document, which I herewith send to your Holiness. Thename
of the person who hath contrived this matter I have not been able
to discover; excepting that he is said to be a certain Irish Friar,
of the Order of St. Francis. But if I shall be able to discover
where he is, whether in England or in Ireland, I promise my best
exertions_to arrest and detain him until I shall receive your Holi-
ness’s further instructions. Our Lord whose Vicegerent upon
earth you are, have your Holiness in his blessed keeping.

“Given at London, 10 Novemb., 1491, by your most devoted
Son, Thomas Langton, Bp. of Sarum.”

4. Alice Lawrence, the Prioress, being compelled to resign, the
Bishop of Sarum appoints a new Prioress.

“Thomas, by Divine permission, Bp. of Sarum, to our beloved
Daughter the Lady Katharine Moleyns, Nun of the Monastery of
Shaftesbury of the Order of St. Benedict, greeting. Whereas the
Priory of Kington is vacant by the free resignation of Alice Law-
rence; and the Sub-prioress and Convent have voluntarily solicited
me, and conveyed to me as the Ordinary and Diocesan all their
power in nomination of a successor; we, therefore, having heard
of you a good report, &c., do elect you Prioress thereof, and by
these presents depute to you in the Lord, the care and administra-

60 Kington St. Michael. [Zhe Priory.

tion of all goods spiritual and temporal: reserving the rights and
dignity of us and our Cathedral Church. In witness whereof we
have affixed our Seal, at our Manor of Remmesbury, 9 April, 1492.”

Then follow two other Mandates, one to the Archdeacon of
Wilts for installing the New Prioress; and the other to the Sub-
prioress and Convent, to receive and obey her.

Liser OBIrvatis.
Tue Book or Katenpar or Osits or Kineton St. Mary’s Priory.

Being a Register of Founders, Brethren,! Sisters, and others,
Benefactors, whose names were appointed to be mentioned in the
Prayers of the Convent upon the Days of their respective Deaths.
Drawn out anew by Karuarine Moteyns, Prioress there: in Lent
1493. (9 Hen. VII.)

(To the Obituary are prefixed copies of the following Formularies.)

I. “The Orver to resseyve Brothers and Sisters and the suffrages
of the Religious there.

II. “The Orper to resseyve a Minchin there.”

(The above are too long for insertion. The next is translated
from the Latin.)

III. “Commendations to prayer in the Conventual Chapter for
Benefactors living or dead.”

“For THE LivING.”

‘‘T commend to you, amongst the living, the Chief Pontiff .... and all
the Cardinals, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bp. of Sarum our Ordinary,
the Bishop of Winton, the Abbot of Glaston, the Abbess of Shaftesbury, and all
our Convent: specially them that labour and serve in our Church. Likewise
the well being of all who give a helping hand to our Lord. Likewise” [A. B.,
the particular person whose Obit was kept].

1 The Chaplain was the only “‘ Brother” resident in the House: but it was
the custom to pay to influential friends, lay as well as clerical, the compliment
of making them Honorary Brethren: or, as the phrase ran, ‘‘ admitting them
into the Fraternity of the Convent.” See in the Book of Obits, under January 12.

2 From the Manuscripts of John Moore, Bishop of Ely, purchased at his
decease by King George I., presented by him to the University of Cambridge, and
now in the Public Library there. A list of ancient and forgotten names is not
perhaps in itself of much importance ; but as a sample of a class of Monastical
Records not often met with, a ‘‘ Book of Obits” may not be wholly void of interest.

ee yeep

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 61

“For THe Deap.”

‘‘T commend to you, amongst the deceased, the souls of the Bishops of Sarum:
of Reginald, late Bishop of Bath,” (Fitz Jocelyn, 1191.) ‘of Savaric,” (1205.)
‘late Bishop of Bath and Glastonbury, of Robert Burnell, late Bp. of Bath”’
(1292.) “of Adam son of Waifer of Kyngton, of Roger and Sir Hugh Mortimer :
likewise the souls of all whose goods have been bestowed to the benefit of our
House, and whose names are contained in the following Kalendar: likewise the
souls of all the faithful deceased.”

Tue KaLenpar or Opsirs.

JANUARY.

iy. For the soule of Christine Charleton, late Prioress of Kyngton.

vii. For the soules of Adam sonne of Waifere of Kynton,! Roger
Mortymer, and Sir Hugh Mortymer, that gave us all our
lands in Kyngton.

viii. For the soules of the Bps. of Saulesbury, our special Bene-
factors and Ordinaries.

ix. — of Reynold Bp. of Bathe,’ that gave us our Parsonage of
Twyverton: and for the soules of Savary late Bp. of Bathe
and Glaston: and of Jocelyn late Bp. of Bathe, that con-
firmed to us, by their writing, the same.

x. — of Robt. Burnell late Bp. of Bath, that gaveus an Acre
of lande in Kyngton and the Parsonage there.

xii. — of John Buttelar of Badmintone magna,’ who was ad-
mitted into the Fraternity of this house.

xiii. — of Maud Osprynge.

xv. — of Maister Wm. Barker, late Parson of Sherston.
xvii. — of William of Salford and of Edith his wife, and of John
Clayfield.

xxi. — of Mary, late Lady of Eston.4
xxii. — of Geffrey of Bathe.
xxvi. — of William of Abyngdon.

1 The Founder of Kington Priory.
2 Reginald Fitz Jocelyn, d. 1191. But in the Priory charter No. viii. Wm.
Malreward is named as the donor of Twerton.
’ The Butlers were anciently owners of Badminton.
4 Easton Piers, contiguous to the Priory Estate.

62 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

FEBRUARY.
vy. — of Wm. Rowdon.!
vii. — of Sir John Delamere, Kt.? and Johan his wyfe.
xii. — of Elys of Milborne.

xvi. — of Clemence Husee, Minchin of Kyngton.
xviii. — of Sare of Sellye.

xix. — of Hawyse of Lobenam.

xx. — of Rafe Blewet.
xxiv. — of Wm. Eston.
xxvili. — Joan Durdeyne, Mynchyn of Kyngton.
Marcu.

i. For the Soules of Harry Hardynge.

vii. — John, late Abbot of Malmsbury. — of Harry, late
Monke of Bath. — of Agnes, Sub-prioress of Kynton.

xii. — of Agnes Wellyshote: Mary Willys. — Agnes Wyng-
ton, Minchen here.

xiv. — of John Persay. — John Bradeley.

xv. Memorandum: That the Altar in the Church of Kyngton
was dedicated in honour of the Holy Mother of our Savi-
our, by Ralph [meaning probably Robert] Bp. of Sarum,
on 15th March, a.p. 1435.

xviii. For the Soul of Maister Rych of Abingdon. — and of
. Walter Herrys.
xix. — Julian Byshop.
xxi. — Joan Dyngton, late Prioress here.
xxiii. — Mawde Nethelton. — Isabel Warrener.
xxiv. — Peter de Eston. — Robert and Geffrey.
xxv. — Sir John Mortimer, and Harry. John Baker’ of
2 Of Leigh Delamere: living about a.p. 1290. He witnesses the Priory
charter, No. xi.
3 In the Obituary at the foot of the page of ‘‘ March,” are the following entries:
‘Tn the days of Dam Kateryne Moleyns Prioress here, John Baker gave to
this House at Minchyn Kyngton,
A Bone of St. Cristopher closed in cloth of gold, a noble Relyke.
Thys boke, for to be their Mortiloge.

A Boke of Seynts Lyves yn Englishe.
A Spruse Table and a Cubbord that be in their parlor.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 63

Briggewater, and Joan his wife were admitted Brother
and Sister of this house on Lady Day, a.v. 1498. (sce
below, Jun. 27.)

xxvii. — Isabell Husye, late Prioress of Kyngtone. — Rafe
Melkesham.

xxviii. — Julyan Hayes: Symon of Overton: Thomas Mounte,
Chanon of Wells.

xxxi. — Henry Grafton.

APRIL.

i. For the Soules of Johan Ingram.
ii. — Alice More prioress of Kington: William Bradley and

Margaret Montforde.
vy. — William Beames.
vii. — Johan Malesyn.
x. — Johan Berleye: Agnes Browne.
xi. — Johan, Prioress of Kington, — of Sybil Dyxton: of

Herry Beauforde (The Cardinal and Bp. of Wynchester)
who died a.p. 1448.

xii. — John Rose, and Agnes his wife.
xiii. — Thomas Whittokesmede ; of Roger Beverley, and Alice
his Wyfe.
xx. — Jordan of Holdesweyl. — Thomas Bek.
xxiv. — Thomas Devant.

xxvi. — Charile of Bytton: of Vincent Farthyn.

i. For the Soules of Maude Culham.
ii. — Cristyne Cogan.

iv. — Henry of Harnhull.

The mendyng and renewyng of an old Mas Boke of theirs,

A Fetherbed, a bolster, a Pylow, and 2 fair Coverlettes: The half of
the money that was paid for the Ymage of Seynt Savyor stonding upon the
Auter for their quire. And for the Ymages of St. Mighel and St. Kateryne in St.
James's Chapell. Also the Aulter Cloth of the Salutacyon of oure Lady, being
in St. James’s Chapell: and 3 yards of Canvass annexed thereto to lye upon the
Auter. A Tester and a Seller (i e, aceller or canopy, ciel de lit) that hangeth
over my Lady’s Bed. A Grail. A fair Matyns Boke, with Dirige and many
good Prayers, A dozen of round pewter dishes with heires.” (ears ?)

64 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

vii. — Dame Johan of Eston: Alianore Baverton.
viii. — John Thornebyry.
ix. — Alexander Stodeley.!
x. — Sir Robert Huys.
xi. — Geffrey Scott and Isabell his wife.
xiii. — Walter Frary (or Tracy).
xiv. — John Bradeley.

xxiii. — Susanne, Prioress of Kington. — Raynold Jacob.

xxvii. — Agnes Walyngford.

xxviii. — Moryce, Monk of Farlye.

JUNE.

vii. For the Soules of Richard Comene.
xi. — Thomas Knapp and Avyce his wyfe. Also of Dame
Alice Hankerton, Prioress of Kington.
xiii, — Adam Milton.
xvii. — Philippe-of Sutton.
xx. — Rafe of Eston.
xxi. — John Milton and Alianor Barle.

xxiv. — Dame Cristina Westbourne.

xxvi. — Gilbert Derby.

xxvii. — of Richard Elys Baker,? Joan his wife, Thomas Baker,
and Johan his wyfe: John Baker, and Joan, Margaret
and Joan, his wyves. John Vicary, and Agnes his wyfe.
Richard Clopton, and Alice his wyfe. Maister Will.
Baker, late Parson of Petworth in Sussex.

xxix. — of John Zenar (?)

JULY.

i. For the Souls of Alyce Original ;? and Johan Grafton.
vii. — John le bon.
viii. — Margery Combe. — Adam Wellishot.
xiii. — Robert Helys.

1 The Donor of Tithes, &c., at Studley, Cadenham, &c., see Charter x.
2 An instanee very rare at so early a period, of two Christian names.
3 So spelled in the MS. copy from which this is taken, in the writing of Mr.
James Gilpin, Recorder of Oxford, and a native of Kington. The real name
was perhaps Elias Orescueil, a benefactor. See Charter xiii.

ll eg PE

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 65

xvii. — Hawys of Abyngdon.

xix. — Nicholas Dyraunt ?
xx. — Thomas Martyn.
xxiii. — Robert Russell and Margaret his wyf.
xxvii. — John Byret?
Aveust.
i. For the Soules of Martyn Wynterburne, Symon Fraunceys,
and John Hawyse.

viii. — Walter Boldry and Joan his wyfe.
x. — Walter Charleton.
xi. — John of Laverton.
xii. — Agnes Milton.
xiii. — Isabell Fryng, Robert Streffe and Alyce his wyfe, Mr.
Wn. Streffe, Chanon of Sarum; of Crystine Joan, and Joan.
xv. — Robert Turle; John Horton.
xviii. — Wm. Apilforde and Sara his wyfe.
xxij. — Gaffrey de Boys.
xxiv. — Johan late wyfe of John Baker.
xxvi. — Margaret Vyse: and Thomas her husband.
xxxi. — John Heyway and Isabell his wyfe.
SEPTEMBER.
i. For the Soules of Joan Overton.
ii. — Jordan le Warre: Mr. Robt. Bluntesdon.
iii. — Mary Excester: Wm. Evesham: and Cristine his wyfe.
vii. — Richard Hawkesbury, Monk of Malmesbury: Johan
late wyfe of Richard Elys Baker.
xi. — Walter Jewne.
xiv. — William of Sutton.
xvii. — Maute of Abyndon. — Johan Nele.
xviii. — Sir Richard Awringe.
xxi. — Roger Helys. — and Katerine Wilkyns,
xxii. — Ide Cosyn.
xxiii. — Roger Stodeley. — Alexander Welyngton.
xxvii. — Wm. Wykam, late Bp. of Winchester.
xxviii. — Rosa Hylle, and John
xxix. — Isabell of Westrop. — John Coldam.

66 Kington St. Michael. | The Priory.

xxx. — Katerine Hundredere ?
OcroBER.
ii. For the Soules of Hely of Stodeley and Thos. Malemeys.
vi. — Richard Spenser.
vii. — Hugh Rementon.
xi. — John of Welitton.
xiv. — Sir Water Clopton, Kt.

xvi. — Nicholas Samborne, — and Nicholas his Son.
xvili. — Richard Tomelyne, Vicar of Kyngtone.
xxiii. — Margaret Selyman: — Katerine Swindon.
xxvili. — Elys of Calne.
xxix. — Maude Rementon.
NovEMBER.

i. For the Soules of Gilbert Overton.

ii. — Margaret Baker: John Welliscote, — Gilbert Berewyke.

iii. — Alice Boydon.

vii. — Richard Inveyne (?)
viii. — Alice Turneys, — Johan, wyfe of Thos. Martyn.

x. — Amice Prioress of Kington, — Sir Hugh Mortymer. —
Dunage Sottacre. — of Perys. — of Haveryng. — of
Johan Martet.

xi. — Lady Joan Bristow.

xiii. — Geffrey Abbot of Glaston: (Fromont died 1822.)
xiv. — Luce, Byshop of ;
xix. — Joan, wyfe of Thos. Baker of Lamport. — Sir Rob.
Charleton Kt.
xxi. — John Scutte.
xxiv. — Edward of Pury. — Elene atte Pury.
xxvi. — John Bradeley. — Roger Stodeley.
xxviii. — Agnes Comerweyle.
DECEMBER.

i. For the Soules of Thos. Tanner.

iii. — Isabel Burley.

vy. — Kateryne, wyfe of Nicholas Fortresbury.

vi. — Edmund Husee.

vii. — Thos. Wyleshete. — Joan Wynterburn. — Cristine
Nye, Prioress of Kington, who died a.p. 1454.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 67

viii. — John Kynsman, Husbonman, — and Lady Alice Hare.
xi. — John Hance.
xii. — Gyles Bp. of Sarum, (G. de Bridport, consecrated at
Canterbury 1256, died 1262.)
xiv. — Ely, late wyfe of Alexander Stodeley.
xvi. — William, Vicar of Kington. — Dame Alice Hardyng,
Mynchyn of Lacock.
xviii. — Mr. Robert Gray.
xix. — Alice Mann.
xx. — Sir William of Lomene.
xxi. — Margaret Burley.
xxii. — John Adencyte.
xxiij. — Agnes Delamere.
xxiv. — Sir — Turketill: Edith, a Mynchyn here.
xxvi. — Edythe of Bristow (Prioress).
xxx. — Robert of Lomene.

Tue Kine’s Atmswomen at Kineton Priory.

Connected with the Priory, and perhaps forming part of it, was
a dwelling for two pauper women, for whose maintenance the
Prioress received annually six marks from the Crown. Of the
origin of the charity there is no account. It may have been this
Royal bounty that gave rise to the tradition mentioned above, of
the Priory itself having been founded by the Empress Matilda.
The House for the two paupers was built in 1221, (6 Hen. III.) as
appears by a writ to the Treasurer of the Exchequer to pay 40s.
“for the construction of one in the Priory of Kington for the use of
the two Eleemosinary Damsels dwelling there during the King’s
pleasure.” In the Close Rolls about this date, are orders for timber
to be taken out of Chippenham Forest for this purpose; and also
for payment of the six marks. And in 1223 a writ was issued to the
Constable of Devizes (who was ex-officio Warden of Chippenham
Forest) “ commanding him that without delay, he do at once cause
to be carried to Kinton for the use of the two Damsels residing
there by the King’s command, 20 cartloads of burl-wood ” [ Bruel,
copse|. “ And we much wonder that our precept heretofore sent
by us relating unto this matter has not been carried into effect.”

F 2

68 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

CuarTers or Sr. Mary’s Priory.!

I. Robert of Bryntone gives Tithes at Ewerne Stapleton, near
Stourpayne, Co. Dorset.

“To Jocelyn? Bishop of Sarum, and Adelelm Archdeacon of Dorset, Robert
de Bryntone, greeting. Iand Eva my wife, with Emma her sister, have granted
the church of Iwerne for ever, and whatever else in the said church belongs to
us, with all liberties &e., as Aluric the Priest held them: Witnesses, Richard
the Canon: Robert de Huntsland: Richard son of Coloman: Robert of Acford :
Wyger: Robert of the Gate: and the whole Halimote. Farewell.”

II. Confirmation of a grant of Lazarton,® or Lacerton near Stour-
payne, Co. Dorset, which had been made to the Nuns by Robert de
Brintone, Eva his wife, and Emma her sister, about 1142-1184.

‘Jocelyn, Bishop of Sarum, to Adelelm Archdeacon of Dorset: I confirm
the grant of the Church of Lazarton, which Robert de Brinton, &c., gave to the
Nuns of Kington ; and because it is poor, I release it from all payments, except
synodals. Witnesses, Humfrey the Canon: Walter the Canon: Dunecane the
Chaplain.”

Ill. Adam (Weyfer) of Brimpton gives all his land at Kington
St. Michael.

“Omnibus, &e. To all the faithful in Christ, &e., Adam de Brinton greeting.
Know that I have granted to God and St. Mary, and ye Nuns of Kyngton, All the
land in that vill which the s (Nuns hold of me, in pure and perpetual alms: free of
all secular demands and services. And this I do for the good of my soul, and those
of my Father and Mother, of my predecessors and successors. And I and my
Heirs will warrant the same unto the said Nuns, free of all service to ye
Crown: specially that for + of the Knights Fee, wh they are wont to do unto
me. Scaled with my seal. Witnesses, Richard, Canon of Sarum: Walter,
Chaplain: H. Bigod: Robert de Brolett, Alexander his son, and Roger Polte-
more; with many others.

1 Translated from the Latin Deeds printed in the New Monasticon, (vol. iv. p.
398) and there described as haying been taken (with the exception of No. II.)
from the Priory Register, formerly in the possession of John Aubrey Esq., of
Easton Piers.

2 Bishop 4.p. 1142,—1184,

3 The Prioress of Kington presented twice to Lazarton, viz.: in 1339 and
1348. Afterwards the Bishop of Sarum “jie devoluto.”” Lazarton Rectory,
worth five marks per annum, being too poor to maintain its own Rector, was
annexed to Stourpayne in 1431; the Prioress consenting to receive in lieu of her
rights a pension of 6s. 8d. per annum. This pension, after the Dissolution,
continued to be paid out of Stourpayne to the Long Family who had purchased
all the Estate of Kington Priory. (See Hutchins, Dorset, I. 106, 107.)

SS

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 69

IV. Sir Hugh Mortimer; Lord of the Fee, confirms No. III.

‘‘Hugh de Mortymer to all his Barons and Men, French and English, in
England. Know that I have granted to God, St. Mary, and the Nuns of King-
ton serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms, for the salvation of my Soul,
and that of my Father, my Mother, and Roger my Brother, All the land which
Adam de Bryntone holds of my Fee in the same vill: he granting and confirm-
ing the same by Deed; which R. the son of Weyfer of Brintone gave to them
when he founded the Place. To be free from all claims so far as concerns my Fee,
&c. Witnesses, R. the Chaplain: R. de Brinton: Wm. Rudele: Aluric le
Chamberlein : and others.”

V. Petronilla Bluet gives land at Bradley near Alton, Hants.

‘“¢T Petronilla Bluet, wife of Wm. de Felcham give to God, St. Mary, and the
Nuns of Kington, all my land in Bradley, to be held as I have held the same of
Thomas son of Wm. de Salemonville, viz.: paying 5 shillings a year for all
services, save that to the Crown for 3 a Knight’s fee. And because I bought
that land of the said Thomas to be held by hereditary right, I make God and
the Church of Kington St. Michael’s and the Nuns my Heirs to hold the same
of the said Thomas by the services aforesaid. Sealed with my seal. Witnesses,
Ralph Bloet, Ralph his son; Ralph Bloet, son of Walter Bloet; Richard de
Herierd, Robert Fitzpayn, Roger his son; Wm. Briwere, Peter de Scudamore,
Rob. de Berkley, John de Warre, Helias de Stodeley, Gilbert, the Chaplain:
Robert, Chaplain: Walter the Clerk, who drew this Deed: and others.”

VI. Richard de Heriet yives Tithes at Somerford, (between A.v.
1194 and 1203.)

‘Richard de Heriet in the presence of the Lord Herbert Bp. of Sarum, and
of William of St. Mary’s Church, Arehdeacon of Wilts, gives to God and St.
Mary and the Church of Kington and ye Nuns there, the Church of Somerford ;
for the health of his soul: &e.’?

VII. Roger de Mortimer*® gives Tythes at Stratfield Mortimer,
&c.: (before a.p. 1206.)
** Roger de Mortimer for the good of his soul and that of the Lady Isabella

1 The Mortimers (De Mortuo Mari) a great Norman Family related to Wm.
the First, naturally had large possessions assigned to them at the Conquest.
Sir Hugh died 1227. His elder Brother Roger (ancestor of the Earls of March)
in 1215. Their Mother was Matilda Longespeé.

2 Herbert Prior Bp. of Sarum 1194—1217, William, Archdeacon of Wilts
died about 1203. In Hen. III. ‘‘ The Prioress of Kington held in Sum’ford
44 of a Knight’s Fee of Godfrey Sifrewast: He of the Earl of Sarum: He of
the Crown.” (Test. de Nev.)

3 Roger Mortimer (grandfather of Sir Hugh and Roger, in Deed IV.) died 7
John (1206): haying married for his second wife, Isabella, sister and heir of
Hugh de Ferrars. Stratfield Mortimer is south of Reading: on the borders of
Berks and Hants. By Biselee is probably meant Riseley in that neighbourhood,

70 Kington St. Michael. [The Priory.

his wife, for the souls of their Parents and successors, gives to God, St. Mary
and the Nuns of Kington, &e., All the Tythe of Bread and Herrings of his
house, of Biselee, of Stratfield and of Worthe.

‘‘ Witnesses, Philip de Mortimer, Wm. de Mortimer, Henry de Hillford,
Ralph the Chaplain, Thomas, Clerk: Robert Corbet, Ernaldo de Bosco, Hankin
de Camera, Ralph de Gueres, &e.”’

VIII. Grant by Wm. Malreward, of the Church of Twerton.'

“‘ Know all present and future generations that I Wm. Malreward have given
the Church of Twerton, free of all services to Kington Monastery and the Nuns:
saving Episcopal rights. Witnesses, Thomas de Erlega, Archdeacon of Wells,
Richard, Archdeacon of Bath: Ibert, Precentor of Wells.”

IX. Confirmation of No. VIII., by Godfrey Malreward.

‘To all children of Holy Church, &c. Godfrey Malreward son of Godfrey
M. greeting. Know that I have examined the grants of my great grandfather
Wn. M., and of my grandfather Godfrey M. made to the Nuns of Kington, of
the adyowson of Twerton; and I confirm the same. Witnesses, John, Abbot
of Keynsham, Master Henry de Cerne, &c.”

X. Grant of Alexander of Studley, (about a.p. 1280.)

“ A. de Studley gives, &c., the Grange which the Nuns have built in his
Barton of Studley, and the site where the Grange is built: And in his Barton
of Cadenham a place to build another Grange in, viz.: Between his Grange and
Whitmere. Also he grants to the Nuns all his Tithes of Studley, Redmore,
and Cadenham, to receive the same at the Door of his Grange, and to have a
Store at his Mill to deposit the same. Witnessed by John de St. Quintin,
Henry de Cerne, Adam Delamere, Thos. Burell, Henry Kaynel.”?

XI. R&R. Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, gives an acre of land
at Kington; and the Rectory.

19 Edw. I. (1290.) ‘‘ Robert Burnell, Bishop of Bath and Wells, grants to
God and the Church of St. Mary of the Nuns, and to Claricia Prioress, in free
alms, one acre of land in Kington St. Michael in the East Field, in the ploughed
ground called ‘Goldshawe,’ between the land of the Prioress on the East, and
land of Richard Carpenter on the West, with the Advowson of the Church.

1 The Church of Twerton, near Bath, was valued in 1318 at 6 marks; a vicar-
age was ordained in 1342, The Vicar to pay to the Prioress 100 shillings
yearly : and as often as he should fail, to forfeit one mark to the building of
Bath Abbey. (Wells Reg. and Coll. Som. iii. 348.) In the Priory “‘ Book
of Obits,” Reginald (Fitz Jocelyn, 1174) is named as the donor of Twerton
Parsonage: and in Harl. MS. 6964, p. 22, the Rectory is stated to have been
appropriated to the Nuns 12 May 1322.

2 The concurrence of witnesses to this Deed is curious ; showing the origin of
the names of the five Parishes, Stanton S¢. Quintin, Draycote Cerne, Leigh-
Delamere, Langley Burell, and Yatton Kaynell,

Px .

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 71

Witnesses, John Delamere, Godfrey de Wrokeshale, Henry de Cerne, John
Mauduit Knight, Richard Pigot, Roger de Cumb, Reginald Croke, and others,’’!

XII. Wm. Harptree of Harptree, Co. Som. grants Tithes at
Stourpayne, Co. Dorset.

‘* Wm. son of John of Harptree, with consent of Matilda his wife and their
heirs, grants to the Nuns the Tythes of Corn in Stures and Sanford, and the
Tenth of ‘meat not bought’ there.” (Quere, of stock bred and killed by him-
self?) ‘* Witnesses, Richard Abbot of Keynsham, Wm. Abbot of Kingswood,
&e.’’2

XIII. Grant of Roger de Villiers, at Stourpayne.*

“* Roger de Villiers gives the second Tythes of his demesne lands at Stures
and Sanford, and 10th of ‘meat not bought’: respecting which a Plea was
moved between him and the Nuns before commissioners appointed by the Apos-
tolic See, viz.: Albert, Prior of Brhuperiat and Dean of Christianity of the same
Province: To hold the same, in as full manner as they had been given by
his uncle Richard, son of Elias de Orescueil, to the said Nuns. Sealed, &c.”

Tue Priory AFTER THE DissoLurTIon.

At the Dissolution the whole Priory Estate, including Kington
Rectory, was granted (30 June 1588), to Sir Richard Long,
younger brother of Sir Henry Long of Draycote who had been its
chief Seneschal.? The Rectorial Tithe of Kington continues now
to be part of the property of that family, represented by Viscount
Wellesley. The House and lands about it were afterwards sold in
1556 to John Taylor of Castle Combe. Isaac Taylor (brother of
John, Vicar of Kington) resided there in 1570. His daughter

1 This Deed (printed also twice in the old Edition of the Monasticon, I. 534
and II. 889.) is the first in which the name of Kington St. Michael appears to
be found.

2 See Valor Eccl. I. 269. The Harptrees of East Harptree, Co. Som. (under
which manor Stourpayne in Dorset was held), afterwards took the name of
Gournay. Coll. Som. iii. 587,

8 See Hutch. Dor. I. 107. There is no mention, in the Val. Ecel., of this as
belonging to Kington Priory.

4 Probably meant for Beaurepaire (vulgd Baruper), near Basingstoke.

5 Rot. xxx. 30, Hen. VIII. But by an Inquisition at Warminster 19 Dee.
8 and 4 Phil. and Mary (1556-7), on the death of Henry Long of Draycote,
(elder brother of the grantee), it was found that the said Henry held the Rectory
of Kington St. Michael, by the 20th part of a Knight’s fee under the King: and

_ that Robert was his son and heir, (IHarl. MS. 757. f. 243.)

6 Rot. exiij, 3 and 4 Phil, and Mary.

72 Kington St. Michael. [Easton Percy.

Eleanor married Thomas Lyte of Easton Piers, and was great
grandmother to John Aubrey. In 1628 it was sold by John Taylor
to Thomas Tyndale Esq., (then late of Eastwood Park near Thorn-
bury), and Dorothy (Stafford) his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Tyndale
lived here and were buried at Kington Church! In 1677 Mr.
Thomas Tyndale third son of the purchaser, sold the Priory to Mr.
Richard Sherwin, who had bought Aubrey’s Estate at Lower Easton
Piers a few years before. In the middle of the last century the
Priory belonged to the family of Hale of Locksley, Co. Herts.; and
in 1796, at the sale of Mr. Wm. Hale’s Wiltshire Estates it was
bought by the present owner, Mr. Sutton.

The Chartulary or Register Book of this Priory is missing. In
1620 it was in the possession of Sir Wm. Pole.* Sir Robert Long
had it in Aubrey’s time 1670.3 Tanner refers to Sir Robert’s
volume as in the hands, first of John Aubrey, then 1695 of his
brother William, and afterwards, of Mr. Rogers of Chippenham.

Easton Piers, or Percy.

This isa small hamlet of four detached farms, forming the North-
western division of the Parish of Kington St. Michael. The tyth-
ing is not in the Hundred of North Damerham, but of Malmsbury ;
the reason of which is, that Easton Percy was not held under the
Abbey of Glastonbury. The principal house is the “ Manor Farm.”
The others are “‘ Upper Easton Percy,” a little further west. Be-
yond that and nearer Yatton Keynell, “Cromwells”: and on the
southern slope below the Manor House, and nearest to Kington,
“‘ Lower Easton Percy.”

The Tything occupies a well wooded grassy ridge, running east
and west between Kington St. Michael and Yatton Kaynell: par-
allel with the Parish of Leigh Delamere on the north. The soil is
chiefly such as belongs to the siliceous sandstones of the Forest
Marble, yielding healthy dry pasture. It is on as high ground as

1 An elaborate Pedigree of this Family was privately printed by their descen-
dant the late George Booth Tyndale Esq., of Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

2 Collect. Top. et Gen. I. 207.

8 Note on back of Title page of Aubrey’s original MS. Coll. for N. Wilts, _
Ashm. Mus. :

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 73

any in the neighbourhood : and is traversed through its full length
= very narrow winding lane crossed by gates, and overshadowed
by steep banks and old picturesque trees. Aubrey speaks of “other
old ways now lost, but some vestiges left:” amongst them, “a way by
the Pound and the Manor House leading northwards to Leigh
Delamere, and southwards to Allington; but of that no sign left.”
This however, for some part of the distance northwards, still con-
tinues to be used as a bridle path through the fields; and at
each end, both under Easton Manor House, and at Leigh Delamere,
traces of the lane are distinct.

Easton Percy appears to have stood in ancient times, on the
margin of a large unenclosed district. ‘ It butted upon Cotswold,'
which is a ploughed campania: and mem: that fourscore years ago”
(which would be about a.p. 1590,) “from Yatton Kaynell town’s
end to the Parson’s close adjoining Easton Grounds all was com-
mon: and Yatton and Easton did intercommon, and put in cattle
equally. Between the two parishes of Easton Piers and Castle
Combe much hath been enclosed in my remembrance, and every
day more and more,” so also, between Kington St. Michael and
Dracot Cerne all was common field: and the west field of Kington,
between Easton Piers and Haywood, was enclosed in 1664. The
North part of Wilts was in those days admirable for field sports :”
a species of celebrity which it still retains; enclosures, stiff fences
and gates, to the contrary nothing withstanding.

Easton Percy had once a Chapel, a grave yard, and village cross.
The Chapel was taken down about a.p. 1610. “It was but small :*
and had a Turret for two Tintinnabula as at Leigh Delamere,
Corston and Brokenborough. The toft where it stood is still called
“ Chapel-hay,” near to the Mannor House. They did bury here.”
(Aubrey.) “ Chapel-land ” is still the name of a ground about 100
yards N.W. of the Manor House. At the upper end of it, an un-
evenness of surface marks the site of the building; and in digging
holes for planting, human bones are occasionally found.

ks 1 Aubrey. The district now so called is many miles distant from Easton.
¥ " 2 Nat. Hist. of Wilts, p. 104.
5 And so its perquisites. “A.D, 1446, Allowance to the Clerk for stipend, 4d.”

~

74 Kington St. Michael. [Easton Percy.

The name of one of the Incumbents appears in the Sarum Re-
gistry. In 1319 “John de Gyvleton” (no doubt, for “ Yeovilton”
the Family to whom, as will be seen, the Estate then belonged,)
was presented to the Chapel of Easton Piers by Ralph de Cromhale
Patron.! “The Font Stone was serving” (in Aubrey’s time,) “at
‘Cromwells’ for cattle to drink.”

The Cross stood at “the crosse way by the Pound, at the
entrance into the Lane which heretofore went to Lye Delamere,
close to the Mannour House.”

Manoriat History.

In the Reign of King Edward the Confessor, the Saxon owner
was one Osward. At the Conquest it was part of the fee of Drogo
de Fitz Ponz, of Seagry and Alderton, and was held under him by
Gislebert. In Hen. III. Walter de Clifford held it under the
Crown: Patrick Chaworth under him: under Chaworth, Henry
Kaignel, and Philip de Lye; the latter by grand serjeanty of being
the King’s bowbearer. John of Eston, had } of a Knight’s fee.
The Tything bore the name of Easton only until its connexion with
the family of Piers, now commonly spelled Percy ;? which addition
appears to have been made about a.p. 1250.

To John Aubrey’s partiality for his native nook of Wiltshire
ground, we are indebted for the means of ascertaining its history at
this period. THis undigested “Collections for North Wilts” contain
a number of ancient Latin documents relating to it, taken from the
Title deeds of the farm, then his own. These occupy sixteen pages
in Sir Thomas Phillipps’s printed copy, pp. 69-85. Many of them
being without date and all without arrangement, the labyrinth is
not easily unravelled ; but the substance seems to be this.

The proprietor about the year above mentioned, 1250, was Piers,
or Fitz-piers: using more frequently, after the fashion of the
times, a sirname from the property, De Eston. The first is Sir
John, who gave to the Nuns of Kington a coppice and other ground

1 Wilts Instit. p. 17.
2 That Piers and Percy, if not one and the same name, were similarly pro-

nounced, would appear from Falstaff’s quibble ; ‘‘ Well, if Perey be alive, Pl
pierce him.” 1, Hen. IV., A. 5. Se. 3,

|
|
I
7
|

mes

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. , 75

between Easton and the Priory. John, his son, was succeeded by
Sir Peter de Eston: he, by his daughter Joan, mentioned as Lady
of the Manor in 1832: Edmund de Easton, clerk, occurs in 13845,
(the seal to his Deed dated at Oxford, bearing a cross engrailed,
with an illegible inscription); and Walter Eston in 1483. In
the Kalendar of Obits kept at St. Mary’s Priory (printed above),
several benefactors of this family are registered: as, January 17,
Mary late Lady of Eston; May 7, Dame Johan of Eston, and
others. Who they were might have been discovered in a MS.
volume (had it been forthcoming), referred to by Aubrey, “The
Leiger Book of Tropenell at Col. Wm. Eyre’s at Neston: where
mention is made of Pierse and his coat, azure 5 milpecks or fusils.
This MS.” he adds “is the best key to open the knowledge of the
old and lost families, which is my search.”

Piers was succeeded by De Yeovilton of Somersetshire. Ina
Deed of about 1300, Wm.. Seward of Easton grants his tenements,
&e., to John de Yeovilton and Joan his wife: and in 1306 the
Manor suffered a recovery to Philip de Paunton? and his wife, who
was probably of the Yeovilton family. In 1361 Peter de Yeovilton
being about to go into foreign parts, conveys his Estate at Eston,
with Speckington and others in Somersetshire and Devon, to
Nicholas de Yeovilton and Richard his son, upon condition that if
he returns home safe, he is to have possession again. In 1896 Sir
Robert de Yeovilton was owner of Easton.? Margaret, heiress of
the family, married Thomas Pain of Painshay, Co. Devon. Kath-
arine Pain married John Sturton of Preston, and their daughter
Alice Sturton was wife of William Daubeney (ancestor of Henry
Earl of Bridgewater). The estate thus came to his son Sir Giles,

1 Coll. for N. Wilts, p. 68.

2 Of Dorsetshire. In 1299 Philip Paunton was of Charborough. In 1337
Juliana Paunton ; the reversion to Nicholas de Ivelton (Yeovilton). In 1389
Richard Yeoyilton. (Hutchins, II. 184. 186.)

8 Probably the Easton Knight, of whom an exploit is preserved in the parish
annals of Castle Combe. (Mr. P. Scrope’s Hist., p. 249.) ‘‘ Roger Young, junior,
dwelt in Castle Combe as a clothier in the time of King Edw. III., and a certain
Knight, Sir Robert Yevolton, in the time of K. Rich, II., came by force of arms

beat Robert Young then dwelling in C. Combe: and the said Knight fled into
he Church of that place for safety of his body.”

76 Kington St. Michael. [Easton Percy.

afterwards Lord Daubeney of Petherton, Co. Som., and his wife
Elizabeth (Arundel). Having been one of the opponents to the
designs of Richard Duke of Gloucester, Lord Daubeney was deprived
of his lands, and in 1483 (1 Richard III.) Easton was granted to
Ralph Willoughby, but was afterwards restored. Lord Daubeney
before his death in 1507, sold it to Thomas Essex ; in whose family
it remained about 57 years.

The Pedigree and Arms of Essex are given by Aubrey (Coll. I.
86 ) as follows :

Wm. Essex, Lord Treasurer and
of the Privy Council: about
Hen. VIII.

|
Str Tuomas Essex Kt.—Daughter of the Lord Sands.

|
Tnos. Essex Esq., called Daughter of Sir Robert Browne

Black Tom. | of Northamptonshire.
Thomas Essex Esa. =(Joan) Daughter of Mr. Harrison,
| a Jeweller.

|
Sir Wm. Essex Kt. =(Jane) Daughter of Sir Walter Harcourt
of Stanton Harcourt, Oxon. <Arms.
Gules. 2 Bars or.

Str Tuos. Essex Kt. and Bart. He was Governor of Bristowe
for the Parliament, under the Earl of Essex. A Bachelor.

Arms. 1, Azure a chevron engrailed ermine between 3 eagles
displayed argent. (zssEx.) 2. Sable, a chevron argent between 3
crescents ermine. 3. Gules, a fleur de lys argent. 4. Per fess
dancetteé argent and gules. 5. Ermine.’

In 1564 Edward Essex and Anne his wife sold Easton to Sir
Robert Sackville, Chancellor of the Court of Augmentations in the
reign of Hen. VIII. Sir Robert Sackville the purchaser, was the
father of Thomas Sackville Lord Buckhurst, first Earl of Dorset, a
statesman and poet in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King

1 Aubrey gives no authority for the Pedigree and Arms above described.
The Arms do not correspond with those assigned to Essex of Beweot in Berks,
[£xtinct Bart.) but the Pedigree is nearly the same.

2 Chap. House Fines.

:

‘ssomloy pue ‘nep
‘SIMa]T NVHO(

‘Toy pue uyor
‘sdoqjorg OAM4
peyqynomuoyy
‘sdojog "IG JO] ‘NOLONV] ‘NOLONV'T
SIMGTSVNOHT—= NVHOf TaIIazy

a |

‘SILL'SRy OT pod ‘9e9T “deg gt [stg
‘Postag “YornyD spout “9G

ye “Ivy

“MOJLOPTY 3B ‘Mg ‘PROT

paq ‘(Arenbyuy
oy) ‘toyepTY Jo

ye ‘OFOT oung ¢ ‘4deq HEIaduay AUV—“bsy TION SVWOHT,

“POL TH049]941.U9 Fo
Oy MA “IPL 07 Soto
Mose pros ‘ary
pue aoyjorq Au ‘09 ‘Moy.SuTISTIg Jo
‘INNY=‘NOLONVT LUAdOyy NOLONVWT SVHOHY,

‘9691
4snsny FT poyep
TEA. “bey “tog

"Q991 Jsnsny 1 “SLOT
pour “Ysteg yey} ur Avg 91 poyep
ApTEy Ns 10jSue'y, , TEM. “TO9SEtg,
jo topunoy ‘onopy jo UVULIOpTy “pueqsny
‘NOLONVT 07 ‘urea qjor10y00x7 ‘NOLONVYT ol paAtArns
Hduso f ‘NODONW'T WVITII AA a ‘=SVNWOHY, aIg

*“NOLONV]T WVITTI

‘SLTIA.

“onOLD
“09, “pooar
~ynog. Jo

‘NOLONVT | HIIGUAay

HLGIVZITY—= TAVHOIL

‘TMOJSUV'T SvULOTT, Ig
0} 4I pasvozor sprvaioyye Aoyy, ‘stead :g
Ioy ‘SIMO'T Uvyor ‘194SIS STY pue YEG
-Z1[] AOPLA sty 0} Aor9g Woyseq pastaop
ey ‘ogoT “eq g payep TM Ag ‘bsg

HLALVZITY—="onopy ‘op ‘uoyukog Jo NOLONWT NHOs

‘ToystAIg Jo ‘Mopra ‘royoyug Areyy | “CZOL ‘Uve LZ ‘Um ‘Tey pur

M ‘SI. JO ‘uep ‘Saawung NVHOF—Uos depo es NHOf

‘QSVILIVUT STY 4B ‘UTOL TOS STY
uodn ‘Arvyq “yg yaodysoAy Jo ystaed 043 ur
osuvIy [TU pue ‘ysnoroquoyorg 4v
PUL] TALM “41 popes pus ‘g{gT ‘eordag m04
-SUy Jysnog “yueyosour ‘foystag ‘svpouotyy

‘AOITY="JQ JO YStavg oyy JO ‘ues ‘NOLONWT NHOL

‘aTqevs pueq v ‘sems puv zo ‘Apropeny ‘sup

[SSW 8,040 ‘soy, pure ‘spooq opty, oT} Wor)

‘KOUMd NOISVA FO NOLONVT dO AAUDIGHd

4

+

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 77

James I. In Noy. 1574, Lord Buckhurst sold Easton to John and
Thomas Lyte, then tenants under lease: and in January 1575, they
sold the Manor House and Farm to John Snell Esq., father of
Sir Thomas, of Kington St. Michael’s. After an interval of 48 years
Sir Charles Snell, son of Sir Thomas, in the year 1623 sold! the
Manor Farm and House to John Langton of Bristol, merchant,
in whose family it remained until the year 1704. A Pedigree
of the Langtons, deduced chiefly from the Title Deeds, is annexed.
On the 28th March 1704, the Manor was again sold, (with lands
in Kington and Yatton,) by Robert Langton and Anna his wife, to
Walter White Esq., of Grittleton, for £3325: on whose death
without issue in 1705 it passed, by marriage of his youngest sister
and coheiress Elizabeth, to Richard Salwey Esq., of the Moor, Co.
Salop. He died in 1712. In 1796 this Estate, the Priory of
Kington and the Down Farm, all being then the property of Wm.
Hale Esq., were sold by auction, when the Manor Farm was bought
by Mr. Collett, then tenant, whose son is the present owner and
occupier.
The Manor House is very large and well built, in the old Wiltshire
4 style so common in this neighbourhood, with bold gables, orna-
mented freestone chimneys, and casement windows. In 16380,
soon after it had passed from the Snells to the Langtons, all the
older house then standing was taken down and rebuilt, except the
Hall and some smaller portions. The parts rebuilt by the Langtons
_ are distinguished by dates and initials. On one chimney “I L.
AL. 16380.” (John and Alice Langton): on another “T L. 1664.”
(Thomas Langton): and on the west front “I L. 1631.” (John
_Tangton). The older part which they did not take down, is still
left, and forms a north wing. Its principal window, described
by Aubrey as of “peculiar old fashion,” is of six lights, divided
by stone mullions and crossed by one transom. Above it is another,
_ once of like size, but now partly blocked up. The two stand out
_ in bold projection under a sloping tiled roof. The other windows in
_ this more ancient portion, being of ecclesiastical style with cinquefoil

1 Sir Charles’s reason for selling is mentioned above p. 45. The succeeding links
in the history are taken from the original documents in the author’s possession.

s

78 Kington St. Michael. (Lower Easton Percy.

heads, and its angles being flanked by bold buttresses with a sub-
stantial moulding running all round, about a yard from the
ground, the wing looks not unlike a chapel ; but it was the original
hall. The room is paved with freestone, in lozenge. It was once
wainscotted with carved oak panel: anda few relics of better days,
such as stag’s antlers, &c., still linger on the walls, as if to declare
that it was not always filled with piles of sacks, cider-presses, and
other farm house gear, as it is now. The whole house indeed, is one
of the many warnings which every county, not omitting Wiltshire,
presents, of the “base uses” that await a goodly residence. For
such is its loneliness and perilous state of dilapidation, that it seems
to want but one thing more, which is, to be fixed upon as the scene
of a tragical legend or ghost story. It is very little known, and if
any reader, on mysterious fiction bent, will select a gloomy day, or
visit it at nightfall, he will be grateful for the suggestion. Yet the
situation is one of the best in the neighbourhood, and the views
(did the dense screen of trees permit any) extensive ; northward
over Stanton Park and Leigh Delamere; on the south, across a
prettily wooded lawn to Lower Easton in the foreground, and the
Calne Hills in the distance. Aubrey mentions that “Herons bred
here in 1580 before the great oaks were felled down near the
Manor House.”
Lower Easton Percy.

When Thomas Lyte sold the Manor in 1575 to Mr. Snell, he
retained part of it, and built a house on the brow of the hill above
the brook, facing south east.! In that house (afterwards destroyed)
John Aubrey was born.? He was of the younger branch of the
Aubreys of Llantrithyd in Glamorganshire, but his father Richard,
of Broad Chalk in South Wilts, having married Deborah grand-
daughter of Thomas Lyte of Easton Piers, John Aubrey succeeded
to this Farm as his mother’s inheritance. The Lytes were brought
hither from Somersetshire by the Yeoviltons, and may have been

1 The sloping ground in front now called ‘Bounds’ formerly ‘‘ Brown’s Hill,”
is mentioned by Aubrey as opposite the house in which he was born. (N. H. of
Wilts, p. 49.)

2 A memoir of him will be found in a later page.

1. Rae

F
~

“130 ‘NOSSO

*9-EE9T Fore

ZEQT “ING OVVST ‘“8Z9T ‘LOLTPO'R GIN ‘deq ‘moyseq JoMoT 78 WI0d
‘gz9 ‘Inq OVVST ‘“ENNY ‘SVHOH], ‘nvITI A ‘Arenbryuy eq} “Dsq Aaudoy NHOL *HONDONTCOOS)
iy | | | ‘HECGVZITG¥= SIONVaT
‘GS9OT
‘I'd ‘9SOT | “Fe “Mg “SHEA *9 JO ‘O'd UE ELIT ‘Sny 1
‘dy ¢g mq “eZ91 ‘yeyo peorg “yar ‘AOI “ZLOT VAST pey8P TEM
oun cL SL 48 pues ‘paloyotoy] ave) “909T “q SAVaVG perp (ovesy Uuojhury 20 sasnoysuy fy ay} fo
“tL | pus ‘Pp 9[os ‘moyopT ng: jo “bs “FOOT “q ‘INNW YI UIA) | ALOPUNOT “mOpuo'yT jo uUvulIeplLV
BCH. | aia ah ab aquvHoIy ‘O19T “4 hens aan =ZI9L ‘29 93 ‘deq Alyy aie:
‘eLeT “mq = “OLE T “nq
“ONVaTY ‘LaavetVAL “6S9T

“PSel “nd ‘qoaqeg mg ‘“6S9T "‘W'd SLSl
"Z8GL 4 “GLEL 4 ‘ILET ‘4 “SNMoug | “OLST ‘deq = *anq ‘TLEL ‘quvavg = | ‘deqatxT "eget “deq
ie iat ft ie TAVAST=—ALAT He =r £ “s9ST “4 wi Se No SL2'T ea ic

| : e il e

|
‘wd "96 3 ‘LZOT

‘9LGT "LOST (‘SEA SIEM) | ‘Ma “d'H OMOT ‘mre | “PLET Sold UO}
*LIvUl “uly, ye “Img “68ScL ped “g9cI “leu 47g, pues 4 PLS WOJUBIS -SBiT roddy Pes
‘qugaq ‘aLAT (OFLA puooes) ‘frog 9y4 JO aoyhvy, ovesy | uueg tour, “dA JOUTMOd (qq) “Lost Ame

NHO(—=GOlTY EEMAVAIT—=Jo “p (OFLA SXF) “LONVATY—=PLS FLAT SVNOTL

UONVATY = "IV ALAT NHOL

|

(‘Sz91

"GOST “WW | “SEA SYIEAA) “U4

‘49 "YE ye ‘ang | -reurpiq Jo pue
‘qaSueg woyng | ‘Arep 8,o4A"T Jo
jo #IVO NVOs=GLAT CUVHONY

‘goUodOTP OF oCws JoT[N v :yuesTe sUVMS g TOoAJeq morAcyo @ {soTH

"SUL

‘KOUTd NOISVA JO WLAT JO AadoOlddd

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. » 2

related tothem. The village of Lyte’s Cary in that county, named
after the family, is close to Yeovilton and Speckington. The account
given by Aubrey of his mother’s family, is, that they held Easton
Piers either in lease or by inheritance 249 years; “from Henry VI.
The father of Thos. Lyte who purchased, had £800 per ann. in
Leases: viz., all Easton, except Cromwell’s farm, (£20): and also
the farm of Didmarton and Sopworth.”

Of his home Aubrey has preserved a sketch in one of his MSS.
in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.! “From the garret a delicate

Lower Easton Piers. The birth-place of John Aubrey, (destroyed.)

————e——— a

_ prospect. The garden was laid out in the Italian style, upon three
4 different levels, each raised upon the other, and ascended by flights
_ of steps with a jet d’eau in the lowest. About it were groups of
trees, a pillar and volant Mercury, &c., &c.” The ground still
retains some marks of this arrangement. Ina bedroom on a chim-
ney were two escutcheons. 1. Arms of Lyte, (see Pedigree ;) over
this ‘Isaac Lyte” (Aubrey’s grandfather) “Natus 1576” (the

1 The name of this MS, is ‘‘ Easton Piers delineated: or Designatio de E.P.

in com. Wilts, per me [heu] infortunatum J. A., Reg. Soc. Socium. A.D. 1669.”

It consists of 19 oblong quarto leaves, with outline views of the house, gardens,

and environs of Easton Piers; from one of which the wood cut is copied. The

_ old House seems to have been altered (perhaps by Aubrey himself) into an

I Italian Villa, of which he has also preserved asketch. Mr. Britton remembered

a ruinous dwelling here, the windows and doors taken away, walls covered with

iyy, floors fallen in and much decayed, the whole shut in, as it is now, by
orchards and gardens.

a =~

80 Kington St. Michael. [Upper Easton Percy.

same year in which the house was built). 2. Arms of Browne of
Winterbourne Basset. An eagle displayed sable, legged gules: on its
breast a crescent or. Over this, “ Israel Lyte” [his grandmother. |

Lower Easton Piers was sold by Aubrey in his day of adversity
to Mr. Richard Sherwin.! In 1796 it formed part of Mr. Hale’s
property (mentioned above, p. 77.) and was sold in 1796 to Mr.
Skeate, whose representatives are now the proprietors.

Urrrer Easton Prers.

This is a small farmhouse with about 98 acres attached, lying
westwards of the Manor House, between it and “‘Cromwell’s.” It was
severed from the principal estate in 1574 by sale from John and
Thomas Light of Easton Piers, to Nicholas Light of Leigh Dela-
mere. About a century afterwards it belonged to Mr. Benjamin
Hinde, an attorney, steward to Sir Charles Snell, and son of
Richard Hinde, Vicar of Kington St. Michael. It has continued
in this family about 300 years, being now the property of the
Rey. Thomas Lowe, Vicar of Willington, Sussex, in right of his
mother, Susannah coheiress of the late Thomas Hinde, D.D.,
Rector of Ardeley near Bicester. The Doctor’s great grandfather
was the Rev. Richard Hinde, Rector of Grittleton.

CRoMHALL’S.

Commonly called Cromwell’s, is a small tenement of 380 acres
with a house, bounding on Yatton Keynell, and takes its name
from ancient owners. Ralph de Cromhale, Chaplain, has been
already mentioned as Patron of Easton Chapel in 1319. It seems
never to have been part of the principal manor.

A small holding adjoining Cromhale’s (now Mr. Butler’s) be-
longed in 1300 to the estate of the Keynell family, from which the
parish of Yatton takes its name.

Tue VICARAGE.

Two names only remain of the period during which Kington had
its Clerical Rector resident, appointed by the Abbot of Glastonbury ;

1 On the back of the MS, account of his Villa, Aubrey has written, ‘‘ Nunc
mea, mox hujus, sed postea nescio cujus.”

ee eg eee ee ee ea eee ee te a ee si
: * ’ F tek ' 4

apr) be
on. " ™
{
€ .
»
"
:
}
i’ % i
| f
¢, r
} ’
} Oy ;
'
TAG
z, ,
Alay? i
W
aN, ‘
n |
os
'
lg a
‘
‘

‘cigeaaes

eget? Sh aoe

ents 1p

=m

Myieery
OO,

ee he abet

‘

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 81

viz.: William St. Faith (de Sancté Fide) for 50 years from c. 1178 ;
and Jordan Cotel.! Soon after that time the Tithes were appropri-
ated, and a vicarage ordained. The advowson (as before stated),
was awarded after the Glastonbury quarrel to the Bishop of Wells,
who gave the Tithe of the Rectory and right of presentation to the
vicarage, to the Prioress of St. Mary’s. In temp. Hen. VIII., both
were purchased by the Longs of Draycote, to whose representative,
Viscount Wellesley, they now belong.

_Amongst former Vicars of whom any thing more is known than
their mere names, were, 1612—1663, Richard Hind? of Ch. Ch.
Oxon, afterwards Rector of Boddington, Co. Northamp., and of
Grittleton, where he was also Patron. Benjamin Griffin, 1712—
16, who built vicarage houses here and at Colerne. William Har-
ington, of the Kelston family (near Bath), vicar 34 years, died
1751. From 1751—77, John Scrope D.D., also Rector of Castle
Combe, and for three years before his death owner of that estate: a
scholar, and author of some works on divinity.? From 1779—1824,
Edmund Garden; died in his 93rd year, having been nearly 60
years Reader to Gray’s Inn. To the present Incumbent, the Rev.
Edward Charles Awdry, appointed in 1856, the Parish is already
indebted for his prompt determination to restore

Tue Cuurcn or Str. MicHAezt.

How and when it obtained this name has been mentioned, p. 39.
It consists of a Chancel, Nave with north and south aisles, a Tower
at the west end, and south Porch, (see plates.) The Chancel arch
is of the 12th century; and one of its windows is enriched with
Early English Tooth-moulding, very delicately worked. The east

1 “‘Cotel had some estate in Kington Parish; according to the Legier of Trop-
nell: and beareth gules, bend or.”—(Aubrey.)

2 Thus mentioned by Aubrey. ‘‘ Mr. Thos, Hobbes told me, that Col. Charles
Cavendish who had travelled over Greece, told him that the Greeks doe sing
their Greek. In Herefordshire they have a touch of this singing. Our old
divines had. -old vicar of Kington St. Michael, Mr. Hynd, did sing his
sermons rather than reade them. You may find in Erasmus that the monks used
this fashion, who mocks them, that sometimes they would be very low, and by
and by they would be mighty high, quando nihil opus est.” (Aubrey’s Lives.
vol, ii. p. 274.)

8 History of Castle Combe. p. 352.
G

82 Kington St. Michael. [ The Church.

window was of temp. Hen. VI., and formerly (in Aubrey’s time)
contained three figures in stained glass, bearing the names of
Thomas Nye! (“in the habit of a lawyer like Judge Littleton at
Worcester ”’): his wife Margaret, and Christine Nye. The latter
was Prioress of Kington and probably gave the window. The one
next to it, on the south side, contained the figure of another
Prioress, Lady Cicely Bodenham. The Nave arches are Early
English ; and some aisle windows once had slender marble shafts
of that date. In the south aisle, where the east window is Decorated,
are the usual signs of a private altar. The north aisle was cheaply
rebuilt in 1755, when an old Norman door was destroyed. Against
the angle of the Chancel outside is the projection commonly called
a “Lychnoscope.” The original Porch, long since destroyed, had
a head over the doorway, called by tradition King Ethelred’s:
whose figure, with that of his Queen, was once on a window of the
south aisle. Of these Aubrey has preserved drawings. The present
inner door has Norman shafts, surmounted by a flat-headed arch
of the 15th century. The tower, formerly Norman and supporting
a spire, was in great peril of falling when Aubrey made his sketch
showing large cracks in the walls. Referring to the previous case
of Calne steeple in 1645, he predicted a similar catastrophe here.
“Such will be the fate of our’s at Kington: one cannot persuade
the Parishioners to go out of their own way.”? And so it came to
pass. The parishioners went on in their own way, the gaping
walls in theirs; till the great storm of 1703 put an end to the
discussion by blowing the whole down. The tower was rebuilt, but
in meagre style and without spire, in 1725.

On one of the original bells had been the legend “ --. Sancte
Michael ora pro nobis.”” Another (“a daintie little one”) was stolen
in 1649. The present peal of six was cast by Abraham Rudhall
in 1726. The first rings out ‘Prosperity to the Parish”; the

2 On the cieling of the South Aisle, formerly painted and gilt in panels, were
remaining ¢. 1670, on shields; 1. A saltire cross, 2. The Pope’s arms, 2 keys in
saltire and across in pale. 3. Azure, a stag at gazeor. 4. A Porteullis or.

5, A Marshal’s bolt, or fetterlock.
3 Nat. Hist. of Wilts, p. 99.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 83

second “‘ Peace and good neighbourhood’’; the third “ Prosperity
to the Church of England”; the fourth “Wm. Harington, vicar’.
Fifth, the date only. Sixth, “Jonathan Power and Robert Hewitt,
Ch-wardens.”

One Adam Milsham “an old wealthy bachelor, and a native of
Kington,” invested part of his wealth in the year 1639 in the pur-
chase of a Clock and Chimes: and by his will left £10 more to be
applied to the repair of the latter. But in the meanwhile a smith,
being parish clerk “in the troublesome days,” converted the iron
of the musical accompaniment to his own use. So, in 1708, the
Parish did the same with the Legacy.

The present silver chalice bears the date of 1571, and is probably
the one given by Nicholas Snell Esq., but it has lost the family
crest, (a demi-talbot) originally on the cover. Mrs. Harington (the
vicar’s wife) gave in 1755 a silver paten.

The Registers commence Oct. 6, 1563, John Tayler, vicar. The
entries for 1663 appear to be missing, but otherwise the volumes
are fairly preserved. In 1582 is this memorandum, “ Here the
Plague began 4 May,” and “6 August. Here the Plague rested.”
Out of eighteen persons who died of it, eight were of one family,
named Kington, John Aubrey’s tenants at Lower Easton Percy.
The entries of his Parents’ burials are in Aubrey’s own writing.

MonvuMENTS.

Many have been removed or destroyed during alterations: but
of their names and some of their inscriptions Aubrey has left copies.
In the Chancel, near the middle, were

A.D. 1577. The Right Worshipfull Nrcmonas SNELL Esq.
1612, Sr Tuomas SNELL.
1651. ‘‘Here underneath this stone lieth interred the bodie of Sir
Curves SNELL Knight who deceased the 24th day of November
in the yeare of Lord 1651 aged 61.”

Against the east wall there is an old painting of the Arms of
this family. Quarterly, 1 and 4. Gules and azure, over all a cross
Jory or: Sxetn. 2 and 3. Sable, on a fess or between six arrows
three blackamoors’ heads. Kuyxviu. (This is the coat given to Key-
nell by Aubrey, and it is on the stone screen in Yatton Keynell

G2

84 Kington St. Michael. {Monuments destroyed.

Church. The Heralds give a different one.) Below was once written

“In memoriam Caroli Snell Militis, qui obit Nov. 24. 1651.” The words
‘© In cruce victoria” are still left.

Next to the above interment :

Arms. On a lozenge, barry of 6 gules and argent, a chief or.
ENGLEFIELD. Impaling, Sable, on a bend cotised 3 lions passant.
Browne.

‘Here under this stone lyeth the bodie of the late Dame Jane ENGLEFIELD,
widowe of Sir Francis Englefield Bart., deceased: eldest daughter of Anthony
Browne Esq. eldest son to Henry Lord Viscount Mountague of Cowdray in the
Countie of Sussex. She departed this life the 17th September 1650 aged 75
years. Of your charitie say one Ave and a Pater-noster.”

The last line is remarkable in a Church so late as 1650. This
Lady was of Fasterne near Wotton Basset. One of her grand-
daughters married a Thomas Stokes Esq., (a name connected with
this Parish,) which may account for her interment here. (see Ex-
tinct Barts. “ Englefield.”’)

In 8.E. corner. 1652. (John Aubrey’s Father.)

“Hic jacet quod reliquum est Ricnarpr Awbrey Armigeri, qui obiit 22 die
mensis Octobris, MDCLI.”

It was Aubrey’s intention to erect a little tablet of white marble
“about an ell high or better,” to both his parents, but this was

never done. The inscription prepared by him was as follows :—

“P.M. Ricwarpt Awprey Armig, filii unici Johannis Awbrey de Burlton
in Agro Heref.: filii tertii Gulielmi Awbrey L.L.Dris et e Supplicum libellis
ELIZ. REG. Magti viri pacifici et fidelis amici. Uxorem duxit Desoran Filiam
et heredem Isaaci Lyte de Easton Piers, per quam suscepit tres superstites
Johannem, Gulielmum, et Thomam, filios. Obiit xxi° die Octr. A.D. 1652.
Zitat: 49.” ;

Of his father Aubrey adds that “ Alexander Brome hath an
Elegie on him in his poems, (his Christian name having been
omitted) ; which he made at the request of his next neighbour and
friend Mr. Isaac Lyte late Alderman of London, my kinsman:”
(and Founder of the Almshouses at Kington). At the time of
writing this Epitaph his mother was living, as he adds, “I would
have a blank of two lines for my mother.” He has also left on a
scrap of paper lying amongst his MSS. at Oxford, an inscription for
a monument to himself, from which, as he did not die until 1697,
it would seem that he expected an earlier death. The memorandum
consists of a shield, bearing six quarterings, ‘“ Aubrey, Einon,

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 85

Morgan, Danvers, Blount of Mangotsfield, and Lyte: or else thus,
Aubrey, Danvers, Blount, and Lyte.” ‘“Consule Mr. A. W. de

hiis.” (Ask Mr. Antony Wood about these.)

‘‘ Heic situs est, Johannes Awbrey, Filius et heres Rich. Awbrey de Easton
Piers in Agro Wilt. armig: Reg. Soc: Socii. Obiit Ao Dni 168 .. . Die
mensis... A° Attatissue6.. .”

At west end of Chancel,

1664. Arms. Argent, on a fess gules between 3 garbs sable a
martlet of the first: Tynpate. Impaling, Or, a chevron gules
charged with a crescent ; a canton ermine. STAFFORD.

“‘ Here lyeth the body of Dororuy late wife of Mr. Thos. TynpaLe and
daughter of William Stafford Esqr : who departed this Life 20 July 1664 aged
near 72.”

“Here lieth the body of Tuomas TynpaLe Esq. who departed this Life 13
Feb. 1671 aged 84 years and seayen months.”

Monuments remaining. CHANCEL.

On a hatchment against S. wall. Arms of GasrreLy. Checky
argent and sable, on a chief or 3 bucksheads couped of the last. On
an escutcheon of pretence, SNELL quartering KryNeLt. Crest. A
demi-lion gules gorged with a chaplet vert.

**Memento Mori. Under those two stones lye the bodies of NicHotas Gasr-
RELL gent., who departed this life the 15th and was buried the 20th day of
February A.D. 1662, aged 83 years and 7 moneths.” ‘‘ Also the body of Mary
his wife who departed this life the 22 4and was buried the 23'4 day of October
A.D. 1661, aged 73 years and 5 months,”

Against the E. wall a white marble tablet.

* BenJAMIN Grirrin, M.A. of New Coll. Oxford, Vicar of Kington St.
Michwl: Died 26 Noy. 1716, in his 39th year. His widow was 5th daughter of
Sir Wm. Leche.” ‘‘ Also Mzs. Rose Baye, widow of Mr. Francis Bave Alder-
man of Bath. She died 24 July 1734 aged 62.” ‘* Also Mzs- Hester WuitrE-
Lock widow, 4th dau. of Sir Wm. Leche. Died 21 Sept. 1735, aged 71.” ,

Arms. Sable, a chevron between 3 dolphins argent. Gririn.
Impaling Ermine, on a chief indented gules 3 crowns or. Lucun.
Crest ; A hand grasping a snake.

North wall. A Hatchment. Sable, on a bend gules 3 buckles or
between 3 pheons argent. Srusss. Impaling, Sable, a cross saltire
argent, Duckxerr. Crest ; an arm in armour holding a lance. Under
the Chancel Arch, on a gravestone, Tuomas Srupss Esq.! of Kington

! His name as donor is on the pillars of the Church yard gates.

86 Kington St. Michael. {Church Inscriptions.

St. Michael, March 1705-6 aged 53. (His wife was daughter of
Wm. Duckett Esq. of Hartham, and was buried at Corsham 20
January 1712 aged 55).

Nave. Gravestones destroyed.

Isaac Tayier of the Priory, brother to John Tayler, Vicar.

Near the Font, Tuomas Lyre of Easton Piers, great grandfather
(maternally) of John Aubrey. Buried 13 May 1627, aged 96.

By him under a black marble his son Isaac Lyre, 1659, (Aubrey’s
grandfather.) This inscription is still visible, but is partly concealed
by a pew.

Mrs. Isrart Lyte his wife 1661, (Aubrey’s grandmother;) daugh-
ter of Thomas Browne of Winterbourne Basset.

Gravestones remaining.
On a black stone very much worn, the Arms of Clifford. Checky,
a fess.

Js Biduey CLETUS a geoka) 6 mes B.... Died 19... . 1766, aged 53.”

(Probably Margaret daughter of Wm. Clifford and Margaret
Power, and wife of James Barrett.)

«‘ JonaTHAN Derk of Langley, Clothier, and Grace his wife, who having lived
together in matrimony above 57 years departed this life 1699, He July 23, aged
86. She Aug. 16, aged 83.

I went before as t’was my place to do,
And I in mine soon followed you.
Nor life nor death can separate us two,

We'll hand in hand to Heaven go.”

“Mrs, Repecca Kyorr June 1760, aged 68.” (sister and coheiress of Jona-
than Power.) ‘James Kworv, gent. 1766, et 36.” James Power Junr- Gent,
1715, aged 34.” ‘James son of Nathaniel Power and Rebecca GASTRELL :
Nephew and sole heir to James son of Nicholas Gastrell and Mary his wife
youngest sister and coheir to Sir Charles Snell Kt. Lord of this Manor. Died
1705, aged 44.” Exizaseru wife of James Power sent and daughter of Jona-
than Deeke of Langley in this Parish, Clothier: died October — aged 67.”
“‘ JonaTHAN PowrR Gent. 1748. The stone placed by his sister Mrs. Sarah
Coleman.”

Against second column (N. side).

‘Wm. Coreman Esq. of Langley in this Parish, 1738 aged 63. Saran his
wife 1767, aged 74.”

Nortn Arsiz. On Tablets against the walls.

‘‘Dorornea Anne dau. of Walter Coreman of Langley Fitzhurst Esq. and
Thermuthis his wife, 1825, aged 4 years.” ‘‘TuermuTuts wife of Walter

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 87

CoLEMAN, and dau. of Robert Ashe of Langley Burrell Esq., 1825, aged 47.
WALTER CoLeMAN Esq., 1845, aged 67.”

“Tsaac Gate of Bulidge, 1792, aged 66: and Ex1zaseTH his wife, daughter
of Richard Michell of Langport, 1806, aged 70.”

Arms. Quarterly, 1 and 4, Azure, a fess argent fretty sable. GALE.
2 and 3, Sable a lion rampant. — On an escutcheon of pretence, Gules
a chevron or between three swans. MucHELL.

‘“Tssac Santer GALE 1841, aged 68. Also Catharine his widow, died at
Harrow 1855.”

“James GASTRELL gent., son and heir of Nicholas Gastrell and Mary (Snell),
1678, aged 54.” *

Onashield: Or, a boar passant sable. Crest; a pine branch with fruit.

‘¢ James GILPrn, born in this parish in 1709. and descended from the Snells
sometime Lords of the Manor. He was educated at Westminster School and
elected thence to Christ Church Oxford in 1728. He afterwards settled at The
Temple, and was appointed Registrar to the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church,
Oxford, Auditor of their accounts, and Recorder of the same City. He died
the 14th December 1766, and was buried in this churchyard.”’!

‘Ropert GLENN gent. 1775, et. 74. Elizabeth his wife 1796, set. 84.”

“ Sypennam Tucker 1771, aged 58.” Upon this monument

Arms. Vert, a chevron gules charged with a mullet, between 3 rams
argent. The same on a gravestone on the floor.

“Francis Waite of Langley, 1707, et. 73. Hannan his 1st wife, had 11
children, 3 died young: 8 survived, viz.: Francis, John, Elizabeth, Grace,
Ayliffe, Thomas, James and Lydia. Avyiirre WHITE 1761, aged 90, Exiza-
BETH his wife 1758, aged 59. Francis their son 1761, aged 34.”

«Saran wife of John Provis of Chippenham, dau. of James and Sarah Mas-.
call: Sept. 1813 in 35th year.”

Sourn AIsLE.

(Destroyed.) ‘‘Joun Power of Gloucester Hall, Oxford, a Practitioner in
physic, 1647.” (Buried, says Aubrey in his MSS., face downwards.) ‘‘ NicnoLas
his brother.”

(Remaining.) ‘‘ Many, wife of Wm. ALEXANDER of Great Somerford 1735,
wt. 56.” ‘Anne, wife of May Prncurin Gent. of Langley Burrell, Feb. 1721.
She was one of the daughters of Richard Estcourt Gent. of Swinley in this
Parish.” (the rest hidden by a pew.) Arms of Estcourt.

‘‘Grorce Estcourt of Swinley, 1712. aged 29 (?)

“ Danret YEALFE Schoolmaster of Kington 48 years, vestry clerk 50 years,
Parish clerk 16 years, 1779, aged 70. Mary his wife 1778 aged 85.”

**Joun son of Harry and Jane Hrrencock of All Cannings, 1820, aged 32.
J. C. Hrrencock of Andover his son, 1841, aged 28,”

1 A portrait of Mr. James Gilpin is in the possession of the Misses Mascall of
Allington, owners of Heywood Farm. He was a collector of Notes for the history
of his native Parish, a small MS. volume of which came, through the late Mr,
Britton, into the hands of the Wiltshire Archeological Sooicty.

a

ir

88 Kington St. Michael. [Church Inscriptions.

“ Ricnarp Humpuneys Vicar of Kington St. Michael and Rector of Draycote
Cerne, 1711, aged 55. Anne his wife, 1727, aged 68.”

“‘ James Masca1 1821, aged 80. Saran Marna his wife 1821, in 79th year.”

“Wm. Tanner of Langley Fitzurse, 1849, aged 63,”

Porc. Against the Wall.

‘‘ JoserH Hine youngest son of Richard Hine, Clerk” (and Vicar.) (rest ille-
gible.)

Cuurcuw Yarp. In Aubrey’s time there were tombs to

‘‘RicwarD Hine, Clerk, and ANNE his wife. He was Vicar 50 years and
upwards and died 1663 aged 78. She 1666 aged 73.” ApAm MritsHam (who
gaye the clock and chimes) under a tomb ‘‘the second from the South Porch
towards the East.’’ Buried 9 March 1642 aged fourscore yeares and upwards.

Cito pretertt etas.”
Also on the South side,
** 1664.
Under this tombe here doth reside, as you may well remember,
The bodie of Stwon Neck who died the 4th of November.
His age was 78 yeares, then his wife was 59,
Who dyed the last of May 47 and here she doth lye by’n.”

‘Honest old Joun WAsrrretD a freeholder at Langley, 1644, above 80
years.” (Aubrey.)

On the south west side of the Church yard is a raised tomb with
the following inscription, now nearly effaced.

‘‘ Here lieth the body of Wiz11am Hanrnerton Vicar of this Parish 34 years:
who departed this life July 13, 1751, in the 64t» year of his age.” (with some
verses, ‘‘ The trumpet shall sound,” &c.) ‘Also Saran his widow, died July
28, 1753, aged 59.” He was son of John Harington of Kelston, Co. Somerset,
by his fourth wife Helena, dau. of Benjamin Gostlett of Marshfield, Co, Gloue. :
and was baptized at Kelston. His wife Sarah was dau. and coheiress of Thos.

Harrison of Bath, and had no issue.
“‘ Mrs, Mary WeEsBE, 29 May 1773, aged 80.”

Eastward of the Porch is a tomb to Jonn YEALFE; on a shield,

a chevron between 3 caps (?) each surmounted by a cross patteé.
South side.

“The Rey. Epwarp Rowxianpson, 18 years Curate of this Parish. Died 11
June 1854, aged 51.” [Son of Michael John Rowlandson D.D., Vicar of War-
minster. He was a Michel Fellow of Queen’s Coll. Oxford, and in the second
class Lit: Hum. 1823.]

Kineton Cross
Anciently stood at the turn leading down to the Priory. Aubrey
says that “here in those days was a little market Fridays for fish,
eges, butter, and such small gear. Perhaps chiefly for the Nuns.
The Michaelmas Fair was famous for ale and stubble geese.”

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 89

Cuaritiss.!

- I. Woovrurrr’s: a.p. 1664. Wm. Woodruffe of the Parish of
Chippenham, yeoman, by Will dated 1 Sep. 1664, gives unto the
Minister and Church-wardens of the Parish of Kington St. Michael’s
for the time being, a yearly Rent charge of 30 shillings: whereof
ten to the Minister of Kington for preaching a Sermon on the 18th
Sept. (0.s.) in remembrance of God’s mercy in preserving him in a
wonderful manner from Drowning at Peckingell Bridge on the 18th
Sept. 1656. The Minister to excite the people to be mindful of
mercies received, and to be thankful for the same. The other 20s.
to be distributed yearly on the 18th Sept. amongst the poor people
of the said Parish of Kington where there shall be most need.

The premises chargeable were a messuage, and pasture called
“The Great Heth” two acres, which W. W. purchased of Samuel
Unkles; and a “six acres Close” purchased of Edward Crook. All
in Tytherton Lucas. A close of pasture in Chippenham called “the
Breach” purchased of Wm. Bailiffe of Monkton Esq., six acres:
Sheldon’s Leaze eight acres: and Pipsmore twenty-five acres, lying
in the Parishes of Chippenham, Langley Burrell, and Hardenhuish,
purchased of Sam. Gage Chandler and Benj. Flower, Clerk: all
which premises the said W. W. by Indenture of Feoffment dated
6 Noy. 1656, conveyed unto John Ely of Chippenham, Gent, and
Peter Gale of Avon, yeoman, and their heirs, to the use of the said
W. W. for life sans waste: and after his decease to such uses as
W. W. by will in writing under his hand and seal should appoint.
W. Woodruffe died 20 Jan. 1668. [In the Commissioner’s Report
the lands in Titherton Lucas are not noticed: those in Chippenham
Parish are stated to be part of the Ivy House property, out of
which the Rent charge is annually paid. ]

2. Lyrr’s Atmsnouse, A.p. 1675.
This stands on the west side of the village street, and bears the

following inscription under a shield of the Founder’s Arms. “Isaac

EEE Tee PRESS TONE St eee aes aes ae eee ae eee aes Pere PY

1 See Charity Commissioners’ Report No. 28, p. 329. The account of Wood-
ruffe’s Charity is taken from the MSS, of Mr. James Gilpin, a Barrister, and by
him extracted from Parish Evidences, now apparently missing,

90 Kington St. Michael. [ Charities.

Lyte, born in this Parish, Alderman of London late deceased, built
this Almshouse and endowed it a.p. 1675.” He resided at Mort-
lake in Surrey, and by his Will, proved 21 Ang. 1673, bequeathed
“ six hundred pounds to be laid out in building an Almeshouse in
the Parish of Keinton in the C®% of Wilts where I was born, for
the maintenance of Six poor men to be from time to time nomi-
nated and appointed by the Minister, and Churchwardens, and the
major part of the most sufficient men in that Parish. And my
Will is, that the money be received by Richard Poole and Mr.
Jonathan Dyke, and by them to be first laid out for the use afore-
said.” A site for the House and piece of land for gardens, were
conveyed to Trustees in 1674 and again in 1707: in which year
also an interest in 50 acres in the Parish of Corston was vested in
the same parties under the charitable trusts in Lyte’s Will, In
1730 the whole premises were again assigned to Trustees: of whom
Mr. Isaac Sadler Gale of Bath considered himself surviving repre-
sentative in 1811. Partly with his own money, partly with the
funds of the Charity, he put the Almshouse in proper order, and then
claimed the nominations; but the claim was resisted by the Parish
authorities. The land at Corston has been for many years in the
possession of the Earl Radnor: the tenant paying only £20 a year
to Kington Almshouse. Why this sum was fixed upon there is no
satisfactory explanation: and the Commissioners in their Report
mark the case as one proper for the consideration of the Attorney
General, but nothing has been done. The Almshouses form one
building, consisting of six tenements of two rooms each.

Newman’s (or SADLER’s) ¢. A.D. 1680.

The founder of this Charity was Miss Dorothy Newman, eldest
niece of Sir Charles Snell. She died unmarried before 1680, giving
£200 to the Poor. Her representatives were her three nieces,
Dorothy Sadler wife of Wm. Coleman, Meriell Sadler, (afterwards
wife of Isaac Gale), and Margaret Sadler, (afterwards wife of Thos.
Stokes). In 1680 each of the three settled a rent charge on cer-
tain lands to maintain the charity. Two of these are now payable
by Mr. Walter Coleman of Langley, and the third by the repre-

se

on a he

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 91

sentatives of Mr. Isaac Sadler Gale. Six pounds a year distri-
buted in bread on St. Thomas’s day.

4. Taytor’s, a.p. 1729.

A Rent charge of 20s. a year under the Will of Mr. Thomas
Taylor dated 18th Sept. 1727, now payable out of land in Langley
belonging to Viscount Wellesley. Distributed in bread amongst
the poor on St. Thomas’s day.

5. Bowerrman’s, A.D. 1730.

Mrs. Sarah Bowerman by Will dated 6th Dec. 1780, gave £5 a
year for ever, payable by the Trustees of Christ’s Hospital, London,
to the Schoolmaster at Kington St. Michael towards the education
of poor children.

6. Wuure’s Girt, a.pv. 1821.

Mr. Thomas White of London, by Will dated 21st January 1821,
gave to the Minister and Churchwardens for the time being £200
for the better maintenance of the poor inhabitants of the Alms-
houses. The Dividends on £259 7s. 4d. Three per cent Reduced
Annuities are accordingly so applied.

AUBREY AND BRITTON.

In the annals of a country parish it is a rare thing to find even
a solitary name that has earned for itself more than local and
temporary celebrity. The builder of a Church, a great House, or
a School, or the Founder of a Charity, may, with the help of a
monument, prolong for a few years the fact of his connection with
the place; but even this kind of reputation, sometimes expensively
purchased, dies away by degrees. One generation enters whilst
another makes its exit, and like wave after wave spreading out
upon the shore, each absorbs imperceptibly the traces of the last.

But in the chronicle of Births in this parish, are written two
names, now known far and wide beyond its limits. Born, as to
time, within 146 years; as to distance, within a mile, of each other;
Joun Avprey and Joun Brrrron have obtained a place amongst
English literati as the earliest labourers in the neglected field of
Wiltshire Topography: and the latter, for works of a more general

92 Kington St. Michael. [John Aubrey.

kind. In the present memoir they are accordingly entitled to
especial notice.

Joun Avusrey F.R.S.

Without committing the error either of over-rating or under-
_ rating Aubrey, whatever else he might be, he was certainly
an original.! Though his writings present a strange farrago,
they have nevertheless preserved many curious facts that otherwise
would have been lost. His notes and memoranda of persons. and
places jotted down at the time and on the spot, whether on horse-
back, or in a village church, or at the. tables of his friends, have
now become, through lapse of years, useful to antiquaries and gene-
alogists: affording a clue to accurate information if not conveying
it themselves. To method and finish he makes no sort of pretension,
but simply tells what he saw or what he heard, whenever and
wherever it fell in his way. His anecdotes if not always historically
correct in every particular, are probably as near the truth as most
anecdotes. At all events they are told without any malicious
colouring, with much good humour and quaint simplicity. To be
critically severe upon Aubrey, considering his character and occu-
pations, and the various domestic distractions under which he
followed. them, is simply ridiculous. Yet he has been very harshly
dealt with; by no one more than. Antony Wood, who, after 25
years acquaintance, could find it in his heart thus to describe his
deceased, but to the last, forgiving friend. “He was a shiftless
person, roving and magotie-headed, and sometimes little better
than crazed: and being exceedingly credulous would stuff his many
letters sent to A. W. with folliries and misinformations which
would sometimes guide him into the paths of error.”? The cir-
cumstance which is believed to have provoked so splenetic an
effusion, was this. In the second volume of his ‘“ Athenz Oxon-
ienses,”? Wood had been bold enough to put forth an undisguised
intimation that the late Chancellor (Lord Clarendon) had not scrupled
to receive bribes for preferment. For this scandalum magnatum

1 See some account of him in Vol. I. p. 32.
2 Ath, Oxon. Bliss’s Edit. Life, p. Lx,

=

Enaraved by CE Waastatt, from a Drawing by Faithorne tw the AsIanolean Muscum

eS el

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 93

proceedings were taken against him. He was fined and degraded,
and the volume containing the alleged libel was publicly burnt.
Smarting under this disgrace Wood poured the vial of his wrath
upon Aubrey, from one of whose private letters he had adopted
this charge against the Chancellor. But he ought rather to have
been angry with himself for having been so imprudent as to adopt
and print what it was quite in his power to have suppressed. The
offensive passage that led to so much trouble occurred in Wood’s
“ Life of Judge Jenkins,” in which he said: “ After the restoration
of King Charles II. t’was expected by all that he (Jenkins) would
be made one of the Judges in Westminster Hall, and so he might
have been, would he have given money to the then Lord Chan-
cellor.” The original letter from Aubrey to Wood from which the
latter borrowed this statement—almost word for word, is preserved
in the Ashmolean Library. It is dated London, January 16, 1671.
After other memoranda for the “ Life of Judge Jenkins,” Aubrey
continues thus: ‘“'T’was pitty he was not made one of the Judges
of Westminster Hall, and he might have been, (he told me,) if he
would have given money to the Chancellor: but he scorned it. . .
Mr. T. H. Malms™-” (Thos. Hobbes of Malmesbury) “told him
(Jenkins) one day at dinner, that that hereafter would not show
well for somebodie’s Honour in History.” The story therefore
against Clarendon, whether true or false, was Judge Jenkins’s own:
and if Wood chose to print it, he had no one but himself to blame
for the consequences.

One or two other critics have echoed A. Wood’s abuse, and
amongst them, Dr. Farmer in his Essay upon the learning
of Shakspeare. Aubrey had preserved a few anecdotes (and it is
to be wished he had collected more) of the early life of the great
Dramatist. These Dr. Farmer scouts, but rather unjustly; for
Aubrey only repeated what “he had been told by some of the
neighbours at Stratford.” He was a truthful man and no
inventor: generally gave his authority for his stories, and
though perhaps they may be sometimes such as we are unwil-
ling to believe, still they were the current stories of the day.
Aubrey was born only nine years after Shakspeare died: near

94 Kington St. Michael. _ [John Aubrey.

enough, one would suppose, to have enabled him to gather a multi-
tude of facts that now would have been invaluable. That he has
not done so, considering his propensity that way, perhaps was
owing to lack of such materials: which if it were the case, only
increases the mystery that surrounds the name of Shakspeare.

Aubrey may have been credulous and not free from superstitions
shared by men of finer intellect than himself: but it is owing to
this very credulity that he has left us many things characteristic of
the times. He was, it is said, regarded as a good Naturalist. He
certainly noticed the iron ore at Seend near Devizes, only now,
after 200 years, beginning to be worked.! He made many other
clever remarks on Geology, long before the principles of that
Science were systematically laid down: pointed out mineral springs
that became afterwards, and for a while, popular: and though much
of his “ Natural History” may read very oddly at the present time,
it seems to have been fully up to the mark of the Science of his
own. The same may be said of his Antiquarian gatherings. He
used his eyes and pen when others were blind and idle. The ruins
of Avebury are not known to have been mentioned by any English
writer till his attention had been accidentally called to them. In

1 “‘Seend (vulgo Seene) is a very well built village on a sandy hill, from
whence it has its name; sand being in the old English called send (for so I find
writt in the records of the Tower): as also Send, in Surrey, is called for the
same reason. Underneath this sand (not very deep, in some place of the high-
way not abovea yard ora yard anda half), I discovered the richest tron ore
that ever I saw or heard of. Come there on a certain occasion (at the Revell
A.D. 1666), it rained at 12 or one of the clock very impetuously, so that it had
washed away the sand from the ore; and walking out to see the country, about
3 p.m., the sun shining bright reflected itself from the ore to my eyes. Being
surprised at so many spangles, I took up the stone with a great deal of admi-
ration. I went to the smith, Geo. Newton, an ingenious man, who from a black~
smith turned clock-maker and fiddle-maker, and he assured me that he has melted
of this ore in his forge, which the ore of the Forest of Dean, &e., will not do.

‘‘ The reader is to be advertized that the forest of Melksham did extend itself
to the foot of this hill. It was full of goodly oaks, and so near together that they
say a squirrell might have leaped from tree to tree. It was disafforested about
1635, and the oaks were sold for 1s, or 2s. per boord at the most; and then
nobody ever took notice of this iron ore, which, as I said before, every sun-shine
day after a rousing shower, glistered in their eyes. Now there is scarce an oak

left in the whole parish, and oaks are very rare all hereabout, so that this rich
mine cannot be melted and turned to profit.” (Nat. Hist. of Wilts, p. 21.)

‘

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 95

January 1649, his 24th year, being out hunting with Lord Francis
Seymour near Marlborough, the hounds ran through the village of
Avebury: “In the closes there (he says) I was wonderfully surprised
at the sight of those vast stones of which I had never heard before,”
(though within 15 miles of his home) “as also of the mighty bank
and graffe about it.” He left the company, and having examined
the place, rejoined them at Kennet. Upon subsequent visits he
made his notes. And until that time, this extraordinary monument,
which if, whilst yet entire, it had been made national property and
protected from injury, would have been now the most extraordinary
one in the world, does not appear to have been even named in any
English book extant.

Aubrey’s “Lives of Eminent Men,” originally written in aid of
Antony Wood’s labours, were published (with some suppressions)
for the first time at Oxford in 1813, by Dr. Bliss and the Rev. J.
Walker; in a work called “Letters from the Bodleian.” They
refer for the most part either to contemporaries and personal ac-
quaintances of his own (and he seems to have known every body,)
or to persons of a certain public station who, immediately before his
time, had pronounced their “ Valete et plaudite”’ upon the stage of
life. In these “Lives” there is nothing elaborate or artificial.
They are merely memoranda of character and manners, without
concealment of the bad or exaggeration of the good: anecdotes,
odd sayings and doings, all naturally told, and such as more digni-
fied biographers would hardly have introduced. But it is this very
naiveté which makes them the more amusing. Aubrey’s ‘eminent
men” are not drawn in full ceremonial costume to produce an im-
posing effect, but in their every day dress, and sometimes in their
undress. In his description something is sure to be found, not to

_ be found any where else: and much as he has been reviled by stiff

critics who would fain make the world believe, that wise men and
heroes were heroes and wise men at all hours of their lives, his
anecdotes are in the main perfectly credible. Slips of memory in
names of person or place may be frequent: and there is inaccuracy
in trifling facts: but as no two persons ever tell the same story in
precisely the same words, Aubrey’s aberrations in narrative are not

96 Kington St. Michael. [John Aubrey.

peculiar. A writer of the present day, Mr. Charles Knight, has taken
a more generous view of the “ Lives” ; a work which, it should always
be remembered, was never revised or prepared for the press by
Aubrey himself. ‘There are few books that I take up more will-
ingly in a vacant half hour than the scraps of biography which
Aubrey, the Wiltshire Antiquarian, addressed to Antony 4 Wood.
These little fragments are so quaint and characteristic of the writer:
so sensible in some passages and so absurd in others: so full of what
may be called the Prose of Biography, with reference to the objects
of historical and literary reverence, and so encomiastic with regard
to others whose memories have wholly perished in the popular
view, that I shall endeavour to look at them consecutively as singu-
lar examples of what a clever man thought of his contemporaries,
and of others famous in his day, whether their opinions accord with,
or are opposed to our present estimate.’

Aubrey having been at first and for a long time known as a
writer, only by his “ Miscellanies,” a collection formed in days when
Astrology was popular, and therefore containing much that is fan-
tastic and irrational, no wonder that he obtained in later times the
reputation of a dreamy visionary. But though he tells us in that
book what foolish things other people believed and reported, it does
not follow that he really believed them all: any more than that any
writer who should now transmit to future times the spirit-rappings
and table-turnings of the present day, would be obliged to have faith
in those tricks himself. His turn of mind being no doubt supersti-
tious, and his fancy leading him to such studies, he appeared to be
more so than probably was the case. But letting all infirmities pass,
his true merit is this. In days when there were neither books, nor
students, nor societies, nor taste for English antiquities, he was
a pioneer single-handed in that department: and for what he did,
according to the best of his ability, his name deserves to be held
in kind remembrance, especially in the County of Wilts.

A list of his various writings, some published and others still in
manuscript, is given in Mr. Britton’s Memoir of him, published
by the Wiltshire Topographical Society in 1845, p. 83. The

1 ‘Once upon a Time,” vol. I. p. 296.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 97

Monumenta Britannica” mentioned there (p.89) as missing, has since
been discovered in the Bodleian Library. A fourth edition of his
“‘Miscellanies” has appeared during the present year! with the
addition of the Preface designed by Aubrey for his History of
Wilts, and printed in “ Curll’s Miscellanies” 1714.

He was a thoroughly unsettled and unlucky man. His whole
inheritance (at one time £700 a year) was consumed in paying
debts and defending actions transmitted with his estate. He lived
chiefly at Broad Chalk, sometimes at Easton; kept terms in London,
and spent much time riding over Wiltshire in search, now of
“ Antiq.”, now of a wife. The one he found; the other, not.
Through sundry mishaps, his

oe course of true love never did run smooth.
For either it was difference in blood,

Or else misgraffed in respect of years,

Or else it stood upon the choice of friends,

Or, if there were a sympathy in choice,

Law, death or sickness did lay siege to it.”

In this reference to Lysander’s catalogue of obstacles,” the change
of reading (acknowledged in Italic type,) is specially required for
Aubrey’s case; his principal suit to the fair sex in the person of Mis-
tress Joan Sumner of Seend, having been suddenly extinguished by a
suit at law, the full particulars and cause whereof are lost to curi-
osity. His assiduities also to others invariably ended in disappoint-
ment. Just at the interesting moment the “natal star” was always
found to be in provoking opposition, and so it came to pass that he
never lived to pay for license or be called in church.

His birth-place and family connexion (on his mother’s side) with
Kington St. Michael’s have been mentioned above (p. 79). The

_“ Accidents” of his life will be most properly given in his own
_ words, copied from loose and vague notes amongst his MSS., form-
bi ing all that is left of his

AUTOBIOGRAPHY.
: LA:
“To be interponed as a sheet of wast paper only at the binding

1 12mo, Russell $1 Smith, Soho Square, 1857.
2 Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act, 1.

IL

98 Kington St. Michael. [John Aubrey.

of a booke. This person’s life is more remarqueable in an Astro-
logicall respect for his escape from many dangers in journeys both
by land and water, than for any advancement of learning, having,
from his birth (till of late yeares) being labouring under a crowd of
ill directions. He was borne at Easton Pierse (a hamlet in the
parish of Kington St. Michael), in the Hundred of Malmsbury, in
the Countie of Wilts, (his Mother’s inheritance, D. and H. of Mr.
Isaac Lyte,) about sun-rising on March 12 (St. Gregory’s day), A.p.
1625.! Inan ill hour, Saturn directly opposing my ascendant—in

B, # nar itis ie

J J

; |
haat | |

©, 3 oD a :. ad Ly 2;

= 4 3g Gerpnrrt
| TRC MG ded. $7030"
WR
Ais
Ht!
\

; Horoscope of his Nativity, (from his own sketch.)

my Grandfather’s chamber I first drew my breath: very weak and
like to dye, and therefore christened that morning before morning
prayer. y

1 A mistake has sometimes been made (amongst others, by the Nditor of ‘‘ Notes
and Queries, vol. I. p. 13) about Aubrey’s birthday ; arising from a passage in
his ‘ Miscellanies” (‘‘ Day-Fatality”): ‘I shall take particular notice here of
the 3rd of November, because it is my own Birthday, Sc.’ But the early pages
of the ‘‘Miscellanies” including this passage are stated by Aubrey himself to
have been copied word for word from ‘‘ Observations by John Gibbon” (Blue-
Mantle), printed 1678; (and also Harl. Mise. vii. 300, 8vyo). The 3rd November
was therefore John Gibbon’s birthday, not Aubrey’s. He was certainly baptized
at Kington (see Parish Register) on 12th March: and in allusion to this day he
frequently subscribed his name in letters to his friends as ‘‘ J, Gregorius.”

onal

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 99

“1629. About 3 years old I had a grievous ague, I can remem-
ber it. I got not health till eleven or twelve. This sickness nipt
my strength in the bud. Longevous healthy kindred. When a
boy—bred ignorant at Eston [eremiticall solitude]: was very
curious: his greatest delight was, to be with the artificers that came
there, joyners, carpenters, cowpers, masons, and understand their
trades. Horis vacuis, (at leisure hours) I drew and painted. Did ever
love to converse with old men as Living Histories; cared not for
play.

“Anno 1633. I entered into my Grammar at the Latin School at
Yatton Kaynell, in the Church, where the Curate, Mr. Hart, taught
the eldest boys, Virgil, Ovid, &c. The fashion then was to save the
forules of their bookes with a false cover of parchment, sc. old
manuscript, which I was too young to understand; but I was
pleased with the elegancy of the writing and the coloured initials.

_ITremember the Rector (Mr. Wm. Stump, great gr. son of Stump

the Cloathier of Malmsbury,) had severall manuscripts of the
Abbey. He was a proper man, and a good fellow, and when he
brewed a barrell of special ale, his use was to stop the bunghole
(under the clay) with a sheet of manuscript. He said nothing did
it so well, which it grieved me then to see. I remember having
learnt the Alphabet from a Horn book, now extinct.

“1634. Afterwards I went to School to Mr. Robert Latimer, a deli-
cate and little person, Rector of Leigh Delamere—a mile—fine walk
—who had an easie way of teaching: and every time we asked leave
to go forth we had a Latin word from him, which at our return we
were to tell him again. This in a little while amounted to a good
number of words. Zeal to learning extraordinary: but memory not
tenacious. Mr. Latimer, at 70, wore a dudgeon,' with a knife and
bodkin, as also my old grandfather Lyte and Alderman Whitson of
Bristowe, which I suppose was the common fashion in their young
dayes.

“ Here was like covering of bookes. In my grandfather’s days
D °

— tAsmall dagger. “It was a serviceable dudgeon, either for fighting or for
drudging:’ Hudibras. Properly the root of box of which handles were made.

(Halliwell). The handle, in Macbeth; ‘on thy blade and dudgeon,”

H 2

100 Kington St. Michael. [John Aubrey.

the manuscripts flew about like butterflies. All musick books,
account books, copy books, &c., were covered with old manuscripts,
as wee cover them now with blew or marble paper; and the glovers
at Malmsbury made great havock of them: and gloves were wrapt
up no doubt in many good pieces of antiquity. Before the late
warres a world of rare manuscripts perished hereabouts: for within
half a dozen miles of this place were the Abbies of Malmsbury,
Bradenstoke, Stanleigh, Farleigh, Bath, and Cirencester.

“This summer 1634, (I remember it was venison season, July or
Aug.) Mr. Thos. Hobbes! came into his native country to visit his
friends, and amongst others he came to see his old Schoolmaster,
Mr. Latimer at Leigh Delamere, when I was then a little youth at
school in the church, newly entered into my grammar by him.
Here was the first place and time that I ever had the honour to
see this worthy learned man, who was then pleased to take notice
of me, and the next day came and visited my relations. He was
a proper man, briske, and in very good equipage: his haire was
then quite black. He stayed at Malmsbury and in the neighbour-
hood a weeke or better; twas the last time that ever he was in
Wiltshire.”

“When a boy, never riotous or prodigal:—of inventive and
philosophical head: my witt was always working, but not to verse.
—Exceeding mild of spirit, mighty susceptible of fascination.

1 The ‘‘ Philosopher ;” a native of Malmsbury, author of Leviathan, &c.

2 Some biographers have said that Hobbes and Aubrey were school-fellows,
This is clearly wrong, as Hobbes was born in 1588, 37 years before Aubrey:
but they had the same Master, though at different times and places. Mr. Lati-
mer in early life kept a private school in Westport, Malmsbury, when Hobbes
was his pupil. In 1609 he became Rector of Leigh Delamere. Against the base
of the East Wall of the Church outside, on a stone (removed from the inside
when it was rebuilt in 1846) is the following inscription. ‘‘ Here lyeth Robert
Latymer, sometime Rector and Pastor of this Church: who deceased this life the
2a day of November a.p. 1634.” The Rectory house was taken down and re-
built on the same site in 1639: and underwent the same process again in 1846:
but under the floor of the study in which this memoir of Kington St. Michael’s
and Aubrey is now written by one of Mr. Latimer’s successors, are buried the
two floors of the former houses; the lowest (of plaster) would probably be that
on which Aubrey as a boy repeated his Latin words, or got his slice of the veni-

son with which the Philosopher’s visit to Leigh Delamere appears to have
been celebrated.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 101

“T’was my unhappiness in half a year to lose this good enformer
(Mr. Latimer) by his death: and afterwards was under severall
dull ignorant teachers till 12; 1638: about which time I was sent
to Blandforde School in Dorset; W. Sutton B.D.: who was ill-
natured. Here I recovered my health and got Latin and Greeke.

“1638. Here also was the use of covering of bookes with old
parchments, sc. leases, &c., but I never saw any thing of a Manu-
script there. Hereabout were no Abbeys or convents for men.
Anno 1647, I went to Parson Stump out of curiosity, to see his
Manuscripts, whereof I had seen some in my childhood: but by that
time they were all lost and disperst. His sons were gunners and
souldiers, and scoured their gunnes with them: but he showed me
severall old deedes granted by the Lords Abbotts with their seals
annexed, which I suppose his sonne, Capt. John Stump of Malms-
bury hath still.

“T was always enquiring of my (maternal) Grandfather (Isaac
Lyte}, of the old time, the Roodloft, ceremonies of the Priory,
&e. At 8 I was a kind of engineer and fell then to Drawing, be-
ginning with plain outlines in draughts of the curtains: then on to
colours; being only my own instructor. Copied pictures in the
parlour, in a table-book. At 9, a portraiter and was passable.
Was wont to lament with myself that I lived not in a city, where
I might have access to watchmakers, locksmiths, &c. Not much
care for grammar. Strong and early impulse to Antiquities.
Tacitus and Juvenal. Look’t through some logique and ethiques.
A musical inventive head: ideas were clear.

“1639. My uncle’s nag ran away with me, Monday after Easter,
and gave me a very dangerous fall. About this time my grand-
father Aubrey dyed, leaving my Father, who was not educated to
learning but to hawking.

“1642, May 3. Entered at Trinity Coll. Oxon. Peace. ‘Atque
_ inter sylvas Academi querere verum.’ Lut now did Bellona
thunder: and as a clear sky is sometimes overstretched with a dis-
mall black cloud, so was the serene peace by the Civill War through
the factions of those times. ‘Amovére loco me tempora grato.’
In August following, 1643, my Father sent for me home for feare.

102 Kington St. Michael. [ John Aubrey.

‘Religio Medici’ first opened my understanding, I carried it to
Easton, with Sir Kenelm Digby. In Feb. following (with much
importunity) I gott my Father to lett me go to beloved Oxford
againe, (then a garrison pro Rege). I got Mr. Hesketh a priest,
Mr. Dobson’s man, to draw the Ruines of Oseney 2 or 3 wayes
before t’was pulled downe: now the very foundation is digged up.

“ April and May. The small pox at Oxford. Left that ingeniose
place, and for 3 years led a sad life in the country.—where I con-
versed with none but servants and rustiques, (to my great greefe,
for in those days fathers were not acquainted with their children)
and soldiers quartered. Odi profanum vulgus et arceo. It was a
most sad life to me then, in the prime of my youth, nott to have the
benefit of an ingeniouse conversation, and scarce any good bookes.
Almost a consumption. This sad life I did lead in the country till
1646, at which time I got (with much adoe) leave of my father to
let me goe to the Middle Temple.

“1646, April 16. Admitted. But my Father’s sickness and
business never permitted me to make any settlement to my study.
My fancy lay most to geometry. My studies in it were on horse-
back, &c., so I got my Algebra: Oughtred in my pocket, with a
little information from Edw. Davenant D.D. of Gillingham, Dor-
set. [See Lives II. 296.] My father discouraged me. My head
was never idle: alwaies working: and even travelling (from 1649
to 1670 was never off my horseback) did gleane some observations,
of which I have a collection in folio of two quire of paper, some
whereof are to be valued. If ever I had been good for anything
’*twould have been a Painter. I could fancy a thing so strongly,
and have so cleare an idea of it.

“ June 24 following, Oxon was surrendered, and there came to
London many of the King’s party, with whom I grew acquainted
(many of them I knew before). I loved not debauches, but their
martiall conversation : was not so fit for the messe.

“ November 6. I returned to Trin. Coll. in Oxon, again, to my
great joy: was much made of by the Fellows, had their learned
conversation, look’t on books, musique. Here and at Middle Temple
off and on I for the most part enjoyed the greatest felicity of my

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 103

life, (Ingeniose youths like rosebudds imbibe the morning dew.) till

©1648, Dec. Xmas eve, I was sgnt for home again to my sick
father, who never recovered: where I was engaged to look after
his country business and solicit a law suit.

1649-50, April. My Mother fell from her horse and brake her
arm the last day of April, when I was a suitor to Mistress Jane
Codrington.

1651. About the 16 or 18 April I sawe that incomparable good
conditioned gentlewoman, Mistress M. Wiseman, with whom at
first sight I was in love.

“Oct. 21. My Father died, leaving me debts £1800: and law
proceedings £1000. Began to enter into pocket mem. books philo-
sophicall and antiquarian remarques a.p. 1654 at Llantrihid.

“Sept, 1655, or rather I think 1656, I began my chargeable
and tedious lawe suite on the entaile at Brecknockshire and Mon-
mouthshire. This yeare and the last was a strange yeare to me.
Several love and law suites.

“1657. Nov. 27. Obiit Domina Kasker Ryves, with whom I was
to marry: to my great losse.—£2000; besides counting one of her
Brothers £1000 per ann.

“A°... I made my Will, and settled my estate on Trustees,
intending to have seen the Antiq. of Rome and Italy, and then to
have returned and married. But (Diis aliter visum est superis)
viz. . . . to my inexpressible grief and ruine hindered the designe

But notwithstanding all these embarrassments, I did, pian
piano (as they occurred) take notes of Antiq., and having a quick
draught have drawn landskips on horseback symbolically, as on the
journey to Ireland a.p. 1660.

1659. March or April: like to break my neck in Ely Minster:
and the next day riding a gallop there, my horse tumbled over and
over, and yet I, thank God, no hurt.”

[After visiting Ireland and being nearly shipwrecked at Holy-
head, he sold his Burleton estate in Herefordshire to Dr. F. Willis:
then the Manor of Stratford,! in 1661 and 1662. In 1663 he was
elected F.R.S. In June 1664, he went to France, was very ill at

1 Probably Stretford near Leominster.

104 Kington St. Michael. [ John Aubrey.

Orleans, and returned in October. Another bad fall from his horse,
Monday after Christmas. |

“1665. Nov. 1. I made my first address (in an ill hour) to Joan
Sumner. She lived with her Brother at Seend. The next year
was still more unlucky. 1666. This year all my business and
affairs ran kim kam: nothing tooke effect, as if I had been under
an ill tongue, treacheries and enmities in abundance against me.
1667. December. Arrested in Chancery-lane at Mistress Sumner’s
suit.”

In February following he obtained with some difficulty a verdict
against her, with £600 damages, in a trial at Salisbury; but the
amount was reduced to £300 on a new trial at Winchester. In
1669, March 5, this trial came on ; lasting from 8 to 9. One Peter
Gale maliciously contrived to arrest him just before, but the trick
failed. He attributed the result of the trial to the “Judge being ex-
ceeding made against him by my Lady Hungerford, (of Corsham).”?

In 1669-70, after being owner 17 years, he sold his Easton Piers
Farm; and his interest in the farm at Broad Chalk. The latter
had belonged to the Abbey of Wilton: and was held by the Aubreys
as lessees under the Earls of Pembroke. To Antony 4 Wood on the
2nd October 1669, he writes “I shall be the next weeke at Haston
Piers, where I should be glad to heare from you by the Bristowe Car-
rier in Jesus College Lane, to be left at Michaell’s Kington.” It was
during this visit that he made the Drawings of his Villa referred to
above, (p. 79). On the 28th April following he was again there, and
perhaps for the last time of residence, the Farm being transferred
to the new owner, Mr. Sherwin,’ at Lady Day 1671. Aubrey

1 In his letters to A. Wood, Aubrey names another person as a chief in the
conspiracy to defeat his advances to Mistress Sumner. ‘‘ Dec. 1668. The per-
son that you mentioned in your letter that is now Lancaster Herald, his name
is Chaloner, whose character I have heard of by one of his neighbours that liveth
at the Devizes. He hath been an officer in the army, a bustling man for the
world: of great acquaintance with the Gentry and one that understandeth his
trade well. He will not stick to ask enough ” (for the resignation of his place),
“He is one that the Office” (of Heralds) ‘“‘and I think every body hates, or
ought to do, if they knew him as well as I doe: for he hath been the boutefeu
(firebrand) to sett my dame and me at variance.”

2 Also purchaser of the Priory. He left both during Aubrey’s life time to a
daughter and heir. N. H. of W. p. 119.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 105

looked upon this as an ominous event; noted the day and hour,
and drew a horoscope. ‘25 March 1671. One p.m. Possession
given by Jonathan Rogers to Mr. Sherwin ;” and in his Nat. Hist.
of Wilts, p. 119, ( Fatalities and Places”) thus alludes to the sale.
“Several places in this county have been fortunate to their owners.
Contrarywise there are some unlucky. Easton Piers hath had six
owners, since the reign of Henry VII.: where I myself had a
share to act my part. One part of it called Lyte’s Kitchen hath
been sold four times over since 1630.’ He appears to have realized
by the sale of Easton and Broad Chalk less than he expected by
« £500, plus £200 goods and timber.”

Having now been obliged, from “debts, lawsuits, oppositions,
refusals, and perpetual riding,” to part with the whole of his pro-
perty “I absconded as a banished man. Ubi? In monte Dei vide-
bitur.”! I was in as much affliction as a mortal could be: and
never quict till all was gone ;? submitted mysclfe to God’s will:
wholly cast myselfe on God’s providence. I wished Monasterys
had not been put down, that the Reformers would have been more
moderate as to that point. Fit there should have been receptacles
for contemplative men. If of 500 but one or two. What a plea-
sure t’would have been to have travelled from monastery to
monastery. The Reformers in the Lutheran Countries were more
prudent than to destroy them, as in Alsatia, &c. Nay, the Turks
have monasteries: why should our Reformers be so severe? Pro-
vidence raysed me (unexpectedly) good friends: the Rt. Hon.

live. ‘* Where? In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen.” Alluding to the
meaning of the name ‘ Jehovah-jireh” (Gen, xxii. 14.) viz., ‘The Lord will
provide.”

2 In his unpublished letters to Anthony Wood (preserved in the Ashmolean
Museum) Aubrey “still harps” upon his fayourite maternal acres,

1671. “Iam much beholding to you for the honour that you are pleased to
let my name live. Pray putt in my beloved Easton Pierse—where and to what
estate I was born. Ifheaven had pleased I might have enjoyed it.” In another
“T humbly thank you for the honour that you intend me by inserting my name
in your living and lasting History. I desire you to name me of Easton Pierse :
to contradistinguish me from other John Aubreys: it being the place where I
was born, and my Mother’s inheritance which my cruel Fate enforced me to
part with. A most lovely seate it is,”

106 Kington St. Michael. [ John Aubrey.

Nicholas Earl of Thanet, with whom I was delitescent”’ (in retire-
ment) “at Hethfield in Kent, near a year. Edmund Wyld Esq.,
R.S.8., of Glazely Hall, Salop, tooke me into his arms, with whom
I most commonly take my diet and sweet otiums. Makes me
lethargique.”’

* Ao. 1671: having sold all and disappointed as aforesaid of
moneys I received, I had so strong an impulse to (in good part)
finish the Description of Wilts, in 2 volumes in folio, that I could
not be quiet until I had done it, and that with danger enough,
‘tanquam canis e Nilo, for feare of crocodiles—i.e. catchpoles.
And indeed all that I have done and that little I have studied, has
been just after that fashion : so that had I not lived long my want
of leisure would have afforded a slender harvest. A strange fate
that I have laboured under, never in my life to enjoy one entire
moneth—(once at Chalke in my absconding)—or 6 weeks otium
for contemplation.”

Besides Mr. Wyld and the Earl of Thanet he had other friends
who gave him shelter and hospitality, viz.: at Lavington, the Earl
of Abingdon, to whose first wife (by descent from Danvers) he was
related: and at Draycot, Sir James Long. Of this gentleman he
always writes in terms of great respect as his “‘ever honoured friend.”
A similarity in tastes and pursuits appears from their correspond-
ence, as well as from the frequent recurrence amongst Aubrey’s
papers of “ Quere Sir J. L.’? He had also in the neighbourhood.
of Easton a great coadjutor in Thomas Gore Esq., of Alderton, a

1 “Like a dog by the Nile’: Running and lapping for fear of being caught.

2 JT should now be both orator and soldier to give this honoured friend of
mine, a gentleman absolute in all numbers, his due character. Only son of Sir
Walter Long: born at South Wraxhall in Wilts, Westminster Scholar; of
Magd. Coll. Oxon. Went to France. Married a most elegant beauty and wit,
dau. of Sir E, L. 25 wt. (Dorothy d. of Sir Edw. Leach of Shipley, Co. Derby.)
In the Civil Wars Col. of horse in Sir F. Dodington’s brigade. Good swordsman:
admirable extempore orator: great memory: great historian and romancer:
great falconer and for horsemanship. For insects exceedingly curious, and
’ searching long since in natural things. Oliver, Protector, hawking at Hounslow
Heath discoursing with him fell in love with his company, and commanded him
to wear his sword, and to meet him a-hawking: which made the strict cavaliers
look on him with an evil eye. Seripsit ‘‘ History and causes of the Civil Warre.”
(Lives. II. 433.]

ee

¢
rf
‘

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 107

country gentleman of independent fortune and good education,
whose fancy lay towards genealogical pursuits, chiefly Heraldry :
on which subject whenever Aubrey is at a loss, his intention to
consult the Alderton oracle is expressed by a “Mem. to ask T. G.
de hoc.”

In a curious folio manuscript history of his own family by Mr.
Gore (now in the possession of Mr. Poulett Scrope), it is mentioned
that at some period before the year 1664 Aubrey had mortgaged
his estate at Broad Chalk to Thos. Gore and his brother Charles,
as Trustees to their sister Anna, afterwards wife of John Scrope
Esq. of Castle Combe.!

Another literary friend from whose society he found much com-
fort in the latter part of his life, was Mr. (afterwards Bishop)
Tanner, a native of Market Lavington, author of the Notitia Mo-
nastica. Tanner was only 22 years old at Aubrey’s death, but he had
already shown so many qualifications for undertaking an important
historical and topographical work, as to lead Aubrey to express the
hope that in him the County of Wilts might find a proper historian.

The following is his own list of the persons with whom (besides
those already mentioned) he had been most intimate.

A. Ettrick of Trin. Coll. Oxford. Francis Potter, Rector of
Kilmington near Mere, of whom, as a very ingenious mathema-
tician and mechanic, Aubrey gives a long account in his “ Lives,”’

1 At a later period the friendship between T. Gore and Aubrey appears to have
been worn threadbare: for of his former colleague, Aubrey in his fatal year
1671, writes thus, (to A. Wood). ‘‘ Pray remember me to Mr. Browne,” (a
clerical antiquary and friend). ‘‘If he writes or sees Mr. Gore, let him not tell
him that he saw me: for he is a fidling peevish fellow, and something related to
my adversaries.” Again, in the same year when absconding, ‘‘1I writ a line to
Mr. Gore a little before I went into France (that is, to Kent) to queere some
things: and to know what the Heralds did, &c., and told him that I correspond
with you and that you could send a letter tome. If he should not assist me he
were an ill-natured cur, for he hath made me as much his slave as Sir Browne.”
Finally, in 1680, “‘ Pray write to the euckold at ‘Alderton, alias Aldrington’
toenquire, &c., &c. But he is a yare man and afraid of my queries as many
people are when we want to preserve the memories of their Relations.” Aubrey
here alludes to Mr, Gore’s preciseness in expression, certainly carried to a weari-
some excess; for every time he names his own parish in the MS, family History

above referred to, (and the name occurs a dozen times in every page) he invari-
ably reiterates his ‘‘ Alderton alias Aldrington.”

108 Kington St. Michael. [John Aubrey.

vol. ii. p. 496. Jo. Lydall of the Middle Temple. Sir John Hos-
kins Bart., grandson of the celebrated Winchester versifier Serjeant
Hoskins.!. Edmund Wyld Esq. of Glazely Hall. Robert Hooke of
Gresham Coll. (Lives ii. 403.) Thos. Hobbes, (Do. ii. 592, a very
long memoir written at Hobbes’s special request). Antony Wood.
Bishop Seth Ward, of Sarum. (Lives ii. 571.) Dr. Wm. Holder.
(Do. 1. 897.) Sir Wm. Petty “my singular friend.” (Do. ii. 481.)
Mr. Charles Seymour (Lord 8. of Trowbridge). Sir Lionel Jenkins.

His notes of his own life conclude thus: “I now indulge my
genius with my friends, and pray for the young angel’s rest, at
Mrs. More’s near Gresham Oollege.”” He survived the loss of his
property 26 years: and after the usual course of declining health,
died suddenly at Oxford on his way to Draycote, and was buried
in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene.’ The entry in the Register
stands thus “1697. John Aubrey, a stranger, was buried June 7.”
Without either brass or marble there or elsewhere, to preserve
his memory, the name of the good-natured Antiquary of Easton
Piers has nevertheless flitted from tongue to tongue: and the well
worn condition of his manuscripts in the Ashmolean Museum bears
ample witness to the homage of his votaries.

Several portraits of him were made at different periods of life.
The only one now known is a miniature by Faithorne, preserved at
Oxford, taken in 1666 when he was 40 years old, an engraving of
which accompanies this Memoir.

1 The writer of this Memoir has ventured (in ‘‘ Notes and Queries” vol. vi. p.
495) to claim for this ‘“‘Serjeant Hoskins” the authorship of the verses on the
Trusty Servant, so well known to all Winchester Scholars. And this, on the
authority of Aubrey, who in one of his letters to A. Wood (Oct. 27, 1671,)
(amongst a great number lately arranged in the Ashmolean Library) mentions
the ‘picture of the Servant, and the Latin Verses at Winton, done by The
Serjeant when he went to school there, but now firmly painted.” Hoskins was
at Winchester School in 1584 and died 1638. He was well known for his
dexterity in Latin and English Epigrams and Epitaphs, as well as satirical
poetry: for the exercise of which talent he was refused his degree and expelled
the University of Oxford. Aubrey frequently alludes to him as ‘‘ The Serjeant ;”
and as all the Serjeant’s manuscripts came at his death to his grandson, Sir
John Hoskins, Aubrey’s intimate friend, Aubrey would have the best authority
for his statement. For a memoir of the Serjeant see Chalmers’s Biog. Dict.

_ 2“Jn Hammond Alley, Bishopsgate street, the farthest house.” MS.

3 He left no Will: and in the Letters of Administration taken out by his

brother William he is described as ‘‘ Bachelor.”

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 109
Joun Britton F.S.A.

This name, familiar for halfa century to the architects and artists
of Great Britain, at length occupies its place in the Obituary of
meritorious men. His life supplies one instance more of persever-
ance against difficulty, crowned with success. Not that his inces-
sant labour led to much ultimate result as to any accumulation of
worldly means: for at that desideratum he failed to arrive. He
failed, because he was no selfish saver or worshipper of money for
its own sake. It was in his sight a thing to be used: and the use
to which he applied it was that of improving, in his own department,
the taste of the age in which he lived. In this respect he was
eminently successful: for by long-continued liberal efforts made
with that object in view, he has secured for himself a name of
authority in the remembrance of his country.

Of his early life, his struggles with adversity, and his many
literary works, an authentic account may be found in his “ Auto-
biography,” the employment of his declining years, almost to the
very day of death. Occasionally diffuse, it is upon the whole a
curious and instructive memoir, showing (in his own words) “how
much may be effected by zeal and industry, with moderate talents
and without academic learning.” Some things which as an autobio-
grapher he could not, without breach of modesty, say of himself, may
now be said of him by others. And it is the testimony of those
who knew him well, that he had an active and penctrating mind,
remarkable power of arrangement, an excellent memory, a kind
heart, and a moral character free from reproach. He was simple
in his habits, fond of children and a favourite with them; a great
lover of Natural History, and an advocate of mercy to the humblest
animal. In stature he was short; in figure slender: a ready and
amusing speaker: of great vivacity and cheerfulness even to the
last. Devoted to the Antiquities of his country, particularly his
native county, he excelled in architectural illustration addressed to
the eye. In this branch of Art, through tact in appreciating skill,
he was the means of bringing into notice some of our best modern
engravers.

John Britton’s life commenced on the 7th July 1771; under

110 Kington St. Michael. | John Britton.

circumstances which without the aid of a Horoscope may safely be
pronounced to have been as unpromising as well could be. He was
born in a cottage (represented in the wood cut), still standing at

rth
UT
J).Uy

John Britton’s Birth-place.

the angle formed by the main street of Kington St. Michael with
the lane that leads to the Church.!. He was the fourth of ten
children, but eldest son, of Henry and Ann Britton, without inhe-
ritance or much prospect of it. His father’s occupation included
various branches of petty village business. He was baker, maltster,
shopkeeper and small farmer: and a single room 14 feet wide by
63 high, with a heavy beam across the ceiling and a floor of stone,
served for parlour, kitchen, hall, and nursery. Under-housed,
over-stocked with children, and encumbered with many _ trades
without success in any, the father sank into poverty. John reeeived
instruction at a dame’s school, and having mastered the “ Chris-

1 He was baptized August 4th by John Serope, Vicar, (Par. Reg.) The
marriage of his parents Henry Britton and Ann Hillier, on 10th January 1768,
is registered at Norton about 5 miles from Kington St. Michael’s. Her family
were at that time tenants of Maidford Farm in that parish: and in the first
cottage going from Maidford to Norton Church, Mr. Britton (as he told the
writer) learned his A B C, “

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 111

cross Row” (like Aubrey, in the now rare horn-book), was removed
for two years to a Mr. Moseley, a Baptist minister at Fosscote in
Grittleton, thence to schools successively at Yatton Keynell,
Draycote, and Chippenham. At thirteen he was taken away from
education to carry loaves about on horseback to neighbouring vil-
lages. The mother was active and managing, and strove hard
against misfortune: but bad debts, cheating millers, rivals in trade,
and the heavy family, were too much for her, and she died broken-
hearted. The father became idiotic; John’s brothers and sisters
were dispersed amongst relatives : and his own destiny was to be
taken to London in October 1787, by an uncle Samuel Hillier, who
after employing him for some time in his own house as a foot-boy
with horses to clean, apprenticed him for six years to a Mr. Mend-
ham of the Jerusalem Tavern, Clerkenwell. There, having paid
no apprentice fee, he was not initiated into the deeper mysteries of
the craft, but only into the duties of helper to a common porter, in
bottling, corking, and binning wine.

The Jerusalem Tavern wine-cellar.

To his dismal life of ten hours a day in the Clerkenwell wine-
vaults, with the choice, when his work was over, of either remaining

112 Kington St. Michael. | John Britton.

in the cellar or associating with the workmen, Mr. Britton always
looked back, as he well might, with utter abborrence. He learned
nothing from the business, not even in what part of the world
Oporto or Madeira were, lost his health, was afraid of complaining,
and was only upheld through the period of legal imprisonment by
the smiles of a young person in the establishment, with whom of
course he fell in love. But even this cordial failing to restore him,
his master at length gave up about half a year of his services, pre-
sented him with two guineas instead of twenty promised, and turned
him out into the world to provide for himself. He had then two
uncles in London, to whom he had been taught to look for friendly
assistance. Both were living in genteel comfort, but at neither of
their houses could he obtain even shelter from the weather, or a
meal.

Before his first visit to London he had never seen a Dictionary,
and knew nothing of geography or history: though as a boy he
had been fond of books whenever he could get them. His self-
education was continued underground and clandestinely. He would
take an occasional half hour in the morning between seven and
eight o’clock to look at the sky, breathe a little fresh air and visit
two book stalls in the neighbourhood. His purchases were chiefly
medical works, and those of Dr. Dodd, Ray, Smollett, Fielding and
Sterne, &e. These he read by candle-light in the cellar at half
hours abstracted from official duties, so that the tale of bottles to
be corked had to be made up afterwards all the faster. One of the
few acquaintances formed at this time was a Mr. Essex father of the
present painter in enamel. From him books were borrowed, and
at his house Britton first met his future friend and coadjutor in
many literary undertakings, Mr. E. W. Brayley, then apprenticed
as an enameller to Mr. Essex. In a memoir of his colleague
published in the Gent. Mag. Dec. 1854, Mr. Britton says; “ From
this unpromising association and from fortuitous circumstances,
ultimately sprang a crop of literary works which cannot fail to
astonish the reader who calculates their amount in volumes, pages,
variety of subjects, extent of labour in research, travel, embellish-
ment and manual writing.” As may reasonably be supposed they

By the Rev. J. FE. Jackson. 113

commenced in the most humble departments of literature. The first
partnership speculation was a song called “ The Powder Tax ; or a
Puff at the Guinea Pigs,” written by Brayley and sung by Britton
publicly at a club held at the Jacob’s Well, Barbican, where a mot-
ley assemblage of smokers and tipplers met once a week to hear
theatrical repetitions. The new ditty was encored, printed, and
more than 70,000 copies sold by a song-dealer, who pirated this
first publication of the two young authors.

The period between the release from thé wine-cellar and the
adoption of literature as a profession, embraced about seven years
of privation and vicissitude, occasionally relieved by employment
that produced a bare livelihood. In very poor and obscure lodgings
at eighteenpence a week he indulged in study, often reading in bed
during the winter evenings to save the cost of firing. When the
finances were in tolerable order he frequented ‘“ Free and easy,”
“ Odd-fellows,” and “Spouting clubs;” though never allowing his
expenses to exceed sixpence a night at any of these choice associa-
tions. The next step was to Debating Societies, private theatricals
and lectures, the last being rare.

But the first and all absorbing object after leaving Mr. Mend-
ham’s service was to undertake a journey on foot to Plympton in
Devonshire, to renew with matrimonial intent the attachment
formed for the goddess of the wine-cellar. Mr. Britton describes
this toilsome journey and its result in a very amusing manner.
The fair but faithless Dulcinea, some years older and apparently
much wiser than himself, declined the suit, and he set off home
again in a state of mental misery. At Bath he failed in obtaining
an engagement as cellar-man at the White Hart Hotel, and returned
to the metropolis shoeless, shirtless, and almost penniless. A short
engagement at the London Tavern was followed by another as
clerk to a widow in Smithfield ; but the knavery and hypocrisy of
the establishment disgusting him, he accepted a situation in the
office of a Mr. Simpson, Attorney, in Gray’s Inn, where he remained
for three years at the wages of fifteen shillings a week. The busi-
ness not being overwhelming gave him plenty of time for excursion
in lighter walks, the drama, novels and poetry: and his income,

114 Kington St. Michael. [John Britton.

small as it was, was sufficient to provide a decent lodging, clothes,
food, and the luxury of books. For about ninepence a day during
these three years, he dined at an eating-house in Great Turnstile,
Holborn : where, amongst other characters, he met with the eccen-
trie Sir John Dinely one of the poor Knights of Windsor, the noted
Chevalier D’Eon, and Joseph Ritson the Antiquary.

His employer, the Gray’s Inn Attorney, dying in 1798, a fresh
engagement was made with Messrs. Parker and Wix, Solicitors, of
Greville street, Hatton Garden, where he obtained twenty shillings
a week, an augmentation of income peculiarly cheering, the new
connexion being in other respects also very satisfactory. He now
became member of a Debating Society in Coachmakers’ Hall, and
at the Shakesperian Theatre, Tottenham Court Road, not as a pro-
minent orator, but as prompter and occasional helper in scenes.
But at another club, the Jacob’s Well, he rose to be a leading star
by recitation of comic tales, prologues, and characters written by
Peter Pindar, George Colman the younger, and others. These
always amused and were often received with vociferous applause.
Debating clubs at the close of the last century were a marked fea-
ture in London life; the excitement produced by the French
Revolution was at its height, and the young men of the day hung
upon the lips of the professors of democracy. Many of these were
mere mob-orators, some were Government spies, some earnest
politicians of ability ; and of this class Mr. Britton has preserved
some interesting reminiscences. In such a school no wonder that
he contracted a propensity to express himself rather too strongly of
those whose taste or views might not always be the same as his own:
a habit that tinges now and then the writings even of his latest

years. But

‘¢Quo semel est imbuta vecens, servabit odorem
Testa diu,”)

His taste fixed on the drama, and in the winter of 1799 he was
engaged by a Mr. Chapman at three guineas a week to write and
sing at a theatre in Panton street, Haymarket, on the plan of the
‘‘Kidophusikon” of De Loutherbourg, a very popular entertainment

1 Hor, E, I. 2. 69. 6 Pepa ain ik AS OSREL “Well
‘“« With liquor seasoned, long retains the smell.”

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 115

which under this difficult and therefore attractive name, exhibited
exquisite scenery by that painter with the various effects of sun-
shine and gloom, morn, mid-day, night, thunder, lighting, &c.!
Mr. Chapman’s imitation presented less of the sublime and more
of the miscellaneous; including, as it did, John Britton’s mono-
logue, the musical glasses, and a learned dog. This temple of the
Muses being destroyed by fire in 1800, others were resorted to,
and a large acquaintance was formed in histrionic society of every
grade, from writers and actors down to mountebanks and clowns.
Many are his anecdotes of these persons. Through the interest of
the more distinguished actors, the Kembles, Bannister, Young,
and others, he was supplied with orders for the theatre, and at that
time believed it was impossible to be tired of reading plays or seeing
them represented on the stage. The playhouse seemed the most
fascinating place of rational amusement in the world, and he was
on the eve of becoming an actor. The fascination fortunately
passed away: the accounts of struggle and privation endured by
friends who had embarked in that line damped his ambition, and
he renounced the stage as a profession.

But for what was he fitted P Since emancipation from the Clerk-
enwell vaults his life had been one of uncertainty : and though fond
of reading and eager for information, he had not dared to think of
literature as a means of livelihood. Two or three juvenile essays
slipped into the letter-box of a Shoe Lane periodical had indeed
been printed, and their appearance in type was gratifying. He
followed them up with comments on players, clubs and theatricals.
For these a place was found in the “Sporting Magazine,” published
by John Wheble of Warwick Square, who proved a kind friend and
was the cause of his becoming, ultimately and for life, an Author.
A sixpenny pamphlet called “ The Thespian Olio,” was the first
book of which he was the Editor. Then followed a daring specu-
lation (involving the risk of £15, a sum never hitherto in his
possession at one time), the “ Odd Fellows’ Song Book,” price one
shilling ! Of this 500 copies were printed and actually sold, bring-
ing in a trifling profit. He then became connected with John
1 See a description by W. H. Pyne in Wine and Walnuts.” _

12

116 Kington St. Michael. | John Britton.

Fairburn a bookseller in the Minories, and wrote for him “Twelfth
Night Characters,” to be printed on cards and drawn out of a bag,
for the amusement of evening parties on that Festival. The hint
was borrowed by others, and afterwards grew to an extensive trade.
The next effort was in 1799, “The Life and Adventures of Pizarro,” a
compilation that gave him his first taste of the difficulties of author-
ship, and for this, his maiden essay, he received ten pounds. Great
was his self-satisfaction at beholding a superior edition, price five
shillings!

But the turning point of his career had arrived: and a direction
was now given to it from which he never afterwards swerved. As
frequently happens, a trifling incident gave the bias. Amongst
the articles contributed by him to the pages of Mr. Wheble’s Sport-
ing Magazine had been an anecdote of Britton’s juvenile days,
relating to a fox in his native village of Kington St. Michael.
With 15 or 20 couple of the Duke of Beaufort’s hounds almost at
his brush, the animal had rushed into an open cottage at the foot
of a hill in the village street, and jumping into a cradle where a

ee
ee

baby was asleep, crept under the clothes. The mother being in the
garden and hearing the hounds in full ery towards her door, ran in

By the Rev. J. EB. Tackson. 117

to protect the child; its strange bedfellow was discovered and
handed over to the less tender nursing of the huntsman.

The insertion of this Wiltshire anecdote in Mr. Wheble’s periodi-
cal happened to turn the conversation upon that county, when the
Editor told Britton that some years before, when living at Salisbury,
he had conceived the idea of publishing a work in two volumes, to
be called “The Beauties of Wiltshire,” but had been prevented
from continuing it. He now suggested the thought to the contri-
butor of the fox story, urged him to undertake it, and offered
pecuniary assistance. Being at the time without any sort of tie or
profitable occupation, Britton caught eagerly at the suggestion ;
the more so as it would give him again and again the opportunity
of revisiting and exploring his native county. Such was the real
beginning of his literary life.

The task was accepted; without any previous qualifications
whatever for performing it, other than those of ardour and perse-
verance. He knew nothing of the labour required for real topo-
graphy, had never studied works upon the subject, and those he
now looked into seemed dry and uninviting. Warner’s “Walk
through Wales” appeared to be more to the purpose, and taking
this for his model he commenced a pedestrian tour. Armed with a
few maps and books, a limited wardrobe and an umbrella, he
rambled several hundred miles about the Midland Counties, passing
through Wiltshire on his return. His whole expenses during
several months amounted only to eleven pounds sixteen shillings
and ninepence! Of this his first excursion Mr. Britton retained to
the last a very vivid and minute recollection; and has devoted no less
than 100 pages of his “ Autobiography” to notices of the different

q places he visited, and the literary or otherwise eminent persons to

whom he obtained introduction. One of these notices, presenting
at the same time a fair sample of the general style of his book,
_will be more particularly acceptable to Wiltshire readers. It
describes his reception at Bowood.'

“Up to the age of twenty-six, I had never conversed with a
nobleman, or scarcely with a gentleman in the higher ranks of

a ~ 1 Autobiography, vol, i, p. 53.

118 Kington St. Michael. [John Britton.

society, and had never visited any of the wealthy mansions of the
great personages of the land. I certainly had been admitted into
the studios of a few artists, and also into the wine-cellars of Sir
William Chambers, in Berners Street and at Whitton Park; and I
had spent two days with Mr. Scrope and his aged mother, at Castle
Combe, as will be noticed hereafter; but the last event occurred
immediately after my emancipation from the wine-cellar, and before
I undertook my Quixotic journey to Plympton, already noticed, or
had any notion of literature as a profession. Otherwise my inter-
course with aristocracy and intellectual beings was as ‘rare as show
in June, or wheat in chaff.’ It is true that I was from boyhood
ambitious to be in the company of my elders and superiors in
knowledge ; and a little of the rust and rudeness of village life and
menial manners had been rubbed down, if not polished, by parti-
ality for debating societies and private theatricals, which were
popular in London at the beginning of the present century. I
must frankly acknowledge that I was as unfitted for communion,
and unqualified to converse, with princes or nobles of the land, as
with utopian autocrats or celestial monarchs. I approached the
house, through a lodge and park, which inspired awe and wonder;
I rang the bell to the domestic part of the premises with hesitation
and doubt; I asked incoherent questions about the Marquis, the
house, &e.; the porter was perplexed and called the footman, who
consulted the valet, and he appealed to the butler, who good-
naturedly construed my meaning and wishes, and introduced me
to his noble master, who was seated in a well-filled and spacious
library, and who appeared to my dizzy vision like something super-
human. Without a card, or prospectus of the work which was the
ostensible object of my visit, I was requested to explain who I was,
and what was the nature of my inquiry and intentions. Unpre-
pared to explain what I had no distinct notion of myself, I related
something of my short and uneventful career, and the reasons for
attempting to write about my native county; told of my friendless
and forlorn circumstances, love of reading, and the arts; desire to
acquire knowledge, and qualify myself to accomplish the task I had
undertaken with some degree of credit to myself, and not discredit

By the Rev. J. FE. Jackson. 119

to my friends. From persons at Chippenham and from public
report, I had been led to consider the Marquis as naturally high,
stern, and haughty to strangers, and with this impression I ap-
proached him with a full recognition of the embarrassed situation
of poor dear Goldsmith, in his interview with the Duke of Newcastle.
Fortunately I found him very different from anticipation, for he
was bland, courteous, and affable. Hence I was soon relieved from
all painful restraint, and told my “round unvarnished tale” of birth-
place near Bowood, of being parentless, friendless, and almost
homeless, but ambitious to do something to mitigate those misfor-
tunes.—After I had been indulged and honoured with nearly an
hour’s most exciting converse, his lordship called his librarian, Mr.
Matthews, directed him to provide me with such books and maps
as might be useful, allot me a bedroom, and send a person to show
me the house, the pleasure-grounds, the cascade, the park, and
other objects. Relieved from the painful suspense of doubt, anxiety,
and alarm, my heart expanded, my mind was exhilarated, and every
thing, scene, and person, seemed super-naturally exquisite and
charmed. Had his lordship repulsed my first overtures, and sent
me from his house with cold pride or indifference, it is probable that
‘The Beauties of Wiltshire’ would never have appeared before the
public, nor its author ever have become known in the annals of
literature. To Lord Lansdowne, therefore, am I indebted for the
condescension and kindness he manifested towards an unknown and
very humble person; who has laboured hard from that time to the
present in the fields of literature and art to produce a succession
and amount of books, which may be considered to equal, if not
surpass, those of any other English author, in quantity and quality
of embellishment, typography, and in varied matter and manner
of their miscellaneous contents.”

Half a guinea a week was his allowance from Wheble for
writing the “ Beauties of Wiltshire.” It appeared in two volumes
in 1801. After all it contained only an account of a few places,
chiefly in the south of the county, and was not a book likely to
bring any reputation to its author. Of this no one was better
aware than the author himself in after life; but the circumstances

120 Kington St. Michael. | John Britton.

under which it was composed are sufficient apology for its defici-
encies. A third volume relating to North Wilts, and far superior
to the former, appeared after the more mellowed experience of
twenty-four years.

In 1800 he had made another walking Tour in company with
his friend Brayley, preliminary to a larger work for which they
had jointly engaged, ‘The Beauties of England and Wales.” Between
the 8th June and 20th September they travelled 1350 miles. So
little were they aware of the nature of their undertaking, that this
work was at first announced to be completed in six volumes within
three years. Eventually it grew to twenty-six; but only the first
eight were written by the original authors. ‘The history of this
once popular publication” (says Mr. Britton), “in progress for
nearly twenty years, would involvea curious and rather lamentable
exposition of the “Quarrels of Authors” and their dissensions with
publishers, as well as certain caprices and forbearances of the latter.
My own personal share and miseries in this drama were often
painful, always perplexing and oppressive. At length the authors
separated, and engaged with the booksellers to be responsible for
the writing of certain counties and volumes.” Mr. Britton wrote
Lancashire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire for the ninth volume:
Monmouth, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, and Wiltshire.

In 1805 he showed Josiah Taylor, the architectural bookseller, some
drawings of ancient buildings which the conductors of the “Beauties
of England” had not thought calculated for its pages. After some
consultation it was agreed to commence a new quarto work entitled
the “Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain.” A plan was digested,
a prospectus written, Longman and Co. engaging to take a third
share and be the publishers. It extended to five quarto volumes,
and brought before the public 365 engravings representing a great
variety of old buildings, as well as many historical and descriptive
essays by several pens. This work gave rise to a new school of
artists, both draftsmen and engravers, as well as to many rival
publications. It appeared in numbers, Mr. Britton receiving £30
per number for the first four volumes, with £10 additional for such
numbers as were reprinted to mect an increased demand. The fifth

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 121

volume requiring much greater research, his remuneration was
increased to £50 a number: and the total so charged by him
amounted to more than £1800 during a period of 21 years. The
sale of the four volumes was profitable throughout. The fifth, the
most elaborate, barely paid its own expenses. The final balance-
sheet after sale of stock, copper-plates, &c., showed a net general
profit of about £9800 (from 1805 to 1826), the author’s share of
which was about £3266.!

In 1814 he commenced his magnificent work the “ Cathedral
Antiquities of England,” the Cathedral of his native county being
the first. The whole was finished in 1835, containing in fourteen
volumes, folio and quarto, with 311 engravings, an elaborate illus-
tration of these noble English Edifices. The author was allowed
£50 a number, but the work proving unprofitable, he reduced it to
£30.’ The production of these truly valuable volumes was carried
on throughout under his immediate superintendence, many of the
artists working in his own house and being trained to their task
by himself. No one who has not been practically concerned in the
preparation of an illustrated book for the press, can form any just
idea of the immense amount, not only of capital, but of time, labour
and mental anxiety which these must have required.

He continued the course of persevering and laborious authorship
now specially his own,—that of architectural and topographical
description and antiquities. To dwell on these in detail would
occupy too much space. A list of his works is therefore appended,
taken from the second volume of his as ae ttc sage

te impressions of the plates, and the whole of the original drawings, making
eight volumes, was prepared for the late John Broadley, Esq., who paid Mr.
Britton £500 for the set. This copy was subsequently bought at an auction by
the late Joseph Neeld, Esq., and is now in the Library at Grittleton House.

2 On many costly publications in which he was concerned, considerable loss
was sustained. Of such works the purchasers are comparatively few, whilst the
expenses are enormous. The Drawings supplied for the ‘‘ Cathedral Antiquities”
cost on an average about seven guineas each: whilst to the engraver, Mr. Le
Keux, was frequently paid thirty to forty pounds for a single plate: in one
instance (Bishop Bronscombe’s monument in Exeter Cathedral) £52 10s,

5 The greater part of this volume was prepared by his friend and assistant,
Mr, T. E. Jones,

122 Kington St. Michael. [John Britton.

enterprising and active mind was incessantly at work, either in
fulfilling old engagements or projecting new ones; in collecting
materials for histories never to be completed, editing the composi-
tions of others, contributing to periodicals, sorting, indexing, and
arranging the contents of his own drawers and portfolios, and not
least of all, in a very large correspondence. Besides all this, he
acted for many years as Registrar of the “Royal Literary Fund,”
and Honorary Secretary to the “ Wiltshire Society” a charitable
Institution founded in 1817. To the Russell Institution, the Graphic
Society, the Architects’ and Antiquaries’ Club, and other associations
of similar kind he gave much of his attention; and was one of the
founders of the Geographical Society. In Wiltshire he was well
known as a chief promoter of its first Topographical Society, and
as a constant attendant upon the meetings of the one which exists
at present.

It will be doing no injustice to the worth of this most indefati-
gable gentleman, to repeat now that he is no more, an opinion of
his literary ability pronounced during his life. He was not a man
of marked originality or great mental power; but as a careful
and diligent writer in a branch of Literature insufficiently treated
before his time, he did excellent service in calling the attention of
the educated public to our long-neglected National Antiquities :
and there can be little doubt that his elegantly illustrated works
were a chief exciting cause in bringing about an improved state of
public feeling towards those subjects.! And when the reader glances

1 The English Encyclopedia. C. Knight, Art. Britton. The true point of
Mr. Britton’s merit is justly seized in the following passage of an address by
Digby Wyatt, Esq., delivered at a general meeting of the Royal Institution of
British Architects. ‘‘The pictorial illustrations of our national monuments at
the close of the last century were of the most loose and imperfect description.
Since the careful prints of Hollar, scarcely any engravings of architectural sub-
jects had appeared worthy of notice or reliance; and the early productions of
the Antiquarian Society presented the only approximation to accuracy. James
Basire, Rooker, and Lowry, were the fashionable engravers of such subjects,
and John Carter, and Fowler, who illustrated stained glass and ancient mosaics,
almost the only trustworthy draughtsmen. It was mainly through Britton’s
energy that a reformation was effected. His activity and enthusiasm soon
gathered about him all those rising men whose names are now so familiar to us.
He saw from the improvements which had been effected, mainly by Stothard, and

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 123

once more at our woodcut of the miserable hovel in which John
Britton was born and reared, and recollects the obstacles in the
face of which he toiled from youth to age, relying on his own
energy and industry in struggles with the world; he will take up
the volumes of the “ Autobiography” with an increased respect:
and will lay them down concurring in the remark made by Southey
on the very case ; ‘ Details of this kind carry with them an interest
to which no fiction can attain, and the memoirs of a man who,
from such circumstances and under such difficulties, made his way
to a station of respectability, is one of the most useful and encou-
raging lessons that can be placed in the hands of the young.”

The origin of the two volumes of which the “ Autobiography ”
consists was this. On the 74th anniversary of his birthday a
number of his friends inyited him to a dinner at the Castle Hotel,
Richmond, when eighty-two gentlemen were present. It was
determined to mark their esteem for him by a permanent testi-
monial, and a “ Britton Club” was formed to carry out the project.
The testimonial, at his own suggestion was eventually made to take
the form of an “ Autobiography,” which he was to prepare and print
with the fund, amounting to £1000. These marks of respect and
cordial reception testify the general esteem in which he was held,
and his power of making and retaining friends; contrasting

Heath, the engraver, the capabilities of copper plate engraving ; and speedily
brought to bear upon the long neglected antiquities of the country, that artistic
ability through the exercise of which they could alone be popularised. Samuel
Prout, Frederick Mackenzie, Edward Blore, George Cattermole, W. H. Bartlett,
R. W. Billings, Henry Shaw, and many more, were at various periods induced
to bestow their earnest efforts upon the proper delineation of those views which
were so successfully transferred to copper by the brothers, John and Henry Le
Keux, and other engravers, for the most part pupils of Basire. Public attention
was captivated by the excellencies of the engravings of the Architectural Anti-
quities of the land, and the excitement which at first took the form of vague
admiration, has in our time reached its happy consummation in profound inves-
tigation into the true principles upon which they depended for grandeur and
effect, and in a wise and wholesome spirit of conservancy. For much of this,
the country is deeply indebted to that friend we have so lately lost. His labours
were incessant, his memory extraordinary, his system admirable, his clearness
of understanding, and liveliness of fancy in no common wise vigorous, his
affections warm, his habits exemplary. Had he been less honest he might have
been far richer; had he been more selfish he would never have benefited his
country as he unquestionably did.”

124 Kington St. Michael. [John Britton.

strangely with the coldness which he frequently complains of
having met with when labouring to attract attention in earlier days.

He was twice married but had no family. His residence during
the latter part of his life was in Burton street, Tavistock square.
When Mr. Disraeli was Chancellor of the Exchequer his literary
services were recognized by the grant of an annual pension of £75:
not excessive when compared with other bounties of the kind, but
still an acceptable addition to the limited circumstances under
which he closed his life. This he did, on Thursday the 1st January
1857, in his eighty-sixth year, and was buried at the Norwood
Cemetery on the Thursday following: a Deputation from the
Institute of British Architects, with many other friends, attending
his remains to the grave.

By economy in other things he had formed a very extensive
collection of books, prints, and other articles in the class of topo-
graphical literature. So inconveniently large at one time had this
become that closets and shelves became crowded whilst his purse
collapsed. In 18382 he disposed of a large quantity, sufficient to
make a sixteen days sale. The rest have been sold by auction since
his decease: that portion of them which related to his native county
having been previously secured by the “Wiltshire Archeological
Society.” J. HE. J.

125

A CLASSIFIED LIST

OF
THE LITERARY WORKS

OF
JOHN BRITTON, F.S.A.

With the Dates, the number of Pages and Prints: and the amount paid for
Drawings, Engravings, Paper, Printing, &c.

CLASS I. WORKS BY J. BRITTON.
TITLE. Vols. Date. Pages. Engs. Appa
1. The Beauties of Wiltshire ............... 2 1801 668 15 —

2. Ditto. Vol. III. Also printed to form a sepa-
rate Work, with title of ‘‘ Topograph- 1 1825 440 16 500
ical Sketches of North Wiltshire” ....

1805
3. The Architectural Antiquities Great Britain 4 to 450 279 13,088
1818
4. Ditto. Vol. V. Also forming a separate
Work, with the title of “A Chronologi- 1818
cal History of Christian Architecture 1 to 324 86 4,004
in England,” with copious Lists, Tables, 1826

Silpsspey, Indexes a0rs 2 a -)<ciccclas
5. Ilistorical Account of Corsham House, Wilts 1 1806 108 1 70

6. The Pleasures of Human Life; or a

‘‘Miseries” turned Topsy-turvy...... A gABPP Aa 8 90

7. Catalogue Raisonnée ef the Cleveland Gallery 1 1808 158 2 150
8. Historical and Descriptive Account of Red-

cliffe Church, Bristol.........0sseee. ; 1 1613 40 12 419
1814
9. The Cathedral Antiquitiesof England. .... 14 to 1388 311 19,008
: 1835
10. The Rights of Literature, (pamphlet)... ... 1 1814 iin 30
11, Norwich Cathedral Vade-Mecum ........ 1 1817 32 4 40

12. Historical and Deseriptive Account of 1 1823 8 11 600

Fonthill Abbey, Wilte..4.........,.

126 A Classified List of the Literary Works
TITLE. Vols, Date. Pages.
13, Historical and Descriptive Account of
Bath Abbey Church .............00. eee ey
14. The Union of Architecture, Sculpture, and
Painting, illustrated by a Description 1 1827 60
of the House, &c. of Sir John Soane...
15. Specimens of the Architectural Antiquities
of Normandy (Pugin and Le Keux)... ip A G26 oe
16. A Brief Account of the Colosseum, London 1 1829 8
17. Picturesque Antiquities of English Cities.. 1 1830 103
18. Descriptive Sketches of Tunbridge Wells.. 1 1832 148
Spa : 1832
19. A Dictionary of the Architecture and ae 512
Archeology of the Middle Ages ...... 1838
20, History, &c.ofCassiobury Park,Hertfordshire 1 1837 32
21. Account of the London and Birmingham 1 1839 26
Railway, so aclrcyem ste Seer
22. Account of Toddington, Gloucestershire . 1 1840 70
23. Historical and Descriptive Notices of
Wand sprctastle 4 ..0\-/ieniain hol iecbae ses 12
24, Remarks and Suggestions on Redcliffe
Church, Bristol, in an ‘‘ Appeal to the 1 1842 26
Public, by the Churchwardens, &c.”’..
25, An Essay on Topographical Literature, the
National Records, &c., with Glossaries* bane 66
26. Memoir of John Aubrey, F.R.S.*......... 1 1845 130
CLASS II, WORKS OF WHICH J. BRITTON AND
FE. W. BRAYLEY WERE JOINT AUTHORS,
27. The first eight Volumes of the Beauties of
England and Wales. J. B. wrote the 1802
Accounts of the Counties of Lancaster, 11 to 7150
Leicester, and Lincoln, Vol. [X.—of 1814
those of Monmouth, Norfolk, Northamp-
ton, Vol. XI., and Wiltshire, Vol. XV.
28. Memoirs of the Tower of London........... 1 1830 374
29. History of the Ancient Palace and Houses 1 i 476
of Parliament, Westminster. ........ 1836

Engs. Se a
10 612
29 638
80 1,700

9 Ee
83 2,800
13 252
40 1,620
34 400
37 —
31 400
42 —

5 ad

3 —

315 —
20 ae
48 a

* These works were published by the first Wiltshire Topographical Society.

Of John Britton, F.S.A.

TITLE. Vols. Date.

CLASS III. OF THESE WORKS J, BRITTON WAS EDITOR,
AND WROTE PORTIONS OF THE LITERARY MATTER.

30. The Fine Arts of the English School ......

31, The Public Buildings of London, from 2

Drawings by Al Purincccescss s-4. «
CLASS IV. J. BRITTON EDITED THE FOLLOWING, IN
THE OWNERSHIP OF WHICH HE WAS INTERESTED.
32. Magazine of the Fine Arts .............-

33. Specimens of Gothic Architecture, engra-
ved from Drawings by Augustus Pugin

34. Picturesque Views of English Cities, from
Drawings by G. F. Robson ..........

in 1815. Written by Mr. T. R. Under-
wood: edited and published by J.B. .

36. Anstey’s ‘“ New Bath Guide,” with Pre-
BPMN OLDE iat S5/x is ova a c's Scio anes

37. A Map of the Borough of Marylebone:
two large sheets ..........2-.. 0508

35, A Narrative of Memorable Events in Paris,

38. The West Fronts, Ground Plans, and

bo

1

1

1821

1823
to
1825

1828

1828

1830

1835

Interiors of Fourteen English Cathe- — 1829

drals: two large plates, in aquatint .

Pages.

126

718

480

144

16

298

Engs.

24

144

114

127

Amt.pd.
&.

CLASS V. J. BRITTON REVISED AND CORRECTED THE FOLLOWING WORKS,

BUT HAD NO SHARE IN THE OWNERSHIP.

TITLE.

39. British Atlas. 58 Maps of the Counties of England and Wales,
and 21 Plans of Cities and Towns. ...................--

Vol. Date.

Sie.

ae wartere Ancient Architecture .. 6 sc0.w se sends cweweie via ccna ee x
43, Carter’s Ancient Sculpture and Painting ....................

44, Brayley and Ferrey’s Christ Church .......

45. Aubrey’s Natural History of Wiltshire* ....................

CLASS VI, THE FOLLOWING ARE CONTRIBUTIONS BY J, BRITTON TO
THE VARIOUS SERIAL WORKS REFERRED TO,

46, The Articles relating to the Topography of England, Wales,
and Scotland, in Rees’s Cyclopadia ........ 0.0 e eee e cee

* Published by the first Wiltshire Topographical Society.

ms

1802
to
1817
1832
1837
1837
1838
1841
1846

128

A Classified List of the Literary Works.

TITLE. Vol. Date

1802

47. The Annual Review: the Notices of all Works on Topography.. 7 ; LA

48. Havell’s Picturesque Views of Nobleman’s and Gentleman’s 1 Fs

Seats, with descriptive Letter-press ...... ......-+++-- 1894

49. Accounts of Bath and Bristol, for Jones’s Illustrations of those 1 1829
Cities, from the Drawings of T. H. Shepherd............ :

50. Account of Edinburgh, for Jones’s Illustrations of that City.... 1 1830

51. Account of Cornwall, for Fisher’s Illustrations of the County, \ 1 1832
from the Drawings of Allom, Bartlett, &e. .............. P

52. The British Magazine: a Series of Articles, being ee at gon4
Notices and Descriptions of Christian Architecture in England

53. Fisher’s Portrait Gallery ; Memoirs of Sir John Soane, and of Sir 1834
Jeffrey Wyatville, to accompany their Portraits in this Work

54, The Penny Cyclopedia: the articles Avebury and Stonehenge... — : ou

TOTALS FROM THE PRECEDING LIST: VIZ.—

57 Volumes, besides Essays.

Amount of printed Pages ........ 0.2045. Sn 17,254
Number of Engravings .....6..-cccc. 0 ceceeees 1,867
Amount of Monies expended .......... 0... 2.005. £50,328

* .* In addition to the above the following unpublished :—

Eight Lectures on the Architectural Antiquities of all Nations; illustrated
by nearly 300 large Drawings. Read by the Author at the London
Institution, &e.

A Lecture on Railways. Read at the Literary Institution, Bristol. 1833.

A Memoir of John Carter, Author of works on the Ancient Architecture,
Sculpture, and Painting of England. Read at the Institute of British
Architects. 1837.

Erratum. Page 92, line 24. For “deceased” read “ ill-used.”

H. Butt, Printer, Saint John Street, Devizes.

WILTSHIRE
Archeological and Betural Wistory
MAGAZINE.

No. XI. OCTOBER, 1857. Vor. IV.
Contents,
On THE MamMattan Drier or Witrsntre AND Its Fossrz Contents:
Bye We. Contingigt, PGS hye oe 129
Tae Caurce or Brppesron Sr. Nrcnoras: By E. W. Godwin, Esq.... » 148
Ditcuriper Cuurce : By DIRS PING, 2s MTS dak ua 146
Compostrion ror Estares IN Wits, Temp. Cromwetz: By F. A.
Gy Pe. Sate. hig ie Neal ge ae 148
BELLs oF THE CounTY oF WILTs, WITH THEIR Inscrrrrions, (No. 4.)
mene Reve W..C. Takis... 8. ae ee _. 158
THE Gurtp oF MeRcHants, FORMERLY IN Devizes: By Mr. Edw. Kite. 160
Tue Barre or Erwanpun: By George Matcham, 1 WB, bd ee Oe 175
Tue Frora or WILtsHrRE, (No. 1.): By T. B. Flower, Esq., M.R.C.S. &e. 189
PERAMBULATIONS OF ForESTS IN WEIR, 00s 1500. Bg 195

Clarendon, 197. Westwood, 198. Milchet, 199, Gravelee, 200. Bradene, 200, Savernak,
202 and 204. Chut, 205 Chippenham, 206, Melksham, 206. Selewode, 207.
Inventory or Cuvrcn Goops ar Caune, 5 Edward VI.......... 00... 208
Wi Darett or Lrrrrzcore: By Charles Edward Long, Esq........ 209
Pedigree of Darell, 226,

ILLUSTRATIONS.
. Skulls of Fossil Buffalo.......................... 138
Biddeston St. Nicholas: Font and Doorway ........ 144
a + MU RUPEE es, cccde 2. 145
Ditchridge Church: South Doorway and Sculpture... 146
A »» . Priest’s Door and Font......... . 147
Arms of the Devizes Guilds ...................... 160

-vo e” DEVIZES:
Henry Burt, Sarr Jonny Srreer.
LONDON :
Beit & Daupy, 168, Freer Srreer; J. R, Surrn, 36, Somo Sauarr,

I a”

> oot

H

WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE

‘“‘ MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.”’— Ovid.

On the Mammalian Aritt of Giltshire and
its Fossil contents,

By Mr. Cunnineton, F.G.S.;

Read before the Society at the Annual Meeting at Warminster, August, 1856.

N the first number of our Magazine, occurs the question,
<4 “\‘ What remains of Mammalia have been found in the
superficial Drift of Wiltshire?” As no geologist has hitherto
given us any information on the subject, I am induced to lay
before you such facts as I have been able to collect, with the hope
that they may prove interesting.

Were we to take a geological tour through Wiltshire, we
should see a great variety of Rocks or stratified beds, of Chalk,
Sand, Clay, Limestone, &c., probably a greater variety than in any
other county, for we have not fewer than fourteen or fifteen dis-
tinct strata. We should find in them vast numbers of shells, corals,
and other remains of animals, mostly of marine origin, which in
ages of inexpressibly remote antiquity, inhabited this portion of
Europe. With these however, we have on the present occasion
nothing to do.

Overlying all these strata, and scattered thinly over the hills,
but accumulated sometimes to the thickness of many feet in the
valleys, we find what geologists call “Mammalian Drift.” The age
of this deposit although geologically recent, is when compared

VOL IV.—NO. XI. K

130 On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

with any historic period, immeasurably remote. The Post-Tertiary
deposits of England are much more extensive than they were
formerly supposed to be, and comprise several distinct sets of
superficial strata. Their relative age has not yet been satisfactorily
determined, but the beds which we have more especially to describe
are considered by Sir Charles Lyell to be of the same age as that
great sheet of ochreous gravel which is spread out over the valley
of the Thames, (above the deposits of Grays and Ilford,) and which
extends eastward from above Maidenhead, through London, to the
sea, a distance of 50 miles.! Before going into any detailed account
of the Animals of this period, I will endeavour to give a general
idea of the Drift itself, and more particularly as we find it in our
own county.

This gravelly deposit is composed of the broken up fragments
of the subjacent strata, mixed with flint, sand, and clay, and contain-
ing layers of pebbles, which have been rolled and bouldered by the
action of water out of their parent rock. It does not contain a
single admixture of any far-transported fragments; and there is
abundant evidence to prove that the deposit was gradual, occupying
a long period of time.

This Drift is not only to be found scattered at intervals over the
valleys of England, Scotland, and Ireland, but also all over the
northern parts of Europe and Asia, and the river plains of North
America; presenting every where the same features, and containing
similar organic remains. In our own county—in the broad and
fertile valley of the Avon, from Tetbury, passing by Malmsbury,
Christian Malford, Kelloways, Chippenham, Lacock, Melksham,
Broughton, Bradford, and so on to Bath—and in the narrow valleys
that intersect our wide and undulating downs, such as the valley of
the Wiley, of the Nadder, and of the River Bourn, we have repeated
and instructive examples of the Drift.*

It varies in thickness from 5 to 30 feet, and in many places con-
tains the bones and teeth of gigantic, extinct, /and Animals, such

1 Lyell’s Supplement to the 5th edition of Manual of Geology, 1857.
2 In the Map of Wiltshire coloured by the Ordnance Survey, and published
\his year (1857), these valleys are distinguished by a light yellow tint.

By Mr. Cunnington. 131

as the Elephant, Hippopotamus, Rhinoceros, &c., &c., which were
deposited in it during the progress of its formation; whence its
name. From the circumstances of its origin, the Drift necessarily
consists of very varied materials, and in a county containing sucha
variety of strata as Wiltshire, we might reasonably expect to find
a corresponding variety in the character of this deposit. On ex-
amination this proves to be the case.

At Chisenbury, Netheravon, Bulford, and in many of the neigh-
bouring villages, it is composed of small fragments of hard chalk,
flints, &c., constituting a rough calcareous gravel; and a similar
kind of Drift occurs in most of the narrow valleys of the chalk
tracts.

In the valley of the Avon, in the northern part of the county,
where the rocks are much varied, the Drift contains fragments of
many kinds. Thus at Broughton Gifford, which place I had the
pleasure of visiting last month with my friend Mr. Prestwich,
(Treasurer of the Geological Society,) under the guidance of the
Rey. J. Wilkinson, it may be described as follows; and this fur-
nishes a good example of what may be found in many parts of this
interesting district.

Sa | Surface soil, passing into
ee ese ? } 8

_ “ Brick Earth,” a dark reddish brown,
- / and very sandy clay, 3 or 4 feet.

| ‘* Drift,” consisting chiefly of rolled
fragments from the Kelloway Rock, and

_ Oxford Clay, interealated with irregular
seams of sand ; it contains also subangu-
lar Chalk-flints, and rolled masses of
Chalk, Lower Green Sand, Coral Rag,
Forest. Marble, &c, about 5 feet.

“ Oxford Clay,” with septaria,

Broughton Gifford.

132 On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

At this village the Drift gravel has ‘been extensively dug for
ballast for the Wilts, Somerset, and Weymouth Railway.

On minute examination of the Drift sand from Broughton Gif-
ford I have discovered several species of Rhizopods, or Foramen-
iferous shells. (These are the very minute, though exceedingly
beautiful shells of a low form of polypi.) They have probably been
washed out of other strata, as they exhibit traces of having been
rolled. Professor Rupert Jones has kindly assisted me in the deter-
mination of the species, and the following is a list of these fossils.

1. Textularia concinna.

2. Bulimina Murchisoniana.

3. Globigerina cretacea. The have been
(this is abundant.) derived from the
4. Rosalina ammonoides. Chalk.

5. Cristellaria rotula.

6. A variety of C. rotula, with raised ribs, and translucent,
(perhaps Robulina cultrata) occurs in many recent seas,
and fossil from the Oolites to the Tertiaries.

7. A pretty little Operculina which occurs recent on the coast
of Norway and Skye.

Rhizopods occur also at Melksham; as yet they have not been

found in the other localities in the county.!

We now come to the most remarkable feature of the Drift, viz. :
its wonderful fossil remains of mammalian animals.

The common occurrence of large fossil bones was noticed by
Camden in his “Britannia,” 1607. He suggested that they might be
some of the Elephants brought over to this country by Claudius,
A.D. 43.” They were for ages popularly believed to be the bones
of giants, and this is not surprising, when we consider how slow
has been the progress of Comparative Anatomy ; and we learn from
Professor Owen, that the thigh bone of the Ursus Spelceus or Great

1 At the base of some of our Chalk hills, as at Roundway and Manningford,
beds of white earthy clay are deposited which have been washed out of the
chalk. They contain numerous fresh water and land shells, and at Manningford
are covered with a layer of peat. Athough they are most probably of the same
age as the Drift, their exact relation to that deposit has not yet been determined,

2 Camden’s Britannia, Vol, I. p, 188, Gough’s edition,

By Mr. Cunnington. 133

Cave Bear, so closely resembles that of the human subject, as to be
frequently mistaken for it by the unpractised anatomist.

The subject attracted more attention at the beginning of the
present century, and was studied particularly by Dr. Buckland,
and the results published by him in 1823, in his Reliquize Dilu-
vianz. This book contains elaborate and admirably illustrated
accounts of the various phenomena of the Bone Caves, especially
of the celebrated cave of Kirkdale, in Yorkshire. All these phe-
nomena, together with the present form and structure of hills and
valleys, and the accumulations of the loams and gravels constituting
“the Drift,’ Dr. Buckland considered as bearing undeniable
evidence of a recent and transient inundation—the Noachian
Deluge, and he applied the term “ Diluvial”’ to the results of this
great convulsion. But the progress of science was rapid, and in
about ten years from the publication of that work, the Professor in
his address to the Geological Society, relinquished his theory, and
magnanimously recanted what he acknowledged to be a geological
heresy.

Since the publication of these views, our leading geologists have
interested themselves much in the study of the older rocks, whilst
this subject has been comparatively neglected, until within the last
few years. Now however, all the publications of the Geological Society
give evidence of the interest felt in this branch of the science, and
papers by Murchison, Prestwich, Lyell, Austen, Morris, Trimmer,
and others are constantly revealing new and remarkable discoveries.

Many interesting facts have been established; amongst others,
that it is mostly, if not entirely in the gravel of the valleys, that
the bones of the large Mammals oceur; they do not appear in the
Drift of the hills.

Thirty-two different species of these fossil animals have been
found in England, but only the following seven species have
hitherto been discovered in Wiltshire:

1 Mr. Prestwich has lately made some very interesting observations on the
Drift in the neighbourhood of Salisbury, particulars of which were published in
the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society in May, 1855,

124 On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

LOCALITIES.

. Cervus elaphus, Red Deer, . . . Fisherton, Westbury.

. Bubalus moschatus, Musk Buffalo,. Freshford, near Bradford.

. Bos primigenius, Great extinct Ox, . Christian Malford.

. Bos longifrons, Long-fronted Ox, . Fisherton, Salisbury.

. Elephas primigenius, Mammoth, . Bradford, Westbury, Chris-
tian Malford, Foxham, Great
Bedwyn, Broughton Gifford,

oF WH

Fisherton, Salisbury.
6. Rhinoceros tichorhinus, Two horned Bulford, Bradford, West-

Rhinoceros, bury, Broughton Gifford.
7. Equus, Horse, . . . . . . . Fisherton, Salisbury, near
Chippenham.

The bones of these Mammalia have been studied by that eminent
naturalist, Professor Owen. We may confidently depend on his
conclusions, and his descriptions are so graphic that I cannot do
better than quote from them.

“ At the period indicated by these superficial deposits, gigantic
Elephants of nearly twice the bulk of the largest individuals that
now exist in Ceylon and Africa roamed here in herds, if we may
judge from the abundance of their remains. Two horned Rhino-
ceroses of at least two species, forced their way through the ancient
forests, or wallowed in the swamps. The lakes and rivers were
tenanted by Hippopotamuses as bulky, and with as formidable tusks
as those of Africa.

“Three kinds of Wild Oxen, two of which were of colossal size
and strength, and one of these maned and villous like the Bonassus
found subsistence in the plains. Deer as gigantic, in proportion to
existing species, were the contemporaries of the old Uri and Bi-
sontes, and may have disputed with them the pasturage of that
ancient land. One of these extinct Deer is well known under the
name of the Irish Elk, by the enormous expanse of its broad palmed
antlers; another had horns more like those of the Wapiti, but
surpassed that Great Canadian Deer in bulk. With these were
associated the Red Deer, the Rein-Deer, the Roebuck, and the
Goat. A Wild Horse, a Wild Ass, or quagga, and the Wild Boar

By Mr. Cunnington. 135

entered also into the series of British Pliocene hoofed Mammalia.
To these must be added the Musk Ox, which was not known as
a British fossil until last year.

“The Carnivora, organized to enjoy a life of rapine at the ex-
pense of the vegetable feeders, to restrain their undue increase, and
abridge the pangs of the maimed and sickly, were duly adjusted in
numbers, size, and ferocity, to the fell task assigned to them in the
organic economy of the Pre-Adamite World. Besides a British
Tiger of larger size than that of Bengal, there existed a stranger
feline animal (the Machairodus), which from the great length and
sharpness of its sabre-shaped canines, was probably the most fero-
cious and destructive of its carnivorous family.

“Of the smaller felines, we recognize the remains of a Leopard
or large Lynx, and of a Wild Cat. Troops of Hyenas, larger than
the fierce Corcuta of South Africa, which they much resembled,
crunched the bones of the carcases relinquished by the nobler
beasts of prey, and doubtless often themselves waged the war of
destruction on the feebler quadrupeds.

“A savage Bear, surpassing in size the Ursus ferox of the Rocky
Mountains, found its hiding place, like the Hyena, in many of the
existing limestone caverns of England.

“Wolves and Foxes, the Badger, the Otter, the Foumart, and
the Stoat, complete the category of the Carnivora of Britain.”

We will now speak more particularly of the extinct animals
hitherto found in Wiltshire, remarking by the way, that although
our list is not a long one, other species will doubtless turn up, when
more attention is given to the subject.

Are there no sporting gentlemen present willing to look after
such game ?

First then the Mammoth. The distribution of this gigantic
animal is most abundant in the county. Cuvier was the first to
prove that it differed specifically from the two recent species, viz.:
Elephas Indicus, and Elephas Africanus. This fact which was an-
nounced by Cuvier in 1796, was at the foundation of all his remark-
able discoveries. It opened to him, he says, new views of the
theory of the earth, and induced him to devote to this great work

136 On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

the energies ofhissubsequentlife. Many ladies and gentlemen present
have doubtless seen his most interesting museum at Paris. It would
appear that the Mammoth formerly ranged over the whole of the
Northern Hemisphere, as high up probably as latitude 70°, but its
remains have never been found in the Southern Hemisphere or in
the Tropics. It was specially provided with protection against the
severity of a climate colder than that in which its living representa-
tives exist. On this subject Professor Owen says, “Had our knowledge
of the Mammoth been restricted as in the case of almost every other
extinct animal, to its bones and teeth, it would have been deemed
a hazardous speculation to have conceived that the extinct fossil
Elephant whose remains are so abundant in the frozen soil of
Siberia, had been clad like most existing quadrupeds adapted for
such a climate, with a double garment of close fur and coarse hair.

The wonderful and unlooked for discovery of an entire Mammoth
(among the ice-blocks at the mouth of the river Lena, in Siberia),
shewing the Arctic character of its natural clothing, has however
settled this question, and proved that like the Rein Deer, and Musk
Ox, it was capable of existing in high Northern latitudes.” The
extraordinary fossil Mammoth referred to, was covered with red-
dish wool, interspersed with coarse, long, black hairs. From this
peculiarity of its organization, as well as from the structure of its
teeth, which are better adapted, on account of the greater closeness
of the enamel plates, than those of the recent Elephant for crushing
the woody branches of trees, it is inferred that it was quite possible
for this animal to have existed as near the pole, as is compatible
with the growth of hardy trees and shrubs.

That the wood of the coniferous trees, (including all the fir tribe
which are so common in cold climates,) was the food of the Mam-
moth, has been lately proved by a Russian philosopher, who
examined with the microscope some fragments, partially masticated,
adhering to the teeth of one of the Siberian specimens. Thus one
branch of science is continually throwing light upon another.

One word as to the size of this animal. The old bull Mammoth
was at least one third larger in all his dimensions, than the largest

By Mr. Cunnington. 137

existing Elephant. But says Broderip,! “‘no human eye beheld him
as he stalked silently along in his might over desolate tracks,
where corn now grows, and the busy hum of civilization is heard.”
Six or seven feet is the average length of the tusks in living
Elephants, although instances have occurred of a much greater
length. A tusk has lately been found in the Drift near Stroud,
nearly fifteen feet in length. What must have been the size of
the entire animal? It is now in the Museum of the Royal Agri-
cultural College, Cirencester. The huge monster to which this tusk
belonged, if not a native of Wiltshire, was certainly a near neighbour.

The recent Rhinoceros, as is well known, inhabits the hot
climates of the Old World, where it leads a tranquil and indolent
life, wallowing in the borders of lakes and rivers, and occasionally
bathing itself in their waters. The remains of the fossil species
have been found in the ice of the shores of the Lena, and although
the woolly covering of its body was not seen, yet Professor Owen
infers from the hair which covered the legs, that it was furnished
with a warm covering of this kind, like the Musk Ox, and other
animals which have on their legs short hair unmixed with wool.
The teeth do not present such differences as would lead us to expect
that the fossil animal differed materially from the recent; and it
is concluded by the naturalist before cited, that as it could not dis-
pense with succulent vegetable food any more than its existing
congeners, the well clothed individuals who might extend their
wanderings northward, during a brief, hot, Siberian summer,
would be compelled to migrate southward to obtain subsistence
during the winter.

Their bones and teeth have been found in most places which
have furnished remains of the Mammoth.

The Musk Ox or Buffalo is on the contrary an inhabitant only
of the coldest regions of North America, and derives its name from
its possessing a strong musky odour. It appears larger than it
really is, from the profusion of long matted woolly hair with which
it is covered.

Three instances only have occurred of the discovery of this

! Zoological Recreations, p. 325,

138 On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

animal in Great Britain. The first was found at Maidenhead,
last year. An elaborate description of it, was published in the
Geological Journal for May last, by Professor Owen, and its geo-
logical position described by Mr. Prestwich. No sooner had this
notice appeared, than two other specimens were found, one at Bath,
the other at Freshford in this county.

These latter are in the possession of Mr. Moore, of Bath.

wWw.c.s.
Skull of recent Musk Buffalo.

1 I am indebted to the Council of the Geological Society for the loan of these
wood cuts, which accompanied Mr. Owen’s paper.

By Mr. Cunnington. 139

Figure 1 is a back view, fig. 2 a top view, and fig. 3 a side view
of the fossi/ cranium. These may be compared with the corresponding
representations of a recent skull, shown in figures 4, 5, and 6."

The Bos primigenius deserves some notice, as much attention
has been attracted to it during the past month by the sale of some
horns of this animal which were found at Melksham by the late
Mr. Phillips, and which were described by Mr. Woods in a Mono-
graph published in 1839. They have been purchased by the
inhabitants of Melksham, and are now to be seen in the Market
hall at that town.

There can be little doubt that this creature lived not only
in the time of the drift, but that it continued an inhabitant
of this country within the historic period. Czsar speaks of a
kind of Ox called Urus, in magnitude little inferior to the Ele-
phant, of the colour and shape of the Ox, and possessing such
strength and swiftness “that it spared neither man nor beast.”
A pair of horns of this animal were found in an ancient British
barrow at Cherhill, near Calne; thus proving that it was cotem-
poraneous with the ancient inhabitants of this country; although
it has been extinct for many centuries.

Horns and portion of Cranium of Bos primigenius from Cherhill. 1
The Bos longifrons although existing during the Drift period,
continued to live on until more recent times, and it was in all
probability the species domesticated by the aborigines of Britain,
before the Roman invasion.

in the possession of T, H. 8. Sotheron Estcourt, Esq., M.P., who has liberally
expressed his intention of presenting them to the Society, as soon as a suitable
Museum is provided in which they may be preserved.

140 On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

First.—There is good evidence to prove that our Island was at
that period united to the Mainland, and that no channel existed as
a barrier to the wanderings of vast herds of wild animals, which
then held undisputed possession of the entire Continent ; the Drift
on the opposite coast of France closely resembles our own, and is
found to contain precisely similar animal remains.

Second.—It is difficult to come to any conclusion as to what
were the climatal conditions of Great Britain during the period of
which we have been speaking. Evidence is certainly in favour of
the opinion that the mean temperature was much lower than at
present. The majority of the animals of the drift, such as the
Musk Ox, Rein Deer, Ursus arctos, Beaver, &c., now inhabit sub-
arctic regions, whilst others were furnished with such clothing as
enabled them to endure excessive cold. (Of these the woolly
Elephant, and woolly Rhinoceros are examples.) And although
the occurrence of the Hippopotamus may be adduced in favour of
a contrary opinion, yet the other facts are too weighty to be easily
set aside. This is nevertheless one of the difficulties of Geology,
which further investigation alone can enable us to remove. We
must not omit to mention that, associated with the remains of these
cold-climate Mammals, there frequently occur abundance of land
and fresh-water shells of the same common species as those now
living in this country. Examples may be seen at Fisherton and
in other places in the neighbourhood of Salisbury, as described in
Mr. Prestwich’s paper before cited.

Third.—The animals must have lived and died where their
skeletons are found; this is proved beyond all question by the
extraordinary abundance of their fossil remains. We are informed
that from one limited tract of sea bottom on the Norfolk coast, the
fishermen engaged in dredging for oysters, brought ashore in the
course of 13 years, no fewer than 2000 Elephants grinders, be-
sides great tusks, and numerous portions of skeletons. I have
myself seen parts of 20 or 30 Wiltshire Elephants within the
last two years.

This conclusion is further strengthened by the fact noticed by
Mr. Owen, that of the Deer horns which are found, few compara-

ee a a as

a

‘
:

By Mr. Cunnington. 141

tively occur attached to the skull; the larger number are the shed
horns which were annually dropped whilst the animals were alive :
the proportion of the horns being at the rate of about four or five
pairs to every skull.

Fourth.—The bones of these eztinct animals are never found
_associated with the remains of man, or his works. This constitutes
a marked distinction between the Drift proper, and those more
recent deposits, forming the Alluvium of valleys and peat bogs,
which always overlie the gravels of which we have been speaking.

The animal and vegetable remains found in lakes, rivers, and
bogs, and in the fossiliferous caves, would alone furnish ample —
materials for a lengthened disquisition.

It is well known to geologists that the world has been preparing
for the use of man during a vast number of ages—for so long a
period indeed, that our minds are incapable of appreciating its
duration. The mountains and hills which diversify and adorn the
earth’s surface, have been built up almost grain by grain at the
bottom of ancient oceans, countless myriads of animated atoms
once living in those seas, having contributed their minute skeletons
to form what are now our highest mountains. Veins of the various
metals have been deposited in the rocks. Vegetation as luxuriant
as that of the tropics, once flourishing on our islands, has been
consolidated into coal, the source of our greatest comforts, and of
our greatest wealth. But these bare rocks would have been incap-
able of producing the rich crops of grain, which at this season of
the year, enrich and beautify our country. To constitute a good
soil, it is necessary that it should contain a considerable variety of
mineral ingredients. This final adaptation of the earth’s surface to
the use of man, may with propriety be noticed in connexion with
our present topic of address, to which it legitimately belongs.

During a long period subsequent to the Tertiary era, yet prior
to the creation of man, when lands now covered with rich crops,
were submerged beneath the deep, the débris of strata broken up by
the action of glaciers and icebergs were brought to our shores,
and scattered over the surface. Added to this, the gradual wear-
ing away of the rocks by frosts and rains, the action of the sea

142. On the Mammalian Drift of Wiltshire and its Fossil contents.

upon the coasts, and the deposition of silt by rivers (then probably
larger and broader than at present) were the combined agencies
employed by an All-wise and Beneficent Creator, to produce that
admirable admixture of sands, clays, chalk, and other matters
which form our fertile surface soil.

It has been frequently stated in the course of this paper, that —
vast periods of time have been occupied by the various changes
which have affected the earth’s surface; and the more fully we
become acquainted with facts of geology, the more fully will this
conviction follow. The mass of evidence which combines to prove
the great antiquity of the earth is so irresistible, and so unshaken
by any opposing facts, that none but those who stumble at the,
wondrous period occupied in that great work, which the history of
the earth as illustrated by the discoveries of the geologist compels
us to admit as an undisputable fact, can for a moment conceive the
present state of its surface to have been the result of only six
thousand years of existence. Those observers and philosophers
who have spent their lives in the study of geology, have arrived
at the conclusion, that the formation even of those strata which
are nearest the surface, must have occupied vast periods, probably
millions of years, in arriving at their present state. But let us
contemplate time as it relates to the Infinite Creator, and not to
ourselves, and we shall be no longer alarmed at that which the
history of the earth demands. As astronomy shows the wondrous
and uniform manifestation of a Divine creative power through
the immensity of space, so also does geology in the multiplied
illustrations still preserved for our instruction, and presented to our
observation in the rocks around us; exhibiting alike the one great
and glorious purpose of Almighty goodness, and the same unvary-
ing demonstration of Almighty power.

La! ‘oy = @*e ve se sg 1 ee © [2.7 er
, a
‘

PLATE }.

“Bell Turret,

EW. Godwin,del, Edw. lite, lith.

Biddestone S' Nicholas Wilts.

143

AN ACCOUNT OF THE

Church of Mrddeston St. Alicholas, Gilts.
By E. W. Gopw1y, Ese., Architect.

(mg uk village of Biddeston although comprising the rectory
(7 ‘ of St. Peter with the vicarage of St. Nicholas, possesses
only one Church, the older foundation, (that of St. Peter,) having
been destroyed some years since, so completely, that now not
one stone stands upon another, and indeed, not one relic of it I
believe exists except the turret, which, slightly altered, stands in
the garden attached to Mr. Scrope’s house at Castle Combe.

The Church of St. Nicholas consists of a Nave, Chancel, and
South Porch, with a bell turret over the Chancel Arch. <A second
Chancel was added some years since, which has at first sight an
ancient appearance, from being built of old materials. It is evident
that a Church was erected here in the 12th century. All that
now remains of it is the inner doorway of the Porch, the Font,
and the lower part of the bell Turret. It is this latter feature
which attaches such peculiar interest to the little Church at
Biddeston. For being of that picturesque form which, to use
the words of the Rev. J. L. Petit, “has at first sight the appear-
ance of steeples, whose substructure affects the ground plan of the
building,” of which examples are to be seen at Leigh Delamere,
Corston, Acton Turville, and West Littleton; and, being also of
a date far anterior to any existing specimen, it cannot fail to be of
more than ordinary value. The method of its construction proves
on examination to be remarkably simple. The wall is first crossed
by a block of masonry projecting, in the form of a corbel, east and
west; upon these two corbels and upon the tabling of the wall
rest (oblong planned) piers, with a kind of nook shafts or moulded
angles, which piers give support to the cardinal sides of an octa-
gonal spire or conical roof, the diagonal faces being supported by

144 Church of Biddeston St. Nicholas.

small convex corbels which spring from each side of the four piers.
The whole is then strengthened by being divided by a stone par-
tition running east and west. I would remark here that the spire
is of much later date than the other part of the turret, probably of
the 15th century. The Doorway (plate IJ.) with its simple square
head and arched tympanum, upon which is carved in low relief the
well known form of the Norman cross, is unfortunately deprived
of its shafts, and is so completely coated with whitewash that the
carving on the capitals, which still exist, and on the circle surround-
ing the cross can with difficulty be determined. The last example of
Norman work,—the Font—is equally simple inits character. It is
of an inverted conical form, with a single chevron surrounding the
upper part, and is painted in imitation of granite. The Chancel has
an “ Karly English” lancet window north and south, a two-light
“Decorated” low side window in the south-west corner, and a
blocked up lancet window of the same date in the north wall; the
latter has had an ogee trefoiled head, but the cusps have unfor-
tunately been cut off.

The west window of the Nave, which now answers the purpose
of a doorway to a gallery, has a returned hood-moulding of a sec-
tional form indicative of “Decorated” work. It appears to have
consisted of three lights, but the jambs and arch are all that now
remain. The reparation of this window, and the removal of the
unsightly screen and steps before it would, at a very little cost,
annihilate the only egregious barbarism the exterior of the Church
presents.

The interior of the Church possesses nothing of interest beyond
the Font already noticed, a north doorway partially blocked up
(having a very bold “Early English” hood-moulding with the
returns broken off), and the Chancel Arch. This, though of a
semicircular form and of a thickness equal to that of the wall which
supports the turret, is moulded in the style of the 15th century,
which circumstance would seem to indicate that either the old
Norman arch has been soffit-cased, or that the wall has been care-
fully shored up for the insertion of this later arch in the exact
position of the old one which from decay or defective workmanship

PLATE I).

EW Godwin,dd Faw Mite, ltr

Biddestone St Nicholas, Wilts’.

lila” oe) bene

By E. W. Godwin, Esq. 145

may have rendered such an act—however much to be regretted—
absolutely necessary. As I have before stated, the great charm
attached to the little Church which I have attempted to delineate,
rests chiefly in its ancient bell turret, and as it is the earliest
known example of its class, we may perhaps be allowed to digress
for a moment to enquire briefly into their origin.

Previous to the erection of the Church of St. Nicholas at Bid-
deston, there existed at the other end of the village a Church
dedicated to St. Peter. It was taken down about ten or twelve
years since, but before its destruction most complete drawings and
measurements were taken, from which we learn that it contained
scarcely one stone upon another of a date antecedent to the 15th
century; in other words, that the building presumed to have
been founded in the early ages of the Saxon Heptarchy, having
perhaps weathered the storms of 500 winters, became matter of
history, and that somewhere about the year 1480 the Church
of St. Peter was rebuilt. This building consisted at the time
of its final demolition of a Nave and South Porch, with a turret
on the west wall. A blocked-up arch in the east wall of the
Nave, and another in the north wall, with a piscina attached to
the latter, proved the former existence of a Chancel and Chantry
Chapel. The Chapel had been destroyed when the Church was
rebuilt, for under the blocked-up arch a three light window had
been inserted of the same date as the other “Perpendicular” work.
This Chapel arch and its piscina were of the 13th century. Now
in an illumination of the Savon MS. of the “Benedictionale of St.
A&thelwold” there is a representation of a kind of Tower Turret
(in which are hung 6 bells), and the form of the open part in which
the bells are suspended is by no means unlike that of Biddeston.
Again it will be seen that although “that of St. Nicholas is in point
of style much older than that of St. Peter” there is nevertheless
such a close similarity, as to induce the opinion that the one was
copied from the other. But the peculiar characteristics of these
turrets as well as those in the neighbourhood differing so much
from what we know of Norman work, imply an earlier origin, and
“that they must be referred to the fashion of a time and not of a

a

146 Ditchridge Church.

locality, and that time must be the Saxon.” We infer therefore
that the turret of St. Nicholas is simply a copy of the original
Saxon design, which was executed in the old Church of St. Peter. |

To Mr. Pugin’s “Examples of Gothic Architecture” I am mainly
indebted for the information concerning the destroyed Church of

St. Peter. Epwarp W. Gopwin.
Colerne, August 16th, 1855.

Biddeston is in the Diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, Arch-
deaconry of Bristol, and Deanery of Malmsbury.

AN ACCOUNT OF

Ditchridge Church, Wilts.
By E. W. Gopwiy, Esq., Architect.

§ Sea) LTCHRIDGE is a small village near Box, in the county of

Oa Wilts, diocese of Gloucester and Bristol, and lower division
of the Deanery of Malmsbury.

Comparatively speaking perhaps no Church in the Deanery pre-
sents greater attractions to the archeologist than the little Church
at Ditchridge. It consists of a Nave, Chancel, and South Porch,
and has a bell gable over the Chancel arch.

The Nave is “Norman” with the usual complement of later
additions and alterations, a square headed “‘ Perpendicular” window
at the west end; a doorway of the same date on the north side,
(now partially blocked up;) a two-light “‘Decorated”’ square-headed
window on the same side with a roll hood-moulding, and a pointed
“Decorated” two-light window in very bad repair; some late but-
tresses, a “ Decorated”’ Porch, and a modern two-light window on
the south side.!

The Chancel, Chancel arch, and bell gable were built in the 13th
century, but the windows are insertions of the 15th century.

The inner doorway of the Porch is shown in elevation Plate I.
A description would therefore be unnecessary. We may remark,
however, the sculpture on the west impost (the dragon with long
intertwined tail, with a pearled line along the whole length), as

1 The buttresses on the north side are modern,

PLATE

Saws ces

uns

ie

is
ty)
;
J

Edw. tthe, lth

ch, Wilts.

(h ur

ye (

rtelyrid

Ba.

EW: Godwin, del,

= eas Pe

PLATE Hi.

Wilts.

Edw.KHite,lith.

“Diehethiae sina

EW. Godwin, del.

By E. W. Godwin, Esq. 147

similar to fragments in Westminster Hall and Canterbury Cathe-
dral, date 1097; the foliated ornaments in the arch are almost
entirely concealed by the roof of the Porch. Between the first two
buttresses to the east of the Porch is a very small semicircular-
headed recess, which has the appearance of a small “Norman”
window, blocked upon the inside. The Priest’s door (Plate II. )
has a bold hood-moulding, which appears by the returns being
broken off, to have been continued as a string-course round the
Chancel.

The first thing that strikes us on entering, is the unusually
small width of the Chancel arch, (being only 5 feet 74 inches,
which has the appearance of being even less from the square form
of the piers, which are more than half the span of the arch in
thickness). The arch itself is doubly recessed and chamfered,
the inner order rests on moulded corbels, the members of which
are scarcely distinguishable so thoroughly choked as they are with
whitewash and plaster. There is an “Early English” piscina in the
south wall of the Chancel, having a rather singular “credence” shelf,
see Plate II. In the north-east corner of the Nave are the stairs to
the roodloft, they are of the 15th century. The Font has a circular
basin and stem resting on an octagonal base or plinth, the basin
is enriched with billet, pellet, and scallop ornaments. There are
one or two open seats of late date at the west end of the Nave.
The roofs over the Nave and Chancel are concealed by plaster ceil-
ings. We come now to the mural paintings lately discovered ; the
portion exposed is between seven and eight feet high, and extends
from the north window about twelve feet westward. In the central
compartment is a colossal figure of St. Christopher, a mermaid
holding a mirror is introduced in front of the Saint’s staff: the
compartment to the right, representing a monk, or priest, holding
a lantern, and standing in the entrance of a church, apparently
forms a portion of the same subject. The figure in the compart-
ment to the left is intended to represent St. Michael holding the
scales of judgment, the image of Sin is very expressive; the letters
“gocLe: A” in this compartment have no connexion with the sub-
ject, but probably refer to some text of Scripture now destroyed,

L 2

148 Composition for Estates, in Wilts.

inasmuch as the ground work of the letters is a fragment of the
first coat which concealed the medieval pictures. The wavy
pattern of the borders which separate the compartments is very
bold and effective, but it is to be regretted that further means are
not taken to remove more of the plaster and whitewash, which
probably conceals other mural paintings of similar character.
Epwarp W. Gopwin.

Composition for Estates, in Uilts,
By F. A. Carrineron, Esa.
OR. HUME in his “ History of England” under the date of
J a; 1655, says :—

“Tn concert with the King a conspiracy was entered into by the Royalists
throughout England, and a day of general rising appointed.

‘Tn one place alone the conspiracy broke into action. Penruddock, Grove,
Jones and other gentlemen of the west entered Salisbury with about 200
horse, (March 11,) at the very time when the Judges* and Sheriff} were holding
the assizes. Them they made prisoners, and then proclaimed the King. Con-
trary to their expectation they received no accession of force, so prevalent was
the terror of the established government. Having in vain wandered about for
some time, they were totally dismayed, and one troop of horse was able at last
to suppress them. ‘The leaders of the conspiracy being taken prisoners, were
eapitally punished. The rest were sold for slaves and transported to Barbadoes.

‘* The Protector resolved to keep no longer any terms with the Royalists.

‘* He issued an edict with the consent of his council, for exacting the tenth
penny from that whole party, in order, as he pretended, to make them pay the
expenses to which their mutinous disposition continually exposed the public.

‘‘ Without regard to compositions, articles of capitulation, or acts of indemnity,
all the Royalists, however harassed with former oppressions, were obliged anew
to redeem themselves by great sums of money, and many of them were reduced
by these multiplied disasters to extreme poverty ; whoever was known to be dis-
affected, or even lay under any suspicion, though no guilt could be proved against
him, was exposed to the new taxation.

‘‘Tn order to raise this imposition, which commonly passed by the name of
decimation, the Protector instituted twelve Major-Generals, and divided the
whole Kingdom of England into so many Military Jurisdictions. These were assis-
ted by Commissioners, had power to subject whom they pleased to decimation, to
levy all the taxes imposed by the Protector and his council, and to imprison any
person who should be exposed to their jealousy or suspicion ; nor was there any
appeal from them but to the Protector himself and his council. Under colour

*L ord t Chie f Justice Rolle oma Baron Nihal As. + Colonel Dove.

By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 149

of these powers the Major-Generals exercised an authority still more arbitrary
and acted as if absolute masters of the property and person of every subject.

«¢ All reasonable men now considered that the very mask of liberty was
thrown aside, and that the nation was for ever subject to military and despotic
government, exercised not in the legal manner of European nations, but accord-
ing to the maxims of Eastern Tyranny.”

The “former oppressions,’ to which Hume alludes, took place
under an ordinance of the Parliament of March 31st, 1643, when
the following sums were exacted from Wiltshire, as appears from
“A Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen that have com-

pounded for their Estates.”
“London: Printed for Thomas Dring, at the Signe of the George, in Fleet
Street, neare Cliffords Inne, 1655.”

It has the following dedication :—

‘To those Noble Persons that are concern’d, the Stationer humbly dedicates
the ensuing pages.

‘Protesting that he hath no desire to revive your past misfortunes, or to
inyolye you in newe ones; could he harbour a just fear, this black legend should
be more gladly sacrificed to the flames, than offered to the world. He knowes
you too Generous to gather solace from the sufferings of others, or else, to shew
you that your affliction is not solitary, would be a sufficient excuse to patronize
this publication.

‘Tis a melancholy thing to reflect upon crimes, but not alwaies so upon losses ;
since it may be necessitated to imbrace the last, out of a conscience to evade the
first. This Book is but an Index to a greater Volume; such as have been
scourged by the times, used to number many such lashes as these. But’tis not
for us of the lowest sphear to censure or moderate in those intricate contests,
which our home divisions have engendered: our inconsiderablenesse has re-
deemed us from sharing Enigmaes, those works upon which the greatest
Reasons and Estates have dash’d and perished. You yourselves best know
your own ingagements: But in ( Zhesi) this may be received as sober truth, that
he happilie consults his Treasure, who honestly loses or piously expends it; yea
more, every drop of blood that is shed in a good cause shall commence a Ruby

in Heaven.
‘The meanest of those that serve and honour you,

so Die
Then follow the names,! residences, and sums to be paid ; those
here extracted being that portion of the catalogue which relates to
Wiltshire.

EH ta foe
* Arundell, Will. Horningsham, Wilts ................ 0333 06 08
Aldworth, Rich., of Hinton Pipard, Wilts, Gent......... 0200 00 00
Bennet, John, Pithouse, Wilts............s.cceeceees 0065 00 00
Bowrman, Andrew, Stratford, Wilts................... 0125 00 00

150 Composition for Estates in Wiltshire.

£ Sed
Bing, Rob., Aliawns, Wilts, Doctor of Divinity.......... 0087 00 00
Bennet, John, Southingston, Wilts ................000. 0150 00 00
Baron, Hartild; of Moire; Wilta.:..<.2 0.2 0lc. dl ak 0001 13 04
Button, Sir Wm., Bart. of Shaw, Wilts................ 2380 00 00
Chandler, Robert, of Wilton, Wilts.................... 0050 00 00
Clark; Benford; Wiltay Beye jsj26 5:5 opnk,? . Sasi eains Mine 0178 10 00
Danby, Henry, Earl of ; per Acton Drake, Exor......... 2159 06 O1
Davy, Rich., Easton, Wilts, Gent... ............... . 0170 00 00
Ernle, Edw., Ashlington, Wilts, Gent. ................ 0400 00 00
Eyre, Robt., West Chalfield, Wilts, Esq.............5.. 0420 00 00
Estcourt John, of Newnton, Wilts, Gent.............-.. 0008 08 04
Fisher, John,’Chute, Wilts... Ss. 2.00 ie UU ao OD nO
Fisher, Will., of Ludington, Wilts, Gent. .............. 0235 00 00
Georges, Sir Theobold, Ashley, Wilts ................ 0209 00 00
Goddard, Richard, of Sarum, Wilts, Esq. .............. 0862 00 00
Goddard, Richard, of Swindon, Wilts, Esq.............. 0413 00 00
Heriord, Marquesse William, ../53..20s525-62. seek eee 8345 00 00
Henchmau, Humphry, of Salisbury, Wilts.............. 0200 00 00
Hunt, Thomas, Enford, Wilts, Gent .................. 0220 00 00
Hawkins, Henry, Chipenham, Wilts... ............... 0088 15 00
Hall} Sir Thomas; of Bradford; Walts(s.. 2. 55.930. 0660 00 00
loy, Benjamin, of Titherton, Wilts, Gent............... 0028 00 00
Kitson, John, of Seemington, Wilts. .................. 0045 00 00
Kent, Wall), Boscomb,Walts;-Baqe 2.2). h. Uretii heath es 0572 00 00
Lowe, George, of Calne, Wilts, Gent................... 0336 00 00
Long, James, of Draycot, Wilts, Esquire. ............. 0810 00 00
Mompson, Sir Giles, Sarum, Wiltshier.... ............ 0561 09 00
Manning, Henry, Salisbury, Wilts ....... ............ 0003 06 08
Narborne, Walter, Studley, Wiltshire, Esq. ............ 0380 00 00
Penruddock, George, of Broadchalk, county Wilts, Esquire,
with £110 per annum settled ...........00.0..... 0100 00 00
Penruddock, Sir John, of Compton Camberline, County
Walte;Rorcht tins ose Seki AAR am ae Bee 0490 00 00
Potten, William, Stradford, Wilts, Gentleman .......... 0108 06 00
Penruddock, John, Compton, Wilts, Esq. .............. 0066 10 00
Peirce, Richard, of Devizes, Wilts, Drap. .............. 0426 00 00
Philips, Robert, of Salisbury, Wilts. .............++5-. 0003 06 08
Richardson, Richard, of Boreham, Wilts........ ...... 0045 _00 00
Smith, Sir Walter, Great Bedwin, Wilts, with £40 per
annum settled on the Ministry.................... 0685 00 00
Spencer, John, of Lindhampton, Wilts. ....... ........ 0200 00 00
Sadler, Thomas, of Salisbury, Gent..................4. 0134 00 00
Stourton, Wond-Walliant: nome sneetevee see ecicte co a's 2 iene ale 0556 06 06
Seymour, Lord Francis, and Charles his son ............ 2725 00 00
Sevyor, John, of Salisbyry, Wilts, Gent................ 0054 03 04
Say, William, of Ashton Caines, Wilts, Yeoman ........ 0063 00 00
Topp, Edward, of Stockton, Wilts, Gent. .............. 0500 00 00

By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 151

Lose wD:
Tidcomb, Michael, of Devizes, Wilts .................. 0217 00 00
Thinn, Sir James, of Longleace, aga bina with fifty
pounds per annum settled . scot oe siete. eS LOOHSO0L200
Townson, John, Brumhil, Wilts, Glerk.. tt sae acon. det WOR2O) GOO MOD
Wallis, Edward, of Trowbridge, Wilts ................ 0050 00 00
Windebank, Sir Thomas, of Haines, Wilts.............. 0810 00 00
Yerbury, Edward, of Trowbridge, Wilts, Gent.......... 0190 00 00
Young, John, Durnford, Wilts, Gent.................. 0635 00 00
Yerbury, John, of Trowbridge, Wilts.................. 0001 18 04”

The entire list contains the names of 3197 persons, residing in all
parts of England, of whom 258 had to pay £1000 or more, but it
must not be supposed that the sums here specified were the whole
of the losses of the Wiltshire nobility and gentry on this occasion,
as there is no doubt that those who were actively concerned forfeited
their whole property, and were not allowed to compound.

In order to shew the present value of the amounts paid, it
may be proper to mention that Bishop Fleetwood in his ““Chronicon
Preciosum,” states that the market price of wheat in 1655, was
£1 13s. 4d. a quarter, and of malt, £1 per quarter.

The originals of the two papers following, are in the Library of
the British Museum, Additional MS., No. 6508, p. 141.
‘Gentellmen,

“*T delivered both my letters for the county of Willts to the Comittie, thare
is but one Comittie in the county, thay receved itt verey—and tould me thay
would put the ordenance in execution speedly. The parties I delievered my
letter is Mr. Hill of Salsbery, and Mr. Good of the same place, and Mr. Marten,
father and sunne both of Malberey, the solict is Mr. Frinch, dwells at Warmes-
ster. Mr. John Poulton is sequestrator and colector, Mr. Hillis Trer. new,
Mr. James Godward father and sunne was, Mr. Ditton was, and Mr. Gess and
Mr. Stokes, thes ware Trers. when the Comittie ware devided into seaverall
Parties—in the county—my letters has sett them together by the eares. One
w" an other tha begine to impech one another, somme of them will be hard put
to give accoumpt, I cannot discover what monies thay have by them, thay say
none: there will be a mater of 2000 pounds in Rents to come in new. I have
sent you a note of the last information I could gett: somme of them have greet

accoumpts to give, thare Comitie of Accoumpts never acted as yett, soe I conceve
thay have greet accompts to give. I am gon ffor Sumersetshere, soe in haste, I
Rest

‘‘ Yours in what I may in this my sarvice,
“‘Malbery, the 23 of September, 1648. HUGH JUSTICE,”
“ Information given by Capt. Humphrie Dimocke at Malberey ; he dwell att
London, but was there new: the information was given him by Mr. Langbridge,
dwells in Malberey ; their information is about Malberey.

152 Composition for Estates in Wilts.

‘© A farme att Al Cannings of Mr. Goddards of Salisbery sequestered, it was
left to his wife to receve the Rents, it beinge about £80 per anum, and noe
benifite to the state.

‘Sir John Glanvill’s estate beinge sequestered, and orders from aboue to sell
the stocke and to let yestate : nothing dune therein.

‘My Lord Semer’s estate being wourth 3000 pounds and great parte of itt
quit Rents, was let for £400, since the Cuntery was in the Parlements power.

‘That Mr. Moris of Badberey being proved a delinquent by six witnesses or
more, and his land worth 160 pounds a yere besides his stocke worth 1000' p.,
yett was not sequestred.

‘‘Mr Will. Ficher of Lidington being a Commissioner and Trer. for the King’s
party, and a charge preved by Mr. Edward Goddard and John Langbridge, yett
M. Ficher was not sequestred, his estate wourth 200! p. anum.

‘‘Mr. Browne of Shefford being proved a papist, and in Armes, his estate
worth £200 p. anum, was let at micheallmas last at £70 to Mr. Browne’s baley,
and £1000 profered for his stock, and secueritie for the munies, was sould to his
baly for £400 p.

‘Mr. Henery Hedges of Wanberey beinge proued a delinquent, was not se-
questred but comepounded for £20 p, anum heaveing besides his stocke.

‘‘ A maner of Lord Caselhaven’s, a Rebell in Ierland, being sequestred, was
let to his Ladey for £80, yet nothing pade.

‘‘ That a charge of delingencie beinge brought to the Comitte against Mr.
Staples a counselor, being in Armes, yett nothing was done against him.

“Mr. Goddard of Swindon, a Commissioner for the Kinge, was fined £20 by
the Comittie, he heaving £600 p. anum.

‘“« A charge of delinquence being brought against John Woodard, baley to Mr.
Browne a papest, the Comittie toke noe notice of the said charge, though the
wittnesses ware free houlders, and men of good reput, he being worth £1000.

‘There beinge £200 proffered for Mr. Browne’s farmes att Lurgesall for this
yere, the Comittie of Salberey let for £60 p. to his lady.

‘That Mr. Langley being a Leftenent in the King’s armie, compounded for
£20, being worth £80 p. anum, besides his stock and never sequestred.

‘‘ John Brunson of Ogborne being proved a delinquent and sequestred, and
compounded for £20, being worth £70 p. anum besides his stocke.

‘« Sir Will. Master estate at minsall, (Mildenhall) tenanted to Mr. Hulber of
Malberey, noe accoumpt this 3 yeres.”

Addressed on the outside
‘For the Trers. for Sequestrat, sitting at Gildhall, London, theis with speed.”
Docketed in another hand writing,

‘Wilts, 234 Septem., 1648, Hugh Justice.”

It should be observed that the Decimation of the Estates of the
Delinquents in 1655, after the revolt of Penruddock and Grove was
a much more serious matter than the Sequestration and Composi-
tion of 1648, which was by an ordinance of the Parliament of April

By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 153

1, 16438, dated Scob. Ord. March 31, set out in Rush. Coll. vol. 5,
p- 309. In 1648, July 27, the composition of Serjeant Glanville is
mitigated, (vol. 7, p. 1205;) and there is a vote of the House of
Commons Oct. 30, 1648, that Lawyers, Clergymen, and Scholars
should compound at a full third, and that Feb. 2nd then next,
should be the last day for compounding. The Penruddock and
Grove revolt was at midnight on Sunday, March 11, 1654-5.

The Letters next following (No. 1 to 6), on the subject of the
“new taxation” mentioned by Hume, viz.: that which took place
after the Penruddock rising, on March 11, 1654-5, are contained
in the collection of State Papers of John Thurloe, who was Se-
eretary of State to Oliver Cromwell, and to Richard his son.
This collection was discovered in the reign of King William
Ill. in a false ceiling in the garrets belonging to Secretary
Thurloe’s chambers, No. 13, in the old Square, Lincoln’s Inn,
(near Lincoln’s Inn Chapel,) by a clergyman, who had _ bor-
rowed these chambers during the long vacation of his friend, Mr.
Thomlinson, the owner of them. This clergyman soon after disposed
of these papers to John Lord Somers, then Lord Chancellor, who
caused them to be bound in 67 volumes in folio. They were pub-
lished in 1742, Thomas Birch, M.A., F.R.S., being their Editor.

No. I. The Commissioners for the County of Sarum to the Protector!

“May it please your Highness,

‘In obedience to your commands, we this day waited upon the right honour-
able General Disbrowe, who having communicated to us your orders and instruc-
tion for the securing of the peace of the Commonwealth, we humbly resenting*
them as most just and reasonable, and much conducing to the end specified,
did and do most cordially engage ourselves in the work, and both in this and
all things else shall be ready to obey your Highness’s command, who are,

‘** Your Highness’s most humble and faithful servants,

“JOH, DOVE, JA, HELY. |
HUM. EYRE. WM. LUDLOWE.
NIC, GREENE. J. REDE,

ED. SCOTTON. RICH, HILL.
ISAAC BURGES, WILL. BLISSETT.
THO. EYRE.

“ New Sarum, Dee. 7, 1655.”

1 Thurloe’s State Papers, vol. 4, p. 295

* Probably “respecting” is meant,

154 Composition for Estates in Wilts.
No. II. Major-General Disbrowe to Secretary Thurloe

“ Sir,

‘*T have given his highness a brief account of my proceedings here, where we
had a full appearance and a general resolution to carry on the work, Mr. Grove
only desiring time to consider of it, which can be no impediment to it. Each of
the Commissioners desire the printed instructions under Mr. Scobel’s hand for
their indemnity, which I cannot but join with them, if it may be without pre-
judice. I have only added three more, John Dove, Richard Hill, and James
Hely. The persons in the inclosed paper? are ordered to be summoned at a time
and place prefixed, where I shall endeavour to be. As often as you can, pray let
me hear from you, and what intelligence you have will be kindly accepted by

‘¢ Your hearty friend and servant,
“Sarum, Deo. 8, 1655. JOHN DISBROWE.”

No. III. Major-General Disbrowe to the Protector.

‘May it please your Highness.

“‘T have in pursuance of your orders given notice to the Commissioners of
Wilts, and yesterday had a meeting with them, and made known your Highness’s
instructions to them, where little else was done, by reason night came on. But
this morning we met again, and had a full appearance, save Mr. Grove, who
craved some time to consider of it. The others are very industrious and clear in
the work, only they desire your highness’s favour in affording each of them a
paper of instructions, under Mr. Scobell’s hand for their indemnity: and have
ordered the persons within mentioned to be summoned upon Monday, seven-
night, when I propose (if the Lord please) to be present.

‘‘T have alsoe dispatcht letters to the Commissioners of Dorsett, and intend to
be with them upon Wednesday next, in order to the setting that work on foot,
and from thence to return hither at the time appointed. Mr. Sheriff of Wilts
presents his service to your highness, and begs your nomination of Mr. Thomas
Grove who I adjudged very fit, and must also make it my request, he being
honest and able, tho’ tender. J have no more at present to trouble your high-
ness with, save to sign myself as I am,

“¢ Your lordship’s humble servant,
‘‘ Sarum, 8 Deo., 1655. JOHN DISBROWE.”

No. IV. Inclosed in the preceding. Mr. Thomas Grove to Major-
General Disbrowe.
‘« My Lord,

“Being very unfitt by reason of my present weakness and distemper of body
for any business, I shall humbly begg your honour’s pardon for my not waiting
on you this morning, having a longing desire (if the Lord please) to be in my
owne house againe and not to be surprised with sickness in an inne. I must in-
geniously confess that had I been in a fitt capacity for business, I intended to

1 Thurloe’s State Papers, vol. 4, p. 300.
2 This paper is not printed with this letter.
3 Thurloe’s State Papers, vol. 4. p. 300.

By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 155

have made it my humble request to your honor in private that you would please
to affoarde me a little time of consideration before I acted in this, for indeed I
cannot undertake any business of consequence till I have had some serious
thoughts about it, and have debated it with mine owne weak judgment, that soe
my conscience may be cleerly satisfide in what I doe. For the grounds of this
designe I can not be more fully satisfide than I am allready, viz., that the old
enimies have their old hearts and their old hatred still, and that they will be
ready upon all occasions to disturb the peace and quiett of this commonwealth,
and that it would be a very great happiness and blessing to all the godly and
quiet people of these nations to have them suppress’d or removed ; but there may
be some scruple in the manner of doing this. I shall not (upon hearing the
rules once read) entertain any exceptions, hartely wishing there may be none.
But if the Lord please to give me health, I shall with my best care and diligence
speedily peruse and examine the instructions, and then if it be cleer to me that
the way and manner be as righteous and warrantable as the thing is good and
desirable, I shall as cordially act in it as any man in England. And this is a
christian liberty which I cannot but be confident to obtain from General Dis-
browe. Soe humbly begging your lordshipp to pardon whatever you find amiss
in these lines which were written in much haste and paine, and earnestly beg-
ging the blessing of God upon you in this and all other your great affaires, I rest
‘‘ Your lordship’s most humble servant,
THO, GROVE.

2

“The White hart, the 8th of Dec., [1655].
** For the honourable generall Desbrow at the three swans in Sarum.”

No. V. Major-General Disbrowe to the Protector!

“May it please your highness.

‘I have received your letter in reference to the Lord Seymour, and have
purused his to your highness, wherein I find no more than any cavalier in the
West of England shall pretend for himself. I must confess I should be glad of
a real change, but I humbly conceive that without some publicque declaration to
the world by him of the alteration of his spirit and principles, and of his real in-
gagement to the present government, it will but open a door and give occasion to
the enemy to ery out of our partiality, especially if favour and respect shall be
shown to him and denyed to others, that will doe as much if not more than he

_ hathdone. If his spirit be such as he can cordially close with the people of God
(as Capt. Burges seems to hold forth), he will not be ashamed to disown that
interest wherein he formerly engaged, and for satisfaction of friends manifest
_ his integrity to the publique. However for the present the Commissioners un-
derstanding your highness pleasure, seem willing to let him alone until they
% may be ascertained whether there be any difference betwixt him and his former
_ practices. Yesterday we proceeded upon taxing 7 or 8 of this county, amongst
_ whom was Sir James Thynne, who was at the first a little averse and did plead as
b much innocency as my Lord Seymour, but at last having no refuge was con-
% strained to comply, and I think of them 8 which we have already dealt with, all
the sum will amount to 6 or £700 per ann, There are four more to appear

! Thurloe’s State Papers, vol. 4, p. 324.

156 Composition for Estates in Wiits.

this morning, and then I intend for Blandford, to attend the Dorsettshire gentle-
men and soe to Marlborough, where there are 20 more to be summoned. In my
last I gave Mr. Secretary a list of some names for Cornwall, Devon, Somersett,
and Dorsett to be sheriffs, and have presented your highness with three for
Wilts, the two former being of the last parliament, and signinge the requisition.
For Gloucester I must crave leave till I come upon the place, I am,

‘Your highness’s humble servant,

“Sarum, Dec, 18, 1655. JOH. DISBROWE.”
No. VI. Major-General Disbrowe to Secretary Thurloe.'
‘¢ Str,

‘‘T have bin attending the work in Dorsetshire where there were 20 sum-
moned, amongst which is Sir John Strangeways, Sir Gerard Napper, and Sir
Hugh Windham; one pleading his integrity, another his innocency, and the
third showed much frowardness and averseness; but after I had dealt very
plainly and indeed roundly with them, they with the rest fairly submitted and
are contented to bear the additional tax, proportionable to their estates. I doubt
not but it will turn to a good account, though it is probable some will trouble
his highness with their applications, for in the country they are known too well,
and the commissioners are very unanimous and active in it, only some are of
opinion that by their present instruction they cannot rate any man for both to-
gether that hath not full £100 per ann. real, and £1500 personal estate, and
have drawn up a letter to the council craving a resolution therein, but the
account you gave (if past the council) will determine that, in making persons
that haye either £50 per ann.real, or £500 personal, or with either sum together,
such an estate shall be lyable to this additional tax, and will not only yield a
considerable revenue to the publick, and rejoice the hearts of the well affected,
but be a means to break and prevent the designes of our enemys.

“‘T came yesterday from Blandford to Sarum, and from thence this day hither,
where there are 24 summoned to attend upon Monday next.

‘‘T desire you to give order that William Fry of Yarty, and Edward Cheek
of Gabriells, Esq., may be added to the commissioners of the peace for Dorset-
shire. I have only this further to add, that Robert Hipsley, Esq., may be
sheriff of Wilts, in the room of Col, Dove, (if it be not too farr past,) which is
the desire of him who is

‘¢ Your real friend and servant,
“‘Marlborough, Dec. 22, 1655. JOHN DISBROWE.

- “Pray present my service to his highness, and let him know that after this
meeting I shall give him a full account of my proceeding hitherto.”

Mr. Waylen in his “History of Marlborough” has published
some very interesting documents, as to the amount charged on
Charles the son of Lord Seymour, and the way in which he escaped
the payment of it.”

1 Thurloe’s State Papers, vol. 4, p. 336.
2 Waylen’s History of Marlborough, p. 237.

{

By F. A. Carrington, Esq. 157

He also shews from another document! that Sir John Glanvill of
Broad Hinton, Knight, was fined £2320, but his name does not

appear in the printed list from which the foregoing extracts were

taken.”
F. A. Carrineton.

The Royalist Composition Papers in the State Paper Office (2nd series, vol. 18, page 595,) contain
valuations of the property of the Marquis of Hertford, part of which he possessed for life, and part
in fee simple, and a great deal of correspondence and minutes is on-the subject. The following
entries relate to the Composition he was to pay.

“9th March, 1646. Fine as tenant for life onely, £9570. Fine as tenant in fee, £16,783.”

On the same page. ‘12 Jan. 1647. Upon the motion of Mr. Rich in the behalf of the Lo. Mar-
quesse of Hertford, it was ordered by the Lords and others at this comittee, that his Lordship’s fine
should be reduced and made certain, and his estate for life allowed of, and the additions in his is
particular set forth according to the Articles of Oxford and the proceedings and rules of this comittee,
to and with all other men that come in vpon the sayd Articles. Aceording to which order the sayd
Lord Marquesse fine at a tenth is £8345.”

From other documents in the same volume, in the State Paper Office, it appears that the Marquis’s
estates were in settlement, and that he was to be charged on a life interest on the whole value of the
property, at £9570, which was mitigated to £8345.

It seems strange that the ordinance for sequestring the estates of the Royalists, was made in 1643,
and yet persons were compounding in 1647.

The fact was, that long after 1643, the Royalist party was in many parts of England the strongest,
and Lord Seymour entertained King Charles the First at Marlborough Castle, on the 10th of April,
1644, (the day when the king reviewed his army, 9000 strong, on Aldbourne Chace,) and again for five
days, beginning the 12th November in the same year, (Gutch’s Collect. Cur. vol. ii. 432-39.) And
neither the Marquis of Hertford, his son, Lord Seymour, or his grandson, Charles Seymour, were
declared Delinquents till after the capitulation of Oxford, on the 24th of June, 1646, in which all
three were included.

1 Waylen’s History of Marlborough, p. 239:

With respect to this gentleman, the following is an extract from Rushworth’s Collections, vol. 7,
p. 1205. “Thursday, July 27, 1648. The House considered the case of Serjeant Glanville, reported
from the committee appointed to consider thereof.
“The House ordered ‘ that the 5th part of the land of the said Serjeant Glanville should be accepted
of for the 5th and 20th part of the estate.
* ‘That the bail of the said Sarjeant should be discharged, and himself likewise from all imprison-
ment.’ ”

2 It is very much to be regretted that several of the most interesting works re-
lating to Wiltshire are so rare. Mr. Russell Smith, its publisher, states that of
Mr. Waylen’s ‘“‘ History of Marlborough,” only 250 copies are printed. Of our
President’s admirable work on Castle Combe, only 150 copies, I believe, were printed
for private distribution. The ‘Sarum Institutions,” and Aubrey’s Collections
for a History of North Wilts, both privately printed by Sir Thos, Phillipps, Bart.,
are equally scarce. Though I ought not to omit mentioning that Sir Thomas
Phillipps very kindly gave me a copy of the latter, with very numerous illustra-
tions by Lady Phillipps. Still the consequence of these limited editions is that
those works are hardly ever to be seen, and even more difficult to be obtained.

Bree On

158

ees |

[ CONTINUATION OF PAPER ON CHURCH BELLS, |
From Vol. III. p. 184.

Hells of the County of Hilts,

WITH THEIR INSCRIPTIONS.
By the Rev. W. C. Luxts.

Deanery of Chalke.

[Omitted in List given in Vol. II. p. 211.]

Compton Chamberlayne, 3. ,
1. Anno Domini. 1614. R. P.
2. G@: P: R:* John Porter Francis Foord C. W. 1656. W@P.
3. Honour the King, I. W. 1616.
South Damerham, 5.
1. 1666. F. F.+
2. G. Tiller and H. Butler, Churchwardens. James Wells, fecit. 1803.
3. [Ilegible.]
4, Mr. Edmund Bound and Mr. Thos. Welstead, C» Wds. WQC. 1739.
5. I was cast in the yere of Plague, Warre, and Fire, 1666. F. F: E. D.
Mr. John Sallam, Giles Yardley, Edward Foord, Curchwardens.

Deanery of Wylie.
(Omitted in List given Vol. II. p. 338.)
Mere, 6.
1.2. W.C: T. T: C.W: T.P: Anno Domini, 1665.
3. Anno Domini, 1660. W. B: W.H: C. W: D. I@L.
4, Messieurs Phillips and Mitchell, Churchwardens. J. Kingston, Founder,
Bridgewater, 1828.
5. §« STELLA MARIA MARIS SUCCURRE PIISSIMA NOBIS.t
6. Mr. Giles Forward and Mr. Giles Jupe, C» W** 1747. William Cockey,
Bellfounder.

* G(eorge) P(enruddocke,) R(ector.) + Francis Forster, Bellfounder.
+ This bell bears 2 shields—one charged with a Bend dexter ; the other, with Cross Keys between
a mitre, pastoral staff, a chalice, and another figure.

Bells™of the Oounty of Wilts. 159

Stourton, 6.
1. I. T. L. Anno Domini, 1657.
2. Wm. Cockey, Bellfounder, 1728.
3. God be our guyd. R. B. 1624.
4, O Lord accept this bell of mee,
To call thy people unto thee.
The gift of W™ Maidman of Gasper. S™ Lambe, Thos, Hurl, C” W** 1728.
5. Geve God the glory. 1624.
6. C. & G. Mears, Founders, London, 1827.
Deanery of Potterne,
{Omitted in the List given Vol. II. p. 355.]
Monkton Farleigh, 8.
1,2. Thos. Cottle and Daniel Taylor, C? Wardens, 1783. W™ Bilbie, Chew-
stoke, Somerset. *
3. Daniel Webb, Esq. John Tosier, fecit. 1724.
South Wracall, 6.
1-5. No Inscription.
6. Mr. Thos. Collet, Churchwarden. Abra™ Bilbie, fecit, 1769.+
Trowbridge, 8.
1-7. James Wells, fecit. 1800. 8! Waddon, Rich¢ Casswell, Ch Wardens.
8. May all I summon to the grave,
e blessings of a well spent life receive.
James Wells, Aldbourn, Wilts, fecit, 1800.
Winkfield, 3.
1. Drawe neare toGod. 1607. W. P.
2. ga Anno Domini. 1611. W: D: R:gP. AQS.
3. § SANCTA LUC. 0. PRO NOBI.
Winsley, 3.
1. % SANCTE TOMA ORA PRO NOBIS. H.I.
2. §& T. Bilbie F. 1756.. Mr. David Salter C® Warden.
3. & SANCTA MARIA.
Limpley Stoke, 1.
W.P.TA.F. 1596.
Westwood, 4.
2. He SANCTA ANNA. T.R.
3-4, Je SANCTE THOME ORA PRO NOBIS. H. Lf

4

___-* The first bell probably bears the same inscription as the second ; but these two being on the lower
floor of the Tower unhung, the second placed over and enclosing the first, I could not see the inscrip-
tion.

+ All six were cast together.
_ ¢ These three inscriptions were said (vol. ii. p. 349,) to be illegible. I have decyphered them since
my first visit to the bells, and it is singular that the third and fourth bear the same inscription.

“

160

THE
Guild of AVerchants, or three Grading Companies
FORMERLY EXISTING IN DEVIZES.

GUILD, was a company of persons associated together for

some particular object, as, the furtherance of a benevolent
purpose, or the protection of trade; of the latter kind was the
Guild of Merchants formerly existing in Devizes, of which it is
proposed to give some account in the present paper.

The privilege of possessing its own Guild of Merchants was first
granted to Devizes by King Edward III., as appears by the follow-
ing clause in his Charter to the Borough, bearing date at West-
minster May 27th, in the 45th year of his reign, [a.p. 1371. ]

“ Concessimus etiam preedictis Burgensibus nostris de Divisis
Gildam suam mercatoriam, &c.’”!

It is somewhat remarkable that nothing has been met with
relating to the history of this Body during the two centuries fol-
lowing its incorporation. The next notice occurs in the Heralds’
Visitation of the County, taken a.p. 1565 [7th Elizabeth], and is
a memorandum accompanying a drawing of the arms borne by the
Guild,” see plate.

“ These be the Armes apperteining and belonging to the Felow-
shipe and Corporacon of the Burgesses and Merchants Adventorers,
Clothiers, Weauers, Drapers, and Taylors, and others vseing any
Art or Facultic within the Towne and Borough of Diuises, which

1‘ We have granted also to our aforesaid Burgesses of Devizes their own
Guild Merchant, &c.” A similar privilege was granted to the Burgesses of
Marlborough by King John. See his Charter printed in Waylen’s ‘ Marl-
borough,” p. 97.

2 In the Visitation the Arms only are given, the crest and supporters are here
added on the authority of ‘‘The Booke of Constitutions of the Borough of
Devizes,” an illuminated manuscript of a.D. 1628, in the possession of A. Meek,
Esq., Town Clerk of Devizes, (a rough copy of which will be found in the
British Museum, Lansdowne MSS. No. 230.), and the motto from a painting of
the arms preserved in St. John’s Church, and probably of about the same date.

pie

eum
Wiz
i ( Y
BI Wah. u

i 2) CEO
Mies

\y

The Army of the Bevizex Gilde.
Conrinmeo sy Wittiam Harvey, CLARENCEUX, AND RECISTERED

IN HIS VisiTATION oF WittsHire, A.D. ises.

KOw KITE, On. eT LIT

By Mr. Edward Kite. 161

Armes, I, Clarenceux, King of Armes, haue Ratified and Confirmed
to all those of the said Corporacon before mentioned, and to their
successors for euer. And at this psent Visitacon, Edward Haynes,
Mayor, was cheife head and gouernour, Willm. Battye and Richard
Denny, Wardens of the Clothiers and Weauers, Willm. Preston
and John Smith, Wardens of the Drapersand Taylors, John Chap-
pell and Thomas Fizall,! Wardens of the Mercers, &c. In witness
whereof I haue hereunto subscribed my name, &c.”’

From this it appears that the Guild then consisted of three
several Fraternities, including the following trades—Ist, Clothiers
and Weavers; 2nd, Drapers and Tailors; and 3rd, Mercers. Each
Fraternity was governed by two senior officers, or wardens, and
the whole presided over by the Mayor of the Borough.

About half a century later, a.p. 1614 [12 James I.], the Guild
_ was wholly remodelled—the Fraternities before comprising it were
altered to 1. Drapers; 2. Mercers; 3. Leathersellers; and the

various trades included under each of these divisions, re-arranged ;
each Company was to have, from that date, its separate master, two
wardens, and two yeomen elected annually on the 5th November.
As the regular history of the Guild, so far as it is at present
known, commences at this period, it is proposed to give an
abstract of the various laws prescribed for its government by the
Mayor and Burgesses of the Borough, and contained in two MS.
_yolumes, formerly belonging to the Drapers and Mercers Com-
panies ;’ as an illustration of the manner in which the trade of
Deyizes, a town described by Fuller as “the best and biggest for
trading in the Shire,” was protected and regulated in the 17th
century.

The following extract from the Wilts Visitation of a.v. 1623 [21
James I.], may first be added as showing the state of the Guild
nine years after its re-arrangement.

' William Stratton of London, eldest son of . . . Stratton of Bremble [ [Brem-
hill), in Wilts, married Christian, daughter of Pborien Fitzsall of the Devizes.
Bee Pedigree of Stratton in the Wilts Visitation of 1623.

* These two volumes are now in the possession of the Wiltshire Archwological
and Natural History Society, the former was presented by A. Meek, Esq., Town
Clerk of Devizes, and the latter by the Rey. E. J. Phipps, Rector of Stansfield
Suffolk, late Rector of Devizes.

M

162 The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

“At this psent Visitacon 1623 was John Allen,’ Mayor, cheife
head and gouernour, Edward North,’ Maister, John Batt? and John
Iles, Maister Wardens of the Clothyers, Weavers and Drapers;
Nicholas Barret Maister, John Hoope® and Marmaduke Bird, War-
dens of the Company of Mercers; Thomas Clarke Maister, Chris-
topher Pulleyn and Henry Deane, Wardens of the Company of
Lethersellers.”

Tue Boox or ConstrruTIONS OF THE FRATERNITY OF THE DRAPERS.

This volume, which consists of nearly one hundred pages, is
written on vellum, and bears the following title :—

«“ Burcus DE Deuizes. The Booke of Constitucons, Decrees,
Statutes, and Ordenaunces for the Ffraternitye Companye and
feloweshippe of the Draprrs, wthin the foresaid Boroughe of Deuizes
had, made, enacted, established, concluded and agreed upon, (amonge
other things) by John Allen, gentleman, Maior of the foresaid
Boroughe, John Kent, gentleman, Townclarke of the same Boroughe,
Robert Drewe, gentleman, (and others) Chief Burgeses and Coun-
sailors, Thomas White, Robert Wayte, (and others) Chiefe Bur-
geses and of the Comon Counsaile of the same Boroughe. At a
Generall Assemblye or Court of Comon Counsaile of the Maior and
Burgeses, &c., holden in the Guildehall there, the 17th daye of
June, 12th James I.” [1614.]

It begins with a confirmation by the Mayor, Town-clerk, and
Burgesses of the various Constitutions therein contained for the
government of the Guild, and is addressed to all Justices of the

1 John Allen, draper, was buried in St. John’s Church, September 18, 1624.

2 This name should apparently be Northey. Edward Northey, sen., was
Mayor of Devizes in the years 1612-22 and 30, and Edw. Northey, jun. in 1635.

3 A John Batt, clothman, Mayor of Devizes 1595, buried at St. John’s, Mar.
27, 1600. This was probably his son.

4 John Eyles, of the Devizes, mercer, living in 1645, the name occurs as
Mayor in 1650. John Eyles the elder, and John Eyles the younger were both

———

buried in 1662. Their descendants afterwards resided at Southbroom. John j

Eyles, of Southbroom, was Sheriff of Wilts in 1716.

5 John Hope, Mayor of Devizes 1640. Edward Hope, also thrice Mayor, was —

one of the Devizes tradesmen, who, during the Protectorate, issued his own
token. In the floor of St. Mary’s Church are flat stones bearing inscriptions to
several later members of the same family.

By Mr. Edward Kite. 163

; Peace, and all the King’s officers within the Borough as well as
the Burgesses and inhabitants, setting forth that whereas the Mayor
_ and Burgesses by ancient custom, and by divers grants and confir-
~ mations of sundry the Kings of England, have and enjoy, among
other privileges, a Guild of Merchants, and whereas the King (James
_ I.) by Letters Patent, bearing date at Westminster, July 10th, in
the 3rd year of his reign, hath not only confirmed to them their
former privileges, but granted them power to make new ones from
time to time. Ata general assembly held in the Guildhall, June
17th, 1614, it is ordained that the Guild of Merchants shall be
divided into three several fraternities, companies, or fellowships,
_ whereof the first shall be called The Fraternity of the Drapers, the
second, The Fraternity of the Mercers, and the third, The Fraternity
of the Leathersellers of the Borough of Devizes ; and that persons
exercising the trades of clothiers, weavers, woollen-drapers, tailors,
hosiers, fullers, shearmen, spinsters, coopers, carpenters, masons,
tilers, joiners, cutlers, smiths, and ironmen within the Borough,
shall, before the Ist of November next, require their freedom of the
said Company, and require their names to be entered in the Book of
Admissions of apprentices and freemen thereof, by the clerk ap-
pointed for the purpose, and also in the Book of Admissions of ap-
prentices and freemen of the Borough remaining in the custody of
the Town-clerk ; and all such persons as have served, or shall serve,
seven years as an apprentice with any of the Fraternity, the same
only shall from time to time for ever be reputed as belonging
hereto. And that the Company shall have power to choose from
among themselves annually, on the 5th of November, a Master and
vo Wardens, who shall enquire into and correct all defaults, de-
eeits, falsities, trespasses, and misdemeanors committed by any of
fhe brethren concerning either of the aforesaid trades. And the
all of the Mayor and Burgesses called the Weaver’s Hall, shall
be used for all public meetings of the Fraternity. And for the
er execution of the premises, the Mayor and Burgesses appoint
Edward Northey to be Master, and Robert Flower and Alexander
\ ebbe, Wardens, until the 5th November following.

164 The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

be
1

Il.

iB

Co

Then follow the Ordinances of the Fraternity (eighteen in num-
r), of which a brief abstract is here given :—
The Master, Wardens, and Fraternity to meet annually on the
5th November, and attend the Mayor of the Borough to the
Church of the Parish in which he dwells,! in “decent and
comelye order, and there abide untill th’ende of deuine Prayer
’ afterwards to assemble in the Weaver’s Hall and
elect a Master for the year following. The Master thus chosen
to elect an “honest and fit person of the company” to be his
Warden. The Fraternity by their most assents to elect a second
Warden. These newly elected officers to take the oaths of su-

or Sermon ;’

premacy and allegiance, as well as that prescribed for their

respective offices, If either should die during the year, the two

survivors, with the residue of the Fraternity, to meet within

14 days after his decease, and proceed to elect from among

themselves one other honest and fit person to fill the vacant

office.

The Master, Wardens, and Fraternity on the aforesaid day of

election to choose from among themselves two fit persons to be

yeomen of the Fraternity; these to take the necessary oaths as
above.

I. The Fraternity to meet in the Weaver’s Hall on three other
days during the year besides the day of election, to be called
Quarterly Meetings, viz.:—March 24th, Midsummer-day, and
August 5th. The Master and Wardens to overlook on these days
all persons exercising any of the trades comprised by the Frater-
nity, and to correct and reform all deceits or defaults committed
by any of them, by punishing the offending parties according
to their good discretions. The Master and Wardens, with con-
sent of the Fraternity, on these days of Quarter Meeting to con-
stitute any new ordinances, or change or repeal, upon urgent
occasion, any of those in force.

1 The manner in which this ceremony was conducted does not appear. The

mpany of Tailors at Salisbury in their processions to and from Church, were

preceded by Morris Dancers and Drummers, which gaieties the Mayor of Salis-

bu

ry in 1611, Bartholomew Tookye, a zealous puritan, endeavoured to abolish.

See Archeological Journal, TX. p, 103.

Minh eae nce +

By Mr. Edward Kite. 165

BEY. Any person being elected to the office of Master, Warden, or
Yeoman, and refusing to fill the same, to forfeit, for Master,
four marks ; Warden, forty shillings; Yeoman, twenty shillings.
The Master, Wardens, and Fraternity to elect another person
in the room of him so refusing.

. No person of the Fraternity to receive more apprentices than
by the laws of the Realm he may lawfully do, nor suffer a son
or servant to serve in any of the trades included by the Guild,
above the space of six months, unless before the end of that
term he present him before the Master and Wardens of the
Fraternity, to be bound by indenture. The indenture to be
made by the Town-clerk, and by him entered in the Book of
Admissions of apprentices of the Borough, and within a month
after to be entered in the Book of Admissions of apprentices of
the Fraternity by the clerk of the same. The Town-clerk not
to receive, for making and entering the indenture, more than
two shillings, and the clerk of the company fourpence. Any
person taking such son or servant contrary to this ordinance,
the same being proved before the Master, to forfeit forty shil-
lings to the use of the Fraternity.

VI. The master of every apprentice who has faithfully served in
any of the above trades, to present the said apprentice at the
next Quarter Meeting after the expiration of his term, before
the Master, Wardens, and Fraternity to be admitted as a free
brother of the same, and to exercise the trade within the Bo-
rough where he hath served as apprentice. And for his admis-
sion to pay to the Master three shillings and fourpence, and to
the clerk for the entry thereof, fourpence. The Master and
Wardens at the suit of their newly elected brother, to make
_ certificate thereof to the Town-clerk under their hands and seals.
And upon such certificate the Town-clerk to make an instrument
in writing, to be signed and sealed by the Mayor, testifying his
_ freedom of the Fraternity. The Town-clerk to receive for this
instrument eightpence, and the Mayor for his seal to the same,
fourpence.

. Every person of the Fraternity to pay quarterly the sum of

166 The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

one penny, in the name of quarteridge money, to be collected
by the Yeomen at the Quarter Meetings, and delivered to the
Master to be employed to the public use of the Fraternity.

VIII. If a journeyman in either of the trades should resort to the
Borough, and there desire to be retained by any of the Frater-
nity, the said person within six days after employing such
journeyman, to cause his name to be entered in the Book of
Admissions of apprentices and freemen of the Fraternity. And
for the entry thereof to pay to the clerk twopence, and to the
Master at the end of every quarter, so long as he continue to
be so employed, twopence. Any person of the Fraternity re-
fusing to comply with this ordinance, to forfeit two shillings
and sixpence.

TX. If a journeyman or hired servant retained by any of the Fra-
ternity, depart from his master without a lawful discharge, none
other of the Fraternity (having notice thereof) to receive such
servant into his employ, until he obtain some certificate of
lawful discharge from his former master, and the license of the
Master and Wardens of the Fraternity.

X. If any apprentice, journeyman, or hired servant behave him-
self disobediently and stubbornly towards his master, being of the

- Fraternity, and will not be reformed, or if any of the Fraternity
deal hardly with, or evil entreat his servant, both parties to be
called before the Master and Wardens to take such order be-
tween them as the case may require.

XI. Ifa difference arise between any of the Fraternity concerning
the trades incident thereto, the party aggrieved to make relation
of the same to the Master and Wardens, who by the advice of
two or three most discreet persons of the Fraternity, called unto
them for the purpose, shall publicly on hearing the complaint
and answers thereto, end the controversy between them accord-
ing to their discretions. If this course fail, the case to be
referred to the Mayor; and failing of success, the aggrieved
party to be at liberty to take his remedy by due course of law.
None of the Fraternity to act contrary to this ordinance, upon
pain of forfeiting for every offence, twenty shillings.

By Mr. Edward Kite. 167

XII. The Weaver’s Hall, appointed by the Mayor and Council of
the Borough for the public meetings of the three Fraternities,
to be maintained and repaired at their equal cost. The Com-
panies to take precedency as they are named, and every brother
according to the date of his admission—the Master and Wardens
presiding over all. The Yeomen on receipt of instructions from
Master and Wardens to summon the brethren to the Hall on the
days of quarter meeting, and as often as occasion require, and
failing this, to forfeit, for each default, ten shillings. A brother
absenting himself, without reasonable excuse, to forfeit one
shilling.

XIII. No foreigner or stranger, not being a Burgess or inhabitant
of the Borough and free of the Fraternity, to sell within the
Borough, except on fair days, any commodities appertaining
to either of the trades included by the Fraternity other than
corn, grain, victuals, wool, woollen or linen yarn, woollen or
linen cloth of their own making, upon pain of forfeiture for
every offence, forty shillings.

XIV. No person of the Fraternity to entice the apprentice or hired
servant of another from his service before his term expire, with-
out the consent of his master, and the Master and Wardens of
the Fraternity, upon pain of forfeiting forty shillings. Nor
any apprentice or hired servant to leave his service before the
expiration of his term, without a similar penalty. Every such
servant to be re-delivered by the Master and Wardens of the
Fraternity into the hands of his master, to fulfil his time of
service. And if they cannot within twenty days after complaint
made to them, take some order therein, the case to be referred
to the Mayor of the Borough.

XV. None of the Fraternity to presume at any time to speak any
despiteful or unseemly words, or otherwise misbehave themselves
towards the Master and Wardens, or any of the brethren, upon
pain of forfeiting, on proof of the same by one or more witnesses
at a general meeting, such sum as shall be thought meet by the
Master and Wardens.

XVI. The Master of the Fraternity to deliver yearly on the day of

168 - The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

election, to the new Master and Wardens an account in writing
of all sums received and expended by him during his year of office,
and also the sum remaining in his hands, upon pain of forfeiting
£10. And also to deliver this Book of Ordinances, and all other
books or documents concerning the Fraternity, upon pain of
forfeiting £40. The new Master upon receipt of this Book to
cause all the ordinances therein to be distinctly read in the
Weaver’s Hall, before the whole Fraternity, to the intent that
every brother may take due notice of them, upon pain of for-
feiting £5.

XVII. All fines to be levied and received according to the true
meaning of the ordinances here recited. And for non-payment,
it shall be lawful for the Master and Wardens, assisted by a
constable or bailiff to distrain for the same. The half of such
sums taken by distress or otherwise (except fines for admission,
and quarteridge money,) to be paid within eight days to the use
of the Mayor and Burgesses of the Borough, and the other half
to be bestowed to the public use of the Fraternity, in such a
manner as shall be decided on by the whole or greater part of
them.

XVIII. If any of the aforesaid ordinances be executed contrary to
the laws of the Realm, such part thereof to be void—Or if any
question arise touching the meaning of any clause in either of
them—Or if any person complain to the Mayor that they be
troubled in body, goods, or otherwise by reason of them, con-
trary to the laws of the Realm, by misunderstanding the true
meaning thereof, the same to be from time to time discussed and
decided by the Mayor, Town-clerk, and Burgesses of the Borough.
In witness whereof, we, the aforesaid Mayor, Town-clerk, &c.,
have to these presents set our hands and common seal, 17th
June, 12 James I. [a.p. 1614. ]

Decreed, confirmed, and subscribed by us :—
Joun Auten, Mayor. Watrer Reve. RoBERT FFLOWER.
Joun Kent! Rosrert Morres. Joun SrREETE.

vA een PY Se et ee ee ee ee eee
1A Pedigree of Kent will be found in the Wilts Visitation of 1623. John,
the individual here mentioned, was son of Roger Kent of Copenhall, Co.

By Mr, Edward Kite. 169

THomas WuiTraAKerR. STEPHEN FFLOWER. XPOFER CLARK.

Joun THURMAN. Rospert Drewe.! Rosert Barman.
ALEXANDER WEBB. Ri. FLower.? RicuarD DurNEFORD
Tuo. Lewen. Nicuotas Barrerr. Joun Erwoop.
Epwarp Horr. Epwarp LEwes. Grorce Morris.

m signu Epw. Bayuiz.

Then follows :

1. “The Othe of Supremacye to be taken by the Master, Wardens,
and free brethren of the said Fraternitye of Drapers.”

2. “The Othe of Allegiaunce to be taken by the said Master, War-
dens, and free brethren of the said Fraternitye.”

3. “The Othe of the Master of the said Fraternitye of Drapers.”’

4. “The Othe of the Wardens of the said Fraternitye of Drapers.”

5. “The Othe of the Yeomen of the foresaid Fraternitye.”

6. “The Othe of a Brother or freeman of the foresaid Fraternitye
of Drapers.”

A.D. 1651. Ata general assembly held in the Guildhall, on the
5th of March, before the Mayor, Recorder, Chief Burgesses, and
Common Council of the Borough, all the Constitutions before or-
dained were ratified and confirmed, excepting so much of the same
as concerned the Oaths and the administering of them to the
Master, Wardens, and Brethren of the Fraternity.

Cheshire. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Wyatt of Calne, Wilts, by
whom he had issue three sons, and a daughter. He filled the offices of Mayor,
Town Clerk, and M.P. for Devizes, died on the 1st of October, 1630, aged 72,
and was buried in St. John’s Church, where there is a Monumental Brass to his
Memory.

1 A Pedigree of this family will also be found in the Visitation of 1623. Ro-
bert, here mentioned, was the eldest son of John Drew, of Southbroom, by his
wife Elinor, daughter of Wm. Cooke of Lacock. He married Jane, daughter of
Alderman Jackman, of London, by whom he had issue six sons and five
daughters.

2 Richard Flower, (son of Stephen Flower of Devizes, gent,) Mayor of Devizes
1604-11-20, buried at St. John’s Oct. 30th, 1624. His brother, Thomas Flower,
of London, draper, by will dated at Stoade in Germany, where he died July 31st,
1605, bequeathed to the Poor of the Borough £10, to be distributed at the dis-
cretion of his brother Richard, and John Pierce his brother-in-law, (having
married his sister Eleanor.) Also other £10 towards paving the Town.

170 The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

(Signed)
JoHN Storer, Maior. SreEPHEN WHITE. JoHn Munpey.
JOHN STEVENS. Witriam Wut. JOHN FFREEME.
JoHn TILTon. JoHN WorsDALL. JOHN FFIDSALL.
Epwarp PYerce. WiiaMmM FILxEs. Witiiam Bancrorr.
THomas CLARKE. JoHN WHITE. Rost. Ives.
RicHarp WEBBE. Wiram Sanrorp. Ricuarp STrREETTE.

A.D. 1717, [4th George I.] At a quarterly meeting of the Fra-
ternity held in the Weaver’s Hall, on the 5th of August, it was
resolved that on account of many inconveniences which had arisen
from the custom of choosing the Master on the 5th of November,
the said day of élection should for the future be held on the 5th of

August. (Signed)

Joun SKEATE, Master. Huau Goucu. Joun NIGHT.

JAMES CLACKE Tuomas Waxtpon. Moses Rawiinas.
Wardens.

JoHN Howarp Cur. 9 Ricwarps, Witiiam La. . DEEN.

THo. Massey. his marke. Epwarp PHIiirs.

Tuo. CLARKE. Tuo. GIFFARD. Rosert Cappy.

AMBROSE ZEALY. Samu. Harris. Wo. P Price,

JAMES PHILLIPs. Tuomas TRIMNELL. his marke.

Epwarp SLoPER.

A.D. 1721, [8th George I.] A Thomas Phillips was Master of
the Fraternity, as appears by his name written within the volume.

A.D. 1740, [4th George II.] The tradesmen of Devizes appear
at this date to have been suffering from the inroads of a class of
persons known in the present day as “‘ Hawkers,” who according to
the laws of the Guilds, were strictly prohibited from “ uttering
their merchandizes”’ within the Borough. An entry in the volume
recites the ordinance No. XIII., and states that the bye-laws
before ordained for enforcing the same having proved ineffectual,
it is ordained, by the Mayor, Recorder, and Chief Burgesses at a
Council held on the 3rd day of September, that, if any person after
the 23rd of October following, not being free of one or other of the
Guilds, shall, unless in open fairs, expose for sale by retail any
goods, or use any trade contrary to the above-mentioned ordinance,
he shall forfeit the sum of £4 for every such offence. And it is

6 Ayo 5 ni Gy

Jace rn

a a ae

By Mr. Edward Kite. 171

further ordained, that no persons who shall be admitted to their
freedom in any of the Guilds, other than such as be born or serve
an apprenticeship within the Borough, shall, by virtue of such
freedom be entitled to any exemption from payment of Picage,
Stallage, and other accustomed tolls and payments to the Mayor
and Burgesses, usually paid by persons frequenting the markets
and fairs within the Borough.

As this entry has no signatures attached, it seems doubtful whe-
ther at so late a date it was ever very strictly enforced.

Tue Book or ConsTtITUTIONS OF THE FRATERNITY oF THE MERCERS.

This volume, as appears by a memorandum (in Latin) at the end,
was written in August, 1614, by an individual named Benedict
Browne. It is, with one or two exceptions, an almost exact copy
of that which belonged to the Drapers; there are several blank
spaces at the commencement, evidently intended for some kind of
illumination, which was never completed.

The trades included by the Fraternity are specified as mercers,
grocers, linen drapers, haberdashers of small wares, haberdashers
commonly selling hats and caps, vinters, innholders, bakers, brewers,
apothecaries, barbers, surgeons, chandlers, painters, brasiers, and
glasiers.

At the end of the volume are the following entries, evidently
bearing somewhat of a Puritanical cast :—

“Raves and orders by the generall consent of Mercer’s Societpe
die sHartiy exoii Anno. Dom, 1620.”

“The daye aboue it was ordered and decreed by the greater pt
of the fraternitye y' henceforth euery Brother that cometh not to
the Haulle in Decent mann’ and in his Clocke, if he hath anney
one, shall forfeite to the companie xij‘ for euery sutch Default.

“Tt was also concluded the same day that Whereas in former
times it was concluded that none of the companie should sill anney
wares on the Saboth day, other then for necessitye, it is nowe fully
agreed on that from hence-forth, none shall yse anney pt of theire
misteries and trades y' doe conserne the fraternitie on the saide

172 The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

saboth day except it be for necessities sacke, vpon paine of forfiture of
x* for euery sutch offence.

“Notwithstandinge a Constitucon given and graunted to vs by the
maio’ and chiefe Counsellers and Comon Counsell” of this boroughe,
that the maister and Wardens w™ other inferior officers should be
elected and chosen on the monday after midsomer day, we nowe
w" a generall consent of the wholle fraternitie doe for diu®™ causes
and consideracons macke choise of this day, the wensday after mid-
sommer day, beinge the xxvj" day of June, 1622, and doe decree
also that from henceforth it shall continue at the p’fixed day before
ordained in the constitucons, except happen it shall that the licke
occasion shall fall out.

“This 1x" of August, 1623, Nycholas Barrett, gent,
Mr. and John Hope and Marmaduke Burd, Wardens
of the Company of Mercers, w'" diu® others of the same
fraternitie being assembled together in the Haull, made
an order, the effect thereof is as followeth :—

“That whereas our King’s Ma‘ hath graunted a Charter vnto
this Corporacon, by vertue whereof most trades, occupacons, and
sciences are knitt into three Companyes as in the bookes of Consti-
tucons it doth and may at large appeare: We therefore the M" of
the fraternitie of M’cers w" diu’s of that fellowshippe doe decree :—
That once a weeke henceforeward to meete together at the Haull,
or as many as shall thinke fitt soe to doe, for the more increase of
Amitie and love together, as alsoe there to question and Conferre
of matters Concerninge the trades, that thereby we may be the
more inabled to sell as good pennyworths as any of our neighbour
townes, the w" by god’s assistance, we doubt nothing to the Con-
trary, our meeting therefore betwene our Lady day and Michaellmas
to be betwen flive and six of of the Clock every Satturday on the
afternoone, and betwene Mich’as and o' Lady daye betwene ffoure
and ffive of the Clock every Satturday in the afternoone.”

Two entries which occur in the volume belonging to the Drapers,
are omitted in that of the Mercers, viz :—the confirmation of its con-
tents (excepting the Oaths) by the Mayor, Recorder, and Burgesses
A.D. 1651; and the ordinance for altermg the day of election, ap.

a

i.

no a

ity

ee ei

fw

By Mr. Edward Kite. 173

1717. The recital of the ordinance No. XIII. prohibiting any per-
son not belonging to one or other of the Fraternities, from exposing
goods for sale within the Borough, unless in open Fairs, a.p. 1740,
bears the following signatures :—

SrerHeN Street, Mayor. Rosr. Lawrence. Wm. Satmon.3

Joun GArtu,! Recorder. Samu. Purrres. JoHN CLARKE.
Hen. Fiower.? JoHN CRooKE. JoHN FLoweEr.
Wo. ApLAM. JoHN Massey. Witim. ApLAM.
JosEPH WELIS. Rost. Frankirn. Epwop. Purrtipes.*
Ricu. Smrru. Ricu. PHrures. Jno. WILLIAMS.
Rost. SLoper. STEPHEN PowELL.

Among the loose papers within the volume, the following may
be noticed :—a.p. 1769. An account taken by Thomas Burrough,
the then Master, from the representatives of Charles Eden, the
deceased Master.

Thomas Burrough, silversmith, Master of the Company, George
Paradice, tallow chandler, and Willm. Lewis, baker, Wardens,
are bound to Matthew Figgins, baker, in the sum of £66 18s. 03d.
(26th June.)

An agreement by the Master, Wardens, &c., to surrender into
the hands of the Mayor and Burgesses, for the sum of £10, all their
right, title, and claim to the Weaver’s Hall, provided the said M.
and B. do by an order of Council, agree, that the Fraternity shall
for the future meet in the Sessions Hall, to perform their usual and
necessary business. (17th Nov.)

‘Son of Thomas Garth, Esq., of Harold, County of Bedford, and nephew of Sir
Samuel Garth, Knt., author of ‘“ The Dispensary,” and Physician in ordinary
to George I. He was chosen Recorder of Devizes, April 17th, 1782; M.P. for
the Borough Feb. 26th, 1739, died Dec. 26th, 1764, cot. 68. Monument in St.
Mary’s Church. A Pedigree of the family will be found in ‘“‘ Wilts Magazine”
vol. ii. p. 332.

2 Henry Flower, Mayor 1719-22-27-34-38. George Flower of Devizes, a
later member of the family, was Sheriff of Wilts, 1760.

* Mayor of Devizes 1753-61-65. His son William who died in 1826, aged 78,
was the owner of Southbroom, which property he purchased from Josiah Eyles
Heathcote, Esq., son of the Rt. Hon. George Heathcote, by the heiress of Eyles.

* Edward Phillips, clothier, buried at St. Mary’s, 1767, in which Church are
several flat stones with inscriptions to other members of the same family, two of
whom were benefactors to the Poor of that Parish.

174 The Guild of Merchants, at Devizes.

Another agreement, that every brother in arrear for his quarter
pence, and who shall not have discharged the same by the next
general meeting, shall be absolutely expelled the Fraternity.

1770. 9th Jany. An agreement by the Master and seven of the
Company, whose signatures are attached, to surrender their right
in the Weaver’s Hall! to Mr .Robt. Neate, for the sum of £13 2s. 6d.

The annual account of the Fraternity for 1769-70, showing a
balance in hand of £37 8s. 8d.

Names of twenty-one of the Company who attended dinner at
the Antelope, 3rd July, 1770; also of nine others who paid their
quarter pence to June 26th, 1769.

Receipt from Francis Bayly, (apparently the clerk of the Com-
pany,) to Mr. Thomas Burrough, for the sum of 15s. 4d., being one
year’s salary due 3rd July, 1770.

Memorandum of the payment by Thomas Burrough to the Mem-
bers of the Company their respective shares of the Plate belonging
thereto, weighing 15 ozs. 10 dwts., and valued at £4 0s. 6d. July
27th, 1770.

The third volume, containing the Ordinances for the Company
of Leathersellers, has not been met with, but it was doubtless very
similar to those of the Drapers’ and Mercers’ Companies.

Epwarp Kite.
Devizes, July, 1857.

1The Weaver’s Hall formed a portion of the block of houses between the
Market-place and Wine street, as appears by the following extracts from the
minutes of Council, 4.D. 1776, (six years after its surrender by the Companies, )
for which I am indebted to the kindness of Mr. Waylen.

‘©1776. Dec. 24. Surrender by Robt. Neate of Lease of premises in Wine
street for £279.

‘Surrender by James Sutton of tenement in Wine street for £95.

“Lease granted by Robt. Neate of part of premises, comprised in his lease
surrendered, and part of Mr. Sutton’s, wth part of the Weaver's Hall over the
same. Term 99 years. Fine £280. Rent £42 6s.

‘‘Lease granted to Thomas Godden of part of Mr. Suttons’s and Mr, Neate’s
premises, and the Weaver's Hall, Term 99 years. Fine £96. Rent £18 6s.
afterwards reduced to £14.”

There will, I think, be little difficulty in identifying this as the property
forming the north side of Wine street.

175

Che Hattle of Ethandun.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE “ WILTSHIRE ARCH OLOGICAL MAGAZINE.”

IR,—Although I should deprecate the practice of prolonged
R controversy in your work, yet I presume that it is not incon-
sistent with its plan, that some notice may be taken of propositions
in antiquarian research, which are published therein, particularly
when they are adverse to those which are generally received. Un-
der this impression I beg leave to bring to the recollection of your
readers the statement insisted on by Dr. Thurnam,! that the site of
the battle of Ethandun is the modern Yatton, and that the
opinions of antecedent antiquaries that Edington is the spot where
the victory of Alfred was achieved, must yield to the contradictory
assertion of Whitaker who first maintained the view which Dr.
Thurnam supports. If the point were to be decided by the autho-
rity of names, there could be no question as to the verdict which
should be given. From Camden to Sir Richard Hoare a list of
eminent writers might be produced who are opposed to this, com-
paratively modern, notion ;? but I shall give them no more weight
than what is due to the opportunities they possessed of investigating
the fact, and their accredited amount of capacity for turning those
investigations to a proper account. I will proceed then to notice
the arguments of Dr. Thurnam, in the order in which they have
been given.

Of these, the first in favour of his hypothesis, is the greater
proximity of Yatton to Chippenham, “it being expressly stated
' See Wiltshire Archeological Magazine, vol. iii. p. 80.

*Itis worthy of remark that Camden states Edington to be the site of the
battle, as an undoubted fact; the ancient tradition in its favour therefore, can-
not be denied, and it is further observable that Camden appears to have person-

ally investigated the neighbourhood of Chippenham, and that he found or heard
nothing there opposed to the popular assignment of the site.

176 The Battle of Ethandun.

that the Danes had their quarters at that place both before and after
the battle.” This is an observation no doubt in one sense impor-
tant; but its whole weight refers to a question of time, and it can
be tested by no authority or express statement whatever, which
either proves or intimates that the “ quarters of the Danes were at
Chippenham”’ immediately before, or immediately after the battle.

Asser indeed informs us that they passed the previous winter at
that place, which he calls a royal villa, reducing almost entirely
to subjection all the people of that country, but the ensuing summer
(during which the action occurred!) would necessarily be devoted
to incursions beyond that immediate neighbourhood, which must by
that time have been despoiled of all sustenance required for a ma-
rauding and foreign army; the inhabitants, as the same writer in-
forms us, being “driven beyond sea, by want of the necessaries of
life.” There is no natural barrier between Chippenham and Ed-
ington which could prevent its occupation, and that of the surround-
ing country by the Danes, and the fortress of Bratton connected
with it would necessarily have been seized by them as a strong
hold, and the key of any military operations or predatory expedition.
It is not improbable that the Danish host may have returned to
Chippenham after the battle, (for they may have as easily marched
fifteen miles as five when a treaty was concluded,) but there is no
direct inference that they did return there, except the subsequent
statement that they left the place the following year.

Dr. Thurnam’s next proof is founded on an objection to the
relative distances of the places assumed by previous writers to be
those mentioned by Asser in the line of march taken by Alfred.
He admits, and he can scarcely deny the identity of Brixton with
Ecgbright’s stone, but he repudiates both Bucley and Westbury
Leigh as the representatives of Aiglea, because the one being five
miles only, and the other but nine, from Brixton, “these distances
seem too short for a day’s march, when the king is described as
setting forth at dawn, and with the head quarters of the enemy at
Chippenham, a distance of at least twenty-five miles.” I suggest,
however, that in this sentence the ingenious writer in some measure

1 The 7th week after Easter, Asser; Turner fixes the date on the 11th May.

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. Liz

begs the question. If by head quarters he means the seat for the
time being of the Danish government or the sovereign, he may be
allowed the expression; but if the term is applied to the army,
that is the very point in discussion; and it remains to shew, whe-
ther good reasons may not be adduced for believing the “ head
quarters” to have been not “at Chippenham, twenty-five miles
distant,’ but at Edington and Bratton camps, within eight miles
of Cleyhill or Bucley, and four miles of Westbury Leigh.

It is difficult, at this period of time, to ascertain the reasons
which would determine a leader to make a long or a short day’s
march, but I will so far anticipate a future observation, as to re-
mark, that as surprize was obviously the plan of Alfred, his progress
would be decided with a view, not merely to activity, but to con-
cealment. Both these stations were within the friendly covert of
the forest which shrouded the design of the Saxon King, and at
Cleyhill was an encampment which would be another security for
a night’s occupation, sufficiently near to Edington to admit of an
action on the subsequent day. That it did there take place, Dr.
Thurnam can scarcely, with seriousness, deny, for it is the state-
ment of Asser, the only cotemporary historian, who after step by
step and day by day tracing the progress of Alfred to Iglea, adds,
“the next morning he removed to Edington, and fighting fiercely
and bravely in a compact body against the army of the pagans, by
divine permission obtained the victory ;’’ the removal and the battle
being stated without interruption in this diurnal narrative.’ It is
moreover to be remarked, that this writer uses the term, “ castra-
metatus est,” to denote the security as well as occupancy for the
night, but it is incomprehensible that this progress, even in a
slighter form, could be effected in an open plain.in the face of an
enemy already in possession of the country.

*“Tnde sequenti mane illucente vexilla commovens ad locum qui dicitur
Ethandum venit, et contra universum paganorum exercitum cum densa testu-
dine atrociter belligerans, animoseque diu persistens, divino nutu tandem victorid
potitus, paganos maxima code prostravit.” The use of the participle present
I submit substantiates this fact. Dr. Giles translates belligerans ‘and there
fought,” which might lead to some doubt on the subject; he omits altogether
the mode of attack densd testudine, probably indicating a sudden onslaught on
the camp.

N

178 The Battle of Ethandun.

The contradictory quotation from the work of Simeon of Durham,
for whose inflated style (and consequently inaccurate expression) an
apology is offered, can have no weight: as this author lived in the
reign of Edward III., and did not depart this life till 479 years
after the victory was gained. But we are further assured that the
Danes would not have advanced so far south as Edington, fourteen
or fifteen miles from Chippenham, on hearing of the king’s approach.
I must confess my inability to receive this statement in the light
of a self-evident proposition. Ifthe Danes did hear of the approach
of Alfred, the plain of Edington, supported by the strong fortress
of Bratton, would be a spot favourable to the interception of the
invading force and to the manceuvres of a superior army, and in
choosing such a site for the battle, they would have followed the
general, I might almost say, the invariable, example of their pre-
_ decessors. But there is not the slightest proof that they did hear
of the king’s approach, and the more reasonable presumption would
support the tradition, that whilst they were on some predatory ex-
pedition, Alfred, (in the words of old Speed,) ‘‘on the suddeine, set
uppon the carelesse campe of the Danes, and made thereof a very
great slaughter.”

Dr. Thurnam next observes, that “even if Edington might be
admitted as the site of the battle, we shonld still demur to accept-
ing the camp of Bratton as the Danish fortress.” If this latter
observation can be maintained, I will readily yield the question in
dispute ; and will agree, that the battle could not have been fought
at Edington, if Bratton is not to be identified with the fortress to
which the Danes afterwards retreated. But so far from admitting
the difficulty of that retreat, I presume it to be consistent with the
most obvious view of the case. Alfred emerging from the forest
and woody tracts, which extended beyond Westbury Leigh, must
of course, have attacked, to the north of Bratton; the ridge of down
preventing the meeting of the hostile armies in any other direction.
Mr. Britton indeed objects to the identity of Bratton, on account
of its position between Edington and Cleyhill, which would infer
a retreat through the conquering army; but (referring to the map),
if we consider that this fortress is separated by the ridge of down

“s*-

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. 177

begs the question. If by head quarters he means the seat for the
time being of the Danish government or the sovereign, he may be
allowed the expression; but if the term is applied to the army,
that is the very point in discussion; and it remains to shew, whe-
ther good reasons may not be adduced for believing the “head
quarters” to have been not “at Chippenham, {twenty-five miles
distant,” but at Edington and Bratton camps, within eight miles
of Cleyhill or Bucley, and four miles of Westbury Leigh.

It is difficult, at this period of time, to ascertain the reasons
which would determine a leader to make a long or a short day’s
march, but I will so far anticipate a future observation, as to re-
mark, that as surprise was obviously the plan of Alfred, his progress
would be decided with a view, not merely to activity, but to con-
cealment. Both these stations were within the friendly covert of
the forest which shrouded the design of the Saxon King, and at
Oleyhill was an encampment which would be another security for
a night’s occupation, sufficiently near to Edington to admit of an
action on the subsequent day. That it did then take place, Dr.
Thurnam can scarcely, with seriousness, deny, for it is the state-
ment of Asser, the only cotemporary historian, who after step by
step and day by day tracing the progress of Alfred to Iglea, adds,
“the next morning he removed to Ethandun, and fighting fiercely
and bravely in a compact body against the army of the pagans, by
divine permission obtained the victory ;” the removal and the battle
being stated without interruption in this diurnal narrative! It is
moreover to be remarked, that this writer uses the term,” castra-
metatus est,” to denote the security as well as occupancy for the
night, but it is incomprehensible that this process, even in a
slighter form, could be effected in an open plain in the face of an
enemy already in possession of the country.

The contradictory quotation from the work of Simeon of Durham,

!“Tnde sequenti mane illucente vexilla commovens ad locum qui dicitur
Ethandum venit, et contra universum paganorum exercitum cum densa testu-
dine atrociter belligerans, animoseque diu persistens, divino nutu tandem victoria
potitus, paganos maxima code prostravit.”” The use of the participle present
I submit substantiates this fact. Dr. Giles translates belligerans ‘and there
fought,” which might lead to some doubt on the subject ; he omits altogether

the mode of attack densd testudine, probably indicating a sudden onslaught on
the camp. N

178 The Baitle of Ethandun.

for whose inflated style (and consequently inaccurate expression) an
apology is offered, can have no weight: as this author lived in the
reign of Edward III., and did not depart this life till 479 years
after the victory was gained. But we are further assured that the
Danes would not have advanced so far south as Edington, fourteen
or fifteen miles from Chippenham, on hearing of the king’s approach.
I must confess my inability to receive this statement in the light of
a self-evident proposition. If the Danes did hear of the approach
of Alfred, the plain of Edington, supported by the strong fortress
of Bratton, would be a spot favourable to the interception of the
invading force and to the mancuvres of a superior army, and in
choosing such a site for the battle, they would have followed the
general, I might almost say, the invariable, example of their pre-
decessors. But there is not the slightest proof that they did hear
of the king’s approach, and the more reasonable presumption would
support the tradition, that whilst they were on some predatory ex-
pedition, Alfred, (in the words of old Speed,) ‘‘on the suddeine, set
uppon the carelesse campe of the Danes, and made thereof a very
great slaughter.”

Dr. Thurnam next observes, that “even if Edington might be
admitted as the site of the battle, we should still demur to accept+
ing the camp of Bratton as the Danish fortress.” If this latter
observation can be maintained, I will readily yield the question in
dispute; and will agree, that the battle could not have been fought
at Edington, if Bratton is not to be identified with the fortress to
which the Danes afterwards retreated. But so far from admitting
the difficulty of that retreat, I presume it to be consistent with the
most obvious view of the case. Alfred emerging from the forest
and woody tracts, which extended beyond Westbury Leigh, must
of course, have attacked, to the north of Bratton; the ridge of down
preventing the meeting of the hostile armies in any other direction.
Mr. Britton indeed objects to the identity of Bratton, on account
of its position between Edington and Cleyhill, which would infer
a retreat through the conquering army; but (referring to the map),
if we consider that this fortress is separated by the ridge of down

Norr.—The reader is requested to substitute the word ‘‘ escarpment” for
“encampment,” at p. 181, line 2; and to erase the words “‘to me” at p. 182 line 5.

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. 179

from any conceivable march which Alfred could have made, his
remark and the inferences which he draws from it, are of no mo-
ment. It seems reasonable to suppose that the king, on account
of the wooded character of the neighbourhood, advanced due north
from Bucley or Westbury Leigh, till he came to a line parallel
with Edington, diverging from which direction, he attacked the
camp on the western or northwestern side, in which case, Bratton
would be sufficiently in the rear of the Danes to permit their re-
treat to that fortress. I fully admit the difficulty of flight to the
southern entrance, and consequently that if there were then no
northern approach to Bratton camp, the obstacle would be nearly
insuperable. Dr. Thurnam, therefore, with sufficient astuteness
adds, “the principal entrance is clearly that on the south side, and
it is by no means certain that originally any other existed.” The
question however to be determined is, not whether a N.E. entrance
originally existed, but whether it existed at that time. Sir Richard
Hoare after a very minute inspection, observes, that ‘this earth-
work was first made by the Britons, and afterwards used by the
Romans, Saxons, and Danes:” he further states, that “the N.E.
point presents an additional earthwork, like a small detached camp.”
Now there is here, I think, evidence to shew that this entrance was
not broken through in modern times: but that it was an approach
formed with care, on the principles of ancient fortification, the
place of admission being guarded with appropriate defence: or
advantage being taken of astrong outwork in forming a subsequent
entrance. And hence, although we may agree with Dr. Thurnam,
that “earthworks were not usually weakened by approaches on the
side of a declivity,” yet where such an approach was deemed ex-
pedient, the “weakness” which it occasioned was counteracted by
powerful out-works, and the entrance guarded with proper security.
Nor does it appear improbable that an approach on the side of
Chippenham might have been made even by the Danes themselves,
either for a convenient communication with that place, or for the
temporary purpose of its connection with the camp at Edington.
It may tend to determine the ancient military character of this
entrance, if I add, that the outer line of entrenchment is extended

N 2

180 The Battle of Ethandun.

to that outwork. After this great battle, which determined the fate
of England, we must conclude that such earthworks were rarely
used, much less subject to additional castrametation. With these
facts in view, which sufficiently indicate a means of retreat for the
Danes to this entrenchment by its N.E. entrance, I confess my
inability to comprehend the force of Dr. Thurnam’s deductions, in
the following passage, (p. 76). “The narrative of Asser seems,
however, decidedly opposed to our assuming Edington and Bratton
Castle as the sites of these important events. The description of
the fortress, and the booty of horses and cattle found outside, ap-
pear to point, not to a stronghold hastily thrown up, or resorted to
under the pressure of events, but clearly to a place of security
where they had been some time encamped.” Ifa “strong fortress,
with double ramparts and a large outwork” can be “ hastily thrown
up,” there may be some truth in the remark; but how it could be
made in the face of the accompanying plan of Bratton, I am at a
loss to know. The writer continues; “That the Danes had ad-
vanced to meet Alfred and give him battle, seems evident; but it
is not probable that they would have encumbered themselves with
stores of horses and cattle.” To this statement I beg to object,
that the first, is a gratuitous conclusion, and by the way, incon-
sistent with the lengthy encampment, of which we were informed
in the preceding sentence, that “horses” were necessary to a pre-
datory military fort, and that “spoil” was the daily fruit of
Danish occupation.

But it is urged, that ‘Alfred could scarcely have maintained a
successful siege in the vale below, the Danes possessing free egress
to the south.” I should have thought, however, that considering
the great slaughter which preceded the flight, the victorious army
of Alfred would be quite sufficient to blockade both entrances
against any attempt of escape, from their reduced and disheartened
enemy.! f

1 «The king, with vigorous judgment followed the northmen to their fortress,
and contrary to their hopes, encamped himself strongly rownd it. By this de-
cisive measure he cut them off from all reinforcement, and confined them to the scan-

ty subsistence which happened to be in their station. Whilst the siege lasted the
strength of Alfred augmented in proportion, which destroyed in the Danes every

i i ala a ant i neat se x

—~

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. 181

The figure of a white horse, the ensign of Saxony, and the re-
cognized monument of Saxon victory, on the western encampment of
Bratton Castle, is a feature so corroborative of the battle of Ethan-
dun, that we must not be surprized at the attempt to convert it
into a modern work, and that Dr. Thurnam should hint “equo ne
credite Teucri,’"—more especially as Mr. Wise has mentioned a
report, that it was made during the last century. But it appears
that this author himself gave little credit to that version, for he
adds, “ Yet still, I think it may deserve the enquiry of others, who
have more leisure than myself, how the common people came to be
so fortunate in the choice of their ground, and whether the authors
of it had not preserved the tradition of some older horse, and of
some more ancient tradition, now forgot.” The reasonable infer-
ence, therefore, to be drawn from this report, seems to be, that it
referred to a renewal of the figure, and not to its original formation,
more especially as another renewal was made in 1778, subsequently
to Mr. Wise’s publication. Sir Richard Hoare, who had better
means of collecting oral information, observes, that “although some
authors have doubted the originality of the figure, yet, early and
long tradition seems to confirm it.” It is a fact recognized by Mr.
Wise, and I believe all other antiquaries, that the white horse of
Berkshire is the undoubted memorial of the victory of the Saxons,
obtained over the Danes at Aiscesdun, in that county. Would such
a mark of renown then, be wanting to the site of the crowning vic-
tory of Ethandun? But at Bratton, in the nearest vicinity of Ed-
ington, adapted to the purpose, I may say, “Hic bellator equus
campo sese arduus infert,” and without further remark, I leave its
absence at Yatton to the inference of your readers.

The order of Dr. Thurnam’s paper now brings us to the ortho-
graphy of the site in dispute, and the writer states, that “the name
of Yatton will give us little difficulty.” Difficulty is a comparative
term, dependent on the amount of capacity possessed by the person
who encounters it; and I may observe with sincerity, from the

hope of emancipation, &c.”—Turner’s Ang. Sax. 2-91, quoting Asser 34, Flor,
Wig. 317, Sax. Chron. 85. This fortress the author, rejecting the dictum of
Whitaker, identifies with Bratton Castle, 2. 86.

182 The Battle of Ethandun.

perusal of Dr. Thurnam’s very valuable contributions to your
Magazine, that his estimate of it will vary much from that of many
of his readers. I must profess myself, with humility, to be one of
those, and am impressed with the opinion, that the name of Yatton
appears to me one of the greatest stumbliug blocks in the way to
the conclusion proposed. The deduction of Yatton from the Ettone
of Domesday Book, shall not be here contested; although it seems
nothing more than the gate (or street) town, the Saxon gate being
softened into yate throughout Gloucestershire, the neighbouring
county. Yet with this concession, in what way are we to account
for its imperfect curtailment, and for its entire difference in ortho-
graphy and sound, from every known variety of name which has
been used by every writer, to designate the site of Alfred’s victory ?
Dr. Thurnam says, there is enough of hill or down to warrant the
composite term of Etton-dun, but over-looking this apparent tone
of hesitation, and admitting that there is “ample verge and room
enough,” has this compound ever appeared in writing, or (perhaps)
in common parlance, before his ingenuity had fabricated it?
Would it ever be lost or discarded, if, under the circumstances of
the case it had ever been in use? Whilst the whole rescued king-
dom resounded with the glorious name of Ethandun, would its
inhabitants be content with the puny abortion of Ethone, and have
excluded the very termination which identified the site of the en-
gagement? As well might we expect an Englishman to abstract
a letter from the name of Waterloo, or a syllable from that of
Trafalgar. Further, we cannot resolve this objection into the care-
lessness of a rustic population, for writers have, it seems, continued
it even to cotemporary times.

Iam indebted to Dr. Thurnam for the important information,
that Ethandun appears in all its integrity in the Will of Alfred,
having been probably purchased by that monarch; and this fact
leads us to the inevitable conclusion, that the final syllable was
even then incorporated in the designation of the territory or estate,
and not arbitrarily connected with another termination, to suit a
particular purpose. So again, the same Ethandun occurs in the
Saxon chronicle; a slight softening identifies it with the Edendune

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. 183

of Domesday, and its popular recognition is daily stamped, not in
Yatton, but in Edington. Moreover, the last mentioned document
supplies us with the veritable “Simon Pure”; and Ettone, (not
Edendune) as Dr. Thurnam truly says, is the representative of
Yatton. Let him produce a document where the ancient name of
Ettone stands forth as the site of the battle, and then he will have
contributed greatly to the strength of his position. But indepen-
dently of these considerations, the addition of dun to Ettone would
be mere surplusage and repetition. It is true, that a distinction
may be made between dun, a hill or down, and tun, a residence ;
but the one is so often resolved into the other, (as in the ease of
Ethandun and Edington,) that they are usually convertible terms,
and the one termination may stand for either description. I will
not further press this argument, but conclude it with another quo-
tation of Dr. Thurnam himself, merely requesting your readers to
place it in juxtaposition with his own ingenious transformation
of Yatton into Ethandun. “ Little difficulty, it must be admitted,
exists on the ground of orthography, in accepting Edington as the
representative of Ethandun; Edington being clearly the Edendone
of Domesday, and being written Edyndon, at least as late as the
time of Henry the VIth, (1449.)”

We are now arrived at Bury Wood camp, which Whitaker
and his followers identify with the fortress to which the defeated
Danes returned: and here I may suggest, that if, as is stated,
the Saxons attacked their enemy from the south, (they themselves
marching from the east,) since Bury Wood lies south west of
Yatton, the Danes in their retreat, must in this case, have passed
nearly through the lines of the victorious army, crossing Slaugh-
terford with the stream in their rear, and their conquerors in
their front. Circumstances no doubt might possibly have so
happened, but I cannot conceive with Dr. Thurnam, that this
is a very “probable position.”’ I must leave to those more intimate-
ly acquainted with that neighbourhood, as well as Bratton camp,
a comparison between the two entrenchments, with reference
to the amount of probability per se in the identification of one or
the other with the retreat of the Danes; with the observation,
that the description of the former place given in “Ancient Wilt-

184 The Battle of Ethandun.

shire,” does not present the formidable appearance of a fortification,
which for fourteen days would deter, perhaps defy, the assault of
an army flushed with victory.}

It is not inconsistent with the practice of controversy, that Dr.
Thurnam, like his predecessor Whitaker, should press into his ser-
vice the appropriate name of Slaughterford in the neighbourhood
of Yatton, and even the name of Dane’s blood given to a vulnerary
herb, found in that neighbourhood: both of which may possibly
have reference to contests, and with the same enemy, although not
to the battle in question. The term “slaughter,” is unhappily very
frequently found in the nomenclature of all parts of the country,
indicating the thousand contests which have disturbed or dismayed
our island; and if we are reminded of the violence of the Danes in
their conquest and occupation of Chippenham and the neighbour-
hood, not only in the reign of Alfred, but subsequently, when the
important battle of Sherston, at a short distance, was fought, a
peculiar identification of these facts with the battle of Ethandun
must fail. I should scarcely have mentioned the spot called “Danes
Leys,” at Edington, but for a counterpoise to these minor argumen-
tative auxiliaries.

Your readers, then, weighing the opposite statements which have

Returning to Castle Combe, I pursued the direct road towards Bath, and
having passed the village of Slaughterford on the left, I observed an old bank
and ditch upon some high ground, in the parish of Colerne, as I was informed.
A little further on the right was a long strip of wood, in which is an earthenwork,
noticed by Aubrey under the different titles of North Wood, and Bury Wood
camp. Being entirely covered with a thick copse, the investigation of it in
summer was impossible ; but Mr. Edmund Crocker, engaged in the Government
survey of England, measured it in winter and gaye me a rough outline of the
camp, which was corrected on the spot by my own surveyor. Its shape resem-
bles that of a heart, having the narrow or pointed part extended towards the
north east, in an angle between two streams. Its area comprehends twenty-five
acres, and it appears to have had only entrance towards the south west, and that
placed exactly in the centre of the ramparts, which on this side are double and
rectilinear, the ground being level and most accessible on this side. On the
north west side, but within the area of the camp, and at a short distance from
the outward yallum is a small earthenwork, single ditched, with an entrance to
the west. The whole of this work is so obscured by thick copse wood, that a
regular investigation of it, except in winter, is impossible.”—Ancient Wilts,
vol. ii., p. 108.

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. 185

been adduced on particular points of this controversy, may now con-
sider the comparative probability of a march from Brixton to
Highley common, the latter part of which would be through an
open country, and on the third and following day another march of
nine or ten miles to Yatton, equally exposed to view, with a battle
at the termination of it; to the narrative submitted by Sir Richard
Hoare, which I add in his own words, as his magnificent publication
is in the hands of few probably of your readers.

“ On the second day he marched to Aicglea, and there rested
for the night. If this halting place is fixed at Clay Hill, or in its
neighbourhood, the army must have diverged considerably to the
north west; from a desire, probably, of following the wood-land
tract, and avoiding the more open and exposed country. Silence and
secrecy were the watch words of the day; and the chief object of
King Alfred was to surprise the unsuspecting Danes, who thought
him secure in his retreat at Athelney. And here it will be neces-
sary for me to answer some of the objections made by former writers,
to this line of march. I shall not take any notice of the fanciful
positions of Dr. Beke and Mr. Whitaker, but confine myself to those
of the learned Camden and his annotator Bishop Gibson. The lat-
ter thinks “‘that Westbury Leigh would be a better situation for
the Aicglea of Asser and the Chronicle; and says that Clay Hill
bears no marks of intrenchments, and is too far from the spot where
the battle was fought on the following day near Edington.” Though
on each of the first days march, Asser tells us that Alfred encamped
(“ castrametatus est”), we are not to imply that he raised military
intrenchments for the safety or convenience of his army for one
night. There are indeed evident signs of raised earthen works round
Clay Hill, as may be seen in the annexed plate, but they bear marks
of much higher antiquity, and cannot possibly be attributed to the
Saxon monarch, whose object was to proceed slowly and secretly
towards his enemy ; slowly, that he might afford an opportunity
for his friends from distant parts to join him; and secretly, that
the enemy might gain no previous intelligence of his hostile inten-
tions, all of which plans would have been counteracted had he,
(according to Bishop Gibson,) encamped at Westbury Leigh; a

186 The Battle of Ethandun.

place adjoining and within sight of Bratton Castle! I think,
therefore, Aicglea ought to be placed somewhere in the neighbour-
hood of Clay Hill or Bucley.

“Let us next consider the events of the third day, which at
length decided the superiority of the Saxon monarch over his in-
veterate enemies, the Danes. The village of Edington corresponds
so well, both in name and situation, with the Ethandum of Asser,
and the Ethandune of the Saxon Chronicle, that I shall not hesitate
to place the scene of action at that place. It is situated at a short
distance from Bratton, under the ridge of Chalk hills, upon a bold
point of which stands the fortress to which the Danes were driven
for a temporary refuge. The original entrances to this camp are
still used as a thoroughfare for the road to Bratton: and in the
valley to the eastward, is a fine perennial spring, called Lockham,
near which the residence of the Danes is still commemorated, in
the name of a field called Danes Ley.

“Less would have been written or said on this memorable sub-
ject, had authors taken the pains to examine personally the local
situation, or line of country through which King Alfred would
naturally have directed his march. In the course now laid down
before my readers, we find nothing improbable, and even etymology
need not be tortured in order to explain the names of places re-
corded on this occasion. For we find the Petra Aigbryhta re-echoed
in Brixton, the Aicglea in Clay, Clea, or Bucley; and the Ethan-
dune in Edington. But the Cornish historian, Mr. Whitaker, dis-
regarding the records of Asser and the Chronicle in this instance,
(though in others he has held them forth as of the highest author-
ity,) seeming to differ merely for difference sake, and in his dicta-
torial tone exclaiming, “Sic volo, sic jubeo, sit pro ratione voluntas,’””
has transferred Aicglea and Ethandune to Highley and Yatton,

1 Those who are intimately acquainted with the ground, will judge how far
this remark may be qualified by the consideration, that in those times and sub-
sequently, the woodland extended over the neighbourhood of Westbury Leigh.
See Hund. of Westbury.

2 « A few strokes of his (Whitaker’s) pen demolish authorities as easily as he
sometimes unduly stretches them.”—Turner’s Hist. of the Anglo-Saxons, vol.
ii. p. 59.

By Geo. Matcham, Esq. 187

because on looking over Mr. Gough’s additions to Camden’s Britan-
nia, he has found a place called Slaughterford, and a camp adjoin-
ing. Such topographical and historical misstatements should stand
corrected, even though made by so intelligent and seducing an
author as Mr. Whitaker.”

The strongest corroboration of these, and similar views, will be
found in the valuable map which accompanies Dr. Thurnam’s
paper. The reader will there see that Brixton Deveril or Egbert’s
Stone, was chosen as the secret place of meeting, because the con-
tingents could make their way to it unperceived through the line
of wood, along the valley of the Wiley, which shrouded them
from observation by those possessing the down. But this furtive
course would have been unnecessary if the march, as suggested by
Dr. Thurnam, was subsequently made through an open country.
Brixton, indeed, would have been a rendezvous quite inappropriate
to an open attack in the neighbourhood of Chippenham, for it
would have been far out of any direct line of march. Some place
of meeting would, in that case, have been chosen, probably north-
ward of Selwood, and advantage would perhaps have been taken of
the fosse way, which leads thence in the direction of Chippenham.
But to quote the words of the historian of the Anglo-Saxons, “the
attack was meant by the celerity of the movements to be a sur-
prize, and most probably was so, and the expression used by most
of the chroniclers, imply this circumstance.” It appears to me
that a key is here found to unlock the whole controversy; it
explains and identifies the secret steps of Alfred’s march, inti-
mating a site approaching the shrubby purlieus of Selwood, and
fixes his victory, where before it always has been fixed, at Edington.

* Mr. Turner (who published his history of the Anglo-Saxons subsequently to
the appearance of the Life of St. Neot,) although he fully notices the positive
affirmation, I will not say the reasoning, of Whitaker, is not influenced by his
dogmatic decision, On the contrary, he states that the Danish army ‘was
encamped in or about Bratton Hill at Edendun, near Westbury.”—vol. ii. p. 86.
* Edendun lies under Bratton Hill, which is lofty, abrupt, and of difficult access.
On its summit there are yet extant, the trenches and ditches of the Danish
camp. ‘Two branches for the sake of water spread to the foot of the mountain.
Here weary of the confinement of a camp, and under no alarm of any hostile
troops, the Danes diffused themselves to Edendun, &c.”

188 The Battle of Ethandun.

Permit me to observe in conclusion, that the contrary opinion
which I have expressed to that supported by Dr. Thurnam, is not
inconsistent with that respect for him, as a valuable contributor to
the “Wiltshire Magazine,” which his communications so well
merit. His statements are made in a clear and intelligible manner,
and his conciliatory style, presents a very advantageous contrast
with the disgusting dogmatism which deforms the writings of his
prototype Whitaker, and which is utterly unworthy of that writer’s
vigorous mind. Itis no small advantage to our society to possess
a member, whose professional pursuits enable him to determine
many points of difficulty in considering the contents of our barrows
and interments, and the extensive acquaintance with antiquity and
other subjects, which Dr. Thurnam evidently possesses recals to our
minds the observation of Johnson, that physicians are more remark-
able for general attainments in letters and science, than members
of any other profession. Perhaps the result to which Dr. Thurnam
has arrived may not have been less satisfactory to him, from his
transfer (as he supposes) of so great an historical event to a neigh-
bourhood, from which he has at the same time abstracted the glory
of Hubba’s Low; but this feeling is probably slight, in comparison
with the satisfaction which I have derived, from convincing my
own mind (as possibly some others), after a careful consideration, that
the world has not been so many ages in error; that my friend, Sir
Richard Hoare, was in the main correct in his conclusions, and
that his fame as an investigator of our primeval remains, may
well sustain such serious attacks, supported as it is by his experi-
ence, judgement, and unwearied assiduity of research. Still, never-
theless, I could have wished that some more effective writer had
appeared in his defence, and in sustaining the authority of his
** Ancient Wiltshire,” an inestimable legacy to this county, and a
work in its kind, unparalleled in the whole range of ancient or
modern topography :

‘Unde nil majus generatur ipso,
Nec viget quidquam simile aut secundum.”
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

Gro. MarcHam.
Newhouse, June 4th, 1857.

189

Che Flova of Wiltshire,

COMPRISING THE

Flowering Plants and Ferns indigenous to the County;
By Tuomas Bruces Firower, M.R.C.S., F.L.S., &c., &e.
No. I.

is intended to commence in the present number of the

°8\%) Society’s Magazine, the publication of a series of papers on
the “Flora of Wiltshire,” principally with a desire to induce those
who may be at present unacquainted with its botany, and the
beautiful field of nature which their own county presents, to
study this most pleasing and instructive branch of Natural History.
It is one which treats of the complicated mechanism and wonder-
ful vital properties, of perhaps little less than 100,000 species of
organized beings. These occupy, as it were, the middle station
between the animal and mineral kingdoms, nearly allied to both,
endowed with powers which enable them to accommodate them-
selves to every variety of situation, mountain, valley, savannah,
desert, placid lake, or restless ocean; and to flourish alike under
the scorching rays of an Equatorial sun, or through the enduring
winter of the Poles. By their rainbow hues, varied forms, and
delightful fragrance, they excite the imagination, and contribute to
the enjoyment of the most refined sense; some scarcely to be dis-
tinguished from the rock they clothe, some fragile and evanescent ; a
few hours embracing their periods of growth, maturity and decay ;
others rising in majestic grandeur, defying the blast, and affording
the shelter of their umbrageous arms to successive generations of
men, Again, another very important reason for adopting the pre-
sent form of publication, has been to enable all botanical friends
and correspondents to see exactly, not only what plants are present
or absent from the county, but in what proportion the species are
rare or common, and from the localities quoted, to judge which

190 The Flora of Wiiltshire.

parts of the county have been best explored, and which most ne-
glected by botanists. They will then be in a better condition to
diminish the apparent infrequency of certain plants, here given as
scarce, by the communication of habitats from the less examined
districts, or to supply novelties, on the sure ground, that they are
such because specially omitted by name, whenever attention has
not been called, as will be done in some instances, to the proba-
bility of their occurrence. It is only by these means that its
“Flora” can be satisfactorily known, the geographical range and
distribution of the various species ascertained, with any degree of
accuracy.

It would be too much to expect, from the following series of
papers, more than a small contribution towards the knowledge of
the distribution of plants. Yet it has been wellobserved, that it is only
from the evidence contained in such local surveys, that comprehen-
sive inferences can be securely drawn. In them the philosophic
contemplator of nature ought to find exact, if not complete, data
for correct reasoning, and if the districts into which it is proposed
to divide a county, be well chosen, not too limited in area, nor too uni-
form in physical constitution, conclusions of general value may be
safely proposed upon an adequate basis of observed facts.

In preparing our minds then, to commence the study of the
“Flora of Wiltshire,” we should not fall into the false idea, that
the naming of plants is all that is required. Although it is un-
doubtedly one of our leading objects as practical botanists, it should
ever be borne in mind, that such knowledge is merely superficial
and tends to no intellectual or practical good. Our great aim
should be a thorough acquaintance with the science. We shouldstudy
it in all its bearings. We should possess a knowledge of the ana-
tomy and structure of plants, in order to qualify ourselves for
understanding the functions of their different parts, such as the
root, stem, leaves, and flowers; and for judging of their import-
ance in the economy of nature. We should examine also the
relations they bear to each other, their specific differences, and
general alliance. And lastly, we should investigate their properties,
in order to ascertain the special uses to which they may be applied

— ee

a ee

By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 191

in the economy of man. Having done this, it remains within our
choice in what way we are to follow up our knowledge practically ;

_whether, as agriculturists, to contribute to the improvement of
land, or, as horticulturists, to beautify our private mansions.

Should the inclinations of the botanist tend to the scientific pur-
suit of the subject, nothing can prove a greater source of pleasure
than the forming of an Herbarium, or repository of plants, either of
the district in which he lives, or of the county generally.1. In
order to do this, he allots a few spare hours occasionally to the
field; perambulating the valley or the plain, picking here and there
a plant of ordinary form and appearance: a little farther on he
gathers of the sweet and lovely flowers of the little stream or the
winding river. At another time he will explore the woods, or
climb the rocky sides of a distant hill, adding plentifully to his
stock of plants rich in gay colours, as well as to that of shrubs,
whose verdant green contrasts strongly with the slender grasses,
carices, and ferns of the swamp beneath. A third excursion will
find him upon some of our lofty downs, amongst plants of great
variety, remarkable for the fineness of their texture and richness
of colour, and enhanced greatly by their modesty of size.

Such rambles afford endless sources of gratificatién. While they
contribute to the health and strength of the body, they exhilarate
the spirits, and impart to them tone and vigour. Not the least of their
advantages, are the wholesome impressions made upon the mind,
chiefly by the associations with which they are afterwards connected.

He who has joined with companions in a botanical party, and with
them often visited native spotsof beauty, and gathered their treasures,
can truly know the feelings of delight that arisein the breast, “feelings”’

‘It being the intention of the Society to commence the formation of a County
Herbarium for future reference, Botanists would confer an especial favour, by
forwarding to Mr. Cunnington, Devizes, duplicates of such Wiltshire plants
as they could conveniently spare, or would collect, and dry for the Society. It is
also requested that any apparent Anomaly or Monstrosity occurring in the
growth of plants may be preserved, and deposited in the ‘‘Museum,” when they
shall receive such explanations as their nature will permit. By this means,
Botany would acquire an accession of useful labourers, whose materials may

hereafter be employed, modelled, and arranged by those, whose better talents,
and more abundant leisure, may render them particularly fitted for the task.

192 The Flora of Wiltshire.

(says Dr. Balfour,) ‘by no means of an evanescent nature, but lasting
during life,—and at once recalled by the sight of the specimens
which were collected. An occasional glance at an Herbarium, will
call forth many a pleasing recollection, many a circumstance other-
wise forgotten.” One little plant will often tell a tale of adven-
ture, and revive many an agreeable association of persons, places,
and incidents. This is not the least of its pleasures. It appears
that it is only after the lapse of time, and especially when far
removed from the scenes of botanical study, that we can fully ap-
preciate its value. Should not this then be a strong incentive to
the study of the science of nature, that in the pursuit thereof we
form the acquaintance of those who are treading the same paths ;
and lay the foundation of friendship always delightful, and ever
permanent ?

Botany has a still higher claim upon our attention than those
already indicated. It forms no small portion of that great volume of
nature, which, when read in the true spirit of wisdom, serves as
the handbook to the Volume of Inspiration. It is the echo of the
voice of the Creator “of the heavens, and of the earth, and all that
therein is.” The knowledge of the one will never be found at
variance with the truths of the other. Nay, the more deeply we
study each—the more minutely we compare the facts and pheno-
mena of the one with the revelations of the other, the more
evidently shall we see the harmony that subsists between them,
and the more beautiful is the light they shed upon each other.

In the arrangement of the “ Flora,” the county has been parted
into two principal divisions, and these again into five subordinate sec-
tions. The species have been severally traced through each division
and section, so far as ascertained to occur in them. Upon this plan
it is hoped that complete lists for several districts will ultimately
be recorded, by inducing repeated excursions into each of them in
succession. For in order to be of scientific value, a Flora should be
even more remarkable for the accuracy of the stations it enume-
rates, than for the number of species it contains. Experience has
shown, that it isalmost impossible for any one person, however active,
satisfactorily to examine a large tract of country. Therefore, in a

By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 193

work of this kind, when the difficulties of compiling the researches
of others are at the same time taken into consideration, perfect ac-
curacy can hardly be expected on its first appearance ; but some-
thing, it is hoped, will have been gained, by arranging the facts
already collected, in such a form as to enable a more complete
“Flora” to be eventually published, when additional researches
have been made by other botanists in the county, whose attention
may be drawn to the study of this 7a science by the pre-
sent attempt.

In the preparation of this series of papers, the invaluable Floras

of Smith, Hooker, and Babington have been taken as text books;
(the latter work being most deservedly in use with all who wish
to keep up with the progressive state of botany in this and other
countries of Europe,) and the Wiltshire plants have been compared
with the works of Koch, Reichenbach, and other continental
botanists. The “Botanist’s Guide” of Messrs. Turner and Dillwyn;
Mr. H. C. Watson’s “New Botanist’s Guide ;” and “The Natural
History comprehended within the distance of ten miles round the
City of Salisbury,” by the late George Maton, M.D., have likewise
been consulted. Many valuable remarks have been furnished by
the “Cybele Britannica,” of Mr. Watson. The authenticity of
the localities rests on the authority of those persons whose names
are appended to them; except in those instances, in which speci-
mens from the locality named have been seen by the writer: those
are indicated by a mark of admiration, (!). The remaining loca-
lities have been ascertained by the writer’s personal observation,
and for these he is alone responsible.
Species naturalized, but certainly not indigenous, will be distin-
guished by a star (*) prefixed; and those plants which may possibly
have been introduced by the agency of man, by a dagger (+) ap-
pended. The time of flowering of the various species has been
added, but much uncertainty in this respect prevails, in consequence
of the variable state of the climate; April plants not flowering till
the end of May, and vice versa.

It is now the compiler’s pleasing duty to return his most sincere
thanks to those friends, who have kindly assisted him with their

: o

194 The Flora of Wiltshire.

valuable co-operation. To Mrs. Rowlandson, he is particularly in-
debted for a catalogue of plants observed by her late husband, the
Rev. Edward Rowlandson, at Kington St. Michael; to Mrs. Over-
bury, for a list of plants observed by her at Westbury; to Miss
Lydia Meredith of Battle House, Bromham, for the like throughout
the county generally; to Miss Anne Cunnington, for the neighbour-
hood of Devizes; to Major Smith, and James Hussey, Esq., for
Salisbury; to Dr. Alexander, and C. E. Broome, Esq., for the
neighbourhood of Chippenham; to his excellent friend, H. C.
Watson, Esq., of Thames Ditton, Surrey, for much valuable asist-
ance; to Dr. Southley, of Bulford, for a catalogue of plants,
observed by him in his neighbourhood; to William Bartlett, Esq.,
for a similar list near Great Bedwyn; to Mr. Thomas Coward, Mr.
Hatcher, Mr. Edward Hull, and Mr. Wheeler, of Warminster, he
is also much indebted; and lastly, he would particularly mention
the name of Mr. William Cunnington, of Devizes, for valuable aid
rendered in the geology of the districts.

In conclusion, the compiler may be allowed to express a hope,
that his botanical friends and correspondents, who may be pursuing
their researches in Wiltshire, will favour him with any addition or
correction (even the slightest), in the event of these papers ever
being published in a separate form; as it is only through such
assistance that the “Flora” of his native county can ever attain to
anything like completeness.

en ae ee ee ee

195

Perambulations of Forests in Wilts,

A.D. 1300.!

DWARD, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of
Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine. To all to whom the pre-
sent Letters shall come Greeting. Know ye that whereas the
Commons of our Kingdom have granted to us the fifteenth of all
their moveable goods, &c. A perambulation made in the county
of Wilts of the Forests of the Lord the King, in the same county,
before John de Berewyke, Walter de Gloucester, Walter de Pave-
ley, and John de Crokesle thereto assigned, in the presence of John
de Romsye, Lieutenant of the Justice of the Forest, the Foresters
and Verderers, begun on Friday next before the Feast of St. Bar-
nabas the Apostle, at Salisbury, in the 28th year of the reign of
King Edward the son of King Henry. The Lord the King hath
sent to the aforesaid John and his companions his writ in these
words :—

Epwarp, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of
_Treland, and Duke of Aquitaine. To his beloved and faithful John
_ de Berewyk, Walter de Gloucester, Walter de Paveley, and John
de Crokesle, greeting. Because We will that the Charter of the
Forests of the Lord Henry, formerly King of England, our father,
in all and singular its articles be firmly and inviolably observed.
We have assigned you to convoke in your presence, the Justice of
our forest on this side of Trent, or him whom he shall put in his
_ place, and all the Foresters in fee and the Verderers of our forests
in the Counties of Southampton and Wilts, and to make a right
perambulation by the view of you and them in the same forests,

1 This translation from the Forest Roll, 28 Edward I., amongst the Tower Re-
_ cords, is kindly supplied by H. W. Hewlett, Esq., of Gray’s Inn. The connexion
_ between the Grant of the Fifteenth to the King (referred to at the beginning)
and the Forests, does not exactly appear. Probably persons living within the
Forests were not liable to this Tax, and it may have been necessary to show by
the Perambulation how far the privilege extended.

0 2

196 The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts.

by the oath as well of Knights as of other good and lawful men of
the same counties, by whom the truth of the matter may be the bet-
ter known, and the same perambulation made according to the tenor
of the Charter aforesaid: Saving always our oath and the right of our
Crown, the proofs and claims of us and all others. So, nevertheless,
that if either of you by death or infirmity shall happen to be hin-
dered, whereby he cannot attend to this matter, We will, that in
the place of him who may be so hindered, one other discreet and
lawful Knight, or another of the counties aforesaid, you associate
together with you to execute the premises. To do which, by the
tenor of these presents, we commit to you ful) power. And, there-
fore, we command you that at certain days and places, which there-
unto you shall provide, you perform the premises in form aforesaid.
And we have commanded each of our Sheriffs of the counties afore-
said, that at certain days and places which you shall make known
unto them, they cause to come before you so many and such as well
Knights as other good and lawful men of their Bailiwicks, by whom
the truth of the matter in the premises may be the better known,
and the perambulation aforesaid made as is aforesaid, and the-same
perambulation distinctly and openly made under your seals and
the seals of those by whom it shall be made, you send baek to us
before any execution or other thing thereupon be done; that thence-
forth we may thereupon cause to be done, that which according to
the tenor of the aforesaid charter, ought to be done. In testimony
thereof, we have caused these our Letters to be made patent. Wit-
ness ourself at Westminster, the lst day of April, in the 28th
year of our reign.

By authority of which command, the aforesaid John and his
companions sent their writ to the Sheriff of Wiltshire, that he
should cause to come before them at Salisbury, on Friday next
before the feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, so many and such as
well Knights as other free and lawful men of his county, by whom
the truth of the matter might be the better known; and also all
and singular Foresters and Verderers of all the Forests of his whole
county. At which day, the same Sheriff, together with the Knights
and Free tenants of the same county, and also all the Foresters and

The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts. 197

Verderers of the Forests aforesaid, there came, in the presence of
whom and by their assent they elected Robert de Vernon, James
de Trowe, Robert de Lucy, William de Wodefold, Peter Fitz
Warin, William de Cotes, Simon de Torny (who was not present),
John Gernoun, Simon de Paulesholt, Richard de Ryngeborn, Wil-
liam Waryn, Gilbert de Farnedon, William le Chamberlayn, Henry
de Burn, John Huberd, Adam Harding, Geoffrey le Clerk of La-
vynton, Thomas de Gomeldon, John de Letilecote, William de
Testewod, Thomas Aucher, Roger de Stotescumb, Walter de
Langeford, Nicholas Delamere, William Coson, and Walter Wy-
mond; who first in the Bailiwick of John de Vienne, chief Forester
of Clarindon, and in his presence, and in the presence of Jordan de
Laverstock, John de Putton, and William le Noble, Foresters in
fee, and in the presence of Thomas de Gomeldon and Robert de
Harlsfield, Verderers of the aforesaid Forest, by their oath, say
and have thus proceeded, that is to say;

CLARENDON.

At Wodegate and thence descending by the middle of the ditch
unto the east side of the Marlyngputte, and from thence by the
ditch unto Kingsmead, and so along by the water unto the meadow
which is called Scherpegore, and from thence by the aforesaid
meadow and the meadow of William de Wodefold, and from thence
beyond the highway by the ditch unto Hoveswyeshed, and so along
from the east side of the Holewey unto the land of Muleford, and
so along by the ditch unto Pynkelewey, and so along by the
_ Wyldeneditch unto the wood which is called Schireneswood, and
_ from thence from the west side of the aforesaid wood by the way
unto Rutheresheved, and from thence descending by the aforesaid
ditch unto Stolkewey, and so by Wyldeneditch unto Slaygate of
Putton, and so ascending by three ditches unto the corner of
Rodesle, and so by the way descending between the wood of the
7 Lord the King and Rodesle unto Langehimeswey, and so by Odesle
unto the corner of the croft of Robert David, which is called Howe,
_ and from thence descending unto Stonyesgore, and so ascending
between the wood of the Lord the King and the wood of John de

198 The Perambulations of the Forests in Wiits.

Lucy unto Treyslanschores, and from thence by the way between
the wood of the Lord the King and the wood of John de Grimsted
unto Sayonescrofteshurne, and from thence unto Benekestapel along
by the ditch, and so by the ditch of la Vilicroft unto the ditch of
the Lord the King of Wydebroke, and so by the ditch unto the
cross of John de Grimested, and so along by the ditch unto the
aforesaid Wodegate. And the Jurors say, that the aforesaid metes
and bounds before the time of the coronation of King Henry, great
grandfather of the Lord the now King, used to inclose the aforesaid
Forest of Clarendon. And they say that the Lord the King hath no
demesne wood near and without the aforesaid metes adjoining the
aforesaid Forest. But they say, that without the aforesaid metes and
bounds there is a certain wood which is called Schireneswood, which
was appropriated to the Forest after the coronation of the aforesaid
King Henry the great grandfather, and it is now in the hands of
the Lord the King, and did pertain to the manor of Winterbourne
Earls; and also a certain wood which is called Rowlesgof, which
pertains to Winterbourn Dantesay, because it was appropriated to
the Forest after the coronation of King Henry the great grand-
father, and is in the hands of the Lord the now King; and all the
woods, lands, and places which by this perambulation are disaffor-
ested, were afforested after the coronation of the Lord King Henry,
great grandfather of the Lord the now King; but what and how
much in the time of each King severally, can in nowise appear to
them.
WEstwoop.

The Bailiwick of Westwood begins at Treslanschores, and so
by the way unto Durhay, and so by the way unto Winterslewe-
stighele, and from thence between Otteshage and Westwood unto
Thuneshete, and from thence by the upper way between Westwood
and the wood formerly of Richard Cosyn, unto the Hale, and so
by the extremity of the wood unto the Whiteway, and from thence
by the ditch about Hundenewood unto the wood of Robert de Har-
feld, which is called Wynemanneshurne, and so between the wood
of the aforesaid Robert and Hundewood unto Cripelesgate, and so
by Rowepath unto the croft of Robert Queynte, and so descending
by Ramespath unto the corner of the croft of John Page, and from

RS te eo) I a eek ee sate

The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts. 199

thence by the way unto Crupelesballe, and so by the wood of Stephen
de Brightmerston unto the ditch which is between the pasture of
the aforesaid Stephen and Hundewood, and so by the ditch unto
the corner of the wood of Nicholas de Pureschurch, and so between
Bentewood and Hundewood unto the aforesaid Treslanschores.
And they say that the Lord the King hath no demesne wood with-
out the aforesaid metes and bounds, and they say that all the woods,
lands, and places to the aforesaid Forest appropriated which by
this perambulation are disafforested, were appropriated to the Forest
after the coronation of King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord
the now King, but what and how much in the times of each King
severally, can in nowise appear to them.
MicHet.

A perambulation made in the Bailiwick of Milchet in the pre-
sence of John de Berewyk and his companions thereunto assigned
as above appears, in the presence of Andrew de Grimsted, Forester
in fee; Thomas de Comb, and John de Lye, Verderers; and they
thus proceed, that is to say ; at Dedemannesfford by Genenepath
unto the Blakhegge, and from thence unto the Holeok, and so unto
the Haselenburch, and so unto the Holewey, and from thence unto
Cartersfford, and so unto the Littleburgh, and from thence unto
Arnoldesburgh, and so unto Duxemoresheved, and so by the high-
way unto without the Gate of Colemore, and from thence by the
highway unto Sparewok, and so by the lake ascending unto the
head of the same lake, and so by the way unto the Martok, and
from thence unto the Holelanesheved under Oxenall, and from
_ thence descending by the Holelak unto the lake which cometh from
_ Hatheweneshall, and from thence by the same lake unto the Burn
at the Rodeschute, and so always by the water unto the aforesaid
Dedesmanesfford. And they say, that the aforesaid metes and
bounds before the time of the coronation of King Henry, great
grandfather of the Lord the now King, used to inclose the afore-
said Bailiwick. And they say that the Lord the King hath no
other wood adjoining the aforesaid Bailiwick; and they say that all
the woods, lands, and places to the aforesaid Bailiwick appropriated,
which by the aforesaid perambulation are disafforested, were

200 The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts.

appropriated to the Forest after the coronation of the Lord King
Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now King; but what
and how much in the times of the kings severally, in nowise can
appear to them.

GRAVELEE.

A perambulation made in the Forest of Gravelee in the pre-
sence of John de Berewyke and his companions, thereunto assigned
as above appeareth, and in the presence of Thomas de Chaucomb,
Forester in fee; Alan de Langeford, and Robert Cole, Verderers of
the forest aforesaid; that is to say, beginning at Noddre under
Bereford, and so always by the water of Noddre unto Assehewell
Lake, and so ascending by the same unto Pultingston, and so to-
wards the west unto the Meneway, and so by the Meneway unto
Radeway, and so by the Radewayesden unto the mere between the
land of Adam de la Ford and the land of Alan de Langford unto
Wylyesford, and so along by the water unto the stone before the
gate of the house of St. John of Wiltshire, and so by the water
unto the aforesaid Noddre. And they say that the aforesaid metes
and bounds before the time of the coronation of King Henry, great
grandfather of the Lord the now King, used to inclose the afore-
said Forest of Gravelee. And they say that the Lord the King
hath no other wood adjoining to the aforesaid forest. And they
say that all the woods, lands, and places to the aforesaid forest
appropriated, which by this perambulation are disafforested, were
afforested after the coronation of King Henry the great grandfa-
ther of the Lord the now King, but what and how much in the
times of the successive kings severally, in nowise can appear to
them.

BRADENE.

A perambulation made in the Forest of Bradene in the presence
of John de Berewick and his companions, thereunto assigned as
appeareth in the Roll of Clarendon, and in the presence of William
de Roppelee, Bailiff of Robert de Keynes, Forester in fee; and in
the presence of Thomas Tyeys, Walter Rysour, James de Grounde-
well, and Roger Hasard, Verderers; beginning at Bustock, and
from thence unto Greneborn, and so along by Greneborn unto

The Perambulations of the Forests in Wiits. 201

Kulstokesford, and from thence between the two Sampfords unto
Calewehulle, and from thence unto Grodefraneshull, and so unto
Sandricheshok, and from thence unto Canonway, and so unto the
house of Henry atte Borne, and so by the land of the same Henry
descending unto Thames, and from thence by Thames unto the
land of William atte Brigg, and from thence between the land of
the same William and the land of John Hobbeschort, and the land
of John Nonyt unto the aforesaid Thames, and from thence always
by Thames unto the house of William of the Mill, and so unto
Coverdecrouche, and from thence by the highway unto the cross
before the house of John de Conham, and so by the highway unto
the house of Nicholas Hobbeschort, and from thence between the
land of Hugh Peverell and the land of John de Nevyle unto the
Frith, and from thence by the ditch which is the bound between
the wood of John de Nevyle and the wood of Robert de Keynes,
and so always between the wood of the aforesaid Robert and the
pasture of the aforesaid John and the Earl of Lincoln, and from
thence along between Wydemore and Peverellswood, and so along
by the Menewey between the wood of Robert de Keynes and the
wood of the Earl of Lincoln unto the Batedelynd, and so along by
the way unto Tolyntreshull, and from thence unto the Strode, and
from thence unto Heremytescroft, and so to the aforesaid Bustock.
And they say that the aforesaid metes and bounds used to inclose
the aforesaid Forest, before the time of the coronation of King
Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now King, and that the
Lord the King without the aforesaid metes hath no wood adjoining
the aforesaid Forest. And they say that all the woods, lands, and
places to the aforesaid Forest appropriated, which by this peram-
bulation are disafforested, were afforested after the coronation of
the Lord King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now
King; but what and how much in the times of the kings severally,
in nowise can appear to them.
SAVERNAK.

A perambulation made in the Forest of Savernak in the pre-
sence of John de Berewyk and his companions, as above appeareth,
and in the presence of Henry de Sturmey, William de Harden,

202 The Perambulations of the Forests in Writs.

William de Bonneclyve, Roger de Harden, Foresters in fee; and
in the presence of John de Kenete, Thomas de Polton, William de
Caperigge, and Nicholas Desmars, Verderers; beginning at Bon-
neclyve, that is to say at the west corner, and from thence descend-
ing by the ditch between the aforesaid Bonneclyve and the wood
of the Abbot of Hyde unto Drayton, and from thence unto the
Crochedeway, and so by the way unto Stunore, and so unto
Scotiesgore, and from thence ascending by the way unto the
Redechorde and Wodenesdich, and so descending by the same unto
the way which leads from Oure towards Marlburgh, and from thence
ascending between the wood of Hanekerigg and the wood of Ni-
cholas de Barbefeld towards Manton, and so unto the cross of Man-
ton, and from thence descending unto the water of Kenet, and so
along by the same water unto Colebrigg, and from thence along
by the water unto Elecote bridge, and from thence ascending be-
tween the land of the Lord the King and the land of Roger de
Stokescomb unto the way which leads unto Enesbury, and from
thence by the highway unto Lechenhardescroft, and from thence
by the highway near the land of the aforesaid Roger unto the cross
of Crokeresthorpesend, and from thence descending by the bottom
of the valley unto the Pit of Abreneden, and frem thence towards
the east side along by the bottom of the valley unto the croft of
the Prior of St. Margaret at the Putte, and from thence ascending
by the aforesaid croft unto the croft which is called Hobbesare,
and from thence along by the hedge unto the wood of Puttehale,
and from thence descending by the hedge unto the house of Rich-
ard de Timrigge, and from thence beyond the highway between
the land of James de Timrigge and the land of Henry Sturmy, and
so along by the hedge next the land of William Russell unto the
Holtehall, and so unto the corner of the wood of William de Holte,
and from thence by Mereway unto Bellingate, and from thence by
the hedge and green way unto the pasture of Stolk, and so along -
by the great ditch unto Boutelwell, and from thence by the valley
unto Colrode, and so along by the Colrode between the wood of the
Lord the King and the wood of the Prior of Eston, and from thence
between the wood of the Lord the King and the wood of William

The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts. 203

de Lyllebon unto Wallesmere, and from thence directly descending
unto Braidenshok, and so along by the way of Brayden unto the
wood of the Lord the King which is called Morlee, and so by the
Sweynepath unto the wood of the Prior of Mottefonte, and from
thence descending by the ditch unto the head of Iwodesmede West-
end, and from thence along by the extremities of the wood unto
Erchbyry, and so by the Swyneweye unto the Whitelond, and so
unto Wytewey, and from thence by Wytewey unto Nhoddon, and
so by Nhoddeneslade unto the Pitt of Nudden, and from thence a
cross the heath unto the way which cometh from Marlburgh to-
wards Salisbury, and so by the Waterslade unto Sinewynescrofte,
and so along by the hedge unto the Westhead of the Wodemede,
and so along by the double hedge unto the way which leads between
Marleburgh and Wotton, and so by Apsehullemede, and so along
near the Covert of Iwode unto Morle, and so along by the Wode-
ditch unto the east corner of the croft which is oalled Boneclyve,
and so along by the same croft unto the aforesaid west corner of
Boneclyve; without which metes and bounds, the Lord the King
hath a certain wood which is called Southgrove, and it is a Forest.
And without the aforesaid metes there is a certain wood which is
called Borham pertaining to Schaghe, which was appropriated to
the Forest after the coronation of King Henry, great grandfather
of the Lord the now King, and it is in the hands of the Lord the
King. And a certain wood which was of Nicholas de Barflute
pertaining to Manton, which was appropriated to the Forest after
_ the coronation of King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the
_ now King, and is in the hands of the Lord the King, and taken in the
time of the now King. And a certain wood which was of Sampson

i. Folyot, and a certain wood pertaining to the Vill of Fyffhyde,

which were appropriated to the Forest after the coronation of King
Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now King, and are in
_ the hands of the Lord the King, and taken in the time of King
Henry the father of the Lord the now King. And all the woods,
lands, and places to the aforesaid Forest appropriated, which by
this perambulation are disafforested, were appropriated to the
Forest after the coronation of King Henry, great grandfather of

204 The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts.

the Lord the now King, but what and how much in the times of
the kings severally, in nowise can appear to them. A perambula-
tion made in the presence of John de Berewyk as above appeareth,
and in the presence of Roger de Harden, Forester in fee; and in
the presence of the Verderers aforesaid, of Savernak; and it begins
at the west corner of Westrigge, and from thence descending along
by the extremity of the wood unto the Northhead, and so between
the aforesaid covert and the croft which is called Folyxcroft, and
from thence by the extremity of the wood unto Costoweshurne,
and from thence between the wood of the Lord the King and the
wood of William de Harden by the ditch unto Hardenescranch,
and from thence by the extremity of the wood unto the Hulde-
northend, and from thence ascending between the wood of the
Lord the King and the wood of Wolton unto the east corner of
Lyllegh, and from thence along by the ditch of Lynlegh unto the
Mulewey, and so by the extremity of the wood unto the south cor-
ner of Westrigge, and so unto the aforesaid west corner of West-
rigge. And the Jurors say, that the aforesaid metes and bounds
used to inclose the aforesaid Bailiwick of Westrigg before the time
of the coronation of the Lord King Henry, great grandfather of the
Lord the now King. And they say that all the woods, lands, and
places to the aforesaid Forest appropriated, which by this perambu-
lation are disafforested, were appropriated to the Forests after the
coronation of King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now
King; but what and how much in the time of each king severally,
in nowise can appear to them.
SAVERNAK.

A perambulation made in the presence of John de Berewyk
and his companions as above appeareth, in the presence of Walter
Pypard, Forester in fee, and in the presence of Verderers as ap-
peareth, in the Forest of Savernak; and it begins at Cambwayesend,
and so along from Cambrewey unto Assehmere, and from thence
directly unto Coweshangesheved, and so along by the top of the
hill unto the head of the Holewey, and from thence along by the
side of the hill unto Knolegate, and from thence descending by the
trench unto the bottom of the valley, and along the valley unto

The Perambulations of the Forests in Wilts. 205

the old pinfold, and from thence along by the bottom of the valley
unto the aforesaid Cambreweysende. And they say that the afore-
said metes and bounds used to inclose the aforesaid Bailiwick of
Hurpingescomb, before the time of the coronation of King Henry,
great grandfather of the Lord the now King, and that the Lord
the King without the aforesaid metes hath no wood to the aforesaid
Bailiwick adjoiming. And they say that all the woods, lands, and
places which by the aforesaid perambulation are disafforested, were
afforested after the coronation of King Henry, great grandfather of
the Lord the now King.
Cuvt.

A perambulation made in the Forest Chut, in the presence of
John de Berewyk as above appeareth, and in the presence of John
de Lisle, Forester in fee; and in the presence of Peter de Frostbiry
and Adam de Everlee, Verderers; and it begins at the west end of
Covelee, and from thence ascending between the wood of the Lord
the King and the wood of John de Lisle unto the Hachegate, and
from thence between the wood of the Lord the King and the land
of Robert le White by the Holdcherchewey unto the Chalkeputtes,
and so always along from Capeyden unto Capiedenesuthende, and
from thence by the extremity of the wood unto the cross of Budes-
_ dene, and from thence on the right side through the middle of the
town of Budesdene, and from thence by the bottom of the valley
unto the aforesaid west end of Covelee. And they say that the
_ aforesaid metes and bounds used to inclose the aforesaid Forest of
~Chut, but, nevertheless, without the aforesaid metes, there is the
manor of Lotegereshall with the woods adjacent, in the hands of
the Lord the King, and in the custody of the constable of Lute-
gereshale, of which no other minister of the Lord the King may
intrude himself. Also, they say, that without the aforesaid metes
and bounds there is a certain wood appertaining to the manor of
_ Colingburn, and a certain wood appertaining to the manor of Chut,
and afterwards they were in defense and appropriated to the Forests
after the coronation of the Lord King Henry, great grandfather of
the Lord the King, and all other the woods which by this peram-
_ bulation are disafforested, were appropriated to the Forest after the

206 The Perambulations of the Forests of Wilts.

coronation of King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now
King.
CHIPPENHAM.

A perambulation made in the Forest of Chippenham in the
presence of John de Berewyk and his companions, thereunto as-
signed as above appeareth, and in the presence of Alexander de
Bokyngham, chief Forester; and in the presence of Roger le Gras
and William le Escryveyn, Verderers; to wit, beginning at the
bridge of Stanley, and so by the highway unto the gate of Stanley,
and from thence by the same way and through the middle of the
town of Stodeley unto the bridge of Samborn, and from thence
ascending by the water unto the bridge of Fynnam, and so by the
way which leads unto the cross before tle house of Horne, and so
by the same way unto Horseleperde, and from thence by the
way which cometh from Devizes unto the Ash of Lacok,
and so by the same way unto the bridge of Lacok, and from
thence unto the bridge of Chippenham as the water of Avon
divideth, and from thence by the water unto Merkeden, and from
thence unto the aforesaid bridge of Stanley. And they say that
the aforesaid metes and bounds before the time of the coronation of
King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now King, used to
inclose the Forest aforesaid. And they say that the Lord the King
hath no wood without the aforesaid metes to the aforesaid Forest
adjoining. And they say that all the woods, lands, and places to
the aforesaid Forest appropriated, which by this perambulation are
disafforested, were appropriated to the Forest after the coronation
of King Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now King; but
what and how much in the time of each king severally, in nowise
can appear to them.

MELKSHAM.

A perambulation made in the Forest of Melksham in the pre-
sence of John de Berewyk and his companions, thereunto assigned
as above appeareth, and in the presence of Alexander de Bokenham,
chief Forester; and in the presence of Nicholas le Eyr of Bromham,
Thomas le Thynn of Asscheton, Verderers; that is to say, beginning
at the bridge of Whatton, and so unto the bridge of Semelynton
along by the water, and so ascending by the same water unto

The Perambulations of the Forests of Wiits. 207

Sendeved, and from thence by the water unto Bydemel, and so
ascending by the water unto Somerham, and from thence unto
Rodewyk, and from thence along the hedge unto Dorlegate, and so
along the hedge unto the wood of the Abbot of Bataile [Battle],
and from thence descending by the water unto Coleford, and from
thence ascending by the Whiteditch unto the Maple, and from
thence unto the grove of John dela Roche, and from thence between
the land of the Abbot of Bataile [Battle] and the land of John de
Sandrich unto Prevetmore, and from thence descending by the
brook between the wood of the Lord the King and the wood of the
Abbot of Bataile [Battle], and along unto the water which cometh
from Semanesmell, and from thence by the water unto the wood of
Nicholas Burdonne, and from thence between the wood of the
Lord the King and the wood of Nicholas Burdonne unto Woghe-
born, and from thence unto Cheteweyhey, and so unto Wodenes-
ditch, and from thence descending by the same Wodenesditch,
unto the water which is called Avon, and from thence descending
by the same water unto the bridge of Melksham, and from thence
by the same unto the aforesaid bridge of Whatton. And the Jurors
say that the aforesaid metes and bounds used to inclose the afore-
said Forest before the time of the coronation of the Lord King
Henry, great grandfather of the Lord the now King. And they
say that the Lord the King hath no demesne wood without the
aforesaid metes to the aforesaid Forest adjoining. And they say
that all the woods, lands, and places without the aforesaid metes
and bounds of the aforesaid Forest, were appropriated to the Forest
after the coronation of the Lord King Henry, the great grandfather
of the Lord the now King.
SELEWODE.

All the Bailiwick of Selewode which is in the County of Wilts,
was appropriated to the Forest after the coronation of King Henry,
great grandfather of the now King. Except the wood of Heghtre-
born, and the wood of Wermynstre, and the wood of Westbury,
to wit, the wood of Warin Maudut, the wood of Walter de Paveley,
the wood of the Prior of Stynynton, and the wood of the Prior of
Farlee, which are in the Forest, but, nevertheless the wood of

_ Westbury is without the regard.

igen dae pal

ie

«

208

Ancient Anventory of Calne Church Goods.’

aK on PSubyuntory made the fyrst daye of Februarye, in the V™ yere of
KS

the Raigne of our Sovaigne Lord Edward y* VI, by the Grace of God

tes of England, France, and Ireland, Kynge, &e, And Deliv’d to Roger
Fynamore, Genttyllmane, and Thomas Forte, Churche Wardens, chosen for thys
psent yere.

Imprimys. One Cope of erymson felvet.

It. j cope of blewe Damaske.

Item j cope of rede bondkyne.

Item j paule of satten of brydgys.

Item j rede corpores cloth of felvet & satten with a cloth for the comunyon,
one other newlie boughte by W™ Gaven, 1594,

Item j table clothes, and one to ley und" dysshes & iij oy clothes.

Item 2 towells wt ij other wherw* they dyd beare tapers at east*

Item one lente clothe called y* vayle, ix table napkins y° lacketh iiij.

Item ij surplyces, j of hollande & j of locaram.?

Item one challyce, all gvlte w a Cover.

Item iiij communyon clothes, whereof iij are of holland & one of locaram.

Item xxij platters of pewter, xiij pottenges, ij Duss of Sawsers.

Item xxij small dyshes of pewter (one lost by the hands of Richard Nycholas.

Item xviij Saweers.

It. vj sponys & ij Salte selors of pewt*

Item iiij dossyn and a halfe of trenchers, v Duss and three trenchers,

Item “ij potts of Brasse.

Item j pane of brasse contaynynge Xij gallons.

Item j furnace to brewe wall.

Item j payer of Rackes, and j broche of Iron.

Item j trevett, ij pott hang's, & ij payer of pothooks, & 1 barre of Iron.

Item ij comunyon boks, j wa forrell and o* ij w* Cords & clapees.

Item j Paraphareus of Erasmus & ij byble boke.

Item j cable Rope of twyne.

Item ij cheynes with ij cloggs of leade.

Item j Row & xviij organs pyppes.

Item xiij cupps &

Item One longe twyste ofIron,1& other peces of Iron, & viij lb. of leade.

Item one streamer & a grene Banner, And the vyce’s® cote of yeallowe . . . ed
and twooe hog heds newly bought.

1 Copied from Calne Register by Mr. John N. Ladd, Churchwarden, 1857.
2 Lockram, coarse cloth. 3 Vyce, the fool in old shows.

209

GHild Darel, of Arttlecote.
By Cuarites Epwarp Lone, Esa.

MONG the many provincial traditions which have been
handed down to us, there are few more locally or generally
interesting than the well-known tale of “Wild Darell of Littlecote.”
Since the publication of the poem of “Rokeby” in 1813, it has
acquired a dignified position, which perhaps it did not possess
before, and indeed until the publication of the Bodleian letters,
and Lives of Eminent Persons from the MSS. of Aubrey, in the
same year, no printed statement, that I have ever yet heard of, is
to be met with. The story hung upon village tradition. Being
myself a native of the adjoining county, and, for many years, no
distant neighbour of the spot itself, I was, like others, acquainted
with the narrative in my boyish days, and looked upon the exist-
ence of the Darell stile, and the evidence of the mutilated bed-curtain,
with the awe and credulity with which childhood and ignorance usu-
ally invest such objects. The story of the Trojan war is not more
implicitly believed by every schoolboy, nor that of the Lady of the
Lake by nine-tenths of the foreigners who visit the shores of Loch Ka-
trine than was this tale of terror by the writer of the present article.
It was hoped and expected that we should be enabled to give either
a confirmation or distinct refutation of this story, so far, at least as
regards the trial at Salisbury, and the acquittal of Darell. But
there is nothing of the sort to offer, and for the present, we must
be contented with inferences. Researches have been made in every
quarter where such evidence might be expected to be found—the
records in the Carlton Ride; those in the Tower, (now at the Rolls
Office); the State Paper Office, &c., &c.; but ineffectually. Be-
yond the bare tradition, and Aubrey’s manuscript, there is nothing
to support it. It is true that there is a tale told with much minute-
ness in Burke’s Commoners, under the head of Darell of Shudy
P

210 Wild Darell of Littlecote.

Camps in Cambridgeshire, but then it is unconfirmed by any shadow
of proof, and the fact of the mention of the midwife being paid
with a purse of “guineas,” at a time when no such coin existed, is
of itself sufficient to stamp, at least this version of the story, as an
amusing figment and a lively myth.

The oldest written authority, at present known, for the Littlecote
story, being that of Aubrey, it becomes necessary to fix the exact
amount of value to be attached to it coming from that quarter.
Aubrey was, as is well known, a diligent collector of topographical
and genealogical matter: a department in which a certain merit
belongs to him, for having preserved a great number of local par-
ticulars, that would otherwise have been, in all probability, entirely
lost. But it must be remembered, that with the exception of the
book called his ““Miscellanies,” a compilation redundant with the most
wretched superstitions, Aubrey published nothing in his own lifetime:
nor does he appear, at the time of his death, to have actually finished
any thing else, or to have left it in a proper form for publication. His
“Collections” having come to us in unrevised manuscript, cannot
therefore in any way be regarded as the elaborate result of careful
inquiry. He was moreover a credulous man, greedy of anecdote,
and, no doubt, often imposed upon. His stories are evidently often
only those of the day, committed precipitately to paper, without
having been either carefully traced to their source, or winnowed
from the chaff of oral tradition. When confronted with strong
circumstantial evidence, Aubrey’s mere statements are of compara-
tively light weight.

The passage in which he introduces this Littlecote story, is in
the “Lives of Eminent Men.’! These “Lives” were a compilation
of Aubrey’s later years, long after his residence in Wiltshire; when
he was living about London in poverty and obscurity, without
either the means or the heart to carry on laborious investigation.
They consist, in great measure, of personal recollections and of oral

1 Tf he ever took: any other notice of it, among his Wiltshire Topographical
Collections, such notice would probably have been entered in the Second Part,
marked ‘Liber B.” now most unfortunately lost, (see Wilts Mag. I. 34): as, in
one of his letters to Wood, Nov. 17, 1670, he mentions that ‘‘Ramsbury” (the
parish with which Littlecote is connected,) ‘‘is in Liber B.”

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 211

information indiscriminately gleaned. The particular Memoir of
Sir John Popham, in which he introduces the Littlecote legend,
seems to have been composed nearly 100 years after the death of
Darell, and 80 after that of the Judge himself. Both of them had
died long before Aubrey was born. He could therefore have
scarcely had any personal motive for traducing the character of
either of them: and indeed it becomes very probable both from
Aubrey’s general character and his habit of devouring, arrectis
auribus, whatever he heard, that his only authority for the tale of
Darell, introduced in the way it is, was neither more nor less than
the remnant of some story picked up about the Inns of Court,
where eminent men have at all times their enemies as well as their
friends.

The narrative as given by Aubrey in his Memoir of Judge Pop-
ham,! runs thus :-—

“Sir Dayrell of Littlecote, in Co. Wilts, having gott his
Lady’s waiting-woman with child, when her travell came, sent a
servant witha horse for a midwife whom he wasto bring hood-winked.
She was brought, and layd the woman, but as soon as the child was
borne, she sawe the Knight take the child and murther it, and
burn it in the fire in the chamber. She having done her businesse
was extraordinary rewarded for her paines, and sent blindfolded
away. This horrid action did much run in her mind, and she had
a desire to discover it, but knew not where t’was. She considered

_with herself the time that she was riding, and how many miles she
2 might have rode at that rate in that time, and that it must be some
_ great person’s house, for the roome was 12 foot high: and she
‘ te know the chamber if she sawe it. She went to a Justice of
_ Peace, and search was made. The very chamber found. The

Knight was brought to his tryall; and to be short, this judge had
this noble house, parke, and mannor,’ and (I thinke) more, for a
bribe to save his life.”

Then follows a note in Aubrey’s handwriting. “Sir John Pop-
ham gave sentence according to lawe, but being a great person,
and afavourite, he procured a noli prosequi.”

' Lives of Eminent Men, vol. ii. p. 493. * Meaning Litélecote.
P2

212 Wild Darell of Littlecote.

In the above statement there are three ascertained errors. In
the first place, Darell was not a knight. Inthe next, he was never
married. Thirdly, Popham could not have given any judicial
sentence, for he was not made a Judge until three years after
Darell’s decease. Finally, though in some cases a nolle prosequi
might perhaps be entered after verdict given, it is questionable
whether, in such a case as the one alleged, it could be procured after
sentence passed. Under any circumstances, it would be the act, not
of the presiding Judge, but of the Attorney General on the part
of the Crown.

Such mistakes, though in themselves of a kind not unusual
among retailers of anecdotes, are sufficient to stamp Aubrey’s
story as one of which he had no accurate knowledge, and which he
had taken no pains to verify.

On the other hand, we are fully disposed to acquit him of inten-
tional misrepresentation, as well as of all attempt to exaggerate.
For in point of fact, the story as he tells it, is by far the most
simple, and least melo-dramatic, of all that have appeared upon
the subject. He is not responsible for the celebrated patch stitched
into the bed-curtain, nor for the escape of the supposed culprit from
the gallows, nor for the judgment upon him in breaking his neck
over a stile, nor for many other incidents engrafted upon the origi-
nal tale. This colouring has been the work of later artists, bor-
rowing their materials from local tradition or their own imagination,
certainly not from Aubrey. That he being a Wiltshire-man, living
at one time at no great distance from Littlecote, cotemporary with
Darell’s nephew, Sir John, and by profession a county antiquary,
should not have dived into the facts of the story, so far at least as
to have avoided the palpable errors committed in his narrative,
would be matter of surprise, did we not recollect that John Aubrey
was after all, admitted, even by Sir Richard Hoare, to have been
somewhat of an “eccentric historian.”

The correspondent to whom Sir Walter Scott was indebted for
that supply of the marvellous, out of which he wove the pretty
ballad in his poem of “Rokeby,” was, as has always been under-
stood, Lord Webb Seymour of Monkton Farley. For that noble-

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 218

man’s narrative, but for which he gave no kind of authority, the reader
is referred to the Notes upon the Poem.! Under the title of the
“ Mysterious Story of Littlecote,” the legend has been more recently
amplified in Sir Bernard Burke’s “ Romance of the Aristocracy,”””
with various graphic and picturesque details, equally, as we suspect,
the production of mere fancy.

I may here observe that one, if I am not in error, of the tradi-
tions of the villagers is that it was a case of incest; and, situated
as Darell was without wife or family, we require some such appal-
ling horror to serve as a motive for the perpetration of a further

crime so heinous. It does not distinctly appear whether Darell’s jx / 4 2of|

sister was of the whole or of the half-blood. If the latter, it may
be observed that his step-mother married twice after his father’s
decease, that he was ten years old at that time, that he outlived
the second of these two husbands; and it is therefore not likely that
she remained an inmate of Littlecote. Moreover, we have evidence
by means of some Chancery proceedings, of a very scurrilous and
vindictive description, which took place prior to 1579, and to
which my attention was drawn by Mr. Carrington of Lincoln’s Inn,
to show that he and his step-mother were at open variance ; and
that therefore, as regards any half-sister, no such accusation can
be supported. With respect to his own mother, she was then the
wife of Sir John Rogers of Bryanstone, while the sister is stated
to have been married to Egremont Radcliffe, who was beheaded in
1577, this crime occurring, as we are told, about 1588 or 9. With
regard to the connection between Popham and Darell, there is no
doubt but that a great intimacy subsisted. Many letters passed
between them, and particularly with reference to a dispute with
the second Earl of Pembroke, concerning the felling of timber at
Axford. This occurred in 1582-3, when it would appear that
Darell was imprisoned, apparently for some sort of contumacy in the
case. Lord Campbell, in his interesting “Lives of the Chief Jus-
tices.” has quoted the Littlecote legend as if he believed it, and has
also, in a great measure, adopted Fuller’s and Aubrey’s loose asser-
tions as regards Popham’s antecedents, his early ‘ly depravities, and

' Rokeby. Note 3 G, ? Vol. i, p. 174

|
Ht
|

i
i

214 Wild Dareli of Littlecote.

“taking purses on the highway,” &e. Mr. Macaulay considering
it, naturally, as the mere husk of history, gives implicit credit to
the story of Darell’s crime, ignoring even the acquittal, He deli-
berately tells us that it “was perpetrated,” and passes on to more
important matter. Lord Campbell, indifferent to Darell, but with
a natural fellow-feeling for his brother Judge, sums up the case
of Popham by saying, that it “would be unfair to load the
memory of a judge with the obloquy of so great a crime, upon
such unsatisfactory testimony.” Mutato nomine, this may be
applied, we think, to Darell, and here we may be allowed to express
some surprise, that the noble and learned biographer should have
entirely omitted all allusion to Camden, a cotemporary, in all pro-
bability an acquaintance of Popham, and a far higher authority
than either Fuller or Aubrey. These are the words of Camden,
when speaking of the Judge. ‘“ Now it” viz. Wellington, “is a
market Town, whose chief distinction is the Honorable Sir John
Popham, a person of ancient nobility, strict justice, and unwearied
application; for it is not proper that men of distinguished virtue,
and who have deserved well of their country, should be forgotten.
While Chief Justice of the King’s Bench he adminstered justice
with so much impartiality and wholesome severity, that England
Guo, [$8 has been long indebted to him, principally for its domestic tran-
bb. 18G b quillity and security.” Camden published his work in 1607, in
sy [gg + Which year the Judge died, and he repeats this eulogium when
yo _ / noticing Littlecote. Is it then to be believed, in the face of such
testimony, that such a man could have so acted ? We think not.
Before, however, we continue our remarks on “ Wild Darell”
himself, it may not be altogether out of place to correct a slight
inaccuracy in Lord Campbell’s statement, respecting the Judge’s
property. He says that “the family retained a remnant of the
Judge’s possessions at Littlecote, for two or three generations, and
then became extinct.’”’ This is not the fact. His descendants re-
tain, to this day, the whole of the Littlecote estates. Six genera-
tions in the male line succeeded the Judge, and the present owner
is the representative of the family, his grandmother having been
sole heir of the last male possessor.

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 215

Of Darell’s habits, we gather something by means of letters
and other memoranda still existing at the Rolls Office, and trans-
ferred thither from the Tower. He was born, as will be observed,
in 1539, and it may be admitted that he began his career of wildness
and extravagance in 1560, or as soon as his minority had ceased.
He was, beyond a doubt, what the world calls “very fast,” a
“scamp,”’ a “scrape-grace,” and in the end, as is generally the case
a ruined and an untruthful spendthrift, and these we firmly
believe to be the only charges, and quite enough, which can be
brought against him. Amongst the MSS. at Stourhead, is a letter
without date, but, from internal evidence, written between the yer
1563 and 1588, from his cousin, Anthony Hungerford, of Down Maree
Ampney. He was doubly related to him both on his father’s an re
on his grandmother’s side. There is no difficulty in identifying
this Anthony Hungerford, and, as his father Sir John is spoken of,
and was living until 1583, we may fairly give this letter a date
somewhat anterior to that year. The writer calls Darell his “dear
Will,” and speaks of “varlettes” who by their “tales and vile and
abominable practices” have plagued him, and, as he says, “ for your
sake.” He then entreats him to “poke up” his “‘wittes and memory
to defend this my unfortunate cause and yours,” ‘‘what witnesses
be best to be had and sought for,” &c. We have no means of ascer-
taining the nature of this scrape, to get the parties out of which,
no less a person than the Earl of Leicester proffered his assistance.
The next of these fracas in which the Lord of Littlecote figures, is the
dispute with the Earl of Pembroke, before-mentioned. It would ap-
pear that Darell had felled timber, to supply his necessities, at Ax-
_ ford, and which Lord Pembroke claimed to belong to him. Lord
j Pembroke was, at that time, the possessor of Ramsbury House, after-
wards, during the civil war, described by Symonds in his MS.
Journal, as “a fine square stone house—a brave seate, tho’ not com-
parableto Wilton.” Ofthe letters relating to thisdispute at the Rolls
Office, there are two from Popham to his “loving friend, Mr. Will.
Darell, Esq., at Lytelcote,” one of which isdated from Cloford, March
8rd, 1582, giving advice, and praying him “to forbear to cutt down
any more woods and trees at Axford.” We have also Darell’s reply,
dated March 27; “from my poure house at Lytellcote,” and_it is

_—

216 Wild Darell of Littlecote.

curious in our locomotive and electric times, to read such a state-
ment as is contained in the beginning of this reply. ‘I received
your letters dated at Cloford the 3rd of March, by the hande of a
shepherde coming from the Downes by some distance from the
6th day after.” Cloford is near Frome, and about 36 miles from
Littlecote. We have also a letter from Sir John Danvers, to “his
loving friend and kinsman,” dated March 5, 1582, mentioning
having conferred with “Mr. Attorney General” on the subject at
Wilton.

It is clear that Darell was an impracticable gentleman. Among
the memoranda made by him, we read that “my Lord of Pembroke
sent one Steven Appleford to me the 10th of January, for £60, and for
£5 more to be paid within a monneth, for my releasement of prison.”
There is then a letter from one Arthur Massenger, to Appleford,
saying “that he” (Darell) “was in prison for his own knaverie and
not for his Lordship’s sake, and that in denial of the performance
of his promise to his Lordship.” And then he adds Lord Pem-
broke’s opinion of him in the following forcible language. “His
Lordship saieth, that there is neither truth in his words, nor honestie
in his deeds, and because he doth play the knave, his lordship will
not only blast him, but baffle him like a knave.” His “loveinge
frende,”’ Mr. Attorney General, did not however desert him in his hour
of need, he assisted him as much as lay in his power, and it is most
likely with money as well as with advice. In one portion of our
hero’s reply to that functionary, he breaks forth in the following
semi-pious rhapsody, “wher” he asks “is become the integrite
clearnes of consciens and vertue that sometime hath bine? I have
learned” he continues, “one rule in books from the auncyent
fathers, and I have found it in experience amongst men, that that
day that a man would have anothers lands or his goods,” (it may be
inferred that this alludes to Lord Pembroke and his claim on Ax-
ford,) “that day he would have his liffe also, if he could. I pray
you, pray for me, for I am, at this present, in sore case.”

It is quite evident that, towards the close of his short career,
Darell was in very great difficulties,—pawning plate, according
to his own showing, and mortgaging lands, as is evidenced in the

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 217

Chancery proceedings of that period. Yet he had by no means fallen
so low as to be repudiated by his family and his friends. He was
in the Commission of the Peace, and we have a very interesting
letter written to him, by his distant cousin Marmaduke, afterwards
Sir Marmaduke, Darell of the Scotney and Pagham branch of the
family, on the very day of the execution of Mary Queen of Scots,
viz. Feb. 8, 1586, and which was printed in the Excerpta His-
torica, page 17. The contributor of this letter intimates that the
papers amongst which it was found, viz., as we presume, those be-
fore alluded to at the Tower, had been “seized by the Crown,”
but on what authority he makes this assertion does not distinctly
appear. This solitary fact might be advanced in evidence of some
crime committed, or supposed to be committed, by Darell; it will
be said the crime in question, but it so happens that there is amongst
them a paper written subsequent to his decease. How could
this get there? Still amongst these papers we meet with the fol-
lowing, which I give in ewtenso, and which, from Darell’s own
indorsement, exhibits a date closely bordering on that of the tra-
ditional narrative. The writer, Antony Hinton, was son of Thomas
Hinton of Escott, by Ann, daughter of John Goddard of Upham.
His cousin, Michael Cawley, was second son of Ralph Cawley or
Calley, of Highway, by Agnes, daughter of Henry Lawrence of
Tisbury.

‘‘Worshippfull, understandyng you bare displesure agaynst me, as yt hath
well appered in sondrye attempts you have of late made to have displesured me,
grownding yo" quarell of displesure conceved agaynst me, to be uppon certen
wordes w‘ Mr. Cawlye, as yo" sayd, spake unto yo", reportyng me to be the
occasion of yo" were indited at Marlburrow, at Michaelmas will twelve moneths,
w* he doth utterly denye that ever he spake those, or the like words unto yo", &
offer him selfe to be sworne that he ys greatly abused and wronged by you, in
_ytas yt may appere unto yo" by his note made thereof, w* I have sent yo",
_ whereto he hath putte his hande, but whether he be abused or no, I am sure I
am abused in yt, and as gyltlesse of yt as the farthest man in the worlde ys gylt-
lesse of yt, and knew no more that yo" should be indited there, then I knew or
thought my selfe to be indited there. I litle loked for suche harde dealinge at
yo" hands, as of late hath been offred, yf ever I dyd yo" any pleasure in lonyng
yo" money or borouring for yo" when I had yt not my selfe, and payd yt agayne,
when yo" have broken daye, of myne owne purse to kepe my credit (w* I love
as my lyfe). I am very evell requited yf I have traveled in any cause of yo",
and done yt honestlye and faythfully, I am evell repayed w'" those yo" hard

218 Wild Darell of Littlecote.

offers of dealing towards me, in w yt may plese yo" to procede at yo" liking. I
am gyltlesse of these accusacions.
** Yo" poore neghbor,
‘‘ AnTHony Hinton.
‘To the Right Worshipfull
“‘Mr,. Willm Darell at Litlecote, geve these.”

Indorsed by Darell,
‘‘Receyved this lre the xvj of January, 1588.”
Caw ey’s DECLARATION.

‘“* Whereas Mr. Willm Darell reporteth that I, Michaell Cawley, have sayed
unto him that my Cosen, Anthony Hinton, was the only occasion of the Bill of
Inditmt pferred againste him at the Sessions at Marleboroughe, holden there in
October the laste was twelvemoneth, I utterlye denye that I ever spake these or
the like words unto him, or that he was any doer against him in the matter at
the same Sessions. And I do pteste that I am unjustlie aceusea thereof, w™ I
wilbe redie to averre at alltymes. And do thinke my selfe greatlie wronged
therein.

“‘ MIcHAELL CAWLEY.”

The rough copy of Darell’s reply to Hinton is preserved with
the rest of these papers, and may, hereafter, with other matter,
serve as a sequel to this article: meanwhile, this indictment alluded
to, may be thought by many, to bear upon the great charge at issue.
Yet I never can think that so heinous a crime could be so carelessly
disposed of, nor that the Sessions at Marlborough would be the
place for the investigation.

On the first of October, 1589, Darell died at his house at Little-
cote. This is distinctly stated by the Jurors at the holding of the
Inquisition at Hungerford, on the 22nd of the following September,
nearly a year afterwards. He was then not seized of Littlecote, in
the ordinary sense of that term, but his other estates, which are
enumerated, descended to his brother as next heir.! We may there-
fore fairly infer that he had sold the reversion of Littlecote to his
friend Popham, and that, if the close of his own brief career is still
to be shrouded in mystery, we have no right to carry our credulity

1 The Jurors found that Maria Fortescue, alias Danyell, widow, was seized for
her life of the manor of Balsdon; also, that one Robert Oxenbridge was seized
of the manor of West Woodhay, &c. for a term éf 50 years, if Anne Cheyney,
widow, should live so long; also, that Robert Oxenbridge and John Gunter
were seized of the manor of Kintbury Amesbury, for 30 years, if Dorothy, wife

of William Niell, alias Parsons, should live so long. These latter facts seem to
show that Darell was raising money wherever and whenever he could.

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 219

so far as to swallow the traditions about the Judge, unsupported
as they are by even a rag of testimony.

Popham’s intimacy with Darell continued to the last, and we
find them in juxtaposition in a letter still preserved in theState Paper
Office. It is dated “Saperton, Feb. 18, 1588,” and addressed to
Sir Francis Walsingham by the following parties; Henry Poole,
Anne Poole, Carew Raleigh, George Wroughton, and James
Wroughton. The object of the writers is to contradict a tale told
by a certain Mr. Moody, to the effect that Sir Henry Knyvett, at
his table, was “inquisitive” to know what sum the said Moody had
given to Sir Francis “ to the ende to bolster him” viz. Sir Henry, “out
of his Shreifwicke.” They then go on to say, ‘“Howbeit of others,
thus much we all doe well remember, that Mr. Moodie himself, at
that time offered speeche of Mr. Attorney General and Mr. Darrell,
affirming that the one of them (viz., Mr. Attorney,) had used him
very roughlie in speeches, as to call him knave, with other harde
tearmes, and that Mr. Darrell had cozened him of £60, or to that
effect, but that onie mention was made of ought that might con-
cerne your selfe, or the honor of y: place, we are all veary sure
there was none such.”

It is true that there is no evidence to prove that this Mr. Darell
was the one whose history we are endeavouring to trace, but there
can hardly be any doubt of the fact, and it will, perhaps, be admit-
ted that the affair of the £60is a strongly corroborative circumstance.
The party was, it seems, assembled at Sir Henry Knyvett’s house
at Charlton, now the property of his descendant, the Earl of Suffolk.
Mr. Moody was most likely Richard Moody, or Mody, of Garsden,
an old mansion afterwards in the Washington family, about two
miles off, and whose son, Henry, was created a Baronet in 1621. The
rest were all relatives. George and James Wroughton were
younger sons of Sir William Wroughton of Broad Hinton; Carew
Raleigh, the brother of Sir Walter, had married Dorothy their
sister; and Henry Poole of Saperton in Gloucestershire, had mar-
ried Anne, another sister.

But we have evidence as regurds his property, to show that only two
or three years before his decease, Darell levied a Fine on his estate

220 Wild Dareli of Littlecote.

of Littlecote, of which the following is acopy. It is to be found
among the Records deposited in the Rolls Office, and purporting
to be Notes of Fines Trinity Term, 28 Elizabeth.

“Inter Edwardum Rogers Armigerum et Jacobum Clarke generosum Quer-
entes, et Willielmum Darrell Armigerum Deforciantem, de Maneriis de Lyttle-
cott, Knyghton, et Hobgrasse cum pertinentiis, ac de 30 messuagiis, 20 cotagiis,
10 toftis, 3 molendinis aquaticis, 2 columbariis, 30 gardinis, 1000 acris terre,
500 acris prati, 1000 acris pasture, 500 acris bosci, 400 acris jampnorum et bruere,
et 40 solidatis redditus cum pertinentiis in Ramsbury, Lytlecott, Knyghton,
Hobgrasse, Rudge, Froxfild, et Cakewood ; Unde placitum convencionis sump-
tum fuit inter eos, &c.; scil. quod predictus Willielmus recognovit preedicta
maneria, &c., esse jus ipsius Edwardi ut illa que iidem Edwardus et Jacobus
habent de dono predicti Willielmi. Et ille remisit et quietclamavit de se et
heredibus suis predictis Willielmo et Jacobo et heredibus ipsius Edwardi in
perpetuum. Et predictus idem Willielmus concessit pro se et heredibus suis
quod ipsé warantizabit preedictis Edwardo et Jacobo et heredibus ipsius Edwardi
predicta maneria, &c., contra preedictum Willielmum et heredes suos in per-
petuum. Et pro hac, &e., iidem Edwardus et Jacobus predicto Williemo 800
libras sterlingorum.

BY

w ) Datum Octavis Sancte Trinitatis anno regnorum Elizabethe Iner.”
re {D.6. Angl. France: et Hibern: Regine Fidei Defensor: 28° ;

[By this document, William Darell, Esq., concludes with Edward Rogers, Esq.
and James Clarke, gent., for sule to them of the Manors of Littlecote, Knyghton,
and Hobgrasse, with certain rents in Ramsbury, Lyttlecote, Knyghton, Hob-
grasse, Rudge, Froxfield, and Cakewood, for the sum of £800 sterling. Dated
on the Octaves of Holy Trinity, 28 Elizabeth. ]

On referring to the Inquisition taken on the decease of Popham,
6 Jas. 1, he is stated to have died seized in fee of the property in
the very places above mentioned.

We have, in addition to this, a very interesting letter written by
Popham’s agent on Darell’s decease, and of which the following is

a copy.
“ Str,

‘‘ Soe it is that at Mr. Attornies last beinge in Wilteshere, at a place called
Littlecot, somtyme belonginge to Mr. William Darrell, Esq", deceased, but
nowe to Mr. Attorney, my happe was in the absence of Mr, Attornie upon the
deth of Mr. Darell to gether all such evidences as was in the house of Littlecote
into my possession, to Mr. Attornie’s use. And since that tyme it dothe appeare
that S* Fraunces Walsingham dothe ptende title to some other of the landes of
the said Mr. Darell, whereof no pte dothe apptaine to Mr. Attornie. And that
the evydences as well concerning that w" Mr. Attornie is to have in righte,
and dothe enjoye, as alsoe these landes that S" Frances Walsingham dothe
ptend title unto did remaine in the house of Littlecott at the tyme of Mr. Darrell’s

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 221

decease, w°" evidences are conveyed to London already in greate chestes.1 But
the keys of these chests were lefte wt me, as well by Mr. Attornie as by one Mr.
Stubbes, Agent, that was appointed in the behalfe of St Fraunces Walsingham,
safflie and indifferentlie to be kepte tyll the tyme should be appointed by Mr.
Secretarye that the Chests should be opened, and the evidences perused, as well for
Mr. Secretarye as for Mr. Attornie. Since w™ tyme I have receaved letters from
Mr. Attornie, that Mr. Secretarye’s pleasure is, w‘ the assent of Mr. Attornie,
to have the evidences perused with all spede. And for as much as I shall not have
occasion to be at London, these sixe or seaven daies, Mr. Attornie hath craved
me to sende the said keyes forth w*, enclosed in my letters, to some Gentleman of
the Benche of the Middle Temple, whereby they may be hadd with some spede
to perfourme Mr. Secretaryes expectacion, amongst the w I have made choyse of
you, for that yo" are Mr. Attornie’s frend and myne also, defering yo" to acquainte
Mr. Attornie there w‘, and that then the same may be safilie delyvered accord-
ing to the trust to me comitted. And so w* my hartie comendacons, yo helth
wished, I comitt yo" to the governement of Th’almightie. From Chisburie, the
xxj"" of October, 1589.
“Yor frynd assuryd,
‘* Wittm REpeE.
“To the Right Worshipfull Myles Sandes, Esquire,”
‘fat his Chamber yn the Middle Temple yn London, geve thes.”

In reference to what is stated in this letter, relative to the claims
of Sir Francis Walsingham, it may be observed that there was a
Chancery suit in 1592, in which Dame Ursula Walsingham, widow
of Sir Francis, was plaintiff, to protect her in possession of lands in
the parish of Chilton, “late the estate of William Darell, and pur-
chased of him by Sir Francis Walsingham, who settled the same
to the use of the plaintiff.” Michael Cawley, before mentioned,
was one of the defendants.

It was long supposed that Darell lay buried at Kintbury, and a
sort of monumental inscription, yet extant, gave rise to this belief,
but it is not so. The Kintbury Register disproves this. That at
Ramsbury, where all his family lie interred, does not extend so
far back. Recourse was then had to the transcript at Salisbury,
and there we find the second entry in the earliest File of Transcripts,
viz., in 1589, to be as follows :—“ William Darell dyed the fyrst of
October.” Now although this is not positive evidence of the fact ofhis

’ By the kindness of Mr. Popham, I was permitted to examine his chests of
Deeds, but there was not a single document relating to the Darells.

* This Myles Sands or Sandys, was of Latimers, Co. Bucks, and Clerk of the
Crown. He was father of Sir Edwin Sandys, and brother of Edwin Sandys, Arch-
bishop of York,

222 Wild Darell of Luttlecote.

burial at Ramsbury, yet, coupled with the fact that most undoubtedly
he died at Littlecote, of which he was in possession until his death,
that Ramsbury was the parish, and that the family mausoleum was
there, we can hardly doubt but that he was gathered to his fathers,
and that his bones still rest somewhere under the soil of the Darell
aisle.

In conclusion, I will add that, hard as it is to cast ‘historic
doubts” upon a narrative so replete with exciting incidents, and
which has now, for nearly three centuries, shrouded the curious and
interesting old mansion at Littlecote with a halo of archzological
mystery, I am bound to confess my, perhaps somewhat reluctant,
scepticism; and, as far therefore as my own humble opinion goes, I
must consign this tale—the murder, the trial, and all—in the form
transmitted to us by our “agreeable gossip,” (as James the First
would have called him,) John Aubrey, to the limbo of departed le-
gends. “It would be unfair” (using Lord Campbell’s words,) “to load
the memory”’ of even a spendthrift and a scrape-grace, such as Darell
confessedly was, “with the obloquy of so great a crime, upon such
unsatisfactory testimony.” Peace therefore to the manes of the last
Darell of Littlecot, though it may be pain to the breathless listeners of
the neighbourhood, who are annually gathered round the yule log
ona cold Christmas evening, and who are wont to hear, not only
the name and residence of the mid-wife, and the exact route by
which she went and returned, but that there are still some of her
descendants yet living, who can vouch for the truth of this constant
family tradition, and more than this, that even now few dare pass
the perilous stone stile before cock crow, and while the hoarse ery
of the unearthly pack is heard, and the headless huntsman, (all such
apparitions, singular to say, are headless! !) is seen careering in the
chase.

It may here be not out of place to take some cursory notice of the
old mansion at Littlecote, as well as of the Darell aisle at Rams-
bury. There have been, apparently, many alterations in the former,
made no doubt by the Chief Justice, or by his son. Neverthe-
less, there was a goodly mansion in the days of the Darells, although
the only armorial records of its then possessors, are the lions ram-

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 223

pant in plaster along the cornice of the old gallery. Sir Edward
Darell, the great grandfather of our hero, whose will was signed
on the 25th of July, 1528, thus alludes to the seat of his ancestors.
“The hangings and carpets in the old parlour at Littlecote ;” ditto
“that belongeth to the grete chamber over the said parlour,” ditto
“in the best chamber nexte the grete chamber,” ‘in the wiche”’ he
says, (and here our superstitious reverence is somewhat roused into
action,) “restith a trussing bedde imperiall with a testour and coun-
terpane of yelowe and red damaske, and curtains of yelowe and red
sarcenet.” But, unhappily, the bed furniture which existed when
‘Rokeby’ was published, was of thick blue cloth edged with yellow.
“ Liteleote” says Leland, writing about 1540, “the Darell’s chief
house, is a mile from Ramsbyri.” Camden, writing half a century
later, says, “‘on the other side of the river, more to the east is
Litlecot, remarkable for its Lord, John Popham, who exercised the
office of Judge of the King’s Court with the highest applause, as I
before observed.” How was it that this investigating antiquary,
being 38 years of age when Darell died, did not note down the story
of his astounding crimes, and of their preternatural punishment?
Symonds, whose active campaignings in the civil wars, did not
disable him from carrying out his ardent love of topography and
genealogy, says, “‘Popham descended of Judge Popham, owns a
fine large seate half a mile distant from this,” sc. Chilton, “ye
manor of Littlecote, with a parke.”! ‘We passed” says Evelyn,
writing later, on June 9, 1654, “by Colonel Popham’s, a noble
seate, park and river, thence to Newbury.” And it is also upon
record, that if “the Great Deliverer” did not make Littlecote his
Head Quarters, on his advance from Salisbury, he, at least, honored
‘its walls with his ever-to-be-revered and remembered presence.
The Darell aisle at Ramsbury, though sadly and shamefully shorn
of its interest, by the abstraction of its brasses, is still deserving of
much attention. It was a Chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary,
' This was Colonel Alexander Popham, the grandson of our Judge. He, and
two of his brothers, one of whom fell in the cause, were stout Roundheads, and
the owner of Littlecote only relaxed in his republican notions, and voted for

“that worst of Revolutions a Restoration’? when there seemed to be no other
alternative.

224 Wild Darell of Littlecote.

as we learn from Sir Edward Darell’s will in 1528, and, from its
architectural appearance, built, in all probability, in the early part
of the 15th century. In the centre of this chapel, and facing the
altar, is a large tomb of Purbeck marble, on the slab of which are
the evidences of very fine brasses, and round its ledge the mark of
the inscription band. The sockets for the brasses show that the
effigies were those of a male and a female, and from this circum-
stance, I am disposed to assign them to William Darell, and his
wife Elizabeth Calston, and to surmise that they were placed there
by their son, Sir George Darell. Above these effigies, and in the
centre, is a shield with a helmet and crest, this latter beg the
crest of Darell, viz., a man’s head. On the dexter side is a similar
helmet, &c., with a crest, a hand holding a short sword. On the
sinister, another helmet, shield, and crest, viz., a hawk. There are
six other separate shields, and three religious figures immediately
over the effigies, in all probability representing the Trinity. The
head-dress of the female corresponds exactly with the period of
Elizabeth Calston, and it may be remarked, that the head-dress of
the brass of her maternal aunt, Elizabeth Fynderne, in the Church
of Childrey, in Berkshire, not long anterior to her own, is the
same. Against the north wall, and on a level with the flooring
of the altar, is a tomb of Purbeck marble with its brasses, or rather
their sockets, under a marble arch above. Here again we have two
crests, the dexter, Darell; the sinister, the hand holding a sword.
In the centre was an emblem, apparently of the Trinity. Immedi-
ately under this are two small effigies, kneeling towards the east, and
one facing them, and kneeling also. On the right and left are
shields. It is difficult to hazard even a theoretical identity for this
monument. On the opposite and south side of the altar, is another
tomb without trace of brasses or inscription, but with one stone
shield still remaining at the side nearest the altar. The windows,
together with a richly foliated niche, and a foliated bracket, are
good, and close to the upper step of the altar floor (there being
two), an octangular stone about the size of a small millstone, may
be observed. Whether Wild Darell rests under a plain stone on
the north side of the principal monument, I do not pretend to

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 225

say; this discovery is left for any one who may be permitted and
disposed to disinter his remains, and decypher his coffin plate, if
it yet exists.

When Symonds was at Ramsbury, he proceeded, as was his wont,
to examine the Church, but it was dusk, and he, most unfortunately,
overlooked the Darell aisle, yet even at that time, I question whe
ther a single brass remained, for in describing the monuments in
the Chancel, he says, that the brasses had all been stolen. He seems
to have been there in 1644.

The discredit of these depredations is usually assigned to Cromwell
andhis soldiers. With regard to the destruction of altarsand images,
my belief is, that all this was, very naturally, done at the Reformation.
Those who read in their psalms “‘ confounded be all they that wor-
ship carved images,” sought to extirpate image worship by destroy-
ing the images. That the Roundheads alone are to be saddled with
the sin, archzologically speaking, of sweeping away our monu-
mental brasses, I by no means believe. Indeed, in this particular
instance, I am much inclined to attribute the mischief done, to my
Lord Wilmot’s troopers, when in December, 1642, they made their
attack on Marlborough ; and, as Clarendon tell us, “what they
spared in blood, they took in pillage, the soldiers enquiring little
who were friends or foes.” There was another tempting reason for
the cavaliers. Colonel Popham was their sturdy opponent. What
Wilmot left unfinished, the King and Prince Rupert may have
completed when they routed Essex at Albourne Chace, in September,
1643, and pursued his rear-guard towards Hungerford, but which
compliment he repaid a very few days afterwards, at the first battle
at Newbury.

iff

<

»

NOTES TO PEDIGREE.

He was a younger, apparently third, though sometimes called second, son
of Sir William Darell or Darrell, of Sesay, Co. York, and who was seventh in
descent from William Darell, temp. John. The male issue of his elder brother,
Marmaduke, terminated on the decease of Thomas, son of Sir George Darell of
Sesay, and whose sister and heir married Sir Guy Dawney. The Darells of
Calehill, and of Scotney, Co. Kent, descend from John, an elder brother of
William of Littlecote. In 1431-5, he presented to Fittleton jure uxoris, and
in 1434 to Haxton, a chapel of ease, in Fittleton parish, when he appears to
have presented one Robert Darell. He was returned amongst the gentry in
1433. The office of Sub-Treasurer was that of a kind of Deputy of the Trea-
surer of the Exchequer, to collect crown dues, &e.

Her great grandfather, Roger de Calston, died seized of Littlecote, 20. E. 1.
and his grandfather, Walter de Caiston, or Caleston, is styled ‘‘Miles et
Dominus de Liteleote,” 17. H. 3. The Ing. p. m., taken on her decease, 4.
E. 4, states that she died on the 8th of Jan. preceding. Her possessions were
very extensive. In London, Wilts, Dorset, Herts, and Berks. By an In-
quisition, taken at Hungerford, Jan. 28th, 2 H. 5., to show proof of her age,
it appears that she was born at Chelrey, otherwise Childrey, Co. Berks, the
daughter of Thomas Calston and Joan his wife, and baptized there on the 6th
of Dec., ‘‘by the hand of John Preston, Rector of the said Church.” By her
will she desires that if she should die in London, her interment should take
place in the Church of the Minor Friars, but if at Littlecote, 1 in the Cathedral
Church of Sarum. From this it might perhaps be inferred, that the North
Chapel, or Darell aisle, at Bunsbuey, was not then built. Amongst her be-
quests she leaves ‘‘Two pottys of silver overgylt with the armes of Laurence
de St. Martin,” to her son George. Her great great grandfather Laurence de
St. Martin, died 12 E. 2, leaving Joan his daughter and heir, who became
the wife of Roger de Calston, previously mentioned. The property at Fittle-
ton came by the match of Calston with the heiress of Combe, and had been
held by the latter family as early as the 13th century. Axford came by
marriage of the heiress of the family of Loundres with Combe. The manor
of Balsdon, and other estates in Kintbury, &c., came from the Chelreys, by
whom it was, apparently, acquired by araeeeee in the 38 E. 3. Pures is a.
chartulary of the Darell property; Harl. MSS. 1623.

Presented to Fittleton 1461, He died on the Monday next before the
Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin.

Among the pedigrees of persons of kin to the blood-royal, printed from the
Harleian MSS. 1074, in the Collectanea Topographica, by the late Sir Harris
Nicolas, this match with Stourton is given, and the issue thus described,
‘Margery; Anne; Elizabeth wedded to Seymour, Esq'.”

Darell, —Margaret, d. of Edmund
urer of Be

Margaret, d. and heir
Elizq Ww. of James Touchet,
Lambo 7th Lord Audley.

PEDIGREE OF DARELL OF LITTLECOTE.

Phillpot No. 46, f. 54. William Darell, = —Elizabeth d. and h. of Thomas Calston of
Do. Trefoil f. 109 b. Coll. A of Littlecote, Co. Wilts, | Littlecote, Co. Wilts, by Joan d. and co-
C. 18. f. 118. 0 a jure uxoris, heir of Thomas Chelrey of Chelrey, hodie
Howard f. 113, &c., &c. Sub Tressuret of England, | Childrey, Co. Bea, bap. at Childrey Dec,
Sheriff of Wilts, 8 &9 Will proved June 17, 1464.
H.5&1&6H.6. Ing. p. m. 4. E. 4.
a) (2)

| | all lw. p | Qv. ; 1 1
Alexander Thomas Darell Elizabeth, Margaret,—Sir George Darell of—ane, d. of Sir Jane, w. of Florence, w. Constantine Darell of — fi
Darell living 1464, w.of John d. of John Littlecote, Kt., William Hawte John Wroughton of Thomas Collingbourne Kingston, hee

living 1464 saidtohavem. Kirkby, Ist Lord | Sheriffof Wilts 33H. 0 of Broad 4 Bruges or Co. Wilts. Sheriffof | Collin ne.
Exr.tohis Wilhelmina, Co. Hants. Stourton. | 6, &1,5&9E. 4. cet. | Shelvingborne, Hinton, Co. Bridges. Wilts 6 H.7. Willd. Feb. | ob, Deets:
mother. d. of { 30 ad mort.matris ob. Co. Kent. Wilts. 5, 1507. p, April 8, 1508. | bur. at C.K.
(8) John Rogers. (4) | 14 E, 4, Ing. p.m. (5) bur. at C. K. Mon. brass.| Mon. brass.
eodem anno. (3) (6)
my Sal fie Edward Pavel, oe Titdeoote— wane) aot Sie Many, 0 or TomeAMae a
Elizabeth, w. o e, argery, W- 0 ir Edwa arell, o: ecote,=Jane, d. of Sir=Mary, d. of John—Alice, d. of ......... Flye of Darells o!
John Seymour Sir Thomas Longe of Kt. wt. 8, ad mort. patris. Richard Croft, Ratcliffe, ie .. Co. Sussex, Tallot Co, pe cae
of Wolf Hall, Co. WraxallandDraycot, Sheriff of Wilts, 5, 9, & 13 H.7, | Kt.Banneret. Lord Fitzwalter. | of Sir Edmund Stanhope,
Wilts. Co. Wilts, Kt. and 1 and 11 H. 8, (12) (13) Extrix. to her husband, E.D
(9) (10) ob March 9, 1528-9, Will d. July (14)
25, 1528, pr. May 20, 1530. le
Inq. p. fal Na H. 8. Sir Richard Darell, =Margaret, d. of Edmund
| Kt. Se 7 BRAD Duke of
‘ F England, jomerset, relict of Hum-
Edmund Darell Jane, w. of Sir Elizabeth John Darell slain at=-Jane, da. of Richard Catharine, w. of temp. R. 2. hrey, Earl of Stafford,
living 1528. Anthony Hungerford living 1528 _ _Ardres, in Fetyplace of Little Francis Choke of Sheriff of Wilts,8 E. 4 | eldest son of Humphrey,
of Down Ampney. Picardy, vita patris, | Shefford, Co. Berks. Avington, Co. Berks, Ist Duke of Bucks:
(17) bur. ROM (15) ob. s. p- (7)
|
lw. | 2Q2w. | Margaret, d. and heir
Flizabeth, d. of Sir Thomas Essex of == Sir Edward Darell | =Mary, d. of James Daniel of London, gent.,m.2dly Elizabeth, w. of w. of James Touchet,
Lambourne, Co. Berks, Kt., by Margaret, | of Littlecote, Kt. ct, 8.22 Philip Maunsell, son of Sir Rice Maunsell, Kt. 3rdly Robert More 7th Lord Audley.
d. of William Lord Sandes, K.G. H. 8, ob. Aug, 27, 3 E. 6, Henry Fortescue of Falkborne Hall, Co. Essex, of Bewick, Co.
divorced and remarried John Rogers of Ing, p.m. 4 E. 6, ob. Oct, 7, 1598, bur. at Falkborne, M. I. Admin. York.
Bryanstone, Co. Dorset, living 1571. (18s) Oct, 22, eodem anno to Dudley Fortescue, her son.
(19) (20)
| | |
Ellen WILLIAM DARELL Thomas Darell of West Woodhay, Co. ==Elizabeth, d. of
(21) ms of Littlecote, et. 10, ad mortem Berks, heir to his brother, et. 40, 3 iz. | Richard Choke of
patris, ob. at Littlecote Oct. 1, 31 Eliz. 1589. bur. at Kintbury, Sep. 21, 1591. Will d. Avington,
v Inq. p-m. Sep. 32 Eliz. Innupt. Aug. 20,1591, p. Sep. 7. eod ao. Co. Berks.
(22) Inq. p. m. 4 Sep. 33 Eliz. (23) | (24)
2w. | lw.
Anne, d. of William Young of =Sir John Darell of West Woodhay, and of= Anne, d, of Elizabeth, w. of
East Woodhay, Co. Hants, m. at | B: nm Court, Co. Berks, cr. Bart. June Sir Thomas Gerard Bromley, 3rd son of
E. Woodhay, Dee. 8, 162). 13, 2. Sheriff of Berks1C.1. «mt. 4] Chamberlayne, Kt. Sir Thomas Bromley,
bur. at Kintbury, Jan. 24, 1662. | 33 Eliz. bur, at Kintbury, May 14, 1657. Lord EE
(27) (25) 29)
To zy sua) : | ; “
Rutheus Darell, John Darell. Thomas Darell, Cicely, w. of Edward Keate Constance, w. of Sir John Elwes of
(sic Vis. c. 18.) bap. at Kintbury of Locki: Ss. Barton Court, Kt. jure uxoris.
(28) Mar. 18, 1631, m, at Kintbury, Jan. 12,1647. bur. at Kintbury, Noy, 29, 1666,

(80) (31)

aa By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 227

5. She is called, erroneously, in Clutterbuck’s Herts, Elizabeth daughter of
Sir Edmund Hart. This is the only printed pedigree of Darell that 1 know
of. There are several inaccuracies, but it is, on the whole, tolerably correct,
and extracts from the Inq. p. m. are given in the text. In Phillpot’s Kent,

- f. 162, Coll. Arm. she is called Jane, daughter of William Hawte of Shel-
vingbourne, Co. Kent, by the sister of Richard Widville who was afterwards
Earl Rivers. Sir Richard Hawte beheaded at Pomfret by Richard the Third,

would appear to have been a brother. Anthony Widville, Earl Rivers, ap-
pointed Sir William Hawte his attorney in 1471.

6. His wife’s monumental brass is still extant at Collingbourne Kingston, pre-
viously Coliingbourne Abbas. His own effigy has been abstracted, and it

_ would appear that he had placed the monument there on the decease of his
wife, as the date of his own death is not inserted. Some pedigrees call her,

erroneously, Julia. She is stated by Phillpot, 3. 77. f. 109 b. Coll. Arm. to
have been the ‘relict of. . . . Holte.” Her father was returned among
the gentry in 1433.

7. Collins calls him, erroneously, ‘ of Lillingston Dayrell, Co. Bucks.” This

_ was a distinct family, both as to arms and descent. Among the pedigrees of
persons of kin to the blood-royal, before mentioned, the name of his daughter
Margaret appears.

8. Of this Alexander, and of his brother Thomas, no further traces have been
discovered.

9. She was the grandmother of Queen Jane Seymour.

10. There is no doubt of this marriage: the only singular fact is, that while it
is recorded in the pedigrees of Long, it does not appear in those of Darell.
The introduction of the Coat of Stourton on the monument of Sir Thomas
Long at Draycot, would, of itself, point to the first wife of Sir George Darell
as the mother of Lady Long, as, no doubt, she was.

11, He was one of the numerous retinue of Edward Duke of Buckingham,

when he went to meet the King at Taunton to oppose Perkin Warbeck. There

isa drawing of his Standard in a MS. volume at the College of Arms, and

a deseription of it is given in the Excerpta Historica. His crest is, out of a

ducal coronet argent, a Saracen’s head in profile, couped at the shoulders ppr.

_ bearded Sable, on his head a cap Gules fretty Or tied with a ribbon Argent.

_ The Arms are quarterly 1 and 4. Darell. 2 and 3. Calston. The motto “Si

je puis je le feray.” By his will he desires, if he should die ‘at Litelcote

ad or set in the realm of England,” to be buried in the parish Church of
amsbury, ‘‘in a Chappill of our Blessed ladie in the saide Churche, sett and

7 Saisie. ” He also desires a ‘‘marble stone with the armes of the Darells in
plate of brass set in the same,” to be placed over his son’s grave at Calais, with

“like platys of brasse of the tyme of the dethe, and of the maner of the dethe”

of his said son, Of the “hangings,” &c., in his chambers at Littlecote, we have

before spoken. It may be added, that he makes bequest, as was the fashion
of the times, of a ‘‘flemish chare covered with black velvet, and embroidered
with my badge and two cushions thereon, embroidered on the one side with
drops of gold, and the other, in both sides, with the letters E. and A.” « My

_ Chapel at Littlecote” is also mentioned, and he speaks of the Parks of Rams-

J bury, Littlecote, and Balsdon. ‘The overseers appointed were Sir William

Q 2

‘4

228 Notes to Pedigree of Darell of Littlecote.

Essex, Sir Anthony Hungerford, and Bartholomew Hussey. It might be
supposed from the introduction of the names of William Newdegate and Anne
his wife, and the bequest made to them, immediately between the names of
his two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine, described as such, that this Anne
also was a daughter, but there is no evidence to establish this fact. He pre-
sented to Fittleton in 1486, and to Haxton or Hacleston in 1497.

12. There was a Sir Richard Crofts, styled by the chroniclers ‘“‘a wyse and
valiant knyght,” who took prisoner the young Prince Edward at Tewkesbury,
but who had no hand in the tragic sequel of his sad history. Prince Arthur
‘had of his council certayne knyghts,” and amongst them was Sir Richard
Croft.

13. She was married before Feb, 12,8 H. 7. See Pedigree of Darell, Howard
f. 113, Coll. Arm.

14, This marriage appears in Collins’s Peerage, and in Vincent’s MS. Baronage,
f. 242, Coll. Arm. According to the former, she was wife of Edmund Stan-
hope, son of Henry Stanhope of Rochford, Co. Lincoln, by whom she left two
daughters. According to the latter authority her husband was Henry, and
his fathiber Edmund. Mention is only made of one daughter and heir, viz.,
Catharine married to Thomas Skeftington.

15. She is called Anne, C. 18. Coll. Arm., and her father is called John, but
there seems strong ground for supposing that her name was Joan, and that
her father’s name was Richard. There are yet some remains of the old man-
sion of the Fetyplaces at Little, or East Shefford, now used as farm buildings.
But the most interesting object, is an altar tomb, with the effigies in alabaster
of Sir Thomas Fetyplace and his wife, Beatrice, of the Royal House of Portu-
gal, in the small Church hard by. Sir Harris Nicolas took some pains to
prove her descent, but all that could be ascertained was, that she came of the
Sousa branch of the Royal House, and was neither the daughter, nor the
natural daughter of the King, as had been conjectured.

16. It may be presumed that the ‘‘manner of his dethe,” alluded to by his
father in his will, referred to his having fallen in some action during the
invasion of France, perhaps in 1522, when the Earl of Surrey commanded.
He besieged Hesdin, but failed, and his rear-guard was attacked at Pas in
Artois, and 5 or 600 men were cut off. Possibly this was some skirmish at
Ardres, as he fell back on Calais.

17. She is, occasionally called Anne, and wife of Sir John Hungerford, but
the most authentic pedigrees of that family note her down as Jane, wife of Sir
Anthony. A Jane Darell occurs as Abbess of Amesbury in 1540, possibly a
sister or a niece. See MS. I. 6. 22. and 102. Coll. Arm.

18. The Ing. p. m. was taken at Sarum, on the 6th Oct. 4. E. 6, After a re-
cital of his property, his will is annexed, and it appears to have been executed
on the 26th August, 3. E. 6., the day preceding his decease. The following
passage is remarkable as regards his supposed second wife. ‘‘I assign and
bequeth to Mary Danyell all those my manors, lands, &c.,”’ he here enumerates
nearly all, excepting Littlecote, ‘during the natural life of the said Mary
Danyall.” He then mentions his daughter ‘‘Elyn Darell,” his cousin George
Darell, and his son William Darell; and leaves his place of interment to be
arranged by his executors, This will is not in the Prerogative Office, nor is

.

:

|

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 229

it at Lambeth. In the survey of the manor of Aldbourne, Duchy of Lancaster
Office, he is stated, 6. E. 6. to have held a farm there, called Hide; and also
the manor of Fittleton, of the manor of Everley.

19. Her mother, Margaret, Lady Essex, died at Becket in Berkshire, in 1571,

and her will, dated in 1567, was proved in 1572, She mentions her daughter
by the name of Lady Darell. She desires to be buried by her husband, in the
tomb which she had made at Lambourne. This still exists, The marriage
with Rogers, is evidenced by a deed at the Rolls Office, dated Feb. 6. 3 and 4.
Philip and Mary, (1557.) concerning a lease of Kingston and Thrupp in the
parish of Ramsbury. ‘‘John Rogers of Bryanstone, Co. Dorset, and Dame
Elizabeth his Wife, late wife of Sir Edward Darell of Lytlecote.” This John,
aftewards knighted, died at Becket, July 22, 1565, as appears by his monu-
mental inscription at Blandford, noted by Symonds in his MS. Diary, but
erroneously copied by Hutchins for his History of Dorset. There is no record
at Doctors’ Commons relating to the divorce. Some proceedings in Chancery
which took place between 1559 and 1579, in a cause of Pyper v. Fortescue
disclose this fact, together with accusations and counter accusations of profli-
gacy, which are appropriate addenda to the tale of Wild Darell himself.
Inter alia, the defendant accuses Elizabeth, Lady Darell, of having given
birth to a male child, begotten by one Hacker a Falconer, in her husband’s
absence, while serving in the wars.

20. In her answer to the accusations made in these Chancery proceedings, she

states that she was born in Norfolk, and that her father was James Danyell
of London, gent. Her third husband died in 1576, and she was his wife in
1569, as, in that year, he presented to Fittleton, jure uxoris. There are two
monuments with brasses to their memory in Faulkbourne Church. On that
of the wife, are three shields, 1. a lozenge shield, bearing the quarterly coat
of Daniell. 2. Darell, quartering Chicheley, Horne, and Royden, and im-
paling Daniell. This is an error of the engraver or of his employer. The
coats of Chicheley, &c., were ouly borne by the Darells of Scotney. 3.
Mansell with 9 quarterings, impaling Daniell. Her son Dudley Fortescue,
is stated in Clutterbuck’s Herts, Vol. I. p. 349, to have died Sep. 12, 2 Jas. 1.
and to have left by Mary his wife, whom he married in 1581, a son Dudley
aged 14. Amongst the Darell papers at the Rolls Office, are several receipts
signed by her for monies paid by William Darell: half-yearly sums of £34
for charges on Balsdon and other estates. She presented to Fittleton in 1554
as Maria Daniell, alias Mansell.

21, She is supposed to have married Egremont Radcliffe, and an entry in B.

and H, f. 93. Coll. Arm., favors the supposition, yet when the case of the
Barony of Fitzwalter was enquired into, no such marriage was noticed, al-
though it became necessary to prove the extinction of issue of this Egremont.
When the Earl of Sussex, his half brother, marched against the rebels in
1569, the latter was with them. He was thereupon attainted, and fled tne
kingdom. We find frequent notices of him in Strype. In 1571, as ‘‘a busy
man” at Paris; in 1572, pensioned by the King of Spain; in 1577, as incar-
cerated in the Tower; ‘‘of a turbulent spirit’; &c., &. He was at last
beheaded in the market-place at Namur, by order of Don John of Austria, for
some real or pretended plot. Surtees (Hist. of Durham,) says, this was in

230 Notes to Pedigree of Dareli of Littlecote.

1572; but Don John only arrived as governor in 1576 according to Lingard,
and in 1579 according to Hume. Lingard appears to be the more correct, and
that the plot took place in 1577. What became of his widow, if she was his
widow, is not, at present, known. There is a letter from him, well written,
and signed ‘‘ Egremont Radclyff,” while a prisoner in the Tower, at the State
Paper Office. He prays to be permitted to walk in a garden, and to haye a
servant, but says nothing of any wife.

22. So much has been said of this, now notorious, personage, that a few matters
need only be noticed. The last we read of him, while living, is his MS. in-
dorsement of Anthony Hinton’s letter in 1588, and to which there is a rough
copy, in his hand-writing, of his reply. In Phillpot’s pedigree of Darell, Coll.
Arm., before alluded to, he is entered as of Littlecote, Armiger, and ‘modo
superstes,’ viz., in 1587. A sort of monumental inscription painted originally
against the east wall of the North Transept of Kintbury Church, but of late
erased, and re-painted against the north wall, led to the supposition of his
interment in that Church. The inscription is as follows :—

*©In Memory of
Sr Wm. Darell of Little
Cote, Wilts, Kt., who died without
Issue, Ist Oct., 1588.

He was Uncle of Sr John Darell,
of West Woodhay, and Balsdon, Bt.,
and High Sheriff for the County
of Berks, 1625,
and was buried at this place.”

The meaning of this obscure and erroneous statement is, that Sir John was
Sheriff in 1625, and was buried there. When Ashmole visited this Church,
he made, after sketching the achievement and crest of Sir John Darell,
painted on a tablet and hung up against the east wall of a Chapel on the north
side of the Church, a note to the following effect: “The like Crest upon a
helme is still remaining in the said Chapel, and was part of the achievement
heretofore set up for Sir William Darrell, uncle to the said Sir John Dar-
rel.’ Symonds also in his most interesting Diary, still preserved at the
British Museum, in speaking of Kintbury in 1644, says, that in that Church
‘hangs the helm and creast belonging to Sir John Darell’s father, who lived
at Denford, now the house of Mr. Brown in this parish, and was buried about
60 years since.” Sir John Darell was resident at Barton Court at the time
of Symonds’s visit. A helmet still hangs up in this north Transept, but the
achievement mentioned by Ashmole has disappeared. The arms also of
Chelrey, in glass, noticed by Symonds, no longer exist.

23. The Inq, p. m. gives a full statement of his property. He appears to have
resided at West Woodhay, though sometimes, described as of Hungerford.
In his will he is described as of Balsdon. He held the manors of Balsdon,
Kintbury Amesbury, West Woodhay, Combe next Fittleton, and the living
of Wanborough. He mentions his daughter Elizabeth, his father in law
Richard Choke, his brother in law Alexander Choke, and his sister, probably
his wife’s sister, Frances, wife of Clement Browne, and their son, John
Browne. There is an Indenture of Covenant, Oct. 1, 32 Elizabeth, between
Robert and Henry Cheyney of the one part, and Thomas Darell, Esq. of the

By Charles Edward Long, Esq. 231

other part, for levying a fine of the manors of Kintbury and the Rectory. It
’ recites that Robert and Henry Cheyney were sons of Thomas Cheyney, late of
West Woodhay, Esq. deceased, and that Thomas Darell was brother and heir of
William Darell, late of Littlecote, Esq. deceased; that the Cheyneys did on
the 3rd of Dec., 31 Elizabeth, sell to William Darell, deceased, and to one
Reynold Scriven, gent., the manors of West Woodhay and of Kintbury Ames-
bury, and the Rectory and advowson, also lands in East Woodhay, called
Woodlocks and Hitchens. His name occurs in the survey of the manor of
Aldbourne, Duchy of Lancaster Office, as holding the farm of Wanborough,

33 Elizabeth.
24. The Chokes were a family of some repute, and whose pedigree is recorded
4 in the Visitations. There is a fine monument of Sir Francis Choke, who

| _ died in 1561, at Shalbourne. Their residence at Avington no longer exists,
but portions of it are still visible in the farm house, and the walling, and ter-
race of the garden are distinctly traceable. The earlier Registers of this
. parish have been, long since, lost.

25. Ina deed dated April 1, 21 James 1. he is described as of West Woodhay,
in conjunction with Sir Alexander Choke of Shallbourne, and Edmund Hunger-
ford of Chisbury. In another deed dated Jan. 1, 11 C. 1. he is designated as of
Barton, the other parties being Francis Choke, senior, and Francis Choke,
junior, of Avington. In the marriage settlement of his daughter, Constance,
with Sir John Elwes, then described as ‘‘John Elwes of Gray’s Inn,,’ he is

» styled of Barton Court. The date is May 12, 24.1. The parties, besides
himself, are Lady Anne, his wife; Edward Keate, son and heir of Francis
Keate of East Lockinge, Esquire, and Cicely his wife; and Edmund Hun-
gerford of Chisbury, and Elizabeth his wife. A Bill was filed by Charles and
John Gunter, gents., against Sir John Darell, Bart., concerning his right to.
the manor of Kintbury Amesbury. The reply states that a ‘‘great sum of
money was paid by William Darell his uncle,” for the said manor, &c.,
that it had been assured by one Cheyney ‘‘in trust for William Darell his
uncle,” and then to W. D. and his heirs for ever. That W. D. entered and.
‘died seized thereof about 40 years since, after whose decease the manor and
premises descended to Thomas Darell, Esq., the deferidant’s father, as brother
and next heir to W. Darell, and that the defendant’s father being so seized
thereof about 40 years past, died thereof so seized, at whose decease the said.
premises came to the defendant, as son and heir of the said Thomas Darell.”
These deeds are in the possession of Vice-Admiral Sir J. Deans Dundas, who
kindly permitted me to inspect them, and whose first wife’s ancestor, Philip
Jemmett, purchased the estate, about 1670, of the heirs of Sir John Elwes.
Symonds, in his Diary, so frequently alluded to, says, ‘ Sir John Darell’s
estate is £300 per annum.” In speaking afterwards of Wanborough, he
notes the Darell arms as being in that Church, and says, ‘‘Sir Humphrey
Forster is now lord of the manor, who bought it of Sir John Darell of*
Kintbury, by Hungerford, in whose name it was ever since Richard the
Third’s time.” This Sir Humphrey was the owner of Aldermaston in Berk-
shire, a curious old house, though by Evelyn spoken of as “built @ la
moderne,” \ately pulled down, in a fine park with many aged oaks, and, until
within the last 20 years, never alienated since the Conquest. Sir John Darell’s

232 Notes to Pedigree of Darell of Littlecote.

first Court at Kintbury is dated Oct. 20,6C.1. His last, Oct. 17, 1656.
The next, dated Oct. 20, 1657, has Sir John Darell’s name, but erased, and
that of John Elwes, Esq., substituted. The first Court of John Elwes, then
styled knight, is dated Oct.9, 18 C. 2. And the first of Philip Jemmett, Oct.
2, 1671, 28 C. 2. The arms of Sir John Darell, tricked in C. 18, Coll. Arm.,
and also in the Church|notes of Ashmole’s Visitation, before mentioned, are,
Quarterly 1. Azure, a lion rampant or, ducally crowned Argent, DarEwt. ;

. Argent, 2 barrulets gules. In chief 2 lioncels rampant of the 2d. CatsTon.

Sable, 6 lioncels rampant or, St Martin.

. Barry of 6, or and azure, an eagle displayed gules, WALROND.

Per pale azure and gules, a lion rampant or. Lorry.

Sable, 3 lions passant or, ComBE.

Per pale sable and argent, a chevron per pale, or and gules, LounDREs.
Argent, 3 annulets, one within the other, gules, CHELREY.

26. In the pedigree of Darell, Vis. of Berks, C. 18, he is distinctly called Judge
of the King’s Bench. There was, however, no such Judge; but there was a
Sir Thomas Chamberlain, who was a Puisne Judge of the Common Pleas, and
Chief Justice of Chester, and described as of Wickham Castle, Co. Oxon, C.
29. f. 134. Coll. Arm. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir George Fermor
of Easton Neston, and relict of Sir William Stafford of Blatherwick, Co.
Northampton. His will was proved in 1627, and besides three sons, he had
only one daughter, Elizabeth. His second wife was Elizabeth, Lady Berkley.
With the above conflicting facts, I must leave the question of his identity an
open one.

27. Her father is stigmatised as ‘‘ignobilis.” It would appear, from the Kint-
bury Register, that two daughters, twins, were buried in 1632, one, Anne,
Oct. 6, the other, Jane, Oct. 26.

28. Thisname occurs in the Visitation, asingular one fora male. That these
sons died young is manifest; the daughters being described as coheirs, and
inheriting their father’s property. In the emiatee, March 8, 1644, is the
entry of the burial of ‘‘ Mr. John Darell, Squire.” It may be piseuintea one
of the sons.

29, There is an illiterate entry in the Register of Kintbury, of what may be
inferred as his burial. ‘Dec. 30, 1631. Mr. Jeard Bromley was buried.”
According to Collins, they left two sons, Thomas and Alexander. In a letter
written by Darell to his cousin, Reynold Scriven, dated June 17, 1583, he
speaks of ‘‘ Mr. Harry Bromley that hath married my kinswoman.”

30. He was 45 in 1664, see Vis., C. 12. f.96. They left issue. Several of
their children were eueed at Kintbury. He was son of Francis Keate of
Lockinge, by Frances, daughter of John Hungerford of Cadenham.

31. He was 38 in 1664. see Vis. C. 12. f. 128. They left a numerous issue,
several children were baptized at Kintbury. Sir John died 1681. Letters of
Administration were granted to his eldest son, Henry Elwes. Sir John is
described as “‘late of Hungerford, widower.” See also C. 16. f. 128” Coll. Arm.
He was son of Henry Elwes of London, gent., by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir
John Gore, Alderman of London.

DOD oe & bo
oo 8 :

C. E. Lone.

Hi. Butt, Printer, Saint John Street, Devizes.

WILTSHIRE
Archenlageal out Batwral AWratory
MAGAZINE,

No. XII. JANUARY, 1858. VotEy.
. Contents.
PaGE.
Account oF THE FirrH GrnEeRaL Merrine, at Braprord, 11th,
Manan, testa Anousts L800, ss <iccrre sel slamere es oe + < sis w are cie.cit ss 233-248

Articles exhibited at the Temporary Museum.............-+2-05 249-252

On the Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset: By the Rev. J.

SOU PLETB DISS Ne ravctoia' ote STASI ask ass» Sa a tear tela ss Gelnval o oiaseie Sie aero 253-256

BAP CRG eaten LA oe 6 0 RIC moc. cad 257-206
Monkton Farley Priory: By the Rey. Canon Jackson, F.S.A. ...... 267-284

On the Ornithology of Wilts, No. 8, [Insessores]: By the Rev. A. C.
CLIT Abate Gace. 0b ocur OU COREE Opn on

aig ojeteteltetes tater) 285-298
The Battle of Ethandun: By G. Pouterr Scropr, Esq., M.P........ 298-306
monry DY WILETAM TONG MENG:, Mov. 0. cc ccc e ee cee ceca een 307-363
List of Contributions to the Society’s Museum and Library... ... .. 363-364

ILLUSTRATIONS,

Monkton Farley Priory: Architectural Fragments, p. 280. Gravestone of Ilbert
de Chat, 282. Effigy of Dunstanville, 284. Abury and Silbury, with sur-
rounding country, (Sir R. C. Hoare,) 309. The Great Circle of Abury and
the Kennet Avenue, (Aubrey,) 315. The Circles on Overton Hill, anda
Small Circle in a lane near Kennet, (Aubrey,) 317. Twining’s plan of
Abury, 320. View of Abury and its precincts, as restored by Stukeley,
322. View of Abury, restored, according to the plan of Stukeley and Hoare,
323. The Great Circle, surveyed by Stukeley, 1724, 325. The Great Circle,
surveyed for Sir R. C. Hoare, 1812-19, 326. Ground plan of a portion of the
remains of Kennet Avenue, 329. ‘Shelving Stone” at Monkton, and
“*Devil’s Coits,” Beckhampton, 330. Monument, Kennet Parish: (from
Aubrey), 344. Small Circle near Kennet, (Falkner), 345.

DEVIZES:
Henry Bort, Saint Joun Srreer.
LONDON:
Brit & Darpy, 186, Freer Srrerr; J. R. Smirn, 36, Souo Sauarn,

a APS

WILTSHIRE MAGAZINE,

‘‘MULTORUM MANIBUS GRANDE LEVATUR ONUS.”’—Ovid.

THE FIFTH GENERAL MEETING

Giltshive Archeological and Patural Pistory eae
HELD AT BRADFORD,
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 11th, 12th, and 13th of August,
1857.
PRESIDENT OF THE MEETING,

Tue Rev. J. H. Brapney, M.A.

76 HE Proceedings of the Fifth Anniversary Meeting of the

czy © Society opened at 12 o’clock on Tuesday, August 11th, in

the New Town-Hall, Bradford, with the following ApprEss, by the
President elected for the occasion, the Rev. J. H. Brapney.

“Tn the absence of the Right Hon. Sidney Herbert, M.P., which
they all lamented, he had the honour of appearing as the temporary
chairman of the Wiltshire Archeological Society. He had been
unwilling to undertake the responsibility, but had yielded to the
solicitations of his friends, and now desired to claim the indulgence
of the meeting on the score of his small experience in Archeology.
When the first intimation was made to them of the honour in-
tended the town of Bradford by the visit of the Society, they all set
to work in right earnest to prepare for it a worthy reception. A
large committee was formed, consisting of a number of the chief
inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood. Two gentlemen (Dr.
Highmore and the Rev. J. Wilkinson,) were appointed as local
secretaries, from whom they had received the most valuable assist-

VOL. IV.—NO. XII. R

234 The Fifth General Meeting.

ance, and but for whose exertions they could not have looked for
the success for which they now hoped. Two sub-committees were
formed,—the one for collecting and arranging articles for the
Museum; the other for making provision for the creature comforts
of the members, arranging the excursions, and other matters of
detail. First as to the Museum Committee, presided over by Col.
Yerbury, supported by the exertions of Mr. Gee. The question
had first to be answered—Was the Museum to be confined to
articles collected in the county of Wilts? It was decided that it
should not be so confined, for if such a spirit of exclusion had been
carried out, they would have lost the benefit of very many articles
which now adorned the Museum. The Committee had fully en-
titled themselves to grateful acknowledgments for their pains in
collecting ‘and arranging the specimens. He would also tender the
thanks of the Society to those ladies and gentlemen who had been
kind enough to forward so many interesting objects to their
Museum. He must not omit to mention the valuable services of
their excellent curator, Mr. Poole. The care of every object sent
to the Museum devolved upon this gentleman, and he had for
weeks past laboured almost night and day in their service, having,
among other things, drawn a beautiful map of the neighbourhood
of Bradford on a large scale, which would assist them in tracing
the routes of their intended excursions. Second only in import-
ance was what he might call their Commissariat and Land Trans-
port Committee. The Rev. Chairman proceeded to detail the
arrangements made by the committee for this department, which
would, he had no doubt, fully come up to their expectations. Het
expressed his pleasure at their having secured Mr. Sotheron Est-
court, M.P., as chairman of the dinner, and his regret that the
Rey. Canon Jackson, in consequence of the death of a friend, could
not be present to read his promised papers. They had, however,
been entrusted to other gentlemen. The town and neighbourhood
of Bradford abounded in objects which presented attractions to the
lovers of Archeology. Some of these would be brought before
their notice, and explained in papers drawn up by gentlemen, to
whom he desired to offer the hearty thanks of the meeting. The

The Rev. J. H. Bradney’s Address. 235

Rey. Chairman then offered some remarks in praise of Archeology.

He observed that if the axiom of the great moralist, Dr. Johnson,

held good, that “‘ whatever withdraws us from the power of our

senses—whatever makes the past and the distant predominate over

the present, advances us in the dignity of human beings,” then he

contended that the pursuit of archeology was a peculiarly elevating

and dignifying one; for archzology lived in the past. All her

sympathies were connected with the past, and indeed but for the
past they would be non-entity. Was there not something eleva-
fing—something advancing us in the dignity of thinking beings,

in attempting to trace out the manners and customs and the habits
; of those who had gone before us, by a patient investigation of the
monuments which they had left behind them, whether strewed
over, or buried under, the surface of the earth? Was there not
something worthy of a reflecting mind in comparing them with the
historic records of the times in which they lived, and in observing
how they mutually explained and illustrated each other? The
antiquities discovered threw a light upon history, and history from
the undersigned coincidence derived confirmation of its veracity.
If we pursued our enquries further into the region of sacred his-
tory, then we should find that archeology might be made subser-
vient to higher purposes than those of mere intellectual entertain-
ment. Archzology then became the handmaid of religion. What
a flood of light, for instance, had been shed upon the writings of
the Old Testament through those stupendous discoveries made by
Layard amid the ruinous mounds of Nineveh! How had they
been the means of elucidating passages hitherto shrouded in
obscurity, and how on the other hand had the Bible received from
it new and unexpected additional attestation to its truth! Who
could tell what effect such evidence might have on the mind of the
sceptic—of the proud disputer of this world, on whom mere formal
demonstration would be thrown away? And who could tell the
comfort, the satisfaction, and the joy it is productive of to the
sincere and humble Christian, when he sees how everything con-

=

4

:

spires to establish the truth of the word on which his every hope
of happiness is built! Archeology was therefore a refining and

k 2

236 The Fifth General Meeting.

an ennobling science, and men of cultivated minds and noble aspira-
tions had ever been devoted to its pursuits. He would mention an
example as an illustration, in Cicero, who might be called the child
of Archxology. His writings breathe everywhere a fondness for
antiquity. “To be ignorant of what happened before we were
born,” says he, “is to be an everlasting baby.” His treatise “De
natura Deorum” is replete with paleontology; but there was an
incident in the life of this illustrious man to which he would more
particularly invite their attention on the present occasion. To
Cicero was assigned the Province of Sicily ; he was sent thither as
Questor, and he said of himself that he received the office, not so
much as a gift as a sacred trust, which he would only discharge by
devoting his whole attention to it, and by postponing every plea-
sure, and even the gratification of his appetite, to a faithful per-
formance of the duties it imposed. Notwithstanding this; notwith-
standing all the cares and distractions of goverment, he could yet
find time to indulge his favorite pursuit of archeology: he made
his excursions through the island to see everything in it that was
curious; that was, in short, worth seeing. In the course of his
tour he comes to Syracuse, and there he had a particular object in
view. He wanted to see the tomb of Archimedes, for in the course
of his studies he had heard that that great geometrician was buried
there, and that on his tomb a sphere and cylinder (emblematical of
his pursuits) were engraven, and also some verses inscribed; and
he was determined to verify the fact by personal inspection. He
questioned the great men of Syracuse—the magistrates—on the
subject, and to his surprise they could give him no information
whatever about it. They conducted him, however, to the gate of the
city, where stood a great number of their old sepulchres, and there
he observed, in a spot overgrown with shrubs and briars, a small
ecolumn—a “columella” he calls it—whose head first appeared
above the bushes. Conceive his delight, when he sees the figure
of the sphere and cylinder upon it! This he tell the magistrates
was the very thing he was in search of, and then he goes into his
work with an ardour with could not be surpassed even by a mem-
ber of the Wiltshire Archzeological Society. Men are sent with

The Rev. J. H. Bradney’s Address. 237

reaping hooks, the brambles and other rubbish are quickly cleared
away, and at length he has the satisfaction of finding the verses,
though half eaten out by time, inscribed on its basis. Then he
boasts (Cicero was rather given to this—it was the weak point
of his character; but here he legitimately boasted) that one of the
noblest cities of Greece, and one likewise the most learned, had
been ignorant of the monument of its own most lofty-minded
citizen, had it not been discovered to them by a native of Arpinum
—that is himself. Nor let it be said in disparagement of archzo-
logy that sometimes her attention has been lavished upon unworthy
objects. They had doubtless heard of the expedition of Cobbett to
the United States, in search of Tom Paine’s bones, with a view to
bring them back to their native soil.. Now he (the Chairman)
thought—and doubtless they would agree with him—that Tom
Paine’s bones had much better have been left to rot where they
were, and that if Mr. Cobbett had no other object in his visit to
the States, he had better have stayed at home. Here they had a
ludicrous contrast with what he had just stated, both as to the
searchers and the object sought. Cicero and Cobbett were both
orators and writers; but, oh! of how different a stamp. And
between Archimedes and Tom Paine there was just this difference
—that whereas the efforts of the one seemed directed to the exalt-
ing and ennobling of our common nature—the writings of the
other were calculated to sink it to the level of the beasts that
perish. Sometimes the labours of the archzologists were not
spoken of in the most respectful terms. Lord Byron calls a search
after archxological antiquities, “rummaging” :—
‘* What are the hopes of man? Old Egypt’s king
Cheops erected the first pyramid
, And largest, thinking it was just the thing
To keep his memory whole, and mummy hid;
But somebody or other rummaging,
Burglariously broke his coflin’s lid.

Let not a monument give you or me hopes,
Since not a pinch of dust remains of Cheops.”

; But Lord Byron lived at a time when archwology was not so
- much thought of as at present, and those pursuits, which he did not
himself appreciate, he had a happy knack of, or rather an unenvi-

A Siete ool

238 The Fifth General Meeting.

able pleasure in, turning into ridicule. We can well afford to laugh
at his lines, and will go on to “rummage,” and I trust in this
neighbourhood to some effect, in spite of his aristocratic sneer.
Archeology, he had observed, was not much thought of in Lord
Byron’s days. In confirmation of this, he (Mr. Bradney) remem-
bered, about 45 years ago, being introduced to a clergyman whose
name was Douglas, a gentleman much addicted to rummaging. So
strong, indeed, was his propensity to open barrows, that he was
looked upon in those days as a perfect nuisance. Proprietors
warned him off their lands as unceremoniously as they would an
unprivileged sportsman on the Ist of September. Now his was
“the pursuit of knowledge under difficulties.” He was in advance
of his age. Had he lived in these days, not only would the bar-
rows of proprietors have been open to his investigation, but their
cellars also to gladden his antiquarian heart. The times were
altered now. Archeology was the fashion of the day. Witness
the numerous societies that were springing up on all sides, insti-
tuted for its advancement. Witness those periodical gatherings at
which men of different neighbourhoods met together to compare
experiences, and to contribute the results of their local investiga-
tions, and the benefits of their local knowledge, towards increasing
the general stock of antiquarian information, which at no distant
period was destined to pervade the whole length and breadth of
the land. This, he apprehended, was the great object of the
present meeting. If they confined it to the mere club part of it—
the pleasant walk on a fine day through a lovely country—a fes-
tivity and agreeable conversazione (though these were by no means
to be despised)—if they confined it to these, then they fell short of
the higher objects of which it is capable, and which it might be
made to realize. What he would suggest, was, that at such meet-
ings as the present materials might be obtained, and a foundation
laid for compiling a good county history. Such a history was now
a desideratum, and whether they took into account its ecclesiastical
antiquities, which were now to be brought before them by Mr.
Jones, or the earlier Druidical remains which Mr. Edmonds would
elucidate, or its geological formation, which would be explained

.

The Report. 239

by Mr. Cunnington to-morrow, Bradford must form a prominent

_ feature in any Wiltshire county history hereafter to be published.

He did hope and trust that the present meeting might not be
allowed to pass away without some steps being taken to forward so
desirable and so praiseworthy an object.

The Rev. Mr. Luxis (one of the General ON of the
Society) then proceeded to read

THE REPORT.

The Committee of the Wilts Archological and Natural History
Society commence their report of the proceedings of the past year
by congratulating the members on the flourishing state of their
Society. From the period of its inauguration, in 1853, it has con-
tinued to advance, and may now be fairly stated to have taken root
in every corner of the county. Thenumber of subscribing mem-
bers now on our books amounts to 376, being a considerable in-
crease over last year.

But while congratulating you on the present prospects of the
Society, and the number of its existing members, your Committee
have to deplore the loss, by death, withdrawal, or removal from the
county, of nine of our body. They cannot pass over in silence the
grievous blow that has been dealt, not only to this Society, but to
the whole Zoological and Archeological world, by the deaths of
Mr. Yarrell and Mr. Britton.

Mr. Yarrell was an honorary member of this Society, and there-

- fore, your Committee may be allowed to pay a passing tribute to

his memory. As a naturalist he was unrivalled in this country,
and his well-known Histories of British Fishes and British Birds,
(the third edition of which last work was published just three weeks
before his death,) will long remain as text-books to Zoologists,
being by far the most copious and perfect works extant on the sub-
ject, and to collecting materials for which he had devoted all his
energies during a long and active life. If we add to this the con-
stant kindness and urbanity with which he received a continual
flow of enquiries on points in dispute amongst naturalists; the
readiness with which he listened to arguments; the diligence with
which he strove to solve doubts; something may be understood of

240 The Fifth General Meeting.

the loss which has been sustained by the cause of Natural History
generally in the decease of this good and courteous old man.

Moreover, as a Vice-President of the Linnean and Zoological

Societies, the zeal and energy which he displayed in the cause of

science will not readily be re-placed.

But if Mr. Yarrell has been styled the father of British Zoology,
with no less truth has Mr. Britton been designated the father of
British Archeology. Mr. Britton was personally better known to
you, and it is scarcely necessary for your Committee to remind you
of what you will yourselves recollect, the very active part which,
notwithstanding his great age, he has taken at each of these our
annual meetings; not only attending himself, and always with a
paper in his pocket to be read if occasion required, but using all
his powers to stir up others to a like activity in the cause. His
energy and animation on those occasions will long remain impressed
on our memories. There was a kind of youthful elasticity and
playfulness about him, even at our general meeting at Warminster
last year, only a few months before his decease, which gave us a
hope that he would have been spared for some years longer. More-
over, it is not too much to state that, but for his indefatigable ex-
ertions in the cause of archeology in his native county, this Society
would not have existed. For it is to be remembered that this
Society arose, in the first place, to take possession of those numerous
papers, books, drawings, and maps relating to Wiltshire, which Mr,
Britton had taken so much pains and so many years to collect.
Neither need we dwell on his merits as an archeologist, or our loss
in his decease; but we would call your attention to the memorials
which have been proposed as suitable tributes to his great worth
by this and other kindred societies, In addition to the admirable
sketch of his life, which appeared in the last number of our Mag-
azine, and a very excellent portrait of him, which will appear in
the forthcoming number, our Society is collecting subscriptions from
its members and others towards erecting a memorial in the Church
of his native parish, Kington St. Michael, and also for providing a
small annuity for his widow, to either or both of which your
Committee would recommend your subscriptions. We may add

The Report. 241

that the Institute of British Architects also contemplate placing a
monumental memorial (we believe an incised brass) in Salisbury
Cathedral.

With regard to our financial position, your Committee rejoice to
inform you that our funds have been, and are, steadily increasing ;
that in lieu of £200, and a balance of £42 in the hands of the
Secretary, as stated in the report last year, there are now £300
invested in Exchequer Bills bearing interest; and that there is a
small balance of a few pounds in the hands of the Local Secretaries,
besides £80 due for arrears. And here your Committee must be
excused, if they call your especial attention to the great saving of
time and trouble on the part of the Secretaries by the prompt pay-
ment of your subscriptions, urging you not to let them fall into
arrear to the great detriment of the Society.

It will be in your recollection, that mention was made in the
report of last year of the proposal to establish a County Museum
and Library at Devizes, in accordance with the intention of the
Society from its commencement (as seen in the latter part of its
first and sixth rules). This intention, which, indeed, from the
first, was stated to be one of the objects of the Society, has not yet
been carried out. But the want of such a Museum and Library
has become daily more and more apparent as a place of deposit for
the existing property of the Society, now scattered in private hands,
or packed away in chests inaccessible to members,—but, above all,
as a nucleus for future treasures. Indeed, it is to be feared that
the want of such a Museum and Library has lost to the Society
many objects of interest. Your Committee, taking these things
into consideration, called a special meeting of the Council in June
last, to discuss this question, which meeting was attended by some
of the most influential of our body; and it resolved to meet
the present want, by renting (if it could be had), and fitting up as a
Museum and Library, the large room over the Savings Bank, at
Devizes, which, indeed, seemed to be the only suitable room avyail-
able for the purpose. Our efforts to obtain that room have, at last,
been successful; and now that a place of deposit is provided, it is
hoped that contributions of specimens and books will flow in from

242 The Fifth General Meeting.

all quarters. At the same time, your Committee regard the rental
of this room as only a temporary measure, calculated to supply our
immediate requirements; but they trust the members and friends
of the Society,* by subscriptions and, perhaps, by taking shares in
the building, will enable us, at no distant period, to erect a Museum
and Library suited to our wants and worthy of the county.

There is but one subject more on which your Committee would
touch, viz., the important question of Parochial Histories; which,
originating from this Society, promoted by a most able and active
member, the Rev. J. Wilkinson, and under the guidance of the
Lord Bishop of Salisbury, is, we trust, gradually progressing to-
wards the proposed end.

The subject was discussed at Salisbury last week, and it was pro-
posed that Wilts and Dorset should co-operate in the endeavour to
collect materials for the complete histories of both counties. A
committee was formed, consisting of the Lord Bishop of Salisbury,
the three Archdeacons of the Diocese, the Council, and the General
and Local Secretaries of the Wilts Archeological and Natural His-
tory Society, and a number of scientific gentlemen, both clerical
and lay, of Wilts and Dorset, to carry out this scheme, and they
will shortly commence their labours. Their plan will be, in the
first instance, to collect information by means of questions circu-
lated through the entire counties. Itis, however, very satisfactory
to know that, in several instances, histories of individual parishes
have already been commenced, and are fast advancing towards
completion. But your Committee cannot take leave of this sub-
ject without adverting to the very complete model of Parochial
History, presented by Canon Jackson’s paper on the Parish of
Kington St. Michael, printed in the last number of our Magazine.
And here they would beg to tender their best thanks to Mr. Jack-
son, not only for that and other kindred papers from his pen, with
which the Magazine has been enriched, but for the diligence with
which he has conducted the editorship of that publication. Your
Committee are not unmindful of the time and talents which he has
devoted to the service of the Society, and they wish thus publicly
to record their sense of gratitude.

The Fifth General Meeting. 243

The Report having been adopted and ordered to be printed, the
officers of the Society were re-elected, with the addition of the Rev.
A. C. Smith as a General Secretary, and Mr. Meek as a member of

. the Council.

The Rey. W. H. Jones, M.A., Vicar of Bradford, then read a
paper on “The History of Bradford,” which will be found in the
Society’s Magazine.

Grorcre Marcuam, Esq., next read a paper, illustrated by draw-
ings, on “The Bearing of the Antiquities of Malta, on the History

‘of Stonehenge.” The learned lecturer described some curious re-

mains recently discovered in the island of Malta, and stated reasons
for believing that they, as well as the cromlechs, rocking-stones,
&e., of Brittany and Cornwall, and, in particular, Stonehenge, were
constructed by the Pheenicians, the Druids being, in fact, identical
with the Pheenician philosophers.

THE DINNER

took place at half-past four, in a large room, formerly a dyehouse,
belonging to Mr. Spackman, the usually unsightly appearance of
which had been so changed by decorations, carried out under the
superintendence of Mr. Cornelius Taylor, that it made a very
handsome and commodious dining-hall. The rafters and walls
were festooned with evergreens and flowers, brilliant nosegays
adorned the tables, and flags were hung in various parts of the
room, on one of which was a device peculiarly suitable to the oc-
casion, in the shape of an “ammonite,” cleverly traced in flowers.
The company, numbering about 130, and including Mrs. Hamilton,
(the wife of the Bishop of Salisbury,) with most of the Ladies! in

! The following verses appeared in the Bath Chroniel
ON THE HEALTH OF ‘THE LAL. wsS”
Being given, and enthusiastically drunk at this Dinner.

If the fair forms of Narure our genius would trace,
And her wonders with ardour pursue,

What treasures, reviewing Creation’s whole space,
Can vie, lovely Woman, with you?

Or if, by Anriqurry’s halo beguiled,
We would peer thro’ the vista of years,

244 The Fifth General Meeting.

the neighbouroood, was presided over by Mr. Sotheron Estcourt,
M.P.

In replying to one of the toasts, Srr Joun Wirner Awnry ob-
served that “ he thought there was a mine of history in this county,
connected with its civil and ecclesiastical divisions, which had as
yet been but little opened up. How was it that in this county,
particularly, we found the hundreds scattered up and down? What
was there in the history of the people which led to this, and at
what period did that history date? From what we knew of their
ancient history, these hundreds were originally tribes of people who
became localised, possibly on the settlement of the country, under
King Alfred, after the Danish wars, and which might probably
have given rise to the fable that the invention of hundreds was
due to that monarch. How then were they localised ? And why
was it that some hundreds were called “ragged hundreds,” sown
broadcast, as it were, over the whole face of thecountry ? Wasit
that the people formerly belonging to them had separate residences
allotted to them? Then again there could be no doubt that the
physical character of the county bore very much upon its history ;
for if we looked at the long line of Oxford clay down almost a
string of extraparochial places, there was a country which was
probably heavily timbered, and untractable to road agriculture,
and not fully cultivated until the later Saxon period. Look again
at the light land, where we saw small parishes, or again here, where
we saw a large parish divided into a multitude of chapelries. The
small parishes, no doubt, indicated an early settlement of the
country: the large parishes, divided into a multitude of chapelries,
probably the next stage of the proceeding. But there was still on
the levels here, a good deal of light-barley land which could have
been occupied tolerably early in our history; and therefore, instead
of this being comprised of great parishes, undivided, like the clay

What attraction so ancient, so genuine too,
As Woman, fair Woman, appears?

Whene’er, then, with Science uniting Good-cheer,
To tue Lapres our homage we boast,
Let Anriquity’s votary, and Nature’s combined,
Respond, heart and voice, to the Toast!
Bath, Aug. 12th, 1857. F. K.

The Fifth General Meeting. 245

parishes, we had a number of chapelries, having an existence next
to immemorial. Then again look at the structure of our churches.
In the small churches—more commonly in the chancels—we found
the early English style of architecture more prevalent than in the
rger churches; but in the naves of parish churches, we almost
‘ways saw a great enlargement, generally in what might be called
ae perpendicular style, which came in after the reign of Edward
he Third, and after the period that the trade of the country had
sradually increased. This was especially the case where there were
town populations—he might say, almost universally the case. Take
for instance the ancient Norman churches at Devizes, the naves of
which had been almost, if not entirely, rebuilt, or renovated, after
the period of Edward the Third. It might be that the increase of
population, or the increase of riches and the disposition to spend
them on works of this kind, had induced these alterations. Of
this however there could be no doubt, that the history of our
parishes might be read upon the date of our churches, or upon
particular parts of them. These ecclesiastical divisions then, par-
ticularly in the chancels and in the enlargement of the naves of
our churches, opened up a field of observation to those who were
engaged in different kinds of country business, which they would
do well to work out, and if he was a wise man, when passing a dull
day at Chippenham, with a number of constables coming in to be
sworn, he might perhaps see a little in the local archeology of the
neighbourhood which he had not before thought of.”

After an inspection of the various objects of interest in the Town,
the company re-assembled at 8 o’clock in the Town-Hall, for an
Evening Conversazione. Mr. W. Lone of Bath, read a paper on
“Avebury,” illustrated by diagrams, models, and drawings: and
Mr. J. Parker of Oxford, another on the “Medieval Houses of
Wiltshire.” The Rey. J. Witkrson of Broughton Gifford, con-
cluded the proceedings with a Topographical description of the
succeeding day’s excursion.

SECOND DAY—WEDNESDAY, Avausr 12ru.

The Excursion for the day, conducted by the Rey. J. Wilkinson,

lay through the village of Holt, Monkton Manor House, Whaddon,

246 The Fifth General Meeting.

Broughton Gifford, Great Chalfield, South Wraxhall, and Monkton
Farley.

At Great Chalfield, the history of the Manor House was detailed
by Mr. J. Parker; and by the courtesy of Mrs. Spackman, the
occupier, the company were accommodated with a field for pitching
a tent, and taking their picnic dinner.

Before leaving Chalfield, an amusing letter in verse was read,
supposed to have been written by an agriculturist, who was more
in love with the domestic arrangements of his grandfather, than
with those of modern times. It lamented the loss of the spa-
cious log chimney corner, the settle, the stone floor, which did
not demand that sedulous cleansing of feet which Brussel carpets
exact. It expressed great antipathy to silk chair and sofa furni-
ture, which requires to be further encased in covers, and sighed
for the lost liberty of smoking being tolerated where the large
chimney shaft readily carried off the vapour. This letter caused
great merriment, and the reading was encored. The element in
the humour of it was a plentiful introduction of Wilts dialect,
which the reader selected for the purpose did full justice to.

At Monkton Farley they were most kindly and hospitably en-
tertained by Mrs. Wade Browne with tea and coffee, fruit, ices,
and various other refreshment: and the history of the place and
priory by the Rev. Canon Jackson was read, in that gentleman’s
absence, by the Rev. W. C. Lukis. Various architectural fragments
discovered, from time to time, on the site of the Priory Church,
&e., were exhibited at the Conversazione at the Town-Hall at 8
p-m. Papers were read by Mr. Cunnineron, on “The Bradford
Clay of Wiltshire and its Fossil Contents”; and by the Rev. G.
T. Marsu of Sutton Benger, on “Natural History”; after which a
topographical account of the next day’s excursion was given by
Mr. W. Ger.

THIRD DAY—THURSDAY, Aveusr 13rx.

The Excursion arranged to take place to-day, under the guidance
of Dr. Highmore, included several places of much interest, but the
company was not so large as on the preceding day.

The Fifth General Meeting. 247

Tory Chapel was the first named in the programme. Only a

portion of the walls of the chapel remains.
At Belcombe, the residence of Col. Yerbury, is a field with a
mober of large stones, placed three together at regular intervals,
d forming part of a semi-circle. It was an idea of Wood, the
lebrated architect of Bath, who lived in the early part of the last
mtury, that Bath was the centre of a large system of Druidical
‘orship. Mr. E. Epmonps, in a paper on this subject, made some
suggestions as to the possible connexion of the Belcombe stones
with Wood’s theory: but their character as Druidical does not
appear to be quite determined.

Winsley was then passed, and the excursionists ascended the
opposite side of the valley to the quaint old church of Lympley
Stoke, standing on the hill. An old stone pulpit, built in the wall,
was pointed out as curious; and a sacramental cup was shown,
bearing the date of 1577. In the churchyard, on the south side,
are 13 old tombstones, dating from the thirteenth and fourteenth
centuries.

At Hinton Abbey, Lieut.-Col. Cotgrave, gave the excursionists
a most courteous reception. The beautiful ruins of the Abbey were
explored, and its history explained by Mr. Grr. The Elizabethan
mansion, occupied by Lieut.-Col. Cotgrave, was built from the ruins

_ ofthe Abbey. In the hall of the manor house, is an elaborately carved
_ oak table, on the principle of the modern telescope-table. It bears

the arms of Shaa and crest of Hungerford. Mrs. Mary Shaa (buried
at Farley Castle,) was a Hungerford, and her husband’s family held
Hinton Abbey on lease from her own. There is no foundation for

_ the common story that this table came from old Farley Castle.

After looking at Farley-Hungerford Church, and partaking of

_ a picnic dinner in the Castle yard, the excursionists inspected the

ruins of the Castle.
The Rey. J. P. Griffith read a paper, prepared by the Rev.,Canon

_ Jackson, on its antiquites. After giving the history of the Castle
and the Hungerford family, the paper continued—It is said that

King Charles II. once came here, and was entertained by the last
owner, the extravagant Sir Edward Hungerford, who sold this and

248 The Fifth General Meeting.

all his other estates, in a.p. 1686. In the sale were included the
manors of Farleigh, Tellisford, Iford, Rowley, Wellow, Road, and
Langham, with lands elsewhere in the neighbourhood. The whole
was bought by Mr. Henry Baynton, of Spye Park. He and Lady
Anne Wilmot (sister of the Earl of Rochester) his wife, resided
here: and they seem to have been the last occupants. In 1702,
soon after his death, the estates were sold again. The manorial
lands at Farleigh were then bought by Mr. J. Houlton, ancestor of
the present proprietor; but the castle itself, being first bought by
Mr. Cooper, of Trowbridge, did not come into the possession of the
Houltons until purchased by them from Mr. Cooper’s family in a.p.
1730, by which time it had begun to fall to decay, and the materials
had been used for other purposes. Sir Edward Hungerford, the
last owner of Farleigh, was a handsome, extravagant man, in the
reign of KingCharlesII. He died in London in 1711, and was buried,
not at Farleigh, butin the old church of St. Martin’s in the Fields.
It has often been said that he reached the extraordinary age of
115; but this is an entire mistake. He was born in a.p. 1632;
and, consequently, was 79 years old at his death, instead of 115.
He had by his first wife, Jane Hele, of Devonshire, a son Edward,
and a daughter Rachel, afterwards Lady Massarene. The son, after
the fashion of his family, married one of the greatest heiresses of
the day, the Lady Alethea Compton, who, had she lived, would
have inherited a moiety of the Dorset and Clifford estates; but
both she and her husband died young. Sir Edward had by his
third wife another son, who died at Black Bourton, in Oxfordshire,
in 1748, and who appears to have been the last male representative
of this branch of the family in England.

At the close of the paper a vote of thanks was awarded to the
Rev. Mr. Griffith, on the motion of Sir John Awdry, and the com-
pany then started for Westwood Church, which has been recently
judiciously restored, the greatest pains having been taken to preserve
its original character. An interesting paper, drawn up by the Rev.
W. H. Jones, explanatory of the building, was read by Mr. T.
B. Saunders; and here terminated the meeting of the Society.
Immediately after leaving the church, a heavy storm came on: and

The Museum. 249

the journey back to Bradford was literally performed “in thunder,

lightening, and in rain,” and few escaped a complete drenching.

With this exception, this was one of the most interesting and
ecessful meetings of the Society.

A Aist of Articles Gebibited

IN THE

TEMPORARY MUSEUM AT THE TOWN-HALL, BRADFORD,
August 11th, 1857.

Those marked with an Asterisk have been presented to the Society.

By Rey. Canon Jackson, F.S.A., Leigh Delamere :—

A Portfolio, containing drawings and lithographs of Trowbridge Castle,
Barton Barn, Bradford, Broughton Gifford Church, William Bever’s House
at the Cross, Broughton Gifford; Stoke Lympley Church, Old Church Wins-
ley, two views of the interior of Farley Castle Chapel, Chancel of Farley
Church, and the Manor Houses at Westwood, South Wraxhall, and Great
Chalfield.

By Henry J. F. Swayne, Eso., Netherhampton House, Salisbury :—

Roman Spoon, spring of Romano British Padlock, and rowelled Spur,

recently found at Old Saram.
By Dyxe Poorz, Esa., Syrincot :—

Two horns of deer, three boar’s tusks, and two spear heads of bronze,

found in a barrow at Ablington, Wilts.
_ By H. Cattery, Esa., Burderop :—

An oak panel from the Drawing-room of Burderop House, exhibiting the
arms of Queen Elizabeth, carved in bold relief and ornamented with
colouring. A glazed Tile, also bearing the same arms, found in a drain at
Burderop House.

By Dr. Tuurnam, F.S.A., Devizes :-—

Portion of a Holy Water Stoup, found near Calstone Church. Two
rude bone pins, parts of the skulls of a goat and dog, encrusted with sta-
lagmite, found with other remains in Dowkerbottom Cave, near Settle,
Yorkshire, 1857.

By Mx. Counnryeton, F.G.8., Devizes :—

Case with a Fine Slab containing 50 specimens of Echinodermés, from

the Forest Marble of Malmesbury. Small case with fine specimen of Acan-
_ thoteuthis Antiquus, from the Oxford Clay, Christian Malford, Another

5

wo
Or
i=)

The Museum.

case with Fossil lower jaw of Steneosaurus, from the Oxford Clay, Chip-
henham, Three cases with 360 specimens (54 species) of Fossils, from the
Bradford Clay, including a fine series illustrative of the Apiocrinus Park-
insoni, and a specimen restored by Mr. J. Wood. Large Ammonites per-
armatus, from the Cale. Grit, Seend. Small box containing 3 specimens of
Astacus, from the Upper Green Sand of Devizes, Potterne, and Horning-
sham. The last volume of the Paleontographical Society, containing
engravings of Wiltshire Fossils.

By J. W. Luxis, Esa.

* Cast of a Celt found near Clermont, Puy de Dome, France.

By A, Avy, Ese., Bradford :—

Case with Apiocrinus Parkinsoni, including some remarkable varieties.
Another case with Ferns, &c., from the Coal Formation. Minute Shells,
Echini, and portions of Encrinite from the Great Oolite, Bradford. Am-
monites from the Oxford Clay, and Shells from the Green Sand. Echini
from the Corn Brash, Flint, &e. Terebratule, &c. from the Great Oolite,
Bradford. Roots and stems of Apiocrinus, from the Bradford Clay. Pa-
lates, Teeth, &c., from the Oolite.

By Mr. G. Marks, Bradford :—

Case with various specimens from the Green Sand, Devizes. Another
ease with Apiocrinus Parkinsoni. A third case with specimens of the same
dissected, and Belemnites canaliculatus. Fossil Sponges from the Chalk
Flint. Seven specimens of Ammonites, from the Oxford Clay of North
Wilts. Also, several preserved specimens of Birds and Animals. Case of
Wiltshire Flies.

By J. Awpry, Esa.

Five specimens of Vertebroe of Icthyosaurus, from the Oxford Clay of
North Wilts.

By Dr. Hicumore, Bradford :—

Two specimens of Echini (recent). Impression from the Seal of Sher-
borne, Co. Dorset.

By J. Bartwarp, Esa., Horsington :—

* Unfinished Quern from Pen Pits, Stourhead. Portfolio containing a
series of 56 engravings of Churches, &c. * Token issued by Paul Methwin
of Bradford, during the Commonwealth. See Akerman’s List of Wiltshire
Tokens, page 9 and plate.

By Miss SELWYN :—

Herbarium with 30 specimens (some very rare) of Plants found in Wilts
and Somerset.

By Mrs. Patarret, Woolley Grange, Bradford :— ;

An elegant rapier of Spanish steel found on remoying the floor of one of
the apartments at Kingston House, Bradford, in 1851. See ‘‘ Wilts Mag-
azine,” vol. i. p. 278.

By Mr. Knapp, Bradford :—

Several cases containing Fossil Shells, together with Bones and Teeth of
Elephant and Ox, found at Bradford. An ancient Spoon found near Tory
Chapel, Bradford.

The Museum. 251

By Miss Barzwarp:
7 Specimen of Ammonites perarmatus from the Calcareous grit, Seend.
Mule Pheasant. Seal of the Priory of St. John, Waterford. Case of
4 Wiltshire Butterflies.
‘ y Mz. James Brown, Salisbury :—
‘ Bone (Atlas of Whale ?) found in the river near Salisbury.
y Dr. Keppie, Monkton Manor House, Broughton Gifford :—
Two Portraits of Mary Queen of Scots and Earl Darnley.
t ¥ THE Hon. Mrs. Jones, Hinton House :—
Portrait of Mary Queen of Scots, by Zucchero. Three large pieces of
: ancient Tapestry.

By J, E. Niegurrcate, Ese., Wilton :-—

A series of 21 Photographs, consisting chiefly of views in and near Rome.

By Mr. Brro, Semington :—

Photographs of Whaddon Church, Monkton Bridge, Broughton Gifford
Church and Porch, Great Chalfield Manor House and Church, South Wrax-
hall Manor House and Church, and Barton Barn, Bradford.

By W. Srancomp, Esa., Trowbridge :—

An old Painting, supposed to represent Trowbridge Castle in its perfect
state, found in a wall of the late Mr. S. Salter’s house.

By Rey. J. Witxrnson, Broughton Gifford ;—

Four diagrams of Stonehenge. Impression from the Gravestone of Ibert
de Chat, 1187, in Lacock Abbey. Two tracings of stained glass from the
north aisle of Broughton Gifford Church.

By Mr. D. Jones, Bradford:

: Five drawings, including plan, elevations, &c., of Wilton Church, Wilts.

By Rey. W. H. Jones, Bradford :—

Drawings of Westwood Church, Lympley Stoke Bridge, Houses formerly
oceupying the site of the New Town-Hall, and five other views in Bradford.

‘By Rey. E. T. Wurinrrerp, Woodleigh :—

Drawings of Farleigh Castle, Chalfield House, and the Churches of Stoke,
Winsley, Holt, and Castle Combe.

By Mrs. Rosertsoy:

Four drawings, Farleigh Down from Lympley Stoke, two exterior and an
interior view of Lympley Stoke Church.
By W. Ger, Esa., Woodside, Freshford ;—

Drawings of Westwood Manor House, Iford Bridge, Farleigh-Hunger-
ford Church and Castle.

By Lrecr.-Cot. Yerrury, Belcombe, Bradford :—

Enamel Brass Lamp for incense, found on Salisbury Plain. Ancient
knife, dug up near Rufus’s Stone in the New Forest. Brass figure of Her-
cules, found at Wellow. Bowl containing a quantity of Roman Coins.
Bowl, Delft Pottery, (1662,) containing Wiltshire and other Tokens. Trays
of Silver and Gold Coins. Pair of Pistols, left in Mr. Davisson’s house,
Freshford, by an Officer in Monmouth’s Army, after the battle of Sedge-
moor, 1685. Bracelet made of Mooltan Money, after the Sikh campaign.
Painting, Head of Bampfylde Moore Carew. Eight cases of Foreign Birds,

8:2

252 The Museum.

By Mr. Fussett, Wraxhall:—
Two cases containing a series of Beetles and Moths. Two specimens of
Horned Owls.

By R. H. Bracxsrone, Esq., Lyncombe Hill, Bath :—

A large and very valuable collection of ancient implements and weapons,
consisting of iron spear-heads, flint arrow-heads, amber beads, bronze
spears, swords, daggers, celts, hammers, spurs, umbo of shield, bronze ring
money, pins and armlets, stone celts, hammers, and other implements, from
Suffolk, Essex, Yorkshire, France, Ireland, and North America. Iron
Branks, or Scold’s Bridle, and Thumb Screw.

By Mr. G. Martin :-—

Table, sawn out from a Boulder Stone, found in the Railway, Lady
Down, Bradford. Specimens of Petrified Moss. Three cases of English
and Foreign Birds.

By Mr, James Ratnery, Bath :—

A cabinet of Antique Silver, containing several German Drinking Cups
and covers of the 16th century; Chalices and Patens of the 16th century;
English Christening Spoons of the 15th and 17th centuries; Alms Dish,
two handled Wine Cup, German Scent Bottles, and other articles of Chinese
Japanese, Mexican, and Italian workmanship. Among the latter was an
exceedingly beautiful Silver-gilt Plate, chased with the subject of the
Adoration, (date, early part of the 16th century,) from the Strawberry Hill
Collection.

By Mr. Scorr :—

Thirteen Rubbings from Monumental Brasses, including some Wiltshire
specimens,

By Mr. Joun Pootz, Bradford :—

Four cases containing 42 specimens of Wiltshire Birds. Cases of Stoats,
Squirrels, and Weasels. Encaustic Tile, from Malmesbury Abbey. Several
Coins and Tokens found near Bradford.

By Joun Busu, Esa., Woolley Hill, Bradford :—
Case containing a series of specimens of Foreign Flies.
By Lrevr.-Cot. Corerave, Hinton Abbey :—

Preserved specimen of Wiltshire Bittern.

By J. G. Swiru, Esa., Winkfield House, Bradford :—

Several specimens of Stuffed Birds.

By Carr. Pickwick, Frankleigh Cottage, Bradford :—

Four cases of Wiltshire Birds. Collection of curiosities from the Cape of

Good Hope, consisting of Kaffir necklace, knife, anklet, &c.
By W. Sronz, Esa., Winsley :—
Finely worked Court Dress, temp. Geo. III. Prints, ‘‘ Theatrum Bib-
licum,” date 1644. Drawing of Winsley Font, &e.
By Mr. Watter Spencer, Chalfield :—
Several preserved Birds and Animals.
By Mr. 8. TayLtor:—
Bible and Prayer Book, dated 1599 [42 Elizabeth].

253

Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset.
== SHE following “‘ Heads of Parochial Information” have been
compiled and are now put into circulation in pursuance of
4 plan originally brought under the notice of the Wilts Archzolo-
gical and Natural History Society, by the Rev. John Wilkinson of
Broughton Gifford, at the general meeting, September, 1855. The
object in view and the means of attaining it, were fully stated in
a paper which appeared in the seventh number of the Society’s
Magazine.

The histories required were said to be pictures of the parishes at
the present time, and, as far as possible, in past times. The pa-
rochial clergy were suggested as the historians; not because they
are in all cases supposed to be necessarily and exclusively the best
qualified for the work, but because to them and to them alone
among the more educated classes, the several parishes are places of
constant residence and spheres of duty, with the past records and
present condition of which they have the best opportunity of be-
coming familiar, and in which they would naturally be interested,
as well from the love of their parochial charge as for the benefit of
_ their successors. Some of the clergy may be able and willing to
undertake the task of writing a complete history; others may be
so much occupied with their professional and other more immediate
duties as to be unable to do more than answer queries, or heads of
parochial information, and so furnish (what the French aptly call)
memoires pour servir a ? histoire; and even those, who may them-

selves be wholly without taste or leisure for pursuing such inquiries,

_ may still be able, without much personal trouble, to obtain from
competent local authorities, the needful information. Indeed, in
any parish, so many and so different are the topics which will come
under notice, and so varied the accomplishments required for their
complete treatment, that it will always be desirable, and in the
y larger districts it will be necessary, to organise a committee, so to

254 Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset.

speak, of parochial informants, taken from different classes of society,
so as not only to sub-divide the labour, but to secure the most ac-
curate information on the several branches of the subject.

The design is the same as that of the “New Statistical Account
of Scotland,” and the mode of execution similar. The ministers of
the Kirk of Scotland, with such assistance as they could secure,
under the sanction of the General Assembly, have, in that topo-
graphical history of a whole kingdom, furnished a compilation
which must long be regarded as a lasting memorial of their intel-
ligence, their zeal, their research, and that varied and intimate
acquaintance with the affairs, history, condition, and resources of
their parishes, which so well becomes them. Entirely self reliant,
with no other pecuniary support than such as might arise from the
sale of the work, they have raised a monument, without a parallel,
to their country’s honour as well as their own. Cannot the clergy
of the Church of England do as much for a county or two ?

They will not be without very considerable support and encou-
ragement. The Marquisof Lansdowne, the Lord Lieutenant of Wilts,
has desired that his name may appear as a well-wisher to the un-
dertaking. Others of high position and scientific acquirements
have signified their approval. The Bishop of Salisbury, within
whose Diocese three-fourths of Wilts and the whole of Dorset are
situated, gave his approval on its original announcement. He has
since taken an active part in its promotion. He desired that his
Palace at Salisbury should be the head quarters of the movement,
and that it should embrace his whole Diocese, Dorset as well as
Wilts. He introduced the subject to the Archdeacons and Rural
Deans at their usual annual meeting held in Salisbury in 1856. In
the spring of the present year he desired that it should be discussed
by the whole body of the clergy in their Ruri-Decanal Chapters.
He again brought it before the Archdeacons and Rural Deans in
August last, with the intention of making some definite arrange-
ments.

A committee was then organised, consisting of the Bishop with
certain Laymen and Clergymen, with Rey. C. W. Bingham as
Secretary for Dorset, and Rey. J. Wilkinson for Wilts. This

Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset. 255

committee, among whom the name of Sir John W. Awdry should
be particularly mentioned, have revised the ‘Heads of Parochial
Information,” and issue them in their present form. They will
ereafter be circulated among the clergy (together with a recom-
endatory letter from the Bishop of Salisbury), and among all who
aay be disposed to take part in the work, perhaps accompanied by
mn account of one or more parishes drawn up as a sample of the
scheme they suggest.

As a guide to the sources from which the past history of a parish
is to be obtained, it may be desirable to mention the titles of some
topographical works, relating to Wilts and Dorset, as well as some
others of a general character, which may be consulted with advan-
tage. To Sir Richard Colt Hoare and his able coadjutors (some of
whom are promoting the present design), the county is indebted
for that splendid work “Ancient Wiltshire,” and for the description
of 15 Southern Hundreds in the volumes entitled ‘Modern Wilt-
shire.” Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bt., has printed “the Wiltshire
Institutions,” and “Aubrey’s Collections for a history of North
Wilts.” His large collection of Manuscripts also deserves especial
mention. To these must be added, Mr. Britton’s topographical
works, particularly his “Beauties of Wiltshire,” and his articles
“Avebury” and “Stonehenge” in the Penny Cyclopedia; the
Salisbury volume of the Archeological Institute 1849; a few
volumes published by a former Wilts Topographical Society, in-
cluding “ Aubrey’s Natural History of Wilts”; and more particu-
larly the Magazine of the present Society, containing most valuable
_ contributions, among which it cannot be invidious to point out those
of Mr. Poulett Scrope and Rev. Canon Jackson. Among works,
the subjects of which are more limited, there are, Mr. Poulett
_Serope’s “History of Castle Combe,” Mr. Waylen’s Histories of
Devizes and Marlborough, together with his promised ‘‘ Wiltshire

during the Civil Wars.” Most of these works may be seen in the
Library of the Wilts Archwological Society at Devizes. In regard
to Dorset, that county has a great advantage over Wilts, in the ex-
cellent and complete County History by the Rey. John Hutchins, (Ree-
_ tor of Swyre, and subsequently of Melcombe Horsey, and of the Holy

256 Parochial Histories of Wilts and Dorset.

Trinity, Wareham), originally published in 1774 in 2 vols. folio,
and incorporating the principal part of Coker’s curious “Survey,”
which still, however, deserves to be consulted. It scarcely seems
necessary to refer to Nichols’ 4 vol. edition of Hutchins, as being
a work of remarkable rarity, whilst the additions it contains are of
far less value and importance than might be expected. The more
local works, viz., Sydenham’s ‘History of Poole,” Savage’s “His-
tory of Dorchester,” the Right Hon. George Bankes’ “Story of
Corfe Castle,” Roberts’ “History of Lyme Regis,” as also his
“Social History of the Southern Counties, &c.,”’ must not be for-
gotten. Scattered notices of the geology of the district are to be
found in the Geological Transactions; in Sir H. C. Englefield’s and
Dr. Mantell’s works on the Isle of Wight; and also in an inter-
esting series of papers read before the Purbeck Society, and now in
course of publication.

As works of general antiquarian interest, particularly in regard
to pedigrees of families and the descent of property, mention may
be made of the publications of the Record Commission, such as
Domesday book (translated for Wilts by Wyndham), Calendarium
Inguisitionum ad quod damnum (in protection of the rights and
property of the Crown, or of the subject), from John to Henry VL.,
Testa de Nevill, sive liber feodorum temp. Henry III. and Edward
I., Rotuli Hundredorum temp. Henry III. and Edward I., Nona-
rum inquisitiones temp. Edward III., and especially Calendarium
Inquisitionum post mortem (from Henry III. to Edward IV.); and,
in regard to the valuation of ecclesiastical property, Pope Nicholas’
Valor taken 1292, which continued in force till the Valor Ecclesi-
asticus, or Liber Regis, 25th of Henry VIII. Copies of these
works were sent by Government to the chief county towns: they
may be seen in the Chapter Library at Salisbury, in the Institu-
tions at Bath and Chippenham, and in the Grand Jury Room at
Dorchester. Dugdale’s Monasticon and Baronage it can hardly
be necessary to mention. J. W.

Oct, 1857.

257

HEADS OF INFORMATION SUGGESTED FOR
PAROCHIAL HISTORIES.

OUTLINE.

Fimstty. CIVIL HISTORY.

I. Name. VIII. PorvLattion.
II. Torocraruy. IX. Games & AMUSEMENTS.
Til. Lrrerature. X. Hearth & Puystcan Con-
IV. ANTIQUITIES. DITION.
VY. Manors & Lanpep Esratzs, XI. Inpustry.
VI. PartsH REGISTERS. XII. Parocuran Economy.
VII. Houses. XIII. Means or CoMMUNICATION.

Seconpty. ECCLESIASTICAL AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

I, CuurcH or CHURCHES. VIII. IncuMBEnNTs.

II. Cuurcw Yarp. IX. PLACES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP
III. Cemerertes. AND CONGREGATIONS, NoT
IV. Cuurcn Rates. CONNECTED WITH THE CHURCH

VY. Caurcnu PEOPLE. or ENGLAND.

VI. Cuourcn LAnp anp Hovsz, X. MrAns or Epucarion.

Vil. Grebe Houser, XI, CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS,

Turrptry. NATURAL HISTORY.

I, Lanp. VI. Mryerat Krinepom.
Il, Waren. VII. ConnECTION BETWEEN PHYSI-
fm ait. Arr. CAL AND SOCIAL HISTORIES OF
TV. Anrwat Kinapom. THE DISTRICT,

V, Veourasie Kinepom.

258 Heads of information suggested

Frirstry. CIVIL HISTORY.
I. Name:

1. Present name:

a. Supposed derivation.
b. Local corruption.

2. Original name:

a. Subsequent changes.
II. ToroGrapHy :

1. Boundaries of the Parish.

2. In what Hundred.

3. Townships, hamlets, chapelries, or other sub-divisions.

4, Average length and breadth.

5. Acreage; distinguishing arable, pasture, houses and
gardens, plantations, waste, water, roads."

III. Lrrerature:

1. Any published or unpublished accounts of the Parish ?”

2. What is the account given in Domesday book ?

3. Have any events of historical interest occurred in the
Parish ?

IV. ANrTIQuirtizs:

1. Any British, Roman, Saxon, Norman, or other remains,
not comprehended under any other head of informa-
tion.

V. Manors anp LAanvep Estates:

1. What Manors are there?

2. Who are and were the Lords of the Manors ?

3. Give an account of the more considerable properties,
tracing the ownership as far back as possible.

4, Trace the history of any peculiar manorial rights,
customs, privileges, tenures, or court-leets.

VI. Parisu RecisTERs:
1. When do they begin ?

1 See Parish reference-book, containing the most recent survey.

2 The History of the Parishes in Dorset has been written by the Rey. Mr.
Hutchins, and that of certain Hundreds in Wilts by Sir R. C. Hoare and
others. Any additions to, or corrections of these published accounts will be
acceptable.

—— ee

Jor Parochial Histories. 259

2. Have they been regularly kept? If not, with what
intervals ?

3. Have the earlier entries been copies into the Registers,
apparently in large numbers at the same time ; or
singly, contemporaneously with the events recorded ?

4. Make selections, in illustration of families, customs,
habits, superstitions, or historical events,

VII. Hovsss:
1. Number inhabited.
2. Do. uninhabited,
3. Any houses, large or small, destroyed within memory?
4, Do. do. built within memory ?
5. Inhabited house duty, and number of houses charge-
able with it.
- Number of tenements coming under the small tenements
rating act, ic. under £6 annual value, with the
whole rateable value of this property.

7. Cottages or lodgings of the labouring population :
a. Ownership. b. Rent. , Accommodation. d. General
comfort.
VIII. Popunarion :

lon)

1. Number at different periods, as recorded in the census,
or in any earlier sources of information.

2. Number of families at different periods.

3. Increase or decrease of population at different periods,
with the probable causes.

4. Character of population, fixed or variable.

5. Give any names occurring in the earlier registers, and
still existing in the parish.

6. Proportion of marriages under age to those of full age,
distinguishing sexes, within the last ten years, or in
any earlier periods.

7. Proportion of legitimate to illegitimate births, in
periods of ten years,

8. Have any remarkable persons, whether rich or poor,
been born in the parish or connected with it ? If so,
give sketches of their lives and characters,

260 Heads of information suggested

IX. Games AND AMUSEMENTS OF THE PEopLE, WAKES, REVELS, &c.
X. HeattrH AND PuHysIcAL CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE:

1. General Sanitary report of the parish.

2. Prevalent disorders, with their causes.

3. Proportion of deaths per cent. per annum.

4. Any remarkable instances of longevity ?

5. Habits and occupations of the oldest inhabitants.

XI. Inpustry:
1. Agricultural :

a. General remarks: |

(1). Quality of the gronnd for agricultural purposes. :
(2). Number of acres arable. (3.) Do. Pasture. ;
(4). Do. broken up since the Tithe Commutation Act.
(5). Is there a spirit of improvement abroad, as shown in better
farm buildings, more drainage, &c. ?
(6). Any meetings or societies for the promotion and encourage-
ment of agriculture ?
(7). Size of farms.
(8). Do the fields of the several farms lie well together, or are
they scattered ?
(9). Usual conditions of letting. (10.) Average rent.
(11). Are the dairies underlet? (12.) Markets and Fairs.
(13). Any lands commonable, and under what conditions ?
(14). Any commons enclosed, and under what conditions, and
within what period ?

b. Management of Land:

(1). Disposition of all the arable at Midsummer, 1858, 7 e. how
many acres respectively to wheat, barley, oats, rye, beans,
peas, green crops for feed, turnips, swedes, mangold, car-
rots, potatoes, &e. ?

(2). Disposition of all the pasture at the same time, 7.e. how many
acres respectively to feed, hay, water meadows, down, &c. ?

(3). Manures in use:

(a.) Connection with the chemical character of the soil.(b.) Quantities.
(c.) Mode and time of application.
(4). Field work.
(a.) Ploughing: if with horses, how many, how arranged, and with
what drivers? if with oxen do. ? if by steam, give any particulars.
(b.) Dragging and harrowing, how’performed? (c.) Drilling do.
(5). Barn work:
(a.) Threshing and winnowing, how performed?
(6). Implements used in the field, and in the barn,
(7). Nature of fences, and size of enclosures,

ec. Management of stock:

(1). What breeds of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs are preferred ?
(2). Average produce in milk of a good cow.
(3). Management of stock at different seasons of the year.

Jor Parochial Histories. 261

(4). If cheese be made, the average produce of a given number of
cows on a given quantity of land.

(5). Return of live stock at Midsummer, 1858, 7.e. how many
horses, colts, milch cows, calves, oxen, wethers, tups (or
young sheep), ewes, lambs, swine.

d. Allotments and gardens:

(1). Conditions under which allotments are let.

(2). Encouragement to horticulture by prizes and shows.

(3). Results of the allotment system.

e. Labour:

(1). Is the supply of agricultural labour sufficient at all seasons, or

are strangers imported into the parish on pressing occasions ?

(2). Is there a distinction between the regular staff of labourers on
a farm, and occasional assistants?

(3). Is the work usually done by the day, or by contract ?

(4). Do women, boys, and girls work on the land ?

(5). What are the usual wages ?

(6). How are the wages regulated ?

(7). Is any increase made at harvest ?

(8). Are there any allowances in corn, beer, wood, house-rent, or
otherwise ?

(9). What prices are given for job or contract work? per perch
for draining, considering depth; per acre for reaping, mowing,
and hoeing ; per sack for threshing ?

2. Manufacturing:
a. Any manufactures carried on, either in factories or in pri-
vate dwelling houses ?
b. Persons labouring. c¢. Hours of labour.
d. Price of labour. e. Quantities produced.
f. Physical and moral condition of the artisans.
g. The past, the present, and the future of the trade.

3. Any other trades and occupations.

4. General remarks on the industrial employments of the
people :
a. Is the demand for labour fluctuating ?
b. What is the operation of such fluctuations on the condition
and wages of the labourers ?
c. Is there immigration to supply new demands for labour ?
d. Is there emigration on the failure of labour ?
e. If so, whither ?
f. Is the immigration and emigration periodical or permanent?
g. Does the failure of one description of employment leave
the existing generation unable to adapt itself to another ?
XII. Panocitan Economy :
1. Assessment :

a. Amount of Tithe Commutation rent-charge.

262

Je He Be

re
j.

Heads of information suggested

Do. Poor Rate. ce. Do. Highway rate.

Do. County rate. e. Do. Church rate.

Do. _ any other rates.

. How much per acre and per pound do the various local

burdens amount to ?

. Is property assessed at its full value, or is the rateable
value less than the full value ? If so, what is the reduc-
tion on different kinds of property ?

When was the present assessment made ?

Is any land Tithe free? Ifso, why?

2. Parish land and other property :

a

. Any left for parochial purposes ?

3. Parish officers :

a

. Any peculiarity in the mode of their election ?

4. Parish books :

a

. Ifany old Parish books, extract any information from them.

5. Poor Law administration :

a.
b.

a0

In what Union is the parish ?
Average number of persons in receipt of relief, distinguish-
ing in-door and out-door paupers.

. Proportion of the above to the rest of the population.

. Average allowance per head per week.

. Is there an evident disposition among the poor to avail
themselves of relief on any pretext, or do they consider
it degrading ?

. Ave efforts to maintain parents observable ?

g. Is the medical attendance and relief sufficient ?
h. Compare the present poor rate with the past, and estimate

i.

the future.
Operation of the law of settlement.

XIII. Means or Communication :
1. Roads:

a, Any remains of ancient roads ?
b. Any roads made or altered within memory ?

c.

History of travelling at different periods ; how far trace-
able ?

. Total length of the roads, turnpike and parochial.

. Traffic on them.

. Management of the turnpike roads, as shown in the re-
turns of the several trusts.

d
e
f. To what trusts do the turnpike roads belong ?
g
h

. Management of the parochial roads, as shown in the sur-
veyors’ accounts.

2. Railways:

a. When made? b. Length. c. Course.

for Parochial Histories. 263

d. Any particulars which may be learnt from the managers.
3. Canals: (as for Railways).

Sxeconpty. ECCLESIASTICAL AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

I. Cuurcy or CHurcHEs:

1. General remarks:

a. Dedication of the Church.

b. The founders of the Church, or of any portions of it.

ce. Characters of the several portions of the erection, particu-
larly as bearing on the social state of the period.

d. Successive changes in the structure, as far as traceable.

e. Any extension or renovation within memory: if so v-
whose superintendence, and at whose expense ?

f. Convenience of the site of the Church.

2. Externally :

a. Its materials, and whence procured? b. Form.
ce. Style of Architecture. d. Windows. e. Doors. f. Porch.
‘ g. Tower or spire, particularly as adapted to the scenery.

3. Internally :
a. General arrangement.
b. Arrangement of seats, and kneeling accommodation.
ce. Are the seats free, or allotted by churchwardens, appro-
priated by faculty, or occupied by usage ?
Tombs. e. Banners. f. Monuments. g. Brasses.
Arms. i. Inscriptions. j. Paintings on walls.
Rood-loft. 1. Wood or stone screen work,
. Stained glass. n. Sedilia.
Piscina, with or without shelf. p. Ambry.
Squints or hagioscopes. r. Embroidered hangings or
coverings. s. Communion plate. t. Font. u. Bells.

IL. Cuurcu-Yarp :
1. Covered gate. 2. Cross. 38. Tombs. 4. Epitaphs.
5. Ancient coffins. 6. Coins. 7. Antiquities discovered.
8. Public footpaths. 9. Fences and their materials.
10. How kept and fed? 11. Any private entrance?
. CEMETERIES:
1. Institution. 2. Distribution of the ground.
3. Working of the system.
. Cuurcn Rares:
1. Expenditure as seen in the churchwardens’ accounts.
2. Feeling in regard to them.

eoRp Rrra

264 Heads of information suggested

V. Cuurcu Prorie:
1. Services for them: on what days and at what hours ?
2. Average attendance on the several services.
3. Proportion of Church-people to the whole population.
4. Proportion of attendants on the services to the Church-

people and to the whole population.

VI. Cuurcn Lanp anv Howse:

1. Any land left for the purposes of the Church ?

2. Glebe land:
a, Quantity. b. Cultivation.
ce. Any particulars which may be gathered from old terriers.
3. Any record of any old Church house ?
VII. Giese House:
1. Date and successive changes.
2. Any particulars from old terriers.
VIII. Cxurce Ministers:
1. Institutions from early times.
2. Any particulars of former incumbents or curates.
3. Chaplains of Unions.

IX. The above particulars, as far as they apply, to any places of
religious worship and to any congregations, not connected
with the Church of England.

X. Means or Epucarion :

1. Schools for the young:

a. Description of school. b. Connection with any society.
ce. Endowment and sources of support.
d. Master, mistress, and teachers.
e. Scholars : ;
(1). Number. (2). Age. (3), Average attendance. (4). Length
of stay.
f. Books and lending library.
g. Results of education, so far as you have observed.

2. Schools for adults, such as night schools, &c.
3. Mechanics’ institute, reading rooms, and other like in-
stitutions for the promotion of literature and science.
XI. CHarrrasie INstirurions :
1. Alms houses. 2. Hospitals. 38. Dispensaries.
4. Lunatic Asylums, 5. Friendly Societies.
6. Savings Bank. 7. Clothing Clubs, &e.

Jor Parochial Histories. 265

Tmrpiry. NATURAL HISTORY.

I. Lanp:
1. Surface :

a. General features, whether mountainous, flat, undulating, &c.

b. Any commanding eminences affording extensive views.

ce. Leading and most interesting objects within the range of
vision, with bearings by compass,

d. Heights of eminences, and connection with any mountain
system,

2. Beneath surface :

a. Nature of the sub-soil, whether sand, clay, chalk, gravel,
marl, &e, ’

b. Stratified or unstratified rocks.

(1). Order and condition, as shown in any section.
(2). Depth and dip. (3). Organie remains.
(4). Origin, whether local or foreign.

U ce. Insulated or bouldered masses, such as the sarsens,
f d. Quarries:

(1). Quality of the stone, (2). Application do.
(8). Mode of working.

e. Any geological particulars,
Il. Warer :

1. Sea:

a. Depth. b. Bed: comparison between its structure and
_ that of the adjacent land.
e, Action of wind. d. Waves. e. Tides. f. Currents.
2. Rivers and brooks:
a. Sources. b. Courses. ec. Outlets.
3. Lakes and ponds:
a, Area, b. Depth.
4. Wells:
a. Depth and supply.
5. Medicinal springs.
TIL. Are:

1. General properties of the air, whether dry or moist,
clear or foggy, &e.

2. Climate, as dependent on elevation above sea level, slope
towards sun’s rays, prevalent winds, direction of
mountain ranges, fall of rain, nature of soil, and
degree of agricultural improvement,

266 Heads of Information suggested

3. Climate, as ascertained by recorded observations of the
thermometer, barometer, hydrometer, and rain-
gauge.

4. Any meteorological observations.

IV. Antmat Kinepom:

1. Quadrupeds: any, domesticated or not, which, being
connected with the locality, deserve mention from
their provincial names, rarity or abundance, habits,
size, weight, food, retreats, attendant superstitions,&e.

2. Birds: (the same as for quadrupeds).

a. Migratory: time of advent and departure.
b. Bustard: any particulars which may be gleaned from old
inhabitants of the plain.

3. Fishes: (the same as for quadrupeds).
4. Reptiles: Do. Do.
d. Insects: Do. Do.

a. Appearance of any new species of late years, injurious to
vegetation.

V. VEGETABLE Kinepom:

1. Herbs: any deserving mention, as used for culinary,
medicinal or other purposes of art or science; as rare
or peculiar to the district.

2. Shrubs: any deserving mention from their uses and
peculiarity.

38. Trees:

a. Timber: to the growth of which the soil is most adapted ;
those remarkable for their size and beauty, giving age,
height, girth, and cubic feet of timber in any particular
trees, as far as possible.

b. Fruit: to the growth of which the soil is most adapted.

VI. Mrnerat Krnepom.

VII. Connection between the Physical history of the district, and
its social history in regard to settlement, population, habita-
tions and cultivation.

J. W.

267

Che History of the Priory of Monkton Sarley.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S8.A.,
Hon. Canon of Bristol.

TN ve place is about four miles east of the city of Bath on the
ay

SiZJ< way to Bradford, and lies at the back of the high ground
called Farley Down, celebrated for its freestone quarries. The
geological position is curious, and the view on all sides extensive
and beautiful.

Of the village and principal estate nothing of much importance
is known, until, about fifty years after the Conquest, it appears
among the possessions of the great Norman Family of Bouun.
Humphrey Bohun came over to England with the best introduction
for a share of plunder, being kinsman to the head plunderer, King

_ William I., and was soon provided with a pleasant perch whereon
to rest his foot, after his flight across the water. He was the

_ founder of the English family (at first Barons Bohun, but in 1199

ereated Earls of Hereford,) which continued till 1372, when it

i ended in two daughters, one of whom, Mary, married Henry Earl

_ of Derby, afterwards King Henry IV.

_ It appears to have been the second Humphrey Bohun who first

H became a landowner in North Wilts. At the desire of William

_ Rufus he married Maud, daughter of the greatest landlord in the

county, Edward of Salisbury, who, at the marriage, endowed his

daughter with several estates belonging to the Honour of Trow-
bridge. Farley is not named among them, so that he obtained it
in some other way. His wife’s family were, at various periods,

Mfounders of the Abbeys of Bradenstoke, Lacock, and Hinton. Maud

‘ of Salisbury, the wife of Humphrey Bohun the Second, was cer-

_ tainly the person who designed the Priory of Monkton Farley.

y The land which she gave for the purpose was an estate called the

-Buries, at Bishopstrow, near Warminster, in later times the pro-
} ea
1

~

268 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

perty of the Gifford and Buckler families, and now Sir Francis
Astley’s. Whether Maud Bohun actually began the building I
cannot say. It was founded about the year 1125, but the dates
of her husband’s and her own death are not known. It was cer-
tainly finished and principally endowed by her son Humphrey de
Bohun the Third, who married Margaret, daughter of Milo of
Gloucester, then Earl of Hereford.

Monkton Farley Priory was a house of Clugniac monks of the
Order of St. Benedict, and was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene.
It was what was called a “cell,” or house subordinate, to the great
Priory of Lewes in Sussex.

The Order of Monks called Clugniac derived their name from
a place called Clugni, in Burgundy, a little north of Lyons, where
a celebrated Benedictine house had been founded in a.p. 890. The
Order of St. Benedict had become through the disturbances of those
times, so disorderly as almost to have lost all discipline, when it
was revived in fresh vigour at Clugni. That new monastery had
enjoyed for 200 years an European fame, when about the year
1070, William Earl of Warren, and his wife Gundreda (the Con-
queror’s daughter), went on a pilgrimage to Rome. They visited
various monasteries (the only inns in those days), and being unable
to proceed, owing to some disturbances in the country, they turned
aside from their road and took up their abode at St. Peter’s of
Clugni. Very hospitable entertainment and the good things of Bur-
gundy left an agreeable impression upon the palates of William de
Warren and the Lady Gundreda; so, upon their return to England,
being minded to found a religious house at Lewes, they sent for
some of the brethren of Clugni, and in that way Clugniac monks
were introduced into this country. The house at Lewes was the —
greatest of the Order, and was called one of the first “five daughters —
of Clugni.” It was built in 1072, and though to a certain extent —
subordinate to its parent monastery in France, it enjoyed its own .
revenues, paying to its Superior only a small annual acknowledg-—
ment, and submitting to his appointment of a Prior. Clugniac”

monks were veryprecise in their ceremonies. They wore a black

Register of Lewes Priory.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 269

dress, in which, at their death, they were shrouded. There were
twenty-seven houses of the Order in England; generally filled with
foreigners rather than with Englishmen.
Now, as William de Warren and his wife had taken a liking to
the parent house at Clugni, so did Humphrey de Bohun and his
_ wife Maud of Salisbury, to the same system at St. Pancras, Lewes;
and, being in their turn also resolved to be founders, in or about
_ the year 1125 they gave to the house at Lewes the land (already
mentioned), at Bishopstrow, called the Buries; on condition that
if, by and by, they should found a Priory, and should convey to the
_ House at Lewes the further gift of the manor and tithes of Farley
- in Wilts, and should further allow the Prior of Lewes to place some
_ of his monks at Farley, then those monks so established here in a
i house of their own, should enjoy wholly and to themselves, the
; profits and tithes of the lands so given.!
The third Bohun (as just stated) completed and further endowed
this Priory, both by lands of his own, and by obtaining contribu-
_ tions of the same kind both from greater folks on whom he depended
_and from smaller folks who depended upon him. He was Steward in
_ the Household of King Henry L.,, the times being yet peaceful; but
when they were no longer peaceful (as very soon came to pass after
King Henry’s death), he very properly joined that side to which he
was officially attached ; and when Henry’s daughter, Maud, the Em-
"press—now, by her second marriage, Countess of Anjou—landed in
England, Bohun declared for her. It was in this part of the country,
and especially in Wiltshire, that many of the early fights between
Matilda and Stephen took place; one reason being that her natural
rother, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, an influential nobleman near the
- Bevern, had built Bristol Castle, and rendered it impregnable. Seve-
1 other castles in the West were under his influence, and were
isoned on the side of the Empress. There is a very interesting
ment of history, called ‘‘The Acts of Stephen,” written by a con-
smporary but anonymous author, which gives a detailed account
(not found in any other work), of the military proceedings in this
‘neighbourhood, amongst which a very important part is performed

' Dugdale’s Baronage.— Bohun.”

270 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

by the castles of Devizes, Malmesbury, Marlborough, and Trow-
bridge. The castle of Trowbridge belonged to Humphrey Bohun,
and he made it so strong that when, in 1135, King Stephen came
before it, the men of Trowbridge baffled him.! The place was
fortified, and prepared for all extremities. Stephen constructed
engines and pressed the siege, but all in vain. Some of his barons
became weary, some treacherous; so he abandoned it, leaving how-
ever in Devizes Castle a body of soldiers, with special orders to
annoy Trowbridge as much as they possibly could. Those orders
they executed faithfully, till at length, what with plundering ex-
cursions, first from the one garrison and then from the other, all
the quiet people of the neighbourhood presently cried out, “A
plague on both your garrisons.”

Trowbridge Castle stood in the centre of the town, on a rising
ground that still bears the name of Court Hill. Not a trace of it
is left, but the principal street, which forms a curve, is said to owe
that shape to its having followed the course of the Castle moat.
An old painting was found, some years ago, concealed in the walls
of a house, which is said to be a representation of the building when
entire, but how much of it is authentic, and how much imaginary,
I cannot say. The Castle, however, was the stronghold of the
founders of Farley Priory, and their acts and deeds, both military
and religious, were such as have been recited. It is only fitting
that both kinds should now be duly noticed, as this is one of many
similar cases showing that the disturbances by which the kingdom
was convulsed were apparently no hindrance to the piety and
charity of the nobles who were involved in them. Stephen himself
was a great Founder. During the eighteen years and nine months
of his reign, no less than 148 religious houses of various kinds were
established in England, being a larger number in proportion than in
the reign of any of his predecessors. How, amidst the passions of
war, men found leisure for works of peace and devotion it would
be strange to conceive, did we not remember that the devotion of —
those days maintained such works to be, in a peculiar sense, meri-
torious to men’s souls.

1 Acts of Stephen, p. 370,

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.8.A. 271

Humphrey Bohun the Third was taken prisoner at Winchester,
but afterwards released. He died in 1187, and was buried (as all
his family from his time appear to have been,)! at Lanthony
Priory, on the south side of the city of Gloucester, founded about
50 years before by his wife’s father.

Before his death he settled the possessions of Farley by a con-
firmation charter, an important document which fortunately
happens to be one of the few relating to this Priory that have
been preserved. Some additions of property were made afterwards,
and their principal estates (omitting many minor items) were as
follows :—

The Bohuns themselves gave the site of the Priory, the manor
and park of Farley, with everything belonging to the estate, except
a certain portion of land then held by Williamde Lisle. The land
called the Buries, at Bishopstrow; the tithes of Oaksey, near
Malmesbury; of Wilsford and Manningford (still called Bohun),
near Pewsey; and of Heddington, near Calne ; also an eel-fishery.
The Empress Maude, not ungrateful for the gallant defence of
Trowbridge, was a very liberal donor of the manor of Monkton at
Chippenham (now Mr. Esmeade’s); the rectorial tithes of the whole
of that parish, with the advowson and chapelries; an estate at
Marston, near Highworth; and another at Foxhanger, near
Devizes. Among Humphrey Bohun’s “knights” (meaning
those who held lands under the Barony of Bohun), the principal
contributor was a gentleman of French family (whose monument
found at this place we shall have to notice presently), Ilbert de
Chat. He gave rather more than one-third of the whole property
of the Priory, consisting of Monkton Manor in the parish of
Broughton Gifford, some rents at Echilhampton, tithes at Trow-
bridge, and at Farmborough, and Clutton, in the county ot
Somerset.

Besides these, the monks had the tithes and advowson of Box,
and a mill there, the gift of another knight, Bartholomew Bigot ;
Broom Farm, near Swindon (now Mr. Goddard’s); Thornhill, near
Christian Malford, the gift of Robert Adeline; the manors of

' Coll, Top. et Gen., 1, 168.

272 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

Allington and Slaughterford; and lands at Westbury, Westbury
Leigh, Penley, Bratton, and South Wraxhall. At Sopworth,’ near
Badminton, an estate and the advowson, the gift of the Tropenell
family of Chalfield; and a salmon fishery at Arlingham near
Fretherne on the banks of the Severn, afterwards rented of the
Priory by the Berkeleys.

The heads of the Bohun family continued to be looked upon as
the patrons and protectors of the Priory in secular matters. They
also claimed the advowson of the house, #.e., the right of nominating
the Prior. But this right (a very frequent bone of contention in
those times) was also claimed by the Prior of Lewes, of which
house Farley was a daughter, just as the house of Lewes was itself
a daughter of Clugni. These daughters were sometimes undutiful,
very jealous of parental dictation, and very anxious to escape from
it. Consequently, when in this case the rival claims came, as they
very soon did, into collision, Farley Priory took part with the
family of its founder. A process-at-law followed, as a matter of
course, between Henry Bohun Earl of Hereford, on the one part,
and Lewes Priory on the other, to settle the power of appointing
and depriving the Prior here, and the degree of allegiance due to
Lewes according to the statutes of St. Benedict. An amicable ad-
justment was at length arrived at, October 10th, 1208, upon this
footing :—Whenever there should be a vacancy at Farley, Bohun
the patron, his heirs or his agents, accompanied by two of the monks
of Farley, should take a journey to Lewes, and make a formal request
to the Superior of that house to give them a new Prior. Where-
upon the Superior of Lewes should faithfully and honestly nomi-
nate two persons fit for the situation, either out of the house of
Lewes, or of the house of Farley, or of any other house of the
Clugniac order. Of these two, Bohun and his companions were to
choose one, which ever they could guess to be, or by any other
means could be persuaded to consider the most promising of

1 By a Deed of the year, 1323, the Prior of Lewes gives license to the house
of Farley to lease out for three lives, the offices of Sower (sementis ) of Sopworth,
Reaper (messoris) of Farley, and Clerk of the Priory Church of Farley. (Lewes
Chartulary. )

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F-8.A. 273

the two to be, the right man in the right place. The new Prior
of Farley was to be, according to the rules of St. Benedict, ecclesi-
astically subordinate, first to the house of Lewes, and so upwards
to the house of Clugni; subject, therefore, to the vexatious juris-
diction not only of a mother, but also of a grandmother. The Prior
of Lewes was to have the power of removing the Prior of Farley
(but not without just and reasonable cause), and also of punishing
any of the brethren whose correction might be desirable. This
house was to pay to Lewes one mark (13s. 6d.) per annum, by way
of acknowledgement, in lieu of all claims; and the Prior was to do
the further pleasant fealty of dining at St. Pancras, Lewes, every
founder’s day. Such was the arrangement. Nevertheless, the
Bohuns never ceased to claim the patronage, and it always ap-
pears in the lists of their property to the last. The names of some
of the Priors of Farley are preserved, but are not associated with
any distinction, literary or otherwise. Some of them are French,
as Lawrence Archenbaud and John de Fescamp. Such names,
perhaps, indicate that the wishes of the Bohun family were some-
times attended to in the nomination; whereas, on the other hand,
the Prior of Lewes occasionally secured the appointment to favour-
ites of his own, for among the accounts of Sir John Howard,
Duke of Norfolk, there is a casual memorandum that he had re-
ceived some trifling favour from “the Chamberlain of Lewes, that
shall be Prior of Farley.””!

The system under which religious houses in England came to be
in any way dependent on others in France commenced at the time
when certain provinces of France were held by the Kings of Eng-
land. Foreign monasteries were frequently endowed with lands
in this country, the revenues being duly forwarded abroad. “ For
though,” as Fuller says, “the foreigners affected to despise our
island, they nevertheless licked their lips at the good fare it af-
forded.” English monasteries so situated were called Alien Priories.
In some cases, as at Lewes, only an annual acknowledgment was
paid to the French house; in others, it received all or part of the

' Accounts of Sir John Howard, by B. Botfield, Esq.

274 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

rents. The danger attending this foreign connection was great,
and often fatal; for whenever war broke out between France and
England,*the King of England instantly seized upon the English
estates, and stopped the supplies; that is, in fact, suppressed the
houses by confiscation for the time. On peace being restored, they
were sometimes given back. Several of our Kings dealt thus with
the Alien Priories, and Henry V. dissolved them altogether, at
least those whose revenues had gone entirely to France. No won-
der, therefore, that English monasteries were always discontented
with this foreign yoke, and were anxious to shake it off; that both
Lewes and Farley were eager to be quit of their Clugniac superior
in Burgundy, for it was a bond that continually threatened to put
an end to themselves altogether. Farley was often in peril. Edward
J., being in search of money for his wars, caused inquiry to be made
into the actual degree of connection of this house with Clugni
(through the intermediate step of Lewes). A commission was
appointed to ascertain whether the monks here were English or
under the power of the King of France. It was found that they
paid no actual tax or pension to any subject of the French King,
except so far as this: that, whenever the Abbot of Clugni happened
to come to England to make a formal visitation here, his expenses
were paid, and the monks professed to him. This was not consi-
dered to amount to so close an affinity as to bring them within the
rule, and so they escaped. This was in 1296, and the King’s deed
is dated 25th January, at Castelacre, a Clugniac Priory in Norfolk.
But the Crown officers kept their eye upon them, and, two years
afterwards, in 1298 (26 E. I.) found another excuse for further
inquiry. The monks of Farley had lately become possessed of the
manors of Allington and Slaughterford, near Chippenham. Those
estates had been originally given by King Stephen to the foreign
Abbey of Martigny, in the valley of the Rhone, above the Lake of
Geneva, and that Abbey had exchanged them for other lands with
the house at Farley. The Crown pronounced that by this exchange
the intentions of its predecessors had been defeated, and it seized
the two estates; but, upon re-consideration, and after some pacific

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 275

process, effectual in such cases, it restored them; and so those two
estates continued to belong to Farley to the last.

Sometimes the Alien Priories obtained permission to break off
all connection with their foreign superiors. This was called an act
of naturalization, and such Alien Priory was then said to be made
“denizen” or “native.” In 1373 Lewes Priory was permitted to
become thus independent, and, further, at the request of Richard
Fitzalan, Earl of Arundel, the enfranchisement was extended to all
the cells or houses subordinate to Lewes.? According to this state-
ment, Farley ought to have been from that time free from the con-
troul of the French house; free also from the danger of being
confiscated on account of such connection. Yet some other excuses
must have been ready for laying hands upon it, for, a few years
afterwards, in 1397, we find some of its property in lay hands.
Sir Thomas Hungerford, of Heytesbury, appears in that year as
holding, for the monks, their manor of Monkton Farley, and cer-
tain lands at Bradford. His son, Sir Walter Hungerford, and
William Lord Stourton, of Stourton, also had under their joint
eare the Priory itself. This appears from a petition (preserved in
the Rolls of Parliament, 1409, 11 Henry IV.) by which Sir Walter
prays the Commons that, whereas certain commissioners sent into
Wilts had reported that he and Stourton had suffered the Priory
of Farley to fall into dilapidation whilst it was in their care, he
denies the accusation, and prays that the matter may be tried by a
jury composed of men of position in life suitable to his own ; which
petition was granted. For what reason the Black Monks had been
displaced is not stated. But it is certain that their property was
restored to them; and they would probably be only too glad in
those times to be allowed to recover them, without urging very

1 It would seem as if upon restoration, the Crown claimed to consider itself a
New Founder. For at the end of the Lewes Chartulary in the British Museum,
[Vesp. F. xv. p. 318,] there is a long Deed dated Edw. IV., in which Farley
Priory, unquestionably founded by Bohun in Hen. I., is nevertheless described
as of the foundation of King Edw. III., for thirteen monks to sing daily service
fer the King’s welfare: and that they once incurred forfeiture, for haying main-
tained only ten brethren instead of thirteen for nine years,

? Horsfield’s Hist. of Lewes, 1, 237.

276 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

closely the claim for dilapidations against Hungerford and Stourton.

Though emancipated from the jurisdiction of Clugni, Farley was
still dependent upon Lewes Priory. Almost the latest act in its
history is an attempt to shake off this dominion also. A process
was commenced, but the result does not appear. A change was
now impending, about to put an end to both establishments, and to
consign mother and daughter to one common grave. The last
Prior of Farley was Lodowick Millen, alias Brecknock. In his
time the storm of dissolution fell, and Farley ceased to be a Priory.

The visitor employed in King Henry the Eighth’s reign, by
Thomas Lord Cromwell, to inspect and report upon the state of
this house, was Richard Layton.! He came here in 1537, visiting
on the same journey the neighbouring monasteries of Maiden Brad-
ley, Glastonbury, and others. But his report contains no reflection
on the discipline of Farley Priory. On reaching Bristol, at the
end of his tour, he wrote a curious letter to Lord Cromwell, and
sent up by the bearer, at the same time, a bag full of reliques, ‘in
which” he says “ye shall see strange things. Amongst them,
Mary Magdalene’s girdle, wrapped and covered with white”’ (sent
with great reverence from house to house upon certain interesting
occasions), “ which girdle Matilda, the Empress, one of the founders
of Farley, gave unto them, as saith the Holy Father of Farley.”

The Priory, with all its estates, equal in modern money to pro-
bably three or four thousand pounds a year, was granted to the
Earl of Hertford, afterwards the Protector Somerset; a small pay-
ment of £36 a year being reserved to Eton College.

The estate in Farley parish appears to have been about 850 acres,
of which 772 were under the plough; at South Wraxhall 212 more.
This seems to have been their home-farm in hand, judging from an
inventory of stock, goods, and chattels taken at the time. Valua-
tions were also taken of their stock upon all their other estates,
from which it seems that they farmed the whole of them on their
own account. They had several bailiffs, and Sir Henry Long, of
South Wraxhall, was their steward-in-chief.

1 Hoare’s History of Mere, p. 103.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. Q77

AFTER THE DISSOLUTION.

About the year 1550 Farley was transferred, in an exchange
by the Earl of Hertford, to the See of Salisbury, under which, from
that time, it has been held by various owners. The first name that
appears is that of Henry Breton, gentleman, of Monkton Farley,
whose pedigree and arms are to be found in the Wilts Visitation of
1565. This family had been settled for a long time at Layer-
Breton, in Essex, where (according to the pedigree alluded to), they
were still living at the time of their removal hither. How long
they remained here does not appear; probably not later than 1606.
They had the right of presentation to the living. The next name
of gentry connected with Farley (whether as owners or only oc-
cupiers is uncertain), is that of Tropenell, of the neighbouring parish
of Chalfield, a well-known name in old Wiltshire family history.
But the only authority for placing them here, at present forth-
coming, is a brass plate in the church of Great Durnford,! which
mentions Mary, wife of John Young,” Esq., of that place, one of
the four daughters and coheirs of Thomas Tropenell of Monkton
Farley. The way in which this family ended in heiresses was re-
markable. The only son, on coming to man’s estate, met with an
unlucky accident. He had put a pair of dog couples over his head,
and, leaping over a hedge, a loop in the strap hanging at his back
caught a bough, and kept him from the ground till he was strang-
led. These minutiz of old owners, or residents here, may not be
very interesting; but the motive for preciseness in date and person
about this period has been to ascertain, if possible, under what cir-
cumstances, and under whose roof, a very eminent prelate was
staying when he ended his days here—John Jewell, Bishop of
Salisbury. The property at Farley had, at this time, belonged to
the see for about twenty years; but the family of Breton were then
owners under the see, and it is, therefore, likely that the Bishop
was on a visit to them.

' Hoare’s ‘‘ Amesbury,” page 123,
* Probably of a Monkton Farley family, two of this name appearing amongst
the jury who, many years before, had valued the effects of the monks at the
dissolution,

278 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

On this champion of the Reformation thus connected with the
present subject a few words must be bestowed. Bishop Jewell was
of a Devonshire family, a very learned and accomplished Oxford
scholar, and one of the refugees at Zurich during the reign of Queen
Mary. Soon after his return he was appointed Bishop of this dio-
cese, and held the see about twelve years. He was lame (from an
accident), of a thin and spare body, and had a wonderful memory,
which he greatly assisted by artificial contrivances of his own in-
vention. His friends would try him by giving him thirty or forty
strange words in Welsh or Irish. These he would read over once
or twice, and then repeat them backwards or forwards in the order
in which they were written. A further auxiliary (more common
in those days than now), was the system of common-place books,
filled with notes and references for argument and illustration of
various subjects. These, by the use of his memoria technica, he
could summon to his aid in a moment, as his opponents in theolo-
gical controversy found to their cost, when crushed under a mass
of learned authorities. If he had to preach he had only to read a
sermon over while the bell was ringing, and he could carry it all
in his head. His life was most laborious. The day’s work began
at four in the morning, and seldom finished before twelve at night.
With such continual work, added to the labour of travelling and
preaching about his diocese, it is not surprising that his life was
shortened. He had engaged to preach at Lacock on Sunday, 16th
September, 1571, and on his way thither met a gentleman, who,
observing him by his looks to be very ill, advised him to go back,
telling him that it was better the people should lose one sermon
than the preacher altogether. He would not be dissuaded, but went
on and finished his task with much difficulty. On the Saturday
following he died here, and was removed for burial to Salisbury
Cathedral.

By Order of the Long Parliament for Confiscation of Episcopal
Estates, Farley was sold, in February, 1648, for £2439 11s. 6d,,
to William and Nathaniel Brooke and Francis Bridges.t It was
in due time restored to the Bishop. The next owners under him

1 Coll., Top., and Gen., 1,—126.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 279

were the family of Webb, clothiers at Melksham, in 1650. In 1677
a Daniel Webb, of that town, married one of the Selfes, a family
of Beanacre near Melksham; and, from certain private documents,
it is to be inferred that the Daniel Webb who appears as sheriff of
Wilts in 1711, was of Monkton Farley.

A fragment of an old manuscript diary of 1721, lately lent to
me, happens to contain a few references to this place. The writer
was a Mr. Thomas Smith, of Shaw House, near Melksham, a gentle-
man of property. The journal chiefly records how, in the year
1721, the families in the neighbourhood ate, drank, and were merry;
that Mr. Webb, of Monkton Farley, shared in those convivialities,
and that, being in want of a little money, he borrowed it from his
friend Mr. Smith of Shaw House, and mortgaged this estate to
him. With the money so borrowed, certain improvements in the
house and grounds were made. Many rare trees and plants are
mentioned as being brought from Woolhampton, near Newbury.
Mr. Webb appears to have had no son. He had a spendthrift
nephew. The journalist reports that, being in London on some
business, ‘he was called up early one morning, about two o’clock,
and, at his coming downstairs, he found Mr. Webb, nephew to him
of Farley, in an extreme necessitous condition, having spent his
whole substance, and perfectly in want of the necessaries of life,
though not above twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age; a great
example of a base profligate temper. He came in a begging man-
ner, but I could have little time with him, the coach being ready.”
On returning to Wiltshire, he goes over to Farley to speak with
the uncle upon the subject.

Under June 22nd, 1721, is the following entry :—‘“I went to Mr.
Webb, of Farley, the report being that his house had been searched
for arms. At my coming there, I found one Mr. Gibbs, that is
Mayor of Westbury, and a farmer that had taken part of Mr. Webb’s
estate; and Mr. Webb told me that the day before, Mr. Duckett (of
Hartham), a Colonel of Militia, had been there with a warrant to
search, signed by himself, Mr. Montague (of Lackham), and Mr.
Long (of Rowdon), three Justices and Deputy-Lieutenants. Mr.
Duckett had come in a very civil manner, and so behaved himself

280 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

whilst there. The ground of the matter was, that one John Tay-
lor, a woolcomber, of Melksham, made oath before Mr. Montague,
that he heard another person, viz., one Ealy, that is a clothworker
also at Melksham, say that he saw arms enough for five hundred
men in Mr. Webb’s house. We had some talk with pleasure of
the matter. It is to be noted that the Government has had some
notice of plots and conspiracies now on foot, and so has ordered all
the forces to encamp in several places, as in Hyde Park, by Salis-
bury, Hounslow Heath, near Hungerford, and in our neighbourhood
by Chippenham, in several small encampments. The Duke of Nor-
folk has been seized, and Habeas Corpus suspended.” This was
one of the alarms to which George I. was periodically subject from
the favourers of the Pretender; so that the search for arms at
Monkton Farley may fairly be taken to indicate that the politics
of Mr. Webb’s family were Jacobite."

Monkton Farley now returned into the same family to whom it
had been first granted after the dissolution of monasteries. Mary,
sole daughter and heiress of Mr. Daniel Webb (being also niece
and heir to Edward Somner, of Seend) married, in 1717, Sir Edward
Seymour, of Maiden Bradley, who, in 1749, succeeded to the title
of Duke of Somerset, and died in 1757.

The second son of the marriage was Webb Seymour, Esq. (after-
wards Lord Webb Seymour), on whom this property was settled,
and who resided here in 1744. He succeeded to the title as 10th
Duke of Somerset in 1792, and died in December, 1793; being
grandfather of the present Duke.

Monkton Farley was next purchased by John Long, Esq., of the
Rood Ashton family, uncle to the present member for North Wilts.
About the year 1840 it was again sold, and became the property
of the late Mr. Wade Browne.

REMAINS OF THE PRIORY.

Of the buildings of the Priory very little is left, and of the Con-
ventual Church nothing but the site. In its original condition,
having been completed about the middle of the 12th century, the

1 The name of Mr, Daniel Webb is on one of the bells of Monkton Farley Church.

Monkton Farley Priory, Co. Wilts.
Wulty¥. Bech. Mag. 1358.

WW Wheatley, det Edw. Kite, ibn,

Avchitectural Fraqmenty, discovered 1541.

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, F.S-A. 281

architectural style would probably be partly Norman, partly Early
English; and with this transitional character the few fragments
that have been found perfectly correspond. In a small building at
the back of the house (now used as a carpenter’s workshop), are
two very good lancet windows, with bold mouldings. The cellars
under the house are believed to have been part of the original
Priory, but the house itself has undergone so many changes, that
it is difficult to recognize anything thoroughly ecclesiastical.

There is no account of what took place when the Clugniac monks
were finally dismissed. The church fell, or was taken down. The
ground on which it stood (now forming the bank on the north side
of the lawn), being covered with heaps of rubbish, and overgrown
with grass, became a rabbit warren; and some curiosity was excited
by the partial disinterment of its foundations and floor in the year
1744. A description of this discovery, but containing some errors,
was printed in the Gentleman’s Magazine of that year, on which
Dr. Ducarel (of the London Society of Antiquaries), requested a
friend, Dr. Wm. Evetts (a physician then living at Chippenham),
to visit Monkton Farley, and send him a correct account. Dr.
Evetts’s letters are printed in Nichols’s Literary History.1 From
these it appears that some of Mr. Webb Seymour’s labourers being
employed in levelling the rabbit warren, came first upon the pillar
of a church, and about four feet under the rubbish, to the floor of
the chancel, of chequered tiles, chiefly red, some with “flying grif-
fins,’ and other emblems. Four gravestones were found, one
having the figure of a monk kneeling, the name “Lawrence,” and
a legend, in old French, “Ici gist, &c.,” “ Whoever shall pray for
him shall have so many days of pardon.” ‘This was a common one
about 1360; and as a Prior Lawrence Archenbaud was here about
that period, it was probably his monument. On the other three
stones, which were grooved round the edges, the inscription was
obliterated. The grooves being an inch or more in breadth, had
probably been the sockets of strips of brass, on which the inscrip-
tion had been written.

1 jii., 586.

*

282 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

The chancel floor was about 24 feet square, lying east and west.
At about two-thirds of it eastwards were steps. Here a sepulchre
was opened, containing the skeleton of a stout man, upwards of six
feet high. On a gravestone his bust, in bas relief, and at his feet
alion. This, of course, was pronounced to be the founder; but the
principal founder, Humphrey Bohun III., was, with all after him,
buried (as has been stated,) at Lanthony Priory. North-west of
the altar, and some yards off, was found another floor, as of a small
side chapel, rather deeper in the ground. It contained a basin for
holy water, and its walls were perfect about a yard high all round
it; in one part as high as the sill of a window. South of the altar,
about four feet under the rubbish, was found another floor of tiles,
about ten feet square, but no remains. On this side, also, apparently
beyond the church, were signs of a burial ground, with a large yew
tree; several stone pillars were discovered, having figures carved
upon them perfect and fresh. Some of these are known to be still
buried.

At various times, in 1720, and even now, stone coffins haye been
dug up at a considerable distance from the Priory in various direc-
tions. One of these was suited to the size of a child, and is still
preserved.

The most curious monument, found in 1744 (given away by Lord
Webb Seymour, and now preserved at Lacock,) is that of Ibert de
Chat, already mentioned as one of the chief benefactors to Farley
Priory. Ilbert de Chat (so called from a place of that name on the
coast. of Normandy, near Carentan, half way between Cherbourg
and Caen) was a landholder, under the Bohuns, in Normandy as
well as in England:!_ His estates seems to have passed to sisters or

' §t. George’s and St. André de Bohon are parishes in the Canton of Carentan.
The following document from the Cartulary of the neighbouring Abbey of Mont-
bourg was communicated by Mr. Stapleton to Mr. J. G. Nichols (Hist. of Lacock,
373.) ‘Be it known, &c., that I, Ibert de Caz, give and grant, &c., to the
Abbey of St. Mary, of Montburg, the Church of Caz, &c., for the health of my
soul, &c.; with leave of my Lord Humphrey de Bohun, and my nephews, Wil-
liam de Greinvill, and Bartholomew le Bigot, &c., Signed, Ibert } , Humphrey
de Bohun, Bartholomew le Bigot, and others.’ Greinvill and Bigot succeeded

to the inheritance of [Ibert de Caz, in Normandy, and probably also in Wiltshire,
as the name of Adam de Greinyill is found at Southwick, near Trowbridge, ec.

CRAVESTONE OF ILBERT DE CHAT, c.A.D.1187.

Founp at Monkton Farcey Priory, i744; AND NOW At Lacock ABBEY, WILTS:

Oxon piuPPRD.

eee Ee ee ee ee |
Sa WA:DEDIT: Id OHA F_
\T BONITATE: REE P:O:0V! FBROTONA‘DEDIT: NG!) 1d: PAR PLVRIMA: DONA ¥

INSCRIPTION:

“
Hic sAcet ILBERTUS DE CHAT, BONITATE REFERTUS, Qui CUM BROTONA DEDIT HIC PERPLURIMA DONA.”

I
| Here CieTH ILBERT DE CHAT WHO OF HIS EXCEEDING BOUNTY BESTOWED ON THIS Priory , BROUGHTON AND MANY OTHER GIFTS. |

2

| 4 {= —— ie = - |

SCALE OF FEET.

EOW KITE DEL. ET LITH

By the Rev. J. E. Jackson, FSA. 283

daughters married to Greinville and Bigot. The original inscrip-
tion on his altar-shaped tomb is written in large capital letters, the
first six inches, the last three and a half inches in height (the in-
scription evidently tapering to a narrower end like the stone itself),
in a very involved and enigmatical fashion used by the later Ro-
mans; a specimen of which Leland saw on a Roman tablet inserted
in the walls of Bath.!. The larger letters are made to contain the
smaller ones. The present inscription would have been almost as
unintelligible to the ordinary archzologist as the cuneiform writing
of Nineveh, had not the monks themselves provided the explanation
by repeating it in characters somewhat later, round the margin.
The words are :—

‘« Hie jacet Ibertus de Chat bonitate refertus,
Qui cum Brotona dedit hic perplurima dona.”
“* Here lieth Ilbert de Chat, who, of his exceeding bounty, bestowed on this
house, Broughton and very many other gifts.”

The age of this monument is certain, as Ibert is witness to one
of the charters of Farley Priory about a.p 1187. The monument
has been repaired, and is taken care of at Lacock; but it ought to
be here. It was found northwest of the chancel, and, from the way
in which the marginal inscription is cut, evidently stood against
the church wall; perhaps was built into the wall under an arch.
When found, it looked “like a seat” in the north angle.

These were the results of excavations in 1744. In 1841, during
some further alteration of the ground by the late Mr. Wade Browne,
a large slab, once the covering of a stone coffin, was found. On it
is the effigy of a cross-legged knight, in chain armour, sculptured
in low relief. On the shield, which lies, not by his side, but over
the whole body, occupying the full width of the stone, are the arms
of Dunstanville: Fretty on a canton a lion passant; surmounted by a
label (the mark of an elder son), The Dunstanvilles were, in the
12th century when this Priory was founded, Lords of the large

1297, and Barth: Bigot was a donor to Farley Priory of a mill at Box, An
Ismena de Chauz held land at Easton, Co, Wilts, Edward I. (Test. de Nev.) and
a Robert de Chauz witnesses a deed of Lenton Priory, Co, Notts, (see Dugdale),
For several examples of the peculiar style of inscription on Ilbert’s Tomb, see
note to Nichols’s Hist, of Lacock, p. 353.

1 Leland Itin. 11, 67.

v2

284 History of the Priory of Monkton Farley.

Barony of Castle Combe, where some of them resided and were
buried. They are not mentioned by name as benefactors to this
Priory, but they were so to that of Lewes, to which this was sub-
ordinate. They were landlords in chief of Comerwell, close to this
place, which, in 1547,! the Prior of Farley held under the Barony
of Castle Combe. As they were supporters, like the Bohuns, of the
Empress Maud, it is not unlikely that they may have been contri-
butors to the establishment of the monks here. Mr. Poulett Scrope
considers this efigy to represent some young man of the Dunstan-
ville family, who died in his father’s lifetime, and of whom, conse-
quently, there is no record remaining. There are also fragments
of a second figure in chain armour, beautifully sculptured, and once
coloured, but there are no arms, or other token by which it may be
identified. Another stone has an incised cross very perfect.

No conventual seal of this Priory has been met with; nor is even
any impression of it attached to any document known to exist.
But a small round silver seal (now in Mrs. Wade Browne’s posses-
sion) was found in 1841 on the spot, bearing a well-engraved head
and legend of St. Mary Magdalene, to whom the House was dedi-
cated. It was probably a private one of the Prior; but is not large
enough for the more important instrument generally used in the
name of Prior and Convent.?

The spring which supplied the Convent is sheltered by a little
stone building, with very pointed stone roof, called ‘“'The Monk’s
Conduit,” about a quarter of a mile north-west of the house. It
resembles one on Bowden Hill, built with the like purpose for
Lacock Abbey. J. E. J.

1 History of Castle Combe, p. 317. * Ditto p. 39.
8 See Wilts Magazine, vol. ii., p. 387., fig. 2.

Monkton Farley Priory, Co. Milty.

Tiilty. Axch. Mag, 1853.

|
|
|

en ee
—_———— :

Pi

Hee

. 4
eee

... de Dunygtanville.

WW Wheatley, del

. “oe+ 8 ar . eee Edw Kite tith,
Jonumental A ffigies m chain avmour, discovered 1842.

285

On the Ornithology of Gilts,

No. 8.—INSESSORES (Perchers).
Dentirostres (tooth-billed).
(AZH1E second great order of birds, the “Perchers,” contains so
iA) many species, that in order to avoid confusion (as I have

40

i. shown, Vol. i. p. 112), it was found necessary to sub-divide
it generally into tribes, before descending to investigate the fa-
milies which compose it: and perhaps we shall be prepared to
examine these several families and their component species with
the greater assiduity and accuracy, when we consider that it em-
braces not only those vast flocks of the finch and sparrow tribe,
which throng our yards in the winter, and those great colonies of
the rook and crow tribe which surround our homesteads, but also
all the warblers and small birds which fill our gardens, woods, and
fields in the summer, whose active forms delight our eye, and whose
varied notes charm our ear so continually: in short, so extensive
numerically as well as specifically is this order, that I suppose I
shall be within bounds when I say that almost all the birds (perhaps
not less than 99 out of every 100,) that usually come under our
notice in this inland county, belong to the Perchers. The first
tribe of this order is that of the tooth-billed, or notch-billed, (Den-
tirostres,) and includes the principal insect-eating families of the
order: foremost of which stand

LANIADAZi (the Butcher birds).

I have before remarked (Vol. i. p. 110,) what a connecting link
the butcher birds, or shrikes, form with the last mentioned family,
the owls; and indeed, these may well be termed diminutive birds
of prey, or Falcons of the insect world, so fierce and savage is their
disposition, so cruel and blood-thirsty their habits, though at the
same time their slender limbs and feet prove them to be true Per-
chers: they also merit the foremost place in the tribe Dentirostres,

286 On the Ornithology of Wilts {Laniade}.

from the very marked and distinct tooth near the point of the upper
mandible, rendering the beak a very powerful instrument for the
destruction of small creatures: but in truth they partake both of
the habits of the preceding raptorial families, and also of the next
family, the flycatchers; for on the one hand, in addition to their
savage sanguinary disposition, they reproduce castings formed of
the elytra and other hard parts of coleoptera: on the other hand,
like the flycatchers, they often sit watching on the bare branch of
a tree, or on a post or railing, whence their vision can extend over
a considerable range, and whence they can dart after any passing
insect or small quadruped or bird: they will often hover too in the
air above the branch on which they are about to alight; and when
sitting watchfully on a bough they will frequently jerk the tail; in
both which last mentioned habits again they much resemble the
flycatchers, to which they are considerably allied. They prey on
mice, small birds, grasshoppers, beetles, and other coleopterous in-
sects; and these they will impale, (as soon as caught) on some thorn
or pointed stake, which they thus convert into a temporary larder:
for this strange and cruel custom no very satisfactory reason has
been given; though some have attributed it to the greater facility
it presents for tearing in pieces their prey, and this seems not im-
probable when we contrast their slight limbs and feeble feet with
the strong legs and sharp claws of the hawk tribe, so conducive to
this purpose: others again assert that the insects so placed on the
point of a thorn are intended as baits to attract other victims, and
this is the opinion entertained generally, perhaps not without rea-
son, by the American naturalists, (who have better opportunities of
studying their habits,) for it is notorious that the shrikes will often
kill and impale, apparently from sheer wantonness, destroying many
more victims than they can consume, and leaving them transfixed
on some thorny bush; they are extremely bold and strong, and will
often attack birds as large as themselves; they are also very fierce,
and when wounded, will bite almost as severely as a hawk: they
are the terror of all small birds, for whose nestlings they are ever
on the watch, and these will sometimes band together to mob and
drive them away, as they do the owl on occasions. The name they

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 287

bear ‘“Laniadee” sufficiently describes the habits of the family,
lanius signifying ‘a butcher,”’ from Janio, “ to cut or tear in pieces.”
But notwithstanding their fierce cruel disposition towards all within
compass of their strength in the furred, feathered, and insect world,
towards their own young they show a remarkable affection, remain-
ing with them the whole summer, until they all take their depar-
ture together, and becoming very clamorous and excited, if any
real or fancied danger threatens them: their voices are also capable
of great variation, and they are said to sing melodiously, qualities
we should scarcely expect in so fierce a race: moreover they have
aremarkable power of imitating the notes of smaller birds, by
which means it is sometimes conjectured they allure them within
reach to their destruction.

“Great grey Shrike” (Lanius Excubitor). Not very frequently is
this, the largest of the British shrikes, seen in England, though I
believe it has been noticed in this county quite as often as in any
other. Yarrell mentions Wiltshire as one of the Western counties
where it has been obtained; Stanley too speaks of this as one of its
favourite districts; but in addition to these, I have notice of one
killed near Devizes, about 12 years ago, and another at about the
same time shot by the keeper at Erlestoke; one in Mr. Marsh’s
collection taken on the road between Cirencester and Malmsbury
in 1837, another in Mr. E. Sloper’s collection killed at Seend, Feb.
28th, 1840. Selby, who of all our authors on birds, seems to have
most frequently studied this species alive in its wild state, says that
it always chooses the winter months for its occasional visits to this
country, and certainly within the last few years all those whose
captures have been recorded, have (with one exception to prove the
rule) been seen between November and March : its regular habitat
seems to be the S.E. portions of Europe, Russia, Turkey, &c.
Its plumage is ash coloured above, white beneath, and a large and
remarkable patch of black on the cheeks makes it unmistakeable to
those who have seen it: it preys on mice and small birds, which it
treats in the same manner as its well-known congener does its in-
sect victims, fixing them on sharp thorns, and then pulling them to
pieces: nay, so strongly is this habit implanted in it by nature,

288 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Laniade].

that one of these birds kept in confinement, would force the heads
of small birds, with which it was fed, through the wires of its cage,
and thus hang them up to be pulled to pieces, and devoured at
leisure: this we learn from Pennant, and the habit has been verified
by Yarrell, Doubleday, and several others. It always destroys its
victims, whether mouse, bird, reptile or insect, by strangulation,
previous to affixing them to a thorn or stake, in the manner de-
scribed above. An ancient writer in a treatise on “Falconrie or
Hawkinge,” considering this bird to be an inferior species of hawk,
accuses it of alluring its victims to destruction in the following
quaint passage; “Her feeding is upon rattes, squirrels, and lisards,
and sometime upon certain birds she doth use to prey, whom she
doth entrappe and deceive by flight, for this is her devise. She
will stand at pearch upon some tree or poste, and there make an
exceeding lamentable cry and exclamation, such as birds are wonte
to doe, being wronged or in hazarde of mischiefe, and all to make
other fowles believe and thinke she is very much distressed, and
stands needfulle of ayde; whereupon the credulous sellie birds do
flock together presently at her call and voice, at what time if any
happen to approach neare her, she out of hand ceazeth on them,
and devoureth them (ungrateful subtile fowle!) in requital of their
simplicity and pains. These hawks are of no account with us, but
poor simple fellows and peasants sometimes doe make them to the
fiste, and being reclaimed after their unskilful manners, doe have
them hooded, as faleoners doe their other kinds of hawkes, whom
they make to greater purposes.” I need hardly add that the writer
of the above, in mistaking the shrike for a hawk, at the same time
very much over-rated its powers, and mistook its habits, for it is
notorious that so formidable an enemy does it prove to the songsters
of the grove, that no sooner is its voice heard, than every other
note is hushed, and concealment is the only order of the day. It
derives its scientific name ‘“Excubitor,” (sentinel) from the use to
which it is put in Holland and Germany by the Falcon-catchers ;
who, taking advantage of its quickness in perceiving a hawk at a
distance, and its alarm and loud screams thereon, make it a valuable
assistant in their calling. The provincial name of “murdering

J

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 289

magpie,” in vogue in some parts, not inaptly describes its habits.

“ Red-backed Shrike” (Lanius Coilurio). Very well-known to the

inhabitants of Wiltshire is this bold and handsome bird, which fre-

_quents our woods every summer: it seems to favour only the
Southern and Western Counties, and this is one of its most choice
localities: in winter it resorts to Africa, where La Vaillant has
described it as common. I have noticed it in many parts of the
county, and so has Mr. Marsh, who says that, on the downs near
Winterslow, he has very often heard it closely imitating the note
of the wheatear, which abounds there, but (he adds) he has never
seen it preying on anything but beetles and other insects: this
indeed seems to be its general diet, and humble bees, grasshoppers,
and all kinds of flies are impaled on the bush it selects for the pur-
pose. It arrives in May, breeds here, and departs in September,
though Mr. B. Hayward once met with one so late as December
4th, which in all probability had met with some accident, and been
disabled from migrating with its brethren. The male and female
differ greatly in colour; the former is easily distinguished from the
Grey shrike by its smaller size, and the chesnut red of its back
and wing coverts: the female and young birds are reddish brown
above, greyish white beneath, speckled and barred with brown: it
is a strong active bold bird, and delights in thick woods and
hedgerows.

There is a third species of shrike, “the Woodchat” (Lanius
rutilus), which very rarely has been taken in Britain, but I believe
never as yet in this county, though I possess one in my collection,
which was killed in the adjoining county of Somerset, within a
short distance of Bristol: this species is common every summer in
Holland, but like its congener “the red-backed” retreats to Africa
for winter quarters: in habits too it exactly resembles the pre-
ceding, but is easily distinguished from it by the rich chesnut red,
on the crown of the head and back of the neck.

MUSCICAPID Ai (The Fly-catchers).

These have also been termed “Hawksamong flies,” for on such alone
do they feed, and very interesting it is to watch one of these active
quick sighted little birds at its almost continual employment of

290 On the Ornithology of Wilts [ Muscicapide].

providing itself food, indeed it would seem that it has need of all its
activity to satisfy the wants of itself and its nestlings, so diminutive
is its prey, and so many victims are daily needed: taking its stand
on the extreme end of some bough, post, rail or stone, the fly-
catcher awaits the passing insect, which its quick eye can discern at
a considerable distance, and then to sally forth after it, snap it up in
its beak, and return to its former station, is the work of an instant.
The most prominent characteristics of this family are the narrow
compressed bill, with sharp tip and strong bristles at the base, and
the small size of the feet.

“Spotted Flycatcher” (Muscicapa grisola). Very common indeed
and most regular in its arrival in the middle of May is this little
brown sober-coloured quiet bird: we may see it every day during
the summer in our orchards, gardens and fields: it does not arrive
till late, for it awaits the time when the insects which compose its
food, the whole race of flies and gnats, are in full vigour, and of
these it clears off an incredible number: it has been accused of de-
stroying fruit, especially cherries, but, I believe, entirely without
foundation, owing to its unfortunate similarity to another little
bird, the Greater Pettichaps, whose taste certainly does lie that
way. It is known in different parts of the country as the “ Rafter”
or “Beam” bird, an appellation it derives from the position so often
chosen for its nest, the end of a beam or rafter in an outhouse: it
is also called the “bee bird,” from its partiality for that insect, and
that this is not one of the popular fallacies so common about birds,
but that it does occasionally eat bees, which has been disputed by
many, has been verified by Mr. B. Hayward of Easterton, who not
only saw one devouring several bees at the mouth of a hive, but
afterwards proved it beyond a doubt by dissection. It has no song,
and indeed no note whatever, but a feeble chirp very rarely heard
at the end of the season. White of Selborne, calls it “the most
mute and the most familiar of all our summer birds.”

“Pied Flycatcher” (Muscicapa atricapilla). Very rare in this
county, nowhere common, but not very infrequent in the Northern
counties is this handsome bird, often styled from its plumage the
miniature magpie, which term indeed sufficiently describes its

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 291

black and white dress: in habits, food, nesting, and absence of song
it very much resembles its congener: Mr. Hayward speaks of one
killed at Lavington about eight years ago. Mr. Marsh possesses
one killed at Ford near Chippenham, in 1837, but states that he
has never seen it alive. Mr. Withers of Devizes, killed one near
that town about fourteen years since; and these are all the notices
I have of its appearance in the county, nor have I ever seen it
myself in England. .
MERULID i (The Thrushes).

So well-known are many members of this family to the most unob-
servant, that I need say very little of their general characteristics:
bold, handsome, and active, they are ever presenting themselves to our
notice, while the voices of some species are hardly to be surpassed
in volume and in sweetness: their food consists of insects, snails,
and worms, and also of fruits and berries, and it is not to be denied
that they commit great havoc in the garden as the fruit ripens,
though the mischief they then do is almost, if not quite, counter-
balanced by the benefit they confer in the destruction of myriads
of noxious insects and snails. Most of the species are migratory,
if not from the country, yet often from one district to another, and
in winter they assemble together in large flocks: notwithstanding
their apparent strength and activity, none of our winter residents
seem to suffer more than the thrushes from severe cold: a very few
days of snow suffice to render the fieldfares tame, and in a hard
winter first the redwings, and then the Song thrushes die off in
great numbers.

“Missel Thrush” (Zurdus viscivorus). This is the largest of the
whole family, and very handsome withal: it derives its name from
its excessive partiality to the berries of the mistletoe: in winter
these birds will congregate in large flocks of forty or more, when
they are often mistaken for fieldfares. It is one of the earliest
breeders, placing its nest in the fork of some tree, often in the
most conspicuous position, and at this season it is as distinguished
for its courage, as at other times it is for its shy retired habits: if
any other bird approaches its nest, it vociferates in the loudest and
harshest screams: its song too is very powerful, and it is the earliest

292 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Merulide}.

as well as the largest of our British songsters, its notes being often
heard above the gale, in the month of February, amid the blasts
of winter. It is common everywhere: in the south of the county,
as in many other parts of England, it is called the “Storm cock,”
from its habit of singing during the prevalence of a gale of wind
and rain: Mr. Marsh tells me that in his locality it is called the
“Sereech thrush.”

“Fieldfare.” (Turdus pilaris). Very. well-known and very gene-
rally dispersed throughout the country is this regular periodical
migrant to our shores, arriving from the north late in the autumn,
and leaving us in the spring: we may see them in flocks in our
meadows, or on the tops of the leafless elms, and many a day’s
sport and much disappointment too do these wary birds afford to
the schoolboy gunner: they retire to breed in Norway and Sweden,
where I have found their nests in small colonies of eight or nine;
Mr. Hewitson mentions a colony of two hundred nests, but I never
saw any such number. Like the Missel thrush, they are very bold
and pugnacious in breeding time, screaming, chattering, and dart-
ing within a few inches of my hat, as I climbed to their nests; at
other times they are remarkably shy. They are the last of all our
winter visitants, seldom making their appearance till near the end
of November, and they are the last to leave us in the spring: they
come next to the Missel thrushes in size, and are very distinguish-
able by the dove coloured patch on the head and tail, and the bright
spotted yellow on the throat and breast.

“Song Thrush” (Zurdus musicus). Generally distributed and
permanently resident in all parts of the country, this favourite
songster is well-known to all: few birds have sweeter notes, or in-
dulge us with them oftener, and no nest is better known to the
schoolboy than the clay-lined dwelling and spotted blue eggs of the
Song thrush: we may see these birds throughout the year on our
lawns and in our gardens, but, if we take notice, we shall observe,
that periodically their numbers are sensibly increased by the arri-
val of many which have migrated either to other countries, or to
other districts: they are sad enemies to the gardener, being insati-
able devourers of fruit, and they so provoke his malice, that in his

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 293

rage and thirst for revenge he overlooks the benefit they have con-
ferred upon him by the destruction of thousands of worms and
insects: moreover the songs with which they enliven our shrub-
beries and gardens from early spring to the end of the summer,
and such songs too, ought to plead something in their favour: they
are great adepts at cracking snail shells against a stone, to enable
them to get at the contents, which they appear to relish above all
things. "
“Redwing” (Turdus iacus). Like its congener and companion
the fieldfare, this bird visits us in the autumn, when the snows of
its native country in the north render its home untenable, and force
it southwards: it arrives a few weeks before the fieldfares, but
afterwards associates with those birds in flocks; when its smaller
size and the conspicuous red of the under wing coverts cause it to be
easily distinguished. Though seldom heard in this country it has
a most melodious note, which is so highly prized in the north, as to
have procured for this bird the title of the “Swedish Nightingale,”
a title since usurped by the famous Jenny Lind. This fact of the
surpassing powers of song of the redwing may probably be unknown
to many, and seeing it only in the silent months of winter, and
hearing then nothing but an occasional and rather discordant
chattering, few have any notion of the loud and clear and exquisitely
sweet note with which it enlivens the thickets and copses of Nor-
way in a summer night, if indeed that can be called night, where
the sun merely approaches the horizon, and ascends again, or at
the most sets and rises within the hour; and where, during a three
months tour, I never saw a candle, but could see to read and write
in the darkest of loghuts at any hour of the night: this indeed was
the time and place to appreciate the song of the redwing; for
driving through the sombre forests in the night, as we frequently
did to escape the excessive heat of the sun, which scarcely ever
being out of sight during the summer, does not suffer the air to get
thoroughly cooled during the night, and strikes down almost as hot as
T have felt it in Rome in May, or Naples in June, to the great advan-
tage of the crops, but to the scorching of the mid-day traveller ;
passing on in single file, each in his carriole, through the inter-

294 On the Ornithology of Wilts [Merulide}.

minable forests, one of which we traversed for no less than 100
miles, while on the Swedish side it stretched out 50 miles on our
left, with but one road for wheels throughout its length and breadth;
scarcely meeting a human being in those vast solitudes, save only
at the few posthouses, at long intervening distances; imagine all
this, and it may be understood how full of enjoyment it was to
listen to the delicious notes of the redwing, poured forth in the
wildest yet most harmonious strains from the tops of some of the
highest trees around us. Indeed the absence of the redwing would
be a serious blank in Norway, and very sensibly felt by the inhab-
itants, who being a remarkably primitive and simple people, un-
sophisticated, and kind hearted, never wantonly illtreat their birds
or animals, but cherish and protect them, and are rewarded by the
most unbounded confidence in return; birds which are wildest and
shyest with us building close to the houses of the Norwegians, and
not caring to move out of the way, as you drive by. But if this
long digression on the home of the redwing appears irrelevant to
my subject on Wiltshire birds, and the pages of this Magazine, I
submit, that the cause of its introdution is the hope of inducing
those who have thoughtlessly persecuted those poor birds, when
they are driven by inexorable winter to seek shelter and food in
our more genial climate, to stay their hand from such ruthless
slaughter, and reflect that while it is thought here almost an act
of sacrilege to destroy the nightingale and robin, the one so en-
deared to us by its song, the other by its confidence in man, the
Swedish nightingale partakes of both these virtues, and moreover
is quite harmless and innocent, seeking nothing from man’s stores
for its support, but frequenting the meadows during the open wea-
ther, where it feeds on worms, snails, and larve, and when frost
sets in, repairing (not to the rickyard and cornstack, but only) to
the hedges, where the berries of the ivy, the hawthorn, and the
holly supply its wants; and if unusually severe weather occurs,
migrating (as is reported by naturalists) still further southwards,
even to the shores of the Mediterranean. Montagu reports that
vast numbers of these birds resorted to this and the adjacent
counties in the hard winter of 1799, when exhausted by long

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 295

journies, they were unable to prolong their travels, and deprived of
food by a sudden fall of snow, they perished by thousands from
starvation: Gilbert White speaks of their delaying their departure
northwards till June, after the dreadful winter of 1739-40, and the
cold N.E. winds which continued to blow through April and May;
and it is very remarkable how extremely susceptible of intense cold
these natives of the most northern countries are, being the first to
perish in severe weather.

“ Blackbird” (Turdus merula). “The ouzel cock, so black of hue
with orange tawney bill,” as that great observer of nature, Shak-
speare, has described it, is so well-known that I need say very little
about it, the gardeners know to their cost its penchant for fruit in
the summer, and no devices of his will avail to scare it from the
gooseberry and raspberry bushes, and the strawberry beds, as long
as any fruit remains; but it changes its residence with the season :
as soon as wet weather sets in, the blackbirds may be found in the
turnip fields, where they find slugs and snails in abundance; and
in hard weather the hedgerows and thick bushes are its resort: it
is of a shy and restless disposition, and solitary withal, never seen
to congregate with many of its species, and hurries off with a loud
scream of alarm, and buries itself in the nearest bush, the instant
it is discovered: it has a fine full rich voice, with which it often
fayours us, and it is a matter of great dispute among connoisseurs
whether the blackbird or thrush has the finest song, though I think
most votes would be in favour of the latter, but yet the former has
many stout partizans, and not without reason, for its notes are very
melodious: it is also one of the earliest songsters we have. Black-
birds appear to be especially liable to exhibit variations in plumage,
specimens continually occurring in pied and mottled garb, some-
times in pure white, though the name of the bird causes such a
statement to sound contradictory. And here perhaps I may be
allowed to make one or two observations on these albino varieties
in birds, having examined the subject with great attention, and
stated the result in a paper published by the Zoologist in 1853. I
will not inflict on the readers of this Magazine the arguments by
which I arrived at my conclusions, as they would be somewhat out

296 On the Ornithology of Wilts [ Merulide}.

of place here ; suffice it to say, that I conceive that physical weak-
ness either in the individuals themselves, or in their parents, one
or both of them, is the radical origin of the varieties in colour so
often seen; and that the natural and habitual functions of the
bird are through debility so disarranged, as to have the effect of
withdrawing the pigment or colouring matter from the growing
feather, as it springs from the follicle sheath or capsule in which it

is enveloped, and where it is nourished by juices in which the pig- ©

ment is supposed to reside. There may be many exciting causes,
such as peculiar food, sudden fear, extreme rage, &c., serving to
develope this peculiarity in colour, or it may have existed from the
nest, but in all cases I apprehend that constitutional weakness is
the real root of the matter; and as bright well marked plumage
undoubtedly betokens good health and strength, so and on the same
principles I conceive that an unwonted variety or absence of colour
marks physical debility: and therefore I am no admirer of these
anomalous specimens, but rather look upon them as miserable
deformities and wretched abortions, the offspring of weak parents,
unfitted to rank with their fellows. I may add that I have col-
lected authentic evidence of the existence of such varieties in no
less than fifty-seven species of our British birds, in their wild state,
and have no doubt that if further investigated, it would be seen
that such occasional deformities resulting from weakness do some-
times occur in every species of bird, though in those wearing the
darkest livery, (such as the blackbird and the rook,) and therefore
requiring a larger supply of pigment, such varieties will be found
to be more frequent.

“Ring Ouzel” (Turdus torquatus). Here we have another mi-
gratory species of thrush, but unlike its congeners, the fieldfare and
redwing, which come to us in the autumn and retire northwards in
the spring, the ring ouzel comes to us in April, and retires again
in October: it is however in this county but a bird of passage,
never remaining with us to breed, but retiring to more northern
districts in the summer, and more southern climes in the winter:
it is easily distinguished from the blackbird by the absence of the
bright yellow bill, and by the white collar or broad crescent-shaped

By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 297

ring round the chest, whence its specific names, Latin and English;
in other respects, such as general appearance, shape, bulk, habits,
food, &c., it resembles that well-known songster: it differs from it
however in occasionally associating in flocks towards the beginning
of autumn, and so migrating in company, but sufficiently resembles
it to be called provincially the “ mountain,” and the “ michaelmas”
blackbird, alluding to the haunts it loves, and the season when it
appears on its way south. I have seen it occasionally in Switzer-
land and the Tyrol, and very frequently in Norway, where in one
especial locality, at the foot of the highest peak in that land of moun-
tains, it would come every morning, and perching on the turf roof
of an adjacent chalet, sing most melodiously, while its mate was
sitting on the nest among some rocks hard by: but the spot it
seems of all others to prefer, is the copse on the sloping foot of a
mountain, shelving down to some quiet tarn. I have never seen it
alive in Wiltshire, nor has Mr. Marsh been more fortunate: I have
however numerous records of its occurrence here. Mr. E. Sloper
speaks of it as often seen in flocks of five or six, and of two being
killed near Devizes in 1851; another (now in Mr. Marsh’s collec-
tion) was killed at Compton Bassett by the Rey. A. Austin: it has
often been taken in Clarendon Park: and scarcely a spring or au-
tumn occurs, but Mr. Withers sees and generally captures some in
_ the immediate neighbourhood of Devizes: it is however much more
common in the wild mountainous and stormy districts of the north
than in this county.

“Golden Oriole” (Oriolus galbula). This splendid bird, with its
bright yellow and black plumage, so conspicuous from the striking
contrast of the two colours, is a rare visitant in Britain, but once
‘seen, it can never be mistaken: it is a denizen of warm latitudes,
_ Asia and Africa being its proper habitat, and it is only occasionally
that a straggler finds its way to our coasts, and therefore I think
myself especially fortunate in being able to record the capture of
two male birds in the neighbourhood of Tidworth in this county:
one was observed and killed in a small fir plantation, and carried
to the Rev. F. Dyson, who thinking it probable that the bird was
not without its mate, immediately employed a man with a gun to
L x

298 The Battle of Ethandun.

search for and procure the female; the man however returned with
another male bird, and it was conjectured that the comparative
dinginess of colour in the female enabled her in the dark fir plan-
tations to escape detection. It is annually seen in small numbers
in France, Germany, Holland, and more frequently in Italy; it is
said to be of a shy retiring disposition, frequenting secluded groves,
and feeding on fruits, berries, and insects.

ALFRED CHARLES SMITH.
Yatesbury Rectory, Calne, Nov. 4th, 1857.

Che Battle of Ethandan.

LTHOUGH I have no hope of being able to determine the
alk much yexed question as to the true site of this decisive
victory of Alfred over the Danes, yet I am unwilling to leave my
friend, Mr. Matcham, in possession of the field of controversy, and
the readers of the Magazine under the impression that he has proved
his case. Supposing the question to be narrowed, as he argues
it, to the rival claims of Edington and Yatton alias Eaton, or Etton-
down, (and setting aside as untenable those put forward by other
writers in favour of Heddington near Calne, Yattendun in Berk-
shire, Eddington in the same county, Hampton in Gloucestershire,
Edington in Somerset, &c.,) I think it will be easy to shew that
the arguments of Dr. Thurnam and of Whitaker for the latter of
these two sites are by no means so weak as Mr. Matcham represents
them; and that in the very brief space which I can venture to
occupy with so trite or, as many may think, trifling subject.

Let me first say that when Mr. Matcham translates the ‘Hth-
andun’ of Asser into ‘Edington,’ (as he does in p. 177,) he thereby
seems to beg the whole question. Certainly, if Asser had said,
what Mr. Matcham puts into his mouth, cadit questio; there would
be be nothing to argue about, for neither Dr. Thurnam nor any one
else, would, seriously or otherwise, venture to differ with Asser.
This, however, may be only a misprint; for, of course, as appears
in the original Latin at the bottom of the page, that venerable
‘cotemporary authority’ wrote, not Edington, but Ethandun;

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., MP. 299

and the question in dispute is not whether Asser is right in
fixing the battle at that place, but simply whether Ethandun
is Edington (the Edendone and Edintone of Domesday), or
Etton-dun, Ettone being the Domesday appellative of Yatton, or
rather, as it is still pronounced, and in old maps and other docu-
ments spelt, Eaton or Etton, and ‘dun’ or ‘dune’ the Saxon for
‘down’ or ‘open hill.’

With reference to this final syllable of Ethandwn, as differing
from that of Edington, Mr. Matcham, admits (p. 183), “that a dis-
tinction may be made between dun, a hill or down, and tun, a
(town or) residence; but” (he goes on to say, with some rashness
as I think he will himself, on further consideration, allow,) “the
one is so often resolved into the other (as in the case of Ethandun
and Edington,) that they are usually convertible terms,, and the one
termination may stand for either description.” Here again is a
seeming assumption that Ethandun and Edington are identical.
But passing this, is Mr. Matcham justified in the broad and sweep-
ing assertion he here makes, that tun (or tune) and dun (or dune)
in Anglo-Saxon terminology are usually convertible terms? I have
carefully looked the Index of all the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles in the
Monumenta Britannica, and find not a single instance favouring the
idea of such convertibility. On the contrary, whenever dun or dune
forms the final syllable of the name of any place, it is represented
in the modern name by the syllable don, or down, or directly trans-
lated into ‘mons’ a hill: whilst all the names I believe without
exception, that end in tun or tune, are known at present by words
ending in ton or town.' Nothing, therefore, can be more opposed

‘¢.g. Aiscesdune, now Ash-down in Berks.
Abbandune, now Abingdon in the same county.
Bredune,—Bredon or Brea-down in Worcestershire.
Beamdune,—Bindon in Dorset.
Fearndune,—Faringdon in Berks.
Wilbandune,—W imbledon in Surrey.
All places, be it observed, seated on high open hills or downs. In the three follow-
ing names dune is expressly translated ‘‘ mons” by Florence of Worcester, viz. :
‘‘ Pllendune i.e. ‘ Mons Elle.”
‘‘ Hengestdune i.e. ‘ Mons Hengiste.”
‘* Snaudune i.e. ‘ Mons Nivis.”

On the other hand, the places whose names now terminate, like Edington, in

x2

300 The Battle of Ethandun.

to the fact than Mr. Matcham’s assertion: nothing more conso-
nant to the habitual usage of Anglo-Saxon nomenclature than the
supposition of Dr. Thurnam and Whitaker, that Ethandun is now
represented by Etton-down. Mr. Matcham fills an entire page (182)
with something very like ridicule of the notion, which seems to him
preposterous, that the terminating syllable of Ethandun can have
been used for ‘down.’ What does he think is the site of the other
famous victory of Alfred over the Danes, Auscesdun? Is it not no-
toriously Ash-down, in Berkshire, and if so, would it be extraor-
dinary that Ethandun should correspond to Etton-down? But he
goes on to ask, as if in the pride of superior information, ‘Has this
compound ever appeared in writing, or (perhaps) in common par-
lance before his (Dr. Thurnam’s) ingenuity had fabricated it?”

The reply is decisive; though Mr. Matcham having, as he admits,
little or no knowledge of this latter locality, is evidently igno-
rant of the fact, viz., that the high ground in the parish of Yatton
adjoining Slaughterford was, within the memory of living men, an
open down, and known by the name of Etton-down. He even
demurs (p. 182,) to Dr. Thurnam’s assertion of the similarity of
the two names. Iam much mistaken, however, if my readers will
not agree with me that, both in orthography and sound, the word
Etton-dun bears as close, or even a closer resemblance to Ethandun
than does Edintone or Edendone.

But passing to that which forms the staple of the argument of
both Whitaker and Dr. Thurnam, namely the inconsistency of the
position of Edington with the description given by Asser and the
Saxon Chronicle of Alfred’s proceedings previous to the battle; I

ton are mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle always under names termina-
ting in tune; whence we may fairly conclude then, had Edington been men-
tioned at all in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles it would haye been as Edintune,
not as Ethandune; e.g.

Creditune now Crediton.

Bertune », Burton.

Hamtune ,, Hampton.

Kingestune ,, Kingston.

Middletune ,, Middleton.

Tantune ,, Taunton.

Huntendune,, Huntington, &c.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 301

must observe that Mr. Matcham is not justified in throwing any
doubt on the statement of Dr. Thurnam that “the Danes had their
head-quarters at Chippenham both before and after the battle.”
Asser and the Chronicle unite in declaring that their army passed
the previous winter at Chippenham, and there is not the slightest
ground for supposing that it had moved to any considerable dis-
tance from thence by the beginning of May, which all agree to be
the date of the battle of Ethandun.'! Nothing however, can be more
probable than the supposition that at the commencement of the
summer the army was stationed at one or other of the many strong
camps which then formed a connected chain of defence along the
hill range west of Chippenham, (a prolongation of the Cotswolds):
more especially as it must have been well-known to their leaders
that Alfred was somewhere in the west, collecting forces to attack
them. Of these camps Bury Wood is one, Castle Combe another,
Ebdowne, in West Kington parish, a third; to which Banner-down
and others might be added; all within a few miles west of Chip-
penham. On the other hand, it appears improbable that the entire
army of Guthrum should have quitted Chippenham for any spot so
far removed to the south as Bratton camp; separated moreover from
it by the intricate forests of Pewsham and Melksham, and the
deep and miry vale of the Avon; inasmuch as such a removal
would have left Chippenham, the royal vill and their head-quar-
ters, open to easy capture by an enemy from the west.

I return, however, to the main argument relating to Alfred’s line
of march. All parties concur in considering Brixton Deverill as the
position of Ecgbright’s stone, the ‘trysting place’ of his forces. The
divergence of opinion beging with regard to the site of Iglea, the
place to which he marched his army on the first day. Asser whose
statement is more full than that of the Chronicle, expressly says

1 The words of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle are, ‘‘A°. 878. This year during
mid-winter, ... the army stole to Chippenham, .. . and sat down there.”
“ Et ibi hiemavit,” says Asser. Again of the next year, ‘‘ A°. 879. This year
the army went to Cirencester from Chippenham.” (A.8.C.) ‘‘ Anno 879, .. .
exercitus Paganorum de Cipanhamme ut promiserat, consurgens, Cirencestre
adit.” Asser. Surely these passages afford the most complete confirmation of
Dr. Thurnam’s statement.

302 The Battle of Ethandun.

that he moved from Brixton in the early dawn, “diiuculo dlluces-
cente,” and encamped for the night at Iglea. Now the argument
of Dr. Thurnam and Whitaker is, that Iglea is most probably
Highley common near Melksham, for the following three good
reasons :—First. The name of the place is as nearly as possible the
same—at all events far nearer than Clay-hill, Bucley, or Westbury
Leigh, the places between which Mr. Matcham and his authorities
hesitate in their choice. Secondly. It is on the direct road from
Brixton to Chippenham, where, or in its immediate neighbourhood,
there is every reason to believe the Danes were stationed. Thirdly.
Its distance from Brixton is eighteen miles, a fair day’s march;
while Clay-hill and Westbury Leigh are only, the one five, the
other less than nine miles distant, too little for a summer day’s
march, commenced at “early dawn.’ Again, as relates to the next
day, Asser, repeating his phrase, declares Alfred to have moved off
very early in the morning “ mane illucescente,” and to have reached
a place called Ethandun, where he attacked the army of the Danes,
&c. But Edington is only four miles from Westbury, and but
eight from Clay-hill or Bucley. Highley, on the other hand, is
about ten miles from Etton-down, a reasonable distance for a sum-
mer morning’s march. It is moreover, doubtful, as Dr. Thurnam
remarks, whether the battle did not take place on the third, instead of
the second day, for this is expressly stated by Simeon of Durham,
and is not inconsistent with the narrative of Asser. Mr. Matcham,
indeed, rejects the authority of Simeon on the ground “that this
author lived in the reign of Edward III., and did not depart this
life till 479 years after the victory of Ethandun was gained.” This,
however, is an error. Simeon of Durham lived in the reigns of
William Rufus and Henry I., and his death occurred in 1129, near
two centuries and a half before the date Mr. Matcham assigns to
it.! Upon this point as to the probable distance of Ethandun from
the starting place, Brixton, some light may be gathered from the
“‘Metrical Chronicle of Geoffrey Gaimar.” The basis of this poem,
composed about the middle of the 12th century, was no doubt sup-
plied by the Saxon Chronicle, but it received many and large

1 See Monumenta Britannica p. 87.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., M.P. 303

additions from other sources, for the greater part unknown to us
in this day, but not on that account to be disbelieved when not in
contradiction to earlier and higher authorities. Now Geoffrey
Gaimar, as will be seen from the translation subjoined, says that
on quitting Brixton, the Saxon army “rode through the whole night
and the next day as far as they could, until they came to Aclee, that
they went on that night, and the neat day at nine o’clock they had
reached Edenesdune,” now this would accord very tolerably with a
march on the first night and day from Brixton to Highley (18
miles), and thence on the second night up to nine in the morning
to Etton-down (10 miles). But in no manner of way is it intel-
ligible that a march of [in the whole] twelve miles (from Brixton to
Edington) should be thus described as occupying two entire nights
and one day.

It is reasonable to suppose that Alfred preferred to pass the Avon
at Highley, or Melksham which is close by, leaving the deep clayey
forests of the vale on the eastern side, and take his line of march
along the rising and open western ground, which would enable him
to intercept the communication of the Danes with Chippenham,
supposing them to be encamped at or near Bury Wood. It is
worthy of remark, that Etton-down is traversed by the ancient
highway from London through Chippenham to Bristol, which also
passes close to Bury Wood camp, two miles further on, just at the
intersection of this road with the great Roman Foss road. So that
the Danes at the approach of the Saxon army to this spot, would,
in order to protect Chippenham, be placed under the necessity of
leaving their entrenched camp, and meeting Alfred in the open field.
Moreover, Etton-down, the supposed field of battle, over-hangs the
valley and brook of Slaughterford, which the routed Danes would
necessarily have to cross in the retreat to their hill-fortress ; a retreat
throughout which Asser expressly states them to have been pur-
sued with great slaughter by Alfred’s forces. “Paganos maxima cade
prostravit, et fugientes usque ad arcem percutiens persecutus est.” The
prevalence of a herb called ‘Dane’s blood’ about Slaughterford, as

attested by Aubrey, may be taken as a minor link in the chain
of proofs, of more or less weight. Another, hitherto unmentioned,

304 The Battle of Ethandun.

I can supply myself, namely, that a field in the parish of Castle
Combe, commanding the supposed scene of the action, and immedi-
ately above the brook of Slaughterford, has always gone by the
name of Danks i.e. Danes-down. And surely, although it may suit
Mr. Matcham’s argument to depreciate it, there is some strong evi-
dence in that word ‘Slaughterford,’—the ancient name of the entire
parish—and in the tradition which Aubrey tells us was in his time
prevalent through the neighbourhood, of a great and bloody fight
having taken place there between the Saxons and Danes.

And now a word upon Bury Wood camp, which Mr. Matcham
never having seen, and judging only from the description given of it
in “Ancient Wiltshire,” (by the bye Sir R. Hoare admits he never
examined it either,) considers ‘not to present the formidable ap-
pearance of a fortification which for fourteen days would deter,
perhaps defy, the assault of an army flushed with victory.” (p. 184.)

I beg to assure him and those of my readers who are not ac-
quainted with the spot, that Bury Wood camp is, contrary to these
mere suppositions, one of the very strongest earthworks in Britain.
Indeed I know no where one so strongly defended by nature and
art combined. It occupies a promontory forming the angle of inter-
section of two very deep glens that unite above the hamlet of Ford,
and about a mile in a straight line from Slaughterford. It is, as
T have already said, close to the intersection of the great Roman
N. and 8. highway, called the Fosse, with the ancient E. and W.
highway between Chippenham, London, and Bristol. It encloses
a triangular space of twenty acres, and has a vallum and foss
along the two sides of the triangle which border the precipitous
steeps of the two glens, each of which is about 200 feet deep.
The third side facing the flat table land behind is protected by a
double ditch and two embankments of very great size and strength.
It is just such an encampment as one may readily believe to have
been in the days of Alfred (and after our recent experiences, one —
would be almost inclined to add, if bravely defended, even at the
present day) impregnable,—unless, as Alfred is reported to have
subdued the Danes in their fortress, the garrison were starved into
surrender.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., MP. 305

Another of Mr. Matcham’s arguments is the following, “If the
Saxons attacked their enemy from the south, since Bury Wood lies
south west of Yatton, the Danes in their retreat, must have passed
through the lines of the victorious army, crossing Slaughterford
with the stream in their rear, and their conquerors in their front,
&c. I cannot conceive with Dr. Thurnam that this is a very pro-
bable position.” (p. 183.) But all this again is grounded ona
complete misconception of the topography of the country round
Etton-down. Bury Wood is not to the 8.W., but due west of this
position. And the Saxons attacking their enemy from the south
would do so from the high ridge of hill above and to the east of the
deep valley of the Slaughterford river, which the Danes would —
necessarily have to cross in their retreat to Bury Wood camp on
the west, with the victorious army of Alfred in their rear, as Dr.
Thurnam justly represents.

I have said enough, perhaps, to shew that Sir Richard Hoare
was not justified in accusing Whitaker of having disputed
Camden’s loose assumption of Edington for the representative of
Ethandun on no other ground than for difference sake and upon the
dictatorial principle of “Sic volo.” If dogmatism is justly to be
charged on any one, what does Mr. Matcham think of the language
of Sir Richard himself, who thus lays down the law on this much
disputed point. ‘Wo room is left either for etymology or conjec-
ture as to the line of march which Alfred followed in pursuit of his
enemies. By any person acquainted with the locality of the county,
no doubt can be entertained!’ And this is said of a matter upon
which at least a dozen varying opinions have been, and still are, en-
tertained by as many different authorities; and on which even Mr.
Matcham himself differs from Sir Richard, since he prefers West-
bury Leigh to Clay-hill for the modern Iglea. Indeed Sir Richard
himself held at different times two opinions on this point.

And while on the subject of authorities, which Mr. Matcham
seems to consider to preponderate on his side, let me observe that

1 See his ‘ Ancient’ and ‘Modern Wiltshire,’

306 The Battle of Ethandun.

he omits all mention of Carte,! Milner,? and Beke,’ all opposed to
his view of the question, quite as much as Whitaker and Dr. Thur-
nam. Mr. Matcham lays some stress on the mention of Ethandun
in the Will of Alfred, a fact which but for Dr. Thurnam’s remark
upon it in a note would probably have remained unnoticed. But
there can hardly be a question that the vill so named in the Will
(and also in a charter of Edwy executed A’. 957),! is the place now
called Yattendon (or Yattingdon of some maps) in Berkshire; since
it occurs in the Will in close conjunction with Lambourne and
Wantage, both neighbouring Berkshire manors. (“ Insuper concedo
ZAlswythe villam de Lamborne et de Wantingh et de Ethandune.”)
And this indeed gives some‘additional probability to my argument ;
because if the Ethandune of Alfred’s Will is the present Yattendun
of Berkshire, the Ethandun of Asser, where the battle was fought,
may with the more probability be ascribed to the Yatton-down (or
Etton-down) of Wiltshire. For that the fight could have taken
place so far from the line of Alfred’s march from Selwood forest to-
wards Chippenham as a place in Berkshire, east of Newbury, and
therefore some sixty miles away, Mr. Matcham will, of course,
readily admit to me.

Neither can Mr. Matcham be allowed to ride his White Horse of
Bratton in emblematic triumph. Mr. Wise writing in 1738 and
1742, expressly states his belief, on sufficient authority, that this
figure was made as recently as the last century. And even were
evidence wanting on this point, it could have no better right to be
considered a monumental record of Alfred’s victory than any other
of the team of eight which are to be seen in as many places on the
steep Wiltshire chalk downs. Moreover, Mr. Matcham is again
incorrect in his assertion, that “the White Horse is the ensign of
the (West) Saxons.” (p. 121.) Henry of Huntingdon expressly
speaks (A°. 752 and 1016) of the golden dragon as the standard of
the West Saxons. Nor isit true that (same page) “the White Horse
of Berkshire, is, in the opinion of all antiquaries, the undoubted

1 Carte’s History of England, 1747, vol. i. p. 300.
2 Milner’s History of Winchester, 1798, vol. i. p. 129.
3 See Lysons’s Magna Britannia, Berkshire, 1813, p. 163, for Dr. Beke’s views.
4 Kemble’s Codex Diplomaticus, vol. ii. p.p. 112, 342, and vol. v. p, 127.

By G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., U.P. 307

memorial of the victory of the Saxons obtained over the Danes at
Aiscesdun (i.e. Ash-down) in that county,” as may be seen in refer-
ence to an able paper in the Archeologia, vol. xxxi. p. 289.

On the whole without meaning that there is no room for
doubt upon the point, I think what I have said will shew that
there are, at least, as strong grounds, indeed stronger, for believing
the battle of Ethandun to have been fought at Etton-down, as at
Edington or any other place yet suggested.

IT add a translation of the passage in Geoffry Gaimar’s metrical
romance “L’Estorie des Engles,” which relates to this celebrated
fight.

Then (878) at Christmas, the felon Danes
Who had sworn to keep the peace

Broke it like knaves,

And marched into Wessex.

At Chippenham they halted for a time,
And took pleasure in doing mischief.
They destroyed houses and crops,
Chapels, and their religious.

They drove the people from their country,
And put many in prison,

The King Alfred, who was their father,
Knew not what to do or to say.

From all parts he called for aid,

But few was he able to assemble.

When he saw how he was situated

So grievously encompassed by his foes,
He took refuge in the forests and thickets,
To escape from their blood-thirsty hands.
Nevertheless, whenever he was able,
With such folk as he could obtain,

He met their squadrons,

And slew often many of them.

* * * * * * *

After Easter in the same year,

The good King Alfred had shut himself
In a castle he had for defence

At Ethelingay,

And troubled the Danes.

Four weeks after Easter,

He rode to Ecbrichstane

Which is east of Selwood.

Ceolmer came to meet him and Chude

308 The Battle of Ethandun.

And the Barons of Somersetshire

Of Wiltshire and of Dorset.

From Hampshire came Chilman,

He assembled the barons by ban,

And all those he sent for came

Who had not fled beyond the seas.

And when they saw their Lord,

They much praised the Creator

That they had found him ;

For long had they desired to see him,
And they had supposed

That the Danes had slain him.

They were greatly rejoiced that the King
Was alive and not dead.

Then Alfred took counsel with them,
And as they determined they did.
Through the whole night they rode,

And the next day as long as they could,
Until they came to Aclee.

Then they went on that night

And the next day at nine o’clock

They had reached Edenesdone.

There they found the Danes,

And Alfred fought with them.

I cannot say by guess

Of which there were the most slain,

Of the Danes or the English.

But this I know well that the good King
Alfred had then the victory,

And his barons, to their great honour.
Then he attacked them frequently

And with such violent assaults,

That in fifteen days he so daunted them,
Those Danes of whom I speak,

That they begged for peace, and agreed
To deliver up hostages.

And swore as long as they lived

Never more to make war.

And further they promised

And asked to be made Christians.

The King said when he heard this

That he would make them so with pleasure.
He appointed a certain day,

On which they brought Guthrum their King.
Who was baptized under the name

Of Athelstan with thirty companions. &e., &e.

> K
Tursonage
Mouse

Hakpen
Mill

dj Ny
Wp) mM ns
i
M\

trem Lendon

SILBURY
WiLL.

Seale of One Mile.

Wit Lith." London.

3809

Aburp.

By Witiram Lone, Esa., M.A.

orien @HERE is no district in the British Isles of greater interest
YE al to the antiquary than the tract of country between Devizes
and Marlborough. Within it may be seen the Wansdyke, that last
and largest of the boundaries between the Belgic and aboriginal
tribes, stretching for miles along the summit of the hills; earth-
works of various forms on the adjoining slopes; barrows large and
small, long and round; the remains of a British settlement on
Huish Hill; the camps of Oldbury, Rybury, Knap-hill, and Mar-
tin’s-hill; a British trackway, which at a subsequent period formed
a part of the Icknield way;! the Roman road from Bath, which,
after making use of the fosse of the Wansdyke, traverses the open
downs in its course towards Cunetio? and Londinium ; the gigantic
hill of Silbury; and lastly, one of the oldest, most extensive, and
most interesting relics of antiquity we possess,—the remains of the
temple of Abury.

The pretty village of Abury or Avebury, within the parochial

1 Dr. Guest on the Four Roman Ways, p. 13 and 22 (Archeol Journal No. 54).

2 ‘Cunetio’ is evidently the Latin form of the word ‘Kennet,’ or ‘Cunnet? as
Stukeley says it was called by the country people in his time.

* The temple at Stanton Drew is supposed by many to be of older date than
that at Abury. The temple which appears to correspond more nearly than any
other in character and features, (being far inferior in size,) with the gigantic
monument in Wiltshire, is that of Arbor Lowe in Derbyshire. It is circular,
or rather elliptical: has a ditch six yards wide, within a high vallum: the area,
within the ditch, fifty yards in diameter: a large circle of about 30 huge un-
hewn stones: an inner circle of smaller ones (doubtful), and near the centre three
larger ones. The circumference of the vallum about 270 yards. There are two
entrances, N. and §.: and about a quarter of a mile off towards the west is a
large conical tumulus called ‘‘Gib Hill” connected with the vallum of the
temple by a rampire of earth running in a serpentine direction. See ‘‘ Bateman’s
Vestiges of the Antiquities of Derbyshire, 1848, p. 109.” For a suggestion as
to the origin of the names Arbor and Abury, see a Note further on.

310 Abury.

boundaries of which these ruins are comprised, is about a mile from
Beckhampton, and as it lies out of the main road from London to
Devizes and Bath, it is perhaps not surprising that it did not earlier
attract attention. The only mention Leland makes of it is in the
following scanty allusion; ‘“ Kenet risithe north north-west at
Selbiri hille botom, wherby hath ben camps and sepultures of men
of warre, as at Aibyri a mile of, and in dyvers places of the playne.”
Camden seems not to have been aware of its existence; and Dr.
Philemon Holland, his first translator, writes thus of it, “‘ Within
one mile of Silbury is Abury, an uplandish village, built in an old
camp, as it seemeth, but of no large compass. It is environed with
a fair trench, and hath four gates, in two of which stand huge
stones as jambs, but so rude that they seem rather natural than
artificial ; of which there are some others in the said village.’
The first person who examined it with attention was John Aubrey,
whose memory will long be preserved by his graphic description of
persons and things connected with his native county, Wiltshire.
As he was only in his 23rd year when he made his discovery of
Abury, and as the work in which he has preserved his early remi-
niscences of it (the ‘“‘ Monumenta Britannica” now in the Bodleian
Library), though often partially quoted by various writers, has

1 In the 3rd song of his ‘Polyolbion’ (published in 1612) in which the Wiltshire
rivers are celebrated, Drayton mentions ‘Ouldbry,’ Saint Ann, Barbury, and
Badbury Hills, and Mount Marting-sall ; and feigns an altercation, in language
rather of a Billingsgate stamp, between ‘Stonendge’ and Wansdyke; but he
makes no allusion either to Abury or Silbury Hill. Selden, his annotator, is
equally silent respecting them.

In the notes to the Third Book of Orlando Furioso ‘in English historical
verse by Sir John Harington, of Bath, Knight,” London, 1634, is the following
passage ;—‘‘ But concerning his (Merlin’s) life, that there was such a man, a
great counseller to King Arthur, I hold it certaine; that he had a castle in Wilt-
shire called after him Merlinsbury (now Marlborow) it is very likely, the old
ruines whereof are yet seene in our highway from Bath to London. Also the
great stones of unmeasurable bignesse and number that lie scattered about the
place have given occasion to some to report, and others to beleeve wondrous stra-
tagems wrought by his great skill in magick, as likewise the great stones at
Stonage on Salisbury plaine, which the ignorant people beleeve he brought out
of Ireland: and indeed the wiser sort can rather marvyell at than tell why or
how they were set there.” It is by no means clear from this that Sir John had
seen Abury.

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 311

never yet been fully published; it may not be amiss to take the
present opportunity of presenting to the reader the entire passages
relating to this place!:—

“JT was inclin’d by my Genius from my childhood to the love of
antiquities: and my Fate dropt me in a countrey most suitable for
such enquiries.

“Salisbury-plaines, and Stonehenge I had known from eight
years old: but, I never saw the Countrey about Marleboruogh, till
Christmas 1648: being then invited to the Lord Francis Seymour’s,

*Then of Alling. DY the Honorable Mr. Charles* Seymour, with whom
hepa I had the honor to be intimately acquainted, and
mour. whose Friendship I ought to mention with a pro-
found respect to his memorie.

“The morrow after Twelfday, Mr. Charles Seymour and S" Wil-
Beet seeham, liam+ Button, mett with their packs of Hounds at the
ham. Grey- Weathers. These downes looke as if they were
sowen with great Stones, very thick, and in a dusky evening, they
looke like a flock of Sheep: from whence it takes its name: one
might fancy it to have been the scene, where the giants fought with
huge stones against the Gods. *Twas here that our game began,
and the chase led us (at length) thorough the village of Aubury,
into the closes there: where I was wonderfully surprized at the
sight of those vast stones, of w I had never heard before: as also
at the mighty Bank and graffe! about it: I observed in the inclo-
sure some segments of rude circles, made with these stones, whence
I concluded, they had been in the old time complete. I left my
company a while, entertaining myselfe with a more delightfull in-
dagation: and then (steered by the cry of the Hounds) overtooke
the company, and went with them to Kynnet, where was a good
hunting dinner provided.

“ Our repast was cheerfull, which being ended, we remounted,
and beat over the downes with our greyhounds. In this afternoon’s

‘It is here printed from a transcript from the original MS. taken for the
purpose of the present paper, and the accompanying illustrations have been
reduced from very accurate fac-similes of Aubrey’s sketches, which the writer
has presented to the Society’s Library and Museum at Devizes.

2 Ditch.

312 Abury.

diversion I happened to see Wensditch (sic), and an old camp and
two or three sepulchres. The evening puta period to our sport, and
we returned to the Castle at Marleborough, where we were nobly
entertained ; jwvat hec meminisse. I thinke I am the only sur-
viving gentleman of that company.

“Tn the year 1655 was published by Mr. Webb, a book entitled
“Stonehenge Restored,” but written by Mr. Inigo Jones; which I
read with great delight. There is a great deale of learning in it,
but having compared his scheme with the monument itself, I found
he had not dealt fairly, but had made a Lesbian’s rule, which is
conformed to the stone; that is, he framed the monument to his own
hypothesis, which is much differing from the thing itself; and this
gave me an edge to make more researches; and a further oppor-
tunity was, that my honored and faithfull friend Colonel James
Long,! of Draycot, was wont to spend a week or two every autumne
at Aubury in hawking, where several times I have had the happi-
ness to accompany him. Our sport was very good, and in a ro-
mantick countrey, for the prospects are noble and vast, the downs
stockt with numerous flocks of sheep, the turfe rich and fragrant

with thyme and burnet.

‘ Fessus ubi incubuit baculo, saxoque resedit,
Pastor arundineo carmine muleet oves.’

Nor are the nut-brown shepherdesses without their graces. But
the flight of the falcons was but a parenthesis to the Colonell’s
facetious discourse, who was ‘tam Marti quam Mercurio, and the
Muses did accompany him with his hawkes and spaniels.

“1663. King Charles II. discoursing one morning with my
Lord Brownker and Dr. Charleton? concerning Stoneheng, they told
his Majestie, what they had heard me say, concerning Aubury, se.
that it did as much exceed Stoneheng as a Cathedral does a Parish
Church. His Ma‘* admired that none of our Chorographers had

1 Afterwards Sir James Long. There is an amusing sketch in water colours
of Sir James and Aubrey on one of these hawking expeditions, in Aubrey’s MS.
“¢ Hypomnemata Antiquaria, A.,” in the Ashmolean Museum.

2 William Vise. Brouncker of Earlstoke, was the first President of the Royal
Scciety. Dr. Walter Charleton was the King’s Physician, and author of a
treatise advocating the Danish origin of Stonehenge.

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 313

taken notice of it: and commanded Dr. Charlton to bring me to him
the next morning. I brought with me a draught of it donne by
memorie only: but well enough resembling it, with w™ his Ma‘
was pleased: gave me his hand to kisse and commanded me to
waite on him at Marleborough when he went to Bath with the
Queen (w® was about a fortnight after) which I did: and the next
day, when the court were on their journie, his Ma“ left the Queen
and diverted to Aubury, where I shewed him that stupendious
Antiquity, with the view whereof, He and his Royal Highness, the
Duke of Yorke, were very well pleased. His Ma“ commanded me
to write a Description of it, and present it to him: and the Duke
of Yorke commanded me to give an account of the old Camps, and
Barrows on the Plaines.

“ As his Ma“* departed from Aubury to overtake the Queen, he
cast his eie on Silsbury-hill about a mile off: w™ they had the cu-
riosity to see, and walkt up to the top of it, with the Duke of Yorke,
Dr. Charlton and I attending them. They went to Lacock! to din-
ner: and that evening to Bath; all the Gentry and Commonaltie
of those parts waiting on them, w™ great acclamations of joy, &c.

“Tn September following, (1663), I survey’d that old monument
of Aubury with a plain-tables, and afterwards tooke a Review of
Stonehenge: and then I composed this following discourse in
obedience to his Ma“* command: and presented it to Him: w™ he
commanded me to put in print.

“ There have been several books writt by learned men concerning
Stoneheng, much differing from one another, some affirming one
thing, some another. Now I come in the rear of all by compara-
tive arguments to give a clear evidence that these monuments were
pagan temples, which was not made out before; and have also
(with humble submission to better judgments) offered a probability,
that they were temples of the Druids.

“ When a traveller rides along by the ruines of a Monastery, he
knows by the manner of building, sc. Chapell, Cloysters, &c., that
it was a Convent, but of what order (sc. Benedictine, Dominican,
&e.,) it was, he cannot tell by the bare view. So it is cleer that all

! Sir John Talbot's. UT ot toe

y

314 Abury.

the monuments, which I have here recounted were Temples. Now
my presumption is, That the Druids being the most eminent Priests
[or Order of Priests] among the Britaines, ’tis odds, but that these
ancient monuments [sc. Aubury, Stonehenge, Kerrig y Druidd &c. |
were Temples of the Priests of the most eminent Order, viz., Druids,
and it is strongly to be presumed, that Aubury, Stoneheng, &c.,
are as ancient as these times.

“This inquiry, I must confess, is a gropeing in the dark: but
although I have not brought it into a cleer light, yet I can affirm
that I have brought it from an utter darkness to a thin mist, and
have gonne farther in this essay than any one before me.

“These antiquities are so exceedingly old that no bookes doe
reach them, se. that there is no way to retrive them but by com-
parative antiquitie, which I have writt upon the spott from the
monuments themselves,—‘ Historia guoque modo scripta, bona est ;’
and though this be writt, as I rode a gallop, yet the novelty of it,
and the faithfulness of the delivery, may make some amends for the
uncorrectness of the style.

“The first draught was worn out with time and handling, and
now, methinks, after many years lying dormant, I come abroad,
like the ghost of one of those Druids.

“T beg the reader’s pardon for running this preface into a storie,
and wish him as much pleasure in reading them, as I met in seeing
them. Vale.

“Joun AUBREY.”
AUBURY.

« Aubury is four miles west from Marleborough in Wiltshire,
and is peradventure the most eminent and entire monument of this
kind in the Isle of Great Britaigne. (I take this old ill-shapened
monument to be’ the greatest, most considerable, and the least
ruinated of any of this kind in our British Isle.) It is very strange
that so eminent an Antiquitie should lye so long unregarded by our
Chorographers: Mr......... only names it.

“Tt is environed with an extraordinary great vallum [or Ram-
part] as great, and as high as that at Winchester, [w™ is the greatest
Bulwark that I have seen]: within which is a Graffe of a depth and

eee anata

"ABYMANY NHOrF AG HOLIHXS JSGNY WV WOUd ! e99l'A'v LNOBY SAUNEY 43O NW1d
5 292273 DZ

publ eran | gryated 09 f

ne : SS SN peodl J, 04 pod ULL LD
¢ be \ : t Gage ee aac went

ora ae 7 4

: fab 4 surchuve fo jrfore 5
AAT RNY fo heasns

VN aL itd

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 315

breadth proportionable to it: wherefore it could not be designed
for a Fortification, for then the Graffe would have been on the out-
side of the Rampart.

“From the entrance at a to that at ? is sixty perches.

“ From the entrance at y to that at 6 the same distance: and the
breadth of the rampart is fower perches; and the breadth of the
Graff the same distance. (See plate 2, section 1.)

“Round about the Graffe, (sc. on the edge or border of it) are
pitched on end huge stones, as big, or rather bigger than those at
Stoneheng: but rude and unhewen as they are drawn out of the
earth :—whereas those at Stoneheng are roughly-hewen. Most of
the stones thus pitched on end, are taken away: only here and
there doe still remain some curvilineous segments: but by these
one may boldly conclude, that heretofore they stood quite round
about, like a Crowne ;

“¢ <sed longa vetustas
Destruit, et saxo longa senecta nocet.’

Within this circumvallation are also (yet) remaining segments [of

* His Majestie g roundish figure] of* two (as I doe conjecture) Sa-
commanded me to

digge at thebottom cella, one the fig. 1, the other fig. 2, and their ruines
of the stones within . : ’
the fig. 1, to try i¢ ae not unlike Ariadne’s Crowne: and are no neerer

Tcould find any hu- : : .
han bones. wut 0 @ perfect circle than is that Constellation. So

Gut not doe it. within Christian churches are severall chapelles re-
+ Aurea per stel-

las nune micat illa spective to such or such a saint: and the like might
novem. Ovid’s Fas- 5 °
torum, lib. iii, 516, Lave been in the old time.

Ovid’s Fastor. lib.
y. 1. 131.

“This monument does as much exceed in greatness the so re-
nowned Stoneheng, as a Cathedral doeth a parish Church: so that
by its grandure one might presume it to have been an Arch Temple
of the Druids.

“Tt is situated in the countrey of the stones called the Grey-
Weathers: of which sort of stones, both this Antiquity, and that
Tel laa oft Stoneheng were built. From the south entrance
thers. runnes a solemne Walke, sz. of stones pitch’d on end
ne hewerofrain about seven foot high, w goes as far as Kynet [w™

measuring it, is (at least)§a measured mile from Aubury] and from
Kynet it turnes with a right angle eastward crossing the river, and

y 2

316 Abury.

ascends up the hill to another monument of the same kind [but
less] as in plate (2, sec. 2.) The distance of the stones in the walk, and
the breadth of it, is much about the distance of a noble walke of
trees of that length: and very probable this walke was made for
Processions.

Mdm. The great stone at Au- “Perhaps at this angular turning,
se renee Pe ata ins might be the Celle [or Convent] of
tumn 1684, and broke in two, or the Priests belonging to these Tem-
three pieces: it stood but two foot ples: to be sure, they did not dwell
Sy St as From Mr. ‘yr from them: and their habitations
Walter Sloper, of Munckton, At-
torney. might hapily be the occasion of the
rise of this village, Kynet.

“ Within the circumference or Borough of this Monument, is now
the village of Aubury, which stands per erucem, as is to be seen by
Scheme (pl. 2, sec. 1.) The houses are built of the Frustwms of those
huge stones (for hereabout are no other stones to be found (except

* Parson Bruns- flints) which they invade with great sledges. Ihave
don of Mounekton. verbum Sacerdotis* for it, that these mighty stones
(as hard as marble) may be broken in what part of them you
please, without any great trouble: sc. make a fire on that line of
the stone, where you would have it crack; and after the stone is
well heated, draw over a line with cold water, and immediately give
a knock with a smith’s sledge, and it will break like the collets at
the Glass-house.}

“The Church is likewise built of them: and the Mannour-house
w* was built by the Dunches, temp. Reg. Elizabethz: and also
another faire House not far from that.

“ By reason of the crosse streates, houses, gardens, orchards,
and several small closes, and the fractures made in this Antiquity
for the building of those houses, it was no very easy taske for me
to trace out the Vestigia and so to make this Survey. Wherefore
I have dis-empestred the Scheme from the enclosures, and houses,
&c.: ware altogether foreigne to this Antiquity, and would but
have clowded and darkned the reall Designe. The crosse street

1 Compare with this extract from the ‘Monumenta Britannica’ Aubrey’s account
of these stones in his ‘‘ Natural History of Wilts,” p. 44, 1847.

PLATE ttl.

Qn pe Bee of the tall Batt from Wert Kionned— /
ee E LL aa. are two Barrows
i AR 4 g° Nd:
a fh

eS | Goon (ae i cr ae Ritual \---- 4S paces o

8
>

(
ry) Ww epraeege ONG bares
9 cuteasd O22 Hh?

—
=

=

—

Og

| Wore daate from ee bow ards
Prarlbvrough 8 7 stones ma
cirete jallen Cause ce 7 clety/

Edw. Kite, lith
1. ENLARGED PLAN OF THE “LESSER TEMPLE”. 2. ANOTHER CIRCLE OF
STONES ,(SITE UNKNOWN ); FROM SKETCHES BY JOHN AUBREY.

>

i tas

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 317

within this monument, was made in process of time for the con-
venience of the roades.

“One of the Monuments, in the street that runnes East and
West, [like that above Holy-head] is converted into a pigstye, or
cow-house ;—as is to be seen in the’roade.

“On the brow of the hill above Kynet, on the right hand of the
high way which goes from Bristow to Marleborough, is such a
monument as in pl.(2, sec. 2. and pl. 3, f.1.) called . . . . The stones
are fower and five feet high, . . . . in number; most of them (now)
are fallen downe. I doe well remember there is a circular trench
about this monument or temple.! Here remaines a kind of solemne
walk from Kynet to the top of the hill where this monument is.
It is at least a quarter of a mile in length, . . . . foot broad, and
the stones distant one from another about . . . foot. West Kynet
stands in the angle where the walke from Aubury hither, and that
from the top of the hill did joine. It lies by the side of a little
rivulet called Kynet, which runnes to Marleborough, from whence
Cynetium hath its denomination: and ’tis likely that here might in
the old time have been the celle or Convent for the priests belong-
ing to these temples.

“T am enformed that as one rides from Marlebo-
rough to Compton Basset [a village not far from hence
Westward] are to be seen Houses, part whereof are stones pitched
on end, as big as those of Stonehenge.

“ As to the Etymologie of the word Aubury: it is vulgarly cal-
led Abury: and is writt of late times by ignorant scribes Awebury :
(the e quiescent being interposed after y* old fashion). But in the

© This Mannour 1egier-book of Malmesbury* Abbey it is writt Aubury;
grag tothat and so it is in the Records of y’ Tower. But here
(methinkes) I see some Reader smile to himselfe,

thinkinge how I have strained this Place to be of my owne Name:
not heeding that there is a letter’s difference, which quite alters

Mr. Edw. Philips.

1 «Mr, Aubury erred in saying there was a circular ditch on Overton Hill.”
Stukeley’s Abury, p. 32.

2The name may have been in the book, as Malmsbury Abbey had a small
pension and a few shillings of tithe from Beckhampton in this parish. But
Abury Manor never belonged to Malmsbury Abbey.

318 Abury.

the signification of the words. For Aubery (Alberie] is a Christian
Name, as Godfrey or Rowland, &c., the / before a consonant is fre-
quently turned into wu by the Northern people. But begging par-
+*Et facilis euivis don for this digression to obviate the scornefull* smile,
ae iJarensatx. Leome back to the Etymologie. What bury [borough]
signifies, every one knows: but I was at a great losse for the mean-
+ He was Gover. ing of the first syllable [az], till Mr. Johannes Heysigt
peices pes a (a learned Swede) enformed me that 4}j° signifies
who is of the blood amnis, fluvius, fluentum, in lingua Suecicaé. Aw 1s not
cial Sie nas to be found in the Dutch, or Saxon Dictionairies: but
spe he affirmes, that Awisalways fluvius, and that eau in
French comes from Aw, or Aa’; as also ea, as in Eaton, which is a
name given to many waterish Townes, e.g. Eaton neer Windsor,
Water-Eaton in Oxfordshire, &c. So likewise ey and ay, as Ayton
in the North: Chelsey, Chertsey, &c.: so Breda, that is Broadwater.
At this Towne’s end [sc. Aubury] by the church, is a watery place,
w* (I thinke) is the source of the River Kynnet.
“ But after all that hath been said, I have a conceit, that Aubury
is a corruption of Albury that is, Oldbury; or the Old Borough:
changeing as is aforesaid 7 before a consonant, into wu: and well

agrees with the nature of this Old Place.””!

1 It is, upon the whole, not improbable that this last explanation is, after all,
the true one, and that the various names attached by corrupt pronunciation to
antiquities of a similar kind, as Aldborough, Albury, Arbury, Arbor, Aubury,
Abury, &c., are only so many different provincial varieties of Old-bury (old camp,
burying-place, or town). But if in this particular case the letter v is really
and properly one of the letters of the name, there must have been some different
origin, and what that was it is not easy to say. In the Sarum Registers (as
printed by Sir Thomas Phillipps,) it is constantly spelled Avebury, from 4.D.
1297 downwards. In the Valor Ecclesiasticus, it is printed, Abery, Aubery,
and Avebury. Bishop Tanner was for Avebury, and rebukes the Editors of the
Old Monasticon for ‘‘Anebury.” The last variety looks not unlike a corruption
of Avon: and in one of the Charters of Monkton Farley Priory dated, ec. 1255,
and printed in the New Monasticon, Walter and Osbert de Avenebiri occur as
witnesses. But it is not clear that this alluded to the place in Wiltshire. Itis
much more likely that it refers to Avenbury, near Bromyard in Herefordshire,
as one of the early Bohuns, Earls of Hereford and founders of Monkton Farley
Priory (by whom the charter is granted), married a Maud of ‘‘Avenbire,”’ be-
lieved to have been of Co. Hereford: and the witnesses above-mentioned would
probably be her relatives, Had the river Avon taken its source from, or flowed

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 319

The Beckhampton avenue escaped Aubrey’s notice ; and it does
not appear that he regarded Silbury Hill as in any way connected
with the ‘antiquitie’ to which it is so near.

Pepys passed through Abury in 1688, and thus describes what
he saw here and at Overton Hill. “In the afternoon came to
Abury, where seeing great stones like those of Stonehenge standing
up, I stopped, and took a countryman of that town, and he carried
me and showed me a place trenched in like Old Sarum almost, with
great stones pitched in it, some bigger than those at Stonehenge in
figure, to my great admiration: and he told me that most people
of learning coming by do come and view them, and that the King
(Charles II.) did so: and the mount cast hard by is called Silbury,
from one King Seall buried there, as tradition says. I gave this
man one shilling. So took coach again, seeing one place with great
high stones pitched round, which I believe was once a particular
building in some measure like that of Stonehenge. But about a
mile off, it was prodigious to see how full the downes are of great
stones; and all along the valley, stones of considerable bigness, most
of them certainly growing out of the ground: which makes me
think the less of the wonder of Stonehenge, for hence they might
undoubtedly supply themselves with stones as well as those at
Abury.””?!

Mr. Thomas Twining published in 1725 a work, entitled “Ave-
bury in Wiltshire, the remains of a Roman Work erected by Vespa-
sian and Julius Agricola during their several commands in Brittany,
a short essay humbly dedicated to the Right Hon’ The Earl of
Winchilsea.” In this treatise, he stated his belief that Abury was

near, Abury, the derivation would have been palpable. But unluckily it does
neither. The occurrence of the perplexing letter vin the name, perpetuated one
after another by the ‘ignorant scribes” denounced by the Antiquary, is pro-
bably to be attributed to the original spelling in Domesday Book, Avreberie,
where the copyist was left in a pleasing uncertainty as to whether he should con-
sider the second letter, w or v. With respect to the derivation, Abii, sug-
gested by one or two who conceived the Temple to have been connected with the
worship of the Cabiri or Abiri (‘‘the Three mighty ones”’), it is a theory that
has had very few advocates, and is not likely to have many more,
Rev, J. 2. Jackson,
‘ Pepys’s Diary, vol. iii. p. 466, 1854,

320 Abury.

a temple to Terminus, erected by the Romans under Vespasian to
mark the northern boundary of the Belgze, and that it had been .
constructed in the form of a wedge, which the Roman Geographers,
according to Tacitus, considered to be the shape of Britain. He
also maintained that upon the death of Titus Vespasian, “ Agricola
caused Selbury Hill to be cast up for his honorary monument.”
From the supposed resemblance of the temple and its adjuncts to
a wedge, Twining gave it the name ‘Cunetium.’ The accompanying
cut is reduced from Twining’s plan of Abury, which is interesting
from its inaccuracy and absurdity.

CUNETIUM. Romano-Britannicum Insule totius Secundum veterem Formam indigitans, sive
Circus Lapideus Aveburiensis Ad Ordinem primarium in dies periturum Revocatus.

Nerth De Salle 3 °
is . yiteg
° e e i

EastKennet

NB. The Cireus here
described is between
three and four miles.

e ° Me ° +
e 3 “Am, Be okha myplor AY
e
. = . . e
e e 7 e °
She ie bs ous The figure in SeHenrySavilsNotes on
Eire etek TacilusLife of Agricola p.205
° » Cui
e J
Ww aos e a Note. This Draught is intended only to shew the Ancient

order and form of the Work, not the exact number of stones,
after such multitudes have been carried off and destroyed.

From the discursive account of Twining, in which there is much
that is altogether irrelevant, all that bears on the actual condition
of Abury and its precincts, as observed by him in 1723, five years
after Dr. Stukeley’s first visit, is here introduced in his own words.

“T take Avebury to have been a temple to Terminus; and that
Mr. Cambden meeting with some such tradition, was inclined to

*

By Wiiliam Long, Esq., M.A. 821

think Selborough a boundary, as he doth in his Britannia, (§ 10,14). -
At Avebury (itself) with its many inward circles of stones (§ 14) the
solemnities began and concluded. The circular entrenchment so
contrived that the vulgar from thence might view the ceremonies
without breaking in on those that officiated (§ 14). Hence they
marched with ceremony along the double range of stones for a
mile in length, even to the eminence overlooking East Kennet ;
then halted at the two circles of stones one within another, standing
not long since entire. Some remains of the greater circle are yet
to be seen (§ 11). The inhabitants have a tradition this was once
a place of worship, as I verily believe it; the Romans here keeping
their Feralia, in memory of their dead friends, they crowned the
stones with garlands and made their offerings to the Manes (§ 12).
Then followed the Ludi Funebres in the small plain Selborough-
hill stands in; whither by turning to the right, the other range of
stones that helps form the Cuwneus (Cunetium, Kennet § 49, 50)
conducted them cross the current to a place by nature so fitted to
the purpose, (§ 12). Though the neighbouring ‘Backhampton’ is but
a small village, its name seems to discover somewhat of the extent
and use of the Circus (the whole Cwnetium, as he terms it, he defines
as a Circus Lapideus, of between three and four miles!) whether we
say that it stood on the back of the Circus, or that they returned
this way back in procession (§34). To the oblong part of the Cir-
cus this village joins, the Romans, I conceive, gave the name of
Discus, in our language a coit, one of the exercises here used.
Hence the large stones to the west, the remains of the Discus now
standing, are still called the ‘Devil’s Coits’? (Gale’s Iter, p. 135).
Not that these two stones were ever British Deities, as some learned
men have fancied, but a part of the Discus, as other stones lying in
the same field do shew, to justify the figure I have assigned the
whole” (§ 36).

It is observable, that Twining no where alludes to any stones re-

! He insists on the river Kennet “‘ rising within the work,” and so shows it in
his plan, though it really rises some miles farther north in the winter bourns,
giving their names to the villages so called.

* The stones called the ‘Deyil’s Arrows’ at Boroughbridge, Yorkshire, doubt-
less derive their name in the same way as these.

322 Abury.

maining between West Kennet and the long stones called the
‘ Devil’s Coits,’ nor any tradition of such. They may be clearly
concluded never to have existed except in his own fancy.

It was reserved for Dr. Stukeley! to give to the world, in 1748,
a detailed account of the plan upon which the temple at Abury
was constructed. He spent much time on the spot, surveyed
it thoroughly, reckoned the stones which were standing, those which
were prostrate, and the hollow places indicating the sites of those
which had been destroyed. And this he did not merely within the
vallum, but in the avenues and the ‘Sanctuary’ (as it was called) on
Kennet Hill. ‘ When I frequented this place,” he says, “as I did
for some years together, to take an exact account of it, staying a
fortnight at a time, I found out the entire work by degrees. The
second time I was here, an avenue was a new amusement. The
third year another. So that at length I discover’d the mystery of
it, properly speaking; which was, that the whole figure represented

1 The Rey. Wm. Stukeley, M.D., was born at Holbech in Lincolnshire, Noy.
7th, 1687. He was admitted into Bene’t College, Cambridge, Nov. 7th, 1703,
and chosen scholar there in April following. He applied himself to the study
of medicine and anatomy and took the degree of M.B, in 1709, and of M.D, in
1719. He practised for some time in Boston, in London, and in Grantham. In
1728 he married Miss Frances Williamson of Allington, near Grantham. Suf-
fering much from the gout during the winter months, it was customary with
him to take several journeys in the spring, in which he indulged his innate love
of antiquities. The fruit of these travels was the fol. ‘Itinerarium Curiosum,’
Centuria I., London, 1724. The 2nd volume was published in 1776, after his
death. In 1729 he was ordained by Archbishop Wake and presented by Lord Chan-
cellor King to the living of All Saints, Stamford. In 1787 he lost his wife,
and in 1738 he married the only daughter of Dr. Gale, Dean of York. In
1740 he published his account of Stonehenge, and in 1743 his description of
Abury. In 1747 he vacated his preferments in the country, being presented by
the Duke of Montagu to the Rectory of St. George’s, Queen Square, London.
On the 27th of February, 1765, Dr. Stukeley was seized with a paralytic stroke,
of which he died on the 3rd of March in his 78th year. He was buried, by his
own desire, in the Churchyard of East Ham, in Essex. He left three daughters
by his first wife, but had no child by the second. (Vide Nichols’s Lit, Aneed.
vol. v.) Dr. Stukeley’s MSS. were for some time in the possession of the late
Mr. Britton, and it is understood that a little before his death, he disposed of
them to one of the representatives of the Doctor’s family. It is to be hoped that
they may be subjected to a careful examination, with a view to the publication
of such portions as may still possess an antiquarian value.

EEL PP estas

PLATE iv.

broad Ainton

“Monkton —— ~~ ~~ ee

Sols Se

' i = : i Temple down? ~~
Dany nse iaNY : 2 == -- 2

co Led. Be gp ore

~Deuils catts!

——

==
= (y

Rasy

ST oe <S
. fii ., Tees Renna

Zu a CS Rash ote ‘ =e Kennitspring
— a ee ie rst
tira ogtey rt . = OS Long barroe Pe

mm "7 Via Badonica ~~.

—_

: ae LEST
akg pS
pa We O

Wye ESS SS

SSS SSS

SSS

SSS

Edw, Mite, del?
ABURY,INITS ORIGINAL STATE, AS SUPPOSED BY STUKELEY.

C/ g 7 ‘
a o. a. ALO7ITUY? <i 1? DIL
: 7 es :
a Vv aag Sterno jo abpi Uo aoUad2fiK
NIL2°) ’
Ad wW 1H. a Sak? £BE & TZ 7 ye
C 4 YONG 2Yy 12
‘ Auge

ATV TY
\

}

ar

e)

4 Ni ee | Ye
TOT TTT,
Wi, ei 7
\ by
WWW".

= = = = == —————

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 323

a snake transmitted thro’ a circle; this is an hieroglyphic, or sym-
bol of highest note and antiquity.”

That the avenues and the circles on Overton (or rather Kennet)
‘Hill existed originally in the form laid down by Stukeley, cannot
reasonably be doubted. Fanciful and credulous as he may occa-
sionally appear, he evidently aimed at accuracy and/truthfulness.
At the period of his frequent sojournings at Abury, much had
been done in the way of destruction, but it had been done for
the most part within the memory of the existing generation,
so that the Doctor was able to satisfy himself respecting’ the
site, the destroyer, and the mode of destruction of almost every
missing stone. ‘The custom of destroying them,” he writes, “is
so late, that I could easily trace the obit of every stone; who did
it; for what purpose, and when, and by what method, what house
or wall was built out of it, and the like. Every year that I fre-
quented this country, I found several of them wanting; but the
places very apparent whence they were taken. So that I was well
able, as then, to make a perfect ground-plot of the whole, and all
its parts. This is now 20 years ago. Tis to be fear’d, that had
it been deferr’d till this time (1740) it would have been impossible.”
He describes with minuteness the particular portions of the temple
and avenues which were laid low in his time by Farmers Green
and Griffin, and by Tom Robinson, (whose ugly face with a bird of
ill omen hovering over it, and his manner of breaking the stones
are commemorated in the vignette to page 53 of his work); and
does not fail to make honorable mention of Sir Robert Holford, Mr.
Charles Tucker, and Reuben Horsall, the Parish Clerk of that day,
who all resented these ruthless proceedings, and will be held in
grateful remembrance by succeeding generations of English
Archeeologists.

Should any visitor of the antiquities of Abury be sceptical as to
the form and extent of them, I would recommend him to walk
down the road to Kennet, and observe the remains of the
avenue on the right hand side of the road. He could not look
upon those two stones and nine stumps of stones and feel a doubt

: Page 16.

324 Abury.

that they had formed a portion of such an avenue as Stukeley
has described. The result of the Doctor’s long and careful investi-
gations, made as they were before the work of destruction had
proceeded too far, was to establish, to his own satisfaction, not only
the form of this stupendous work, but the actual number of stones of
which each component part had been constructed. He found that
the large outer circle within the mound and fosse had been composed
of 100 large and unhewn stones, placed about 27 feet asunder. Of
these there are at present remaining 10 erect and 8 prostrate, and
of some of these last the stumps are so embedded in a bank, as to
be almost hidden from view. The dimensions of the two stones of
this circle near the turnpike are as follows!:—That nearest the road
is 13 feet high, 16 feet wide, and 4 feet thick; the other is 13 feet
10 inches high, 18 feet wide, and 5 feet 6 inches thick. Five stones
or portions of stones marked as recumbent in Sir R. Hoare’s® plan
have since disappeared, and a sixth, of which a portion then re-
mained above ground, is now reduced to the level of the surrounding
meadows.

Within this large outer circle were two smaller ones, not con-
centric, each, according to Stukeley, composed of thirty stones.*

Of the southern of these circles two stones remain erect and three
prostrate. Three recumbent stones marked in early impressions of
Sir R. Hoare’s survey of 1812, were removed between that year

1 The measurements have in all instances been made at the highest, broadest, ¥
and thickest parts, and were taken for me by Mr. Shepherd, land surveyor, of 3
Abury. i

2 It is impossible to write this name without feeling how great arethe claims
of Sir R. Hoare upon the gratitude of all English Antiquaries for the two mag-
nificent and truly precious volumes which compose his ‘‘ Ancient Wiltshire.”
The first was published in 1812, the second in 1819. Mr. Crocker’s surveys are
of great value, and greatly enhance the importance of the work. I will take
this opportunity of tendering my best thanks to John Gough Nichols, Esq., the
proprietor of the copper-plates of the ‘Ancient Wiltshire,’ for the courteous,
prompt, and kind manner in which he acceded to my application for the loan of
the three plates of plans, which have been so skilfully transferred to the stone
by Mr. West, and which have been adapted to the state of Abury at the present
time.

3 It would be difficult to make out Stukeley’s double circles in Aubrey’s sketch.

It will be seen from plate 2, sec. 1., that the latter makes the diameter of the
northern circle considerably larger than that of the southern.

Vlace of a sy taken aay
— Cavity vasibpdyiere @ Stone stood.

t
&
€

King Store

ft

Beckhampton “2 07 ae i 4
Avenue a & if

os

Kennet
Wee

OW Wiese Lith? London
THE TEMPLE AT ABURY,
Surveyed by Di Stukeley. wn 1724.

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 325
and 1819. Mr. Lawrence, the venerable Clerk of Abury, pointed

out to me their sites in a garden adjoining his own.

Of the northern circle three stones (one of them much reduced
in size) are now erect and one prostrate. One which was standing
when Sir Richard Hoare described Abury has since been broken
up. It projected into the road leading to Winterbourne Monkton,
as may be seen in Stukeley’s large plan; and as the carters were
constantly driving against it, it was removed when the road was
widened, and its fragments now form the wall which serves for the
eastern boundary of the road.

Within each of these two circles Stukeley thinks there was a con-
centric circle of twelve stones. Of that within the northern circle,
the last remaining stone when Mr. Crocker’s survey for Sir R.
Hoare was made in 1812, was removed about thirty years ago, as
it unfortunately stood near the entrance to the farmer’s rick yard.
Of that within the southern circle nothing now remains.

Within the northern of these circles, in its centre, were three
very large stones which formed the Adytum or Cove of the
Temple, as Stukeley termed it. ‘These were plac’d with an
obtuse angle towards each other, and as it were, upon an ark of
a circle, like the great half-round at the east end of some old
Cathedrals.”! Of these two remain, standing at an angle of
about 110 degrees. The’ third, 7 yards in length, fell in 1713,
and was broken up. The taller of the two is 17 feet high, 7 feet
7 inches wide, and 2 feet 4 inches thick. The other is 14 feet 7
inches high, 14 feet 7 inches wide, and 4 feet thick. “The altar
properly lay upon the ground before this superb nich. That no
doubt was carry’d off long ago, as not being fix’d in the earth.’”?
The late Mr. Brown of Amesbury says, “Before the central one of
the three, facing, (like the altar trilithon of Stonehenge) the north
east, was placed the stone on which the sacrifices were burnt. This
I ascertained myself by digging, the place being still apparent
where it lay, but now filled up with rubbish.”* In an interesting
paper on the state of Abury in 1829, in the Gentleman’s Magazine,
'Stukeley’s Abury, p. 23. “The vulgar call them ‘the Devil’s brand irons.’ p, 24,

* Do. p. 24. * Brown’s Stonehenge and Abury, 4th edition, p. 34.

326 Abury.

Mr. Joseph Hunter states that he was informed by a labourer that
the earth had been examined to the depth of a yard or more, at the
foot of these stones, to see if there were any evidences of sacrifices
having been performed there, but nothing peculiar was observed.

In the centre of the southern inner circle of twelve stones was one
stone, described by Stukeley as having been of a circular form at
the base, of a vast bulk, 21 feet long, 8 feet 9 inches in diameter,
and when standing, higher than the rest. It formed, in Stukeley’s
opinion, the “ Kibla,” “ Ambre,” or central obelisk of this temple.
Nothing now remains of it.

In the southern end of the line that connected the two centres of
these temples, and between the southern temple and the circumval-
lation, a single stone was standing in Stukeley’s time. It was not
of great bulk, but it had a hole wrought in it, to which Stukeley
thought that the victim was attached before it was slain. This,
which he called the “Ring Stone,” has entirely disappeared.}

With respect to the mode of arrangement of the stones compos-
ing these circles, Stukeley says, “that as they generally have a rough

1 Number of Stones calculated to be standing or fallen, at different periods:

Avuprry,| STUKELEY, peer Lone,
1663. | 1724, 1819,’ | 1897.
Standing Standing’ Fallen | Standing Standin
} 5 bod t=} gs
Outer Oirolewk 100...0....-.2) 31.. (© 218 “1, 28 10 10
Northern outer Cirele........ 4+ 9 £ 3
55 ) inner Circle... ... 16* i 5 1
», central cove stones. . 3 2 2 2
Southern outer Circle..... _ 4°" 4\e ,.10 2 2
», inner Cirele....... 21* ty a)
1 and 12re-
> fea elma Lata cumbent.
Rung Stones 2..c.ciqhe sao sie\s.5 2 1 1 |

* As Aubrey’s plan does not recognize the distinction of inner and outer circles in the Northern
and Southern temples, the numbers he gives are reckoned together.

+ From Stukeley’s plan it would appear that only 3 stones of this circle were then standing. He
has, however, marked the half-remaining stoue next to stone g in Sir R. Hoare’s plan, as recumbent
instead of erect, as it now is.

Panay et
wily bi

Fee ee

ie ¥

ny ‘

é
i
==
=
=)

‘
Y
7"

5 nt

Eps

The trea ef they Work confiny 98 acres and 27 porch.
: CORI

The Circumpirence of this Work on 7 rider of the vallum ts 1112 fi.

hickhanplon

Line

A Keine)
© Wenne

Vhe stones marked, thay « have been removed belweer, J1.9& L557,

uly
}

Section of’ the Vallum

WWhist Lith Lenden

THE TEMPLE AT ABURY.

’

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 827

and a smoother side, care was taken to place the most sightly side
inwards, towards the included area.” ‘They set the largest and
handsomest stones in the more conspicuous parts of the temple,
which is that southward, and about the entrances of the two
avenues.”

THE VALLuM.

The vallum or rampart enclosing the great circle at Abury, and
which, unlike military works, has the fosse adjoining it on the in-
side,! contains, according to Sir Richard Hoare, an area of 28 acres
and 27 perches, and has a circumference of 4,442 feet.? It is not
quite circular, being from the Kennet entrance to the opposite side
1170 feet, and from the Beckhampton entrance to its opposite side
1260 feet wide. It rises 34 feet above the surrounding field and
descends into a fosse 9 feet wide at the bottom, at a depth of 33 feet
below the level of the meadows in the interior. The whole slope
of the vallum on the inside is upwards of 70 feet, and about half-
way between the top of the mound and the bottom of the fosse is a
flat ledge, 12 feet wide, supposed to have been for spectators at the
public festivals. In making its circuit, the visitor will come upon
a portion near the church which has been obliterated. Dr. Stukeley
says respecting it, ““ When the Lord Stowell, who own’d the manor
of Abury, leyell’d the vallum on that side of the town next the
church, where the barn now stands, the workmen came to the
original surface of the ground, which was easily discernible by a
black stratum of mold upon the chalk. Here they found large
quantities of buck’s horns, bones, oyster shells, and wood coals.
The old man who was employ’d in the work says, there was the
quantity of a cart-load of the horns, that they were very rotten, that
there were very many burnt bones among them. They were the
remains of sacrifices.’’

1 At Stonehenge the ditch is on the outside of the vallum.

2 «The compass of this, on the outside, Mr, Roger Gale and I measured about
4800 feet, August 16th, 1721.” Stukeley’s Abury, p. 20. Aubrey’s plan of
the vallum, taken with the plane table, is more correct than Stukeley’s, and
nearly resembles that of Mr. Crocker, ‘‘It was projected” he says, ‘‘ by the
halfe inch scale.” *,

Stukeley’s Abury, p. 27.

328 Abury.

THe AvENUES AND SANCTUARY.

We now proceed to the avenues, each of which was composed of
200 stones, and was of a sinuous course, and about a mile and a half
in length. The head of the serpent, (which reptile the whole work
was supposed by Stukeley to have been designed to represent,)
rested on Overton or Kennet Hill, and the tail extended from
Abury in the direction of Beckhampton. The head was called the
“Sanctuary,” and was composed of two concentric ovals, the outer
containing 40, the inner 18 stones.!. The diameter of the outer
oval, according to Stukeley, was 138 feet 4 inches by 155 feet 6
inches. That of the inner one was 44 feet 11 inches by 51 feet 103
inches. Of these circles, as he found them in 1723, Stukeley gives an
engraving.? They stood in what is still called Mill Field, and their
sites are shown in Nos. 20, 21, and 29 of Stukeley’s illustrations.
Farmer Green took away the stones and Farmer Griffin ploughed
up the ground, in 1724. ‘The loss of this work,” says Stukeley,’
“T did not lament alone; but all the neighbours (except the person
that gain’d the little dirty profit) were heartily griev’d for it. It
had a beauty that touch’d them far beyond those much greater
circles in Abury town. The stones here were not large, set pretty
close together, the proportions of them with the intervals, and the
proportions between the two circles, all being taken at one view

1 «Tt can hardly now be thought that the number was really 19, as some have
supposed, e.g. the Rev. E. Duke, ‘ Druidical Temples of Wiltshire,’ p. 64, 178.
Several megalithic circles in Cornwall are of 19 stones, also the inner oval at
Stonehenge, as is thought; and each side of the avenue at Classerness ; in all of
which the number 19 is with some reason believed to refer to the Metonie Cycle.”
—[Dr. Thurnam. ]

2 For Aubrey’s account of these circles on Overton Hill, see above p. 317, and
for his plan of them, see plate 3, fig. 1. He makes the diameter of the outer
circle 45 paces, of the inner 16; the outer circle to consist of 22 stones, the
inner of 15, There are no traces on his plan of the cireular trench around it,
which he mentions in his description. The mode in which the avenue narrowed
and bent at its junction with the outer circle, as shown by him, is very curious,
and favours the notion of a dracontine form.

3Jt is difficult to discover the extent of Stukeley’s acquaintance with the
‘Monumenta Britannica.’ With reference to the ‘Sanctuary,’ he writes as if
he had not seen more than the short account published in Gibson’s edition of
Camden’s ‘ Britannia;’ while it is clear from pages 33;and 45 of his ‘‘ Abury,”
that he must have known more of the MS. than is there printed.

By Wiliam Long, Esq., M.A. 327

under the eye, charmed them. The great stones of the great circles
at Abury were not by them discern’d to stand in circles, nor could
they easily be persuaded of it. But these of the sanctuary they
still talk of with pleasure and regret.”

Outside this temple, and at a little more than a foot below the
surface, Dr. Toope, then living at Marlborough, found in 1678 the
ground full of human skulls and bones. The feet lay towards the
temple. In a letter to Aubrey, from which an extract is given be-
low, the Doctor describes his discovery, as well as the professional
use which he made of it, for the benefit of his fortunate patients at
Marlborough.! “Mr. Aubrey says, sharp and form’d flints were
found among them.”

Tue Kenner AVENUE.

Of the Kennet avenue, the eastern part of which represented the
neck of the serpent, and which narrowed as it mounted, Kennet
Hill to join the head, Stukeley says, “Mr. Smith living here, in-
formed me that when he was a schoolboy, the Kennet avenue was
entire, from end to end.” As however the stones composing it
covered a few feet of ground which the Greens and Griffins coveted,

1“Tn Wilts, between Kinnett and Overton, on the lands of one Captayne
Walter Grubb, I approach’d workmen digging not far off the roade; I inquir’d
their digging, who answer’d, ‘making new boundaries to enclose for French grasse
or 5 foile.’ Said the men, ‘we throw up many bones here, but know not of what
creatures.’ I quickly perceiy’d they were humane, and came the next day and
dugg for them, and stored myselfe with many bushells, of which I made a noble
medicine that relieved many of my distressed neighbours: the bones large, and
almost rotten, but the teeth extreme and wonderfully white, hard and sound.
(No tobacco taken in those daies.) About eighty yards from it is a large spher-
ical foundation, (he means circular) whose diameter is forty yards, by which you
know the circuit. Within this large temple there is another orbe, whose sphere is
15 yards in diameter ; round about this temple a most exact plaine and superficies ;
under this superficies layd the bones soe close one by another, that scul toucheth
seul, -I exposed 2 or 3, and never took up a bone of them to observe and see in
what manner they lay. I perceived their fect lay toward the temple, and but
little more than a foot under the superficies. At the fect of the first order, I
saw lay the heads of the next, as above, their fect intending the tency aS |
really believe the whole plaine, on that even ground, is full of dead bodies,”
(Dr. R. Toope to Mr, Aubrey, from Bristoll, 1 Dee., 1685.)
Note by Mr. Aubrey relating to the above letter. ‘(This was discovered in
1678, and Dr. Toope was lately at the Golgotha again to supply a defect of
medicine he had from hence.”
* Stukeley’s Abury, p, 33

328 Abury.

a war of extermination was waged against them; and when the
stubborn blocks refused to succumb to fire and the hammer, they
were buried in pits dug about them; “Two of them lie six feet
under ground in the premises of Mr. Butler of Kennet, and over
another the Bath road passes.”! The work of destruction has been
so successfully carried out that only 19 stones, or their stumps, are
now visible between West Kennet and Abury; four in the bank on
the left hand side of the road from Marlborough as it enters Kennet,
and which can only be seen by going into the adjoining field;? two
on the Abury side of Kennet, between which the road passes; eleven
in the field on the left of the road; one on the brow of the hill by
the road side; and one close to the turnpike gate outside the val-
lam. Measuring the breadth of the avenue in several places, where
Stukeley “had an opportunity of two opposite stones being left, he
found a difference; and the like by measuring the interval of stones
sideways; yet there was the same proportion preserved between
breadth and interva], which he found to be as 2 to 3. So that by
Abury town in a part that represented the belly of the snake, the
breadth of the avenue was 34 cubits (564 feet) and the intervals of
the stones sides 50 cubits (863 feet,) the proportion of 2 to 3.’
Upon the ground plan on the opposite page, the distances between
the eleven stones, above mentioned, are laid down. The only stone
now standing is 8 feet 9 inches high, 9 feet 9 inches wide, and 3 feet
thick. The stone nearer Kennet, but on the same side of the road
from Abury, is 7 feet high, 3 feet 6 inches thick, and 5 feet wide.
Mr. Shepherd of Abury, who took these measurements for me, in-
formed me that he well remembered the removal, about 35 years
ago, of three stones near this last, all on the right hand side of
the road from Abury. The horses used to shy at them in the dusk
of the evening, and bolt down the bank on the other side of the

The Rey. J. B. Deane’s “Worship of the Serpent traced throughout the
World,” p. 381, 1833.

2 These four stones lie about 30 paces apart. That these were the original,
or nearly the original distances, seems confirmed by Stukeley’s 20th plate.

® Stukeley, p. 29. In the Charter of Athelstane quoted hereafter, will be
found the earliest notice (probably) of this avenue, or indeed of any part of
Abury.

By William Long, Esq., M.A.

road.! The stones composing this avenue
were, according to Stukeley, “of all shapes,
sizes, and height that happen’d, altogether
rude.” Some which he measured were 6 feet
thick and 16 in circumference. “If of a flattish
make, the broadest dimension was set in the
line of the avenue, and the most sightly side
of the stone inward. The founders were sens-
ible, all the effect desired in the case, was
their bulk and regular station.’
THe BeckHAMPTON AVENUE.

The Beckhampton avenue which, according
to Stukeley, formed the tail of the sacred rep-
tile, and like the other, was composed, as he
calculated, of 200 stones, left the vallum nearly
at the W. point, and passing by the south side
of what is now the churchyard, took the di-
rection of Beckhampton. It was about the
same length as the Kennet avenue, and nar-
rowing gradually ended (as he believed), in a
single stoneinalow valley onthedown between
the Devizes and Calne roads, near a fine group
of barrows.’ Stukeley speaks of ten stones
of this avenue known to have been standing
within memory, between the exit of the
avenue from the vallum and the brook. Four

1“Mr, Butler of Kennet informed me, in 1829,
that these stones were removed by order of the Trus-
tees of the Turnpike Road for the reason alleged by
Mr. Shepherd, viz.; because horses used to shy at
them! Mr. Butler did all he could to dissuade the
Magistrates and Farmers from destroying them, but
they were inexorable.”—(Rey. J. B. Deane, 1857.)

? Stukeley’s Abury, p. 30. Aubrey’s sketch of this
avenue (pl. ii. fig. 2,) was doubtless drawn from me-
mory, and hence its obvious inaccuracies,

* Of ten barrows composing this group, four only
have escaped the plough. ~

*NUIAY JOUUIY oY} JO suteMat ay} Jo UoYAOd v Jo uTg punorH

330 Abury.

stones were visible between this point and the entrance of the avenue
upon the open cultivated fields. ‘‘ When it has cross’d the way lead-
ing from South street, we discern here and there the remains of it, in
its road to Longstone Cove. Farmer Griffin broke near 20 of the
stones of this part of the avenue.” The two large stones near the Long
barrow stand “on the midway of the length of the avenue,” and are
“placed upon an eminence, the highest ground which the avenue
passes over.” One of these stones set upon the are of a circle at
an obtuse angle with two others, which have disappeared, formed a
cove resembling that in the centre of the northern temple at Abury,
of which Aubrey has preserved a sketch. The stone now standing
is 16 feet high, as many broad, and 3} thick, and formed the eastern
jamb of the cove. The back stone, of like dimension, which was
lying on the ground when Stukeley wrote, has been removed many
years; while the third was carried away by Richard Fowler when
Stukeley was at Abury. Aubrey, in his ‘Monumenta Britannica,’
thus speaks of the stones he saw at this spot; “Southward from
Aubury in the ploughed field, doe stand three huge upright stones,
perpendicularly, like the three stones at Aubury; they are called
the Devill’s Coytes.” (See plate viii. 2.1) Dr. Musgrave speaks
of them as ‘Diaboli Disci,’ and says that Dr. Gale considered them
to have been Belgic Herme.? Of the stones which formed the part
of the avenue between Abury and this cove, Stukeley says, “Many
stones by the way are just buried under the surface of the earth.
Many lie in the balks and meres, and many fragments are remov’d
to make boundaries for the fields; but more whole ones have been
burnt to build withal, within every body’s memory. One stone still

1 Aubrey’s sketch gives the position, not the form of these stones. For a re-
presentation of the remaining one, see Hoare’s ‘Ancient Wilts,’ ii. pl. xv. f. 2.

2 «De lapidibus altis immense magnitudinis quos Diaboli Discos appellat vul-
gus, plurime sunt conjecture, quarum unam alibi tangam.” Musgrave’s ‘ Bel-
gium Britannicum,’ vol. i. p. 44, 1719. ‘‘Sed ut hanc rem extra dubium ponam
doctissimus Galzeus, in explicandis veterum monumentis cum primis sagax, Agro
Cunetioni vicino (est illud oppidulum Belgii) tres lapides pyramidales esse tradit,
quos Hermas esse non sine ratione judicat, iisque non absimiles, quos propeIsurium
(Aldborough) inventos ere insculpi fecit. Tres erant hujusmodi lapides in
hoe agro, ut in Isuriano, et forte ad eundem usum nempe viam commonstrandam,
unde Mercurius dicebatur evddi0s.” Ibid, p. 111.

PLATE vill.

Bdw, Kile, adel.
1. SHELVING STONE IN MONKTON FIELDS.
2. THE DEVILS COITS.
FROM AUBREY'S ‘MONUMENTA BRITANNICA.’

By Wiiliam Long, Esq., M.A. 301

remains standing, near Longstone Cove.’’! Describing the course of
the ayenue from the cove towards its end, he says, “The avenue con-
tinu’d its journey by the corn-fields. Three stones lie still by the
field-road coming from South street to the Caln road. Mr. Alex-
ander told me he remember’d several stones standing by the parting
of the roads under Bekamton, demolish’d by Richard Fowler. Then
it descends by the road to Cherill, till it comes to the Bath road,
close by the Roman road, and there in the low valley it terminates,
near a fine group of barrows, under Cherill-hill, in the way to Old-
bury-camp; this is west of Bekamton village.” .... ‘In this
very point only you can sce the temple on Overton Hill, on the
south side of Silbury Hill. Here I am sufficiently satisfied this
avenue terminated, at the like distance from Abury-town, as Over-
ton Hill was, in the former avenue; 100 stones on a side, 6000
cubits in length, ten stadia or the eastern mile. Several stones are
left dispersedly on banks and meres of the lands. One great stone
belonging to this end of the avenue, lies buried almost under
ground, in the plow’d land between the barrow west of Longstone
long barrow, and the last hedge in the town of Bekamton. Richard
Fowler shew’d me the ground here, whence he took several stones
and demolish’d them. I am equally satisfied there was no temple
or circle of stones at thisendofit”. . . . Had there been, “it would
most assuredly have been well known, because every stone was
demolish’d within memory when I was there. I apprehend this
end of the avenue drew narrower in imitation of the tail of a snake,
and that one stone stood in the middle of the end, by way of
close.’”

I have been more particular in giving a full account of this
avenue, as the question naturally arises, how far should Aubrey’s
silence respecting the Beckhampton avenue affect our faith in Stuke-
ley’s description of it ?? Aubrey and Dr. Musgrave, both mention

1 This stone, the solitary remnant of the Beckhampton avenue, is still stand-
ing (1857). It is shown to the N. of the Cove Stone in the large ground plan,
and it is figured in ‘Ancient Wilts,’ ii. pl. xv. 2.

; * Stukeley’s Abury, pp. 34, 35, 36, and plates i., xxiv., and xxv,

5 Tt is possible that Mr. E. Philips’s information (see p. 317) may have referred
to some of the buildings in the neighbourhood of ‘South Street’, on the line of
this avenue.

332 Abury.

the ‘Devil’s Coits’ only, and we have no one to speak to the fact of
there having been other stones in that neighbourhood but Twining,
who mentions “other stones lying in the same field.” It must, how-
ever, be observed that the course of the Beckhampton avenue from
Abury is of a more private character than that of the Kennet avenue.
It does not adjoin any public road until it approaches Beckhampton,
and it passed for the most part over fields, which have been for a
long time in cultivation. Scattered stones might therefore have
been lying about on the line of it which would not attract the
notice of a careless observer, while the great size of the stones called
the ‘Devil’s Coits’ would throw smaller ones into the shade. And
except in the open fields leading to Beckhampton, it would have
been difficult, one would think, to find any stones remaining; as,
unlike the line of the other avenue, this one has a great many
cottages and a bridge on its course, which would naturally be con-
structed out of so convenient a quarry. Many stones, too, besides those
brought thither by Farmer Green, must have been used in building
at Beckhampton. It is very likely that Stukeley’s “original me-
moirs which he wrote on the spot very largely,” and of which he
adds ‘‘that it was necessary for him then to do it, in order to get
a thorough intelligence of it,” (p. 16), may throw further light upon
this matter and help to clear up the question, how far his Dracon-
tian theory, as applied to Abury, had its origin in facts; or how far
his fancy for that particular theory may have led him to supply from
his own imagination the deficiencies in the evidence necessary for its
support. It must, at present, be admitted that the evidence for this
western avenue is of a much less decisive character than that for the
eastern. Different minds will regard it in different ways. Some
will think that it extended no further than the “Cove” or “ Long
Stones;”’ some that it ended, like that leading to Kennet, in a
circle, or double circle of stones; whilst others, among whom the
favorers of Ophite theories of various kinds will be found, will
with Stukeley, (and perhaps truly,) see in its “disjecta membra”
the tail of the Great Serpent, forming an avenue of equal length
with that which leads to Kennet.

By William Long, Esq., WA. 333

Tue Sarsen Sronzs.

The entire number of stones composing the serpent in its course
from Overton to Beckhampton, including those within the circuit
of the vallum, was calculated by Stukeley to be 650. They were
brought from the adjoining vallies, and are thus described by Aubrey
in his ‘Natural History of Wiltshire;’ “They are also (far from the
rode) commonly called Sarsdens, or Sarsdon stones. About two or
three miles from Andover is a village called Sersden, i.e. Csars dene,
perhaps don : Czsar’s dene, Czesar’s plains; now Salisbury plaine. (So
Salisbury, Cesaris Burgus.) But I have mett with this kind of stones
sometimes as far as from Christian Malford in Wilts to Abington;
and on the downes about Royston, &c., as far as Huntington, are
here and there those Sarsden stones. They peep above the ground
a yard and more high, bigger and lesser. Those that lie in the
weather are so hard that no toole can touch them. They take a
good polish. As for their colour, some are a kind of dirty red,
towards porphyry; some perfect white; some dusky white; some
blew like deep blew marle; some of a kind of olive greenish colour ;
but generally they are whitish. Many of them are mighty great
ones, and particularly those in Overton Wood. Of these kind of
stones are framed the two stupendous antiquities of Aubury and
Stone-heng. . . . Sir Christopher Wren sayes they doe pitch all
one way, like arrowes shot. . . . Sir Christopher thinks they were
cast up by a vulcano.’”!

Stukeley’s theory respecting the Sarsen stones is amusing enough;
“This whole country, hereabouts, is a solid body of chalk, cover’d
with a most delicate turf. As this chalky matter harden’d at crea-
tion, it spew’d out the most solid body of the stones, of greater
specific gravity than itself; and assisted by the centrifuge power,
owing to the rotation of the globe upon its axis, threw them upon
its surface, where they now lic. This is my opinion concerning
this appearance, which I often attentively consider’d.’””

Mr. Cunnington, who is as distinguished an illustrator of the
geology of his native county, as his grandfather was of its primeval

“Tp, 44, Sco the account of a plain of stones near Marseilles, in Strabo B. iv.
- : Stukeley’s ‘ Abury,’ p. 16. Sce also his ‘Stonehenge,’ pp. 4, 6.

304 Abury.

antiquities, in a communication to the Devizes Gazette, in June 1852,
says; ‘The composition of the Sarsens is nearly pure silex, that is,
they consist of fine silicious sand, agglutinated by a silicious cement
—a process which may be familiarly illustrated by what may be
observed when a small quantity of water is dropped into a basin of
dry, granular sugar; a portion of the sugar dissolves, and causes
the grains to adhere to each other, thus forming a mass which on
drying becomes solid.

“They contain no carbonate of lime, and the slight trace of oxide
of iron may be due to the infiltration of ferruginous particles
from the neighbouring soil, as it may be remarked that the exterior
of the stones only is stained with iron, the interior being generally
beautifully white. Mr. R. Clark, chemist, of Devizes, has recently
confirmed this opinion by a fresh analysis. They appear to contain
no saline particles whatever, and the dampness observed on walls
built with this material is due to the precipitation of the moisture
of the atmosphere upon the cold surface of the stone.

_ “With regard to the origin of these remarkable masses of rock,
but few facts have been absolutely established. An examination of
the MSS. of Mr. Cunnington, the antiquary, has recently brought
to light the interesting fact that William Smith, “the father of
English geology,” was the first who advanced the opinion, still held
by our leading geologists, that an extensive stratum of sand, con-
taining these stones, once covered the chalk in these districts; that
the softer portions were carried away by the action of water, leav-
ing the solid blocks behind, on the surface.

“That they belong to the ‘tertiary formations’ (the strata above
the chalk) is evident, from the fact that they frequently contain
chalk flints: these having been, in all probability, derived from the
destruction of elevated and exposed portions of the chalk stratum.
That the Sarsens were not transported from any great distance
would also appear from the circumstance that they are co-extensive
with and confined to, the surface of the chalk, from the wolds of
Yorkshire to the hills of Sidmouth in Devonshire. Instances, how-
ever, occur (although the contrary has lately been asserted) where,
as stated by Dr. Buckland, (Geol. Trans. vol. ii. p. 1), they have

—————————

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 335

been drifted beyond the present area of the chalk, for example, at
Portisham in Dorsetshire.

“With the exception of some traces of vegetables (apparently
fucoids) no organic remains have been found in these rocks; hence
it is difficult to ascertain to what member of the tertiary series they
belonged: but it may be remarked that they have a great resem-
blance to some of the sands of the Bagshot sand formation. The
finding of a few shells in the Sarsens would go far to give them a
respectable “ /ocus standi” among other rocks. The Sarsen stones
have furnished the materials for the construction of the whole of
the Druidical temple of Avebury, and the outer circle and the large
trilithons of Stonehenge as well as the Cromlech at Clatford, and
other similar remains in various parts of England.! From this cir-
cumstance the term “Druid sand-stone” has been applied to them
by geologists. It may not be amiss to notice here one other cir-
cumstance connected with these stones. From time to time fresh
blocks appear above the surface of the earth, and the plough occa-
sionally strikes on one hidden in a field, where similar operations
had been carried on for years, without any such obstruction pre-
senting itself. This has induced the country people to adopt the
belief (to which they adhere most pertinaciously), that stones grow.
Such appearances, however, are readily accounted for when we
remember that the earth surrounding these stones is constantly
being reduced in level (especially in sloping fields) by the combined
action of the plough and atmospheric influences; whilst the stones
themselves, resting on a solid bed of chalk or gravel, cannot sink
lower.

“The abundance of these remains, particularly in some of the
vallies of North Wilts, is very remarkable. Few persons who have
not seen them, can form an adequate idea of the extraordinary
scene presented to the spectator, who, standing on the brow of one
of the hills near Clatford, sees, stretching for miles before him,
countless numbers of these gigantic stones, occupying the middle
of the valley, and winding like a mighty stream towards the south.

‘ Amongst others the stones of Weland’s Smitty, near the White Horee, in
Berkshire.

336 Abury.

Three or four small lateral vallies, containing a similar deposit,
and converging to the main valley, add to the impression which
almost involuntarily forces itself on the mind, that it must be a
stream of rocks, e’en now flowing onward.

“The lichens growing on the surface give a delicate blue tint to
the stones, and when seen by the light of the afternoon’s sun,
especially towards the close of the summer season, the tout ensemble
presents a picture of striking and peculiar beauty.

“The specifiic gravity of Sarsen stone is about 2500 or 13 times
greater than that of water. The weight per cubic foot is 154 lbs
The length of the largest stone at Stonehenge is 25 feet. The
weight of the largest stone at Avebury (in the cove of the north
circle of the temple), being probably the most massive Sarsen in
Wilts, is 62 tons. A larger specimen stood in the same structure
a few years since, but is now unhappily destroyed, the weight of
which was not less than 90 tons.”

In a subsequent communication to the same paper (June, 1853),
Mr. Cunnington says, “Some important information as to the origi-
nal stratum from which these masses of rock were derived, has
lately been communicated to the Geological Society by Jos. Prest-
wich, Esq., F.G.S. Mr. Prestwich is of opinion that they belonged
to a series of beds beneath the London Clay, which he proposes to
call the ‘Woolwich and Reading beds,’ and which constitute the
second group above the chalk, in the South Eastern districts of
England.

“The mottled clays adjacent to the chalk at Alum Bay in the
Isle of Wight, the sands and mottled clays of Hungerford, New-
bury and Reading and the shelly strata of Woolwich, all belong to
this group. In some localities (as at Nettlebed Hill, near Oxford)
masses of rock similar to the Sarsen stones of the Wiltshire Downs,
may be seen in their original position in the beds of sand: and near
Dieppe there is a continuous bed of them a mile in length.

“Tn this county, however, not only the Woolwich and Reading
beds, but the associated tertiary strata, have mostly been removed
by some powerful agency. The only remaining traces of them are
to be found in the outliers of sand and clay in the neighbourhood

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 337
of Marlborough, and on the higher hills of Salisbury Plain, and in

the blocks of sandstone (Sarsens) which are so numerous on some
of our downs. The latter are most interesting, as having supplied
the whole of the material of the temple of Avebury and the larger
stones of Stonehenge.”

Srzgury Huo.

I must proceed to say a few words respecting that remarkable
conical and artificial mound, Silbury Hill, which stands due south
of the great circle, and midway between the extremities of the
avenues. Its name is supposed, by some, to be derived from the
Anglo-Saxon words ‘Sil’ or ‘Sel,’ great, and ‘bury,’ mound:! by
others, Silbury is interpreted to mean the ‘hill of the sun,’ and to
have had a similar dedication to that of the hills of Salisbury and
Sulisbury at Sarum and Bath. This great work is supposed by Mr.
Davies (‘Celtic Researches’) to have been the third of the mighty
labours of the Island of Britain, viz., the piling up of the Mount of
Assemblies. Upon this subject, Sir R. Hoare says, “In the Welsh
Traids, perhaps some allusion may have been made to this stately
mount, in the fourteenth Triad.” ‘The three mighty labours of the
Island of Britain: erecting the Stone of Ketti; constructing the
work of Emrys ; and heaping the pile of Cyvrangon.’ The Stone
of Ketti is, upon good authority, supposed to be a great cromlech,
in the district of Gower in Glamorganshire, still retaining the title

? Aubrey’s account of Silbury is as follows. ‘‘I returne now to the Mausolea
of our owne countrey, and will first set down Silbury Hill in Wiltshire, a little
on the right hand of the rode from Marleborough to Bristow, about a mile from
Kynet, west. Iam sorry that I did not take the circumference of the bottom
and top and length of the hill: but I neglected it, because that Sir Jonas Moor,
Surveyor of the Ordnance, had measured it accurately, and also tooke the solid
content, which he promised to give me; but upon his death, that amongst many
excellent papers of his, was lost. I remember, he told me, that according to the
rate of work for labourers in the Tower at . . . . the floor, it would cost three-
score or rather (I think) fourscore thousand pounds to make such a hill now.

“No history gives any account of this hill; the tradition only is, that King
Sil or Zel, as the countrey folke pronounce, was buried here on horseback, and
that the hill was raysed while a posset of milke was seething. The name of
this hill, as also of Silchester, makes me suspect it to be a Roman name, se,
Silius.”—Mon. Brit., vol. ii. pt. 3, page 6.

338 Abury.

of Maen-Cetti; and the work of Emrys or Ambrosius has been ap-
plied to Stonehenge. Why may not the heaping of the pile of
Cyvrangon allude to Silbury ? The three primary circles of Britain
have been named Gorsedd Beisgawen, Gorsedd Bryn Gwyddon,
and Gorsedd Moel Evwr; upon which Mr. William Owen, the
celebrated Welsh scholar, has sent me the following explanation:
“Cludair Cyvrangon and Gorsedd Bryn Gwyddon must have had
their appellation, one from the other, as the names imply as much.
For Cludair Cyvrangon means the heap of congregations or as-
semblies; not that the assemblies could have been held on Bryn
Gwyddon or Silbury Hill, but that they were contiguous; that is,
in the circle of Brynn Gwyddon, or the hill of the conspicuous or
men of the presence; so that each of these places took their names
respectively from each other; and it is thus that I identify Bryn
Gwyddon and Cludair Cyvrangon in Silbury Hill and Abury.”!

Silbury has been raised upon a jutting-out promontory, and the
earth and chalk of which it was composed were taken from the ad-
joining land. The extent of ground from which the surface was
removed for this purpose may be easily traced in the meadow which
surrounds the hill. Its construction must have been a Herculean
labour even for a large body of men, at a time when the means and
appliances for such undertakings were probably very imperfect
when compared with those of the present day. Several calculations
have been made of the dimensions of the hill, but they vary mate-
rially, and it may be doubted whether any, yet made, can be relied
on. That given by Sir Richard Hoare makes the circumference of
the hill at the base, 2027 feet, the diameter at the top 120 feet, the
sloping height 316 feet, and the perpendicular height 170 feet,?

1 Ancient Wiltshire, vol. ii,, p. 83.

* The Pyramid of Mycerinus is 174 feet high :—the tomb of Alyattes near the
ruins of Sardis, is more than 200 feet high, and 6 furlongs in circumference. The
tumulus on the crest of Mount Mithridates near Kertch, which is unlike those in
the neighbourhood, being walled from top to bottom, like a Cyclopean monument,
is 100 feet high and 150 feet in diameter. An account has recently appeared
in the newspapers of the removal of a cairn, 250 feet in height, in the Russian
province of Ekatarinoslaw. It is supposed to have been one of the burial places

of the Scythian Kings, mentioned by Herodotus, and was found to contain
numerous articles of gold, silver, bronze, iron, clay, skeletons of horses, &e.

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 339

while the space covered by the hill is 5 acres and 34 perches. Dean
Merewether has stated that he saw sarsens set round the base of the
hill and that he counted eight of them. A close examination, with
a friend, has, however, convinced me that the Dean was in error,
unless there has been a removal of stones since his sojourn at
Beckhampton, which we have no reason to suppose has been the
case. We found one or two under the turf, entirely covered, and
another small one above the turf, but these are clearly insufficient
to bear out the Dean’s assertion.

Stukeley considered Silbury to be the tomb of some Royal Foun-
der of Abury, and tells us that the royal remains were dug up on
the top of the hill in 1723, together with the King’s bridle, of
which he gives an engraving in his 36th plate. That the hill,
however, was not a sepulchral mound? has been proved, to the sat-
isfaction of many, by the searching examinations of the interior
which were made by workmen employed by the Duke of Northum-
berland and Colonel Drax in 1777, when a shaft was sunk from the
top to the bottom; and by Mr. Blandford, for the Archeological
Institute, in 1849, when a tunnel was bored at the natural level of
the ground upon which the mound had been raised. Of those who
with Sir Richard Hoare, discountenanced the idea of its being a
gigantic tumulus, some have entertained the belief that it was a
component part of the temple of Abury; others have considered it
to have been constructed for a secular purpose, such as the solemn
promulgation of laws to the people, as is now done in the Isle of

1 The Dean’s enumeration of the stones remaining in 1849 of the circles within
the vallum, (p, 89, Salisbury volume of the Arch. Institute,) is far from correct,
and must not be quoted hereafter as giving a true account of the state of the
temple in that year. Had he lived to superintend the publication of his paper,
he would doubtless have detected and corrected the errors. He gave the num-
ber of stones in the outer circle then erect to be 7, prostrate 5. The number
erect in the present year (1857) is 10, prostrate 8, Again, he says that of the in-
ner circle of the northern temple, there are 2 prostrate stones. This was a mis-
take, as neither in 1849 or 1857 were any stones remaining of this circle.

* Twining supports his statement that Silbury Hill was a monument to Titus
Vespasian by the fact of the stile leading to it, as he was ‘ credibly informed,
being called Titus’s style to this day.” (§ 33.)

* A full account of this examination of the hill is given in the Salisbury
volume of the Archwological Institute.

840 Abury.

Man at the meetings of the Tinwald in the open air, on{a hill top
near the middle of the Island; while others again have conjectured
that it was erected for astronomical observations, and it is perhaps
not improbable that it was made use of for this purpose and also
for religious rites.

The practice of resorting to the top of Silbury Hill on Palm
Sunday which Stukeley mentions, and in which traces of the old
Pagan processions may perhaps be recognized, is still kept up by
the children of the neighbourhood.! On these occasions it was the
custom in Stukeley’s day for the country people to ‘make merry
with cakes, figs, sugar, and water fetched from the ‘Swallow head,’”’
which was the sacred spring of the district, and the principal source
of the River Kennet.?

Tur Roman Roan.

“The Roman Road” says Stukeley, ‘‘in its course from Overton
Hill to Runway Hill should have pass’d directly through Silbury
Hill; wherefore they curv’d a little southward to avoid it, and it
runs close by the isthmus of the hill, then thro’ the fields of Bekamp-
ton. This shews Silbury Hill was ancienter than the Roman Road.’’*
Any one who will take the trouble to rule a line on the Ordnance
Map between Overton Hill and Morgan’s Hill (Stukeley’s “Runway
Hill,” see ‘Itin. Cur.’ Iter. vi. p. 1388, 1724, and plate at page 20 of
his ‘Abury,’) will see how erroneous the first part of this statement
is, and how much more correctly Stukeley wrote in his ‘Itinerary.’
He there says, “When from the top of this hill you look towards
Marlborough, which is full east, you may discern that the road
curves a little northward, not discernible but in the whole. The
reason is to be attributed to the River Kennet, thrusting it out
somewhat that way, otherwise the true line should have lain a little
more to the south of Silbury.’”* Had the road from Runway Hill
been carried straight to Marlborough, it would have passed con-

1A similar custom with respect to Clea Hill, near Warminster, is stated by
Sir R. Hoare to have prevailed on Palm Sundays, when he wrote his ‘Ancient
Wiltshire.’ See vol. ii. p, 80, note.
2 Stukeley’s Abury, p. 44. 3p, 133. 4p. 134,

By William Long, Esq., MA. 341

siderably to the south of Silbury, but in so doing, it must have
crossed the Kennet several times, and it was doubtless to avoid this
that the framers of the road conducted it to the north of the river,
and brought it near the base of Silbury. The course of the road
over the downs is very far from being a straight one, and certainly
no deflection was necessary to avoid cutting into the side of the old
British Mound. It is right, however, that I should add that many
persons believe that Stukeley was right; and it is stated in the
Salisbury volume of the Archaological Institute! that Mr. Bland-
ford, the engineer who directed the opening of the hill in 1849,
came to the conclusion, “that the road was carried round the base
of the tumulus to avoid it, and was thereby diverted from its other-
wise direct course.”

It was the opinion of Stukeley, that this road, although ‘chalked
out,’ as he calls it, was never completed; the framers of it having
undertaken it “toward the declension of their empire here, when
they found not time to finish it.”® This, however, is opposed by
the fact that the stations on this road, Cunetio, Verlucio, &c., are
enumerated in the 14th Iter of Antoninus. The pits or cavities
at the sides, from which they took the materials for forming it
are very visible, and it is curious to see in one place, how they
dug into what is called a Druid’s barrow, which happened to
be on the line they had selected.* On the top of the hill above this
spot the flint diggers have recently cut into the middle of the road
and made it clear that there was no foundation of stones or rubble,
but that it consisted merely of the chalk and earth thrown up from
the excavations made at its sides.

Rickman‘ has objected to an earlier date for Abury than one
posterior to the Roman Conquest, “because it adjoins a Roman
Road; because it resembles a Roman Amphitheatre; because its
dimensions seem to be adjusted to the measure of a Roman mile;

'p, 303, *Stukeley’s Abury, p. 26.

* From Stukeley’s description and 9th plate, it would appear that they also
helped themselves very freely to the crown of a barrow (now planted,) on the
other side of the road.

* Archaologia, vol, xxviii.

342 Abury.

and lastly, because the engineer, who made the Roman Road, did
not avail himself of the deep ditch round Silbury, to lessen the
steepness of the ascent; whence we may conclude that such ditch
was not in existence when the road was made. His attempts to
support the second and third! of these positions appear to be most
unsatisfactory; and with respect to the first, it might be answered,
that the Roman Road from Silchester to Bath was, in all proba-
bility, preceded by a British trackway, and that the point where
the Ikneld road crossed such trackway, was well suited for the site
of a great national temple; while the fact that the Roman engineers
did not avail themselves of the lower level afforded them by the
ditch might be owing to their unwillingness to wound the national
prejudices by violating unnecessarily a national monument.”?

Barrows, ETC., IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD oF ABURY.

In perfect keeping with the genius loci, are the numerous barrows
which crown the hills and stud the plains which surround the vil-
lage of Abury. On the Windmill, Overton, and Hakpen Hills, are
several of various dimensions and elegant form. On the elevated
ground between the Kennet Avenue and Silbury Hill, which in
Stukeley’s book is called Weedon Hill and Windmill Boll, were
others, but the plough and cultivation have obliterated these, as
well as many other interesting antiquities which were in existence
at the time he wrote. Of several long barrows which he described,
the most remarkable at the present time is that on the brow of the

1 «<The avenue which south east from the main temple, was intersected by
the Roman road, and according to Rickman, the distance of Silbury both from
the point of intersection and from the centre of Avebury circle, was a Roman
mile. I can only say that according to my measurement, Silbury Hill is dis-
tant from the centre of the circle more than a Roman mile, and from the point
of intersection very considerably less. But even were the measurement correct,
how could the symmetry of the structure be any way dependant on the distance
of Silbury from the point where the road cut through the avenue? The proper
inference seem to be, that the Romans would not allow a great public road to be
diverted out of its course, in order to spare the mere” adjuncts of a building,
whose hold upon the respect and reverence of the people had probably been for
some time declining.” —Archeological Journal, vol. viii. p. 153.

* Archeological Journal 1851, p. 152. Dr. Guest’s paper ‘‘on the Belgic Ditches
and the probable date of Stonehenge.”

By William Long, Esq., U.A. 343

hill south of Silbury. It is about 300 feet long and 35 feet wide,
and is called the Long Barrow. At the east end are about 40 large
sarsens (one of them is 11 feet long and 6 wide, another is 9 feet
long, 7 broad, and 2 thick) lying confusedly one over the other.
They doubtless originally formed achamber. A farmer cut a wag-
gon drive through this barrow, some time ago, much to the annoy-
ance of his landlord.!

Another long barrow, about a mile to the south east of the last,
is now planted with trees. It was opened, a few years ago, by the
Rey. Mr. Connor of East Kennet.

The Mill barrow at Monkton, a mile or more north of Abury, and
of which Stukeley gives an engraving, was 215 feet long and 55
broad, and was set round with great stones, the broad end east, the
narrow west. Aubrey says, “The barrow is a yard high at least.”
It was levelled not many years ago. Dr. Merewether “saw the
man who was employed in the profanation. It contained,” he
said, “a sort of room built up wi’ big sarsens put together like, as
well as a mason could set them; in the room was a sight of black
stuff, and it did smill nation bad.”

In a field about 300 yards west of Mill barrow. was the large sar-
sen, upon the removal of which several skeletons were found a few
yearsago. Since this discovery (which is described in the Wiltshire
Archeological Magazine, vol. i. p. 303,) several other sarsen stones
have been taken up in the same field, with similar results. With
one of these deposits were jet ornaments, objects of stone and
pottery, including two drinking cups,now preserved in the Society’s
Museum at Devizes.

“Tn Monkton fields,” says Aubrey (in his Monumenta Britan-
nica), “is a long pitched stone seven foot and more; it leaneth
eastward upon two stones. It is called Shelving stone.’”” (Plate viii.

1 This barrow deserves a careful and thorough examination, and when the
Wiltshire Archwological and Natural History Society hold their meeting at
Marlborough, they would do well to turn their attention to it, and apply for
permission to open it. Aubrey gives rude sketches of this and the Mill barrow.

2+ A Kist-vaen certainly sepulchral,” says Sir R, C. Hoare. This, however,
may be doubted, as Mr. Hillier, of Monkton, last year examined the site of these
stones, but found no traces of burnt bones, or of any thing to show that there

AA

o44 Abury.

fig. 1. and Stukeley’s plate xxxvii.) This too has been removed
within a few years.

In the district of the Sarsen Stones, which extends several mniles
to the south and east of Abury, is situated the fine cromlech, called
the “Devil’s Den.” It stands in Clatford Bottom at the termination
of a stone-valley, which is the most extensive, (as that opposite to
it, Lockeridge Dean, is the most picturesque,) of these remarkable
combes. Within the memory of living men this cromlech formed
a part of the valley of stones, but it is now grazed by the plough-
share, year by year. Stukeley has given three, and Sir R. Hoare two,
engravings of it. Both appear to have regarded it as sepulchral.’

Aubrey gives a. sketch ofan ob-
long stone lying across the top of
two others, and at right angles
with them. He says, “This mon-
ument is in the parish of Kynnet, TLL: YL
where one Mr. Kinsman digging ‘
underneath, about 1643, found the
skeleton of a man and a sword
and dagger, as they report. In
these parts are five or six such
monuments. The stones are of a
great length, at least ten or twelve

292

foot, as I remember.

Monument, Kynnet Parish.” (Aubrey, 1643.)
- © At Winterbourne Basset, (about three miles) north of Abury, in

a field north west of the church, upon elevated ground, is a double cir-
cle of stones, concentric, 60 cubits diameter. The two circles are near

had been an interment on the spot. It would be more correctly termed a Cromlech.
It is shown in the foreground of the plate of Abury restored, given by Mr.
Britton, ‘Beauties of Wilts’, vol. iii. 1825, p. 280; see p. 276, note.

1 There were probably two forms of the cromlech, the sepulchral and sacrificial.
Whether this and the ‘‘ Shelving stone” at Monkton were ever employed for
the dreadful rites of sacrifice aud uugury from human victims, as practised by
the Druids, cannot be asserted, though it is possible. ‘‘Nam cruore captivo
adolere aras, et hominum fibris consulere deos, !as habebant,’’—says the histo-
rian, of the British Druids. Tacitus, Ann. lib. xiv. e. 30.

2 Monumenta Britannica. (This MS. was purchased by the Rey. Dr. Bandi-
nel, for the Bodleian Library, of Colonel Greville, in 1836.)

a

ta Seis

By William Long, Esq., UA. 845

one another, so that one may walk between. Many of the stones
have of late been carried away. West of it is a single, broad, flat,
and high stone, standing by itself; and about as far northward
from the circle, in a ploughed field, is a barrow set round with, or
rather composed of large stones.” “By the above description, I
was enabled,” says Sir R. Hoare, ‘to find the remains of this
circle, which is situated in a pasture ground at the angle of a road.
leading to Broad Hinton, and consists at present only of a few in-
considerable stones.’”

In the dip of the hill between the Kennet avenue anda slight ob-
long earthwork on the slope of Hakpen Hill,*a solitary stone is stand-
ing. Mr. Falkner of Devizes, has fayored me with the following ac-
count of his observations in connection with it. “The stone which you
saw in a field on the left, when you went along the avenue towards
Kennet, was seen by me in 1840. I went to it, and found it was
one of a circle that had existed at some former period. There were
two other stones lying on the ground, and nine hollow places, from

ad
Wh

rd
Small Circle near Kennet. (Falkner, 1840.)
which stones had been removed, making twelve altogether. I made
a note of it at the time, and the person with whom I was riding
' Stukeley’s Abury, p. 45, * Hoare’s Ancient Wiltshire, ii. p. 95,
* T use the words ‘ Hakpen Hill’ because this hill is so designated in the plan,

but the Hakpen Hill, properly so called, does not extend so far to the south, or
beyond the road leading from Abury to Rockley. See Ordnance Map.

AA?

346 Abury.

observed it also. The circle was then in a meadow, which was
broken up a few years afterwards, and two of the stones removed.
The circle was 2824 yards from the nearest part of the avenue. I
could not have been mistaken as to the fact of a circle being there,
and considered the discovery of sufficient importance to write to
the Rev. E. Duke on the subject, who was not aware of what I told
him, nor could he explain the matter at all,—only suggesting that
the stones might have been set round a large tumulus,—but the
ground was quite flat within the circle, which was about 120 feet
in diameter.”

“Tn a lane leading from Kennet to Marlborough,” says Aubrey,
“are eight huge large stones in a circle, which never could be by
chance, and besides they are rudely hewen.” (Plate iii. fig .2.) It was
probably this circle which Stukeley has described in his ‘Itinera-
rium Curiosum’ (part I. page 132). “Over against Clatford at a
flexure of the river, we meet with several very great stones, about
a dozen in number, which probably was a Celtic temple, and stood
in a circle; this form in a great measure they still preserve.”

In Sir Richard Hoare’s second volume of ‘ Ancient Wiltshire,’
in Dean Merewether’s paper in the Salisbury volume of the Archeo-
logical Institute, and in the ‘Crania Britannica,’ by Mr. Davis and Dr.
Thurnam, may be found very interesting accounts of the examination
of barrows in the vicinity of Abury. Sir Richard Hoare thus
describes the conclusion he arrived at, from the investigations car-
ried on under his superintendence: “The result of these under-
ground researches will prove to us the very high antiquity of the
tumuli raised on this conspicuous eminence (Overton Hill); and at
the same time the poverty of those Britons over whose ashes these
sepulchral mounds were elevated. We find no costly ornaments
of jet, amber, or gold, but very simple articles of brass and vessels
of the coarsest pottery. Cremation seems to have prevailed, except
in one instance, where the post of honour, adjoining the sacred
circle, might possibly have been reserved for the chieftain of the
clan that inhabited these downs.’! Again, “In my late researches

1 Ancient Wiltshire, ii. p. 91. This barrow is no doubt the more southerly of
the two shown in Aubrey’s sketch (plate iii. fig 1), The other, as Dr. Stukeley

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 347

near Abury, I had the satisfaction to substantiate the conjectures
I had previously formed, respecting the nature and contents of the
barrows in this district. I had ever considered the stone circle at
Abury to be of a much older date than that of Stonehenge; and in
the same light I had always considered the tumuli. These conjec-
tures have been corroborated by our late researches; for although we
find the same modes of interment adopted here, as in South Wilt-
shire, yet we have found none of those costly articles which have
so often rewarded our labours in the southern district of our
county.”! “The absence of costly ornaments of amber and gold,
in the barrows of this district, as distinguishing them from those
near Stonehenge,” says Dr. Thurnam, “is borne out by all the
more recent excavations of these tumuli. The immigrant tribe of
Belgz were doubtless more wealthy than the aboriginal Dobuni of
North Wilts, and also kept up a more intimate traffic with Gaul.’”

These mute memorials of a remote age, over which, without im-
pairing them, the seasons have for centuries rolled their uninter-
rupted course, and to which we are indebted for such glimpses as
we have been able to catch, of the arts and customs of our British
ancestors, are full of interest to the thoughtful mind. They carry
it back to a time when the now deserted downs and lofty hills were
thickly-peopled tracts, when the wattled hut was the habitation,
when cattle were the riches, and the worship of the heavenly bodies*
the religion, of the Britons. How do they not bridge over the
interval between the present and a past long anterior to Saxons,
Danes, and Romans; and in their presence, what recent events do
the Great Rebellion, the Wars of the Roses, and the Norman In-
vasion appear to be! The knowledge, too, that they were raised
tells us, was levelled in 1720; ‘‘ a man’s bones were found within a bed of great
stones, forming a kind of arch. Several beads of amber, long and round, as big
as one’s thumb end, were taken from it, and several enamel’d British beads of
glass: I got some of them white in colour, some were green.” ‘This seems to
have been the solitary exception to the absence of amber in these barrows.

' Ancient Wiltshire, ii. p. 93.

2¢Crania Britannica,’ ‘‘ Description of Skull from Barrow at Kennet,” p. 5,
The writer is indebted to Dr. Thurnam for much valuable assistance in the com-
pilation of the present paper.

3“ The circle of the stars” and ‘‘the lights of heaven.’’—See Wisdom of
Solomon, xiii, 2.

348 Abury.

over the bodies or ashes of some great ones of their day tends to
increase the mystery and awe with which they are invested. It is
to be wished that they might be spared further disfigurement from
the furrow and the plantation. There is one cluster which from
their elegant forms and elevated position, are strikingly beautiful,
especially when seen against the horizon in the evening twilight;
and for the preservation of which I would earnestly plead. They
compose the group alluded to by Sir R. Hoare, in one of the pre-
vious extracts, and are situated upon Overton Hill, near the Roman
road and the turnpike road to Marlborough.! The barrow which
adjoins the site of the ‘Sanctuary,’ to which we have already
alluded, and from which Dr. Thurnam, in 1854, obtained the fine
skull which has been figured and described in the ‘ Crania
Britannica,’ has this year been divested of its turf for the sake
of the ashes. The same process of excoriation has been exten-
sively carried on, during the last few months, upon the Down
between Beckhampton and Shepherd’s Shore, and it seems
likely that every year will show a further contraction of our open
downs. Might not the owners and occupiers of land be induced to
plough round the barrows and leave their surface intact ? In many
instances, I doubt not, they have been found as unproductive as
that upon which the Cromlech in Clatford Bottom, called the
‘Devil’s Den,’ was erected; and, for a few stalks of corn or a dozen
turnips annually, it is a pity to obliterate or degrade these inter-
esting traces of Britain’s earliest inhabitants.? At all events, it

1 In this group is a beautiful example of the triple barrow. There is another
at Shepherd’s Shore.

2 “Tt is not to be desired that the ancient barrows belonging to the times
of paganism, should be . . . removed. It is true they occur, in certain parts of
the country, in such numbers as to offer serious impediments to agricul-
ture; while they contain beside large masses of stone, which in many cases
might be used with advantage. Still they deserve to be protected and pre-
served, in as great a number as possible. They are national memorials,
which may be said to cover the ashes of our forefathers; and by this means
constitute a national possession, which has been handed down for centuries,
from race to race. Would we then unconcernedly destroy these venerable
remains of ancient times, without any regard to our posterity? Would we
disturb the peace of the dead, for the sake of some trifling gain.” —Primeyal
Antiquities of Denmark, by J. J. A. Worsaae, 1849, p. 153.

i i

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 849

deserves the consideration of the members of this Society whether
they should not map the barrows which remain, and collect for
those who come after us what information has been or may be
procured respecting the examination and contents of those which

have been opened.

THEORIES RESPECTING THE OBJECT FOR WHICH THE TEMPLE WAS
; CONSTRUCTED.

The object for which the great work at Abury was constructed will
probably ever be involved in mystery. We know so little of the
Druids and their forms of worship, that to more than conjectural
approximations to the truth we can hardly hope to attain. An astro-
nomical, a civil, and a religious purpose have each had their advo-
cates. The erection, too, of circular temples, like this and Stonehenge,
has been assigned by different writers to different nations; to the
Pheenicians, the ancient Britons, the Romans, the Saxons, and the
Danes. There can, however, be little doubt that the temple at
Abury dates from a period long anterior to the Roman connection
with Britain, and that it was a much older work than Stonehenge.
“T think we may fairly conclude,” says Dr. Guest, “ that Stone-
henge is of later date than Avebury and the other structures of
unwrought stone; that it could not have been built much later
than the year 100 3.c., and in all probability was not built more
than a century or two earlier. As to the antiquity of Avebury, I
dare offer no conjecture. If the reader be more venturesome, and
should fix its erection some eight or ten centuries before our era,
it would be difficult to advance any critical reasons against his
hypothesis.”! “The Rey. Richard Warner was the first,” says Mr.
Bowles,” “who started the idea,—in my opinion a most happy one,
that the Belg, having taken this (the southern) part of the country
from the Celts as far as Wansdyke, raised this monument of Stone-
henge in rival magnificence to that of Abury.” Dr. Guest writes,
“Tt will be seen that the Wansdike bends to the south, as if to
avoid Avebury, and approaches close to it, but does not include Bath.

1 Archeological Journal, 1851, p. 157.
* Hermes Britannicus, 1828, p. 123.

350 Abury.

It seems reasonable to infer that when the line of demarcation was
drawn, the Dobuni insisted on the retention of their ancient temple
and of their hot baths; and if this inference be a just one, another
and a more important one seems naturally to follow. Assuming
that the Belge were thus excluded from Avebury, is it not likely
that they would provide a “locus consecratus” at some central point
within their own border—a place for their judicial assemblies, like
the Gaulish temple, “in finibus Carnutum, que regio totius Gallize
media habetur?” May not Stonehenge have been the substitute
so provided P””

It would be wearisome to give an account of all the theories
which have been propounded respecting the temple of Abury, and
the objects for which it was constructed. I will briefly notice a few
which seem most deserving of attention, premising that while I
can quite understand the devotion of the enormous amount of hu-
man labour, requisite for the removal from a considerable distance
and the setting up of the stones of Abury, and for the heaping toge-
ther of Silbury Hill, to a religious purpose, I cannot believe that
for any object less influential and absorbing, so vast an amount of
human power could ever have been brought to bear.

Dr. Stukeley makes the foundation of Abury to date from the
year of the death of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, 1859 B.c.! He says,
“By the best light I can obtain, I judge our Tyrian Hercules made
his expedition into the ocean, about the latter end of Abraham’s
time: and most likely ’tis, that Abury was the first great temple
of Britain, and made by the first Phcenician colony that came hi-
ther; and they made it in this very place on account of the stones
of the grey-weathers, so commodious for their purpose.”? The
ancient Druids, says Stukeley, were not idolators, but “in effect
Christians.”! ‘This I verily believe to have been a truly patri-
archal temple, as the rest likewise, which we have here described ;
and where the worship of the true God was performed.’’? ‘The
plan on which Abury is built, is that sacred hierogram of the
Egyptians, and other ancient nations, the circle, snake and wings.

1 Archeological Journal, 1851, p. 152.
2 Stukeley’s Abury, p. 53. 3 Tb. p. 102.

By William Long, Esq., UA. 351

By this they meant to picture out, as well as they could, the
nature of the divinity. The circle meant the supreme fountain
of all being, the father; the serpent, that divine emanation from
him which was called the son; the wings imputed that other
divine emanation from them which was called the spirit, the
anima mundi.” ‘The serpent,’ says Maximus of Tyre, (Dissert.
38,) ‘was the great symbol of the deity to most nations, and as
such was worshipped by the Indians.’ The temples of old made in
the form of a serpent, were called, for that reason, Dracontia.”’}

The Rev. William Cooke, Vicar of Enford, in Wilts, in ‘An
enquiry into the Patriarchal and Druidical Religion, Temples, &c.,
wherein the Primeval Institution and Universality of the Christian
scheme is manifested, &c.,’ (2nd edition, 1755,) endeavours to
prove that Abury “ was really a temple sacred to the ever-blessed
and undivided Trinity”! This book is little more than a brief
epitome of Stukeley’s. Mr. Cooke appears to have been the first to
suggest the derivation of the word ‘Abury’ from ‘Cabiri.’? In
this strange etymology he was followed by Higgins, (‘Celtic
Druids,” 1827,) Bowles and Duke.?

Mr. Edward King, in his ‘ Munimenta Antiqua,’ considers “that
the great stone pillar in the centre of the southernmost double circle
seems to intimate that the area there enclosed was designed for
holding great councils, and for inaugurations; whilst the cromlech
and great altar, in the centre of the northern double circle, indi-
cates that enclosure to have been designed for sacrifices. And the
great circle of an hundred stones, and the vast ditch and rampart
surrounding the whole vast area, in which both these solemn places
R. Hoare, in 1812, considered the Dracontian theory a probable one; although
he could not say ‘‘ that all the distances between the stones, the diameters of
the circles, and the precise measurements, as given by Stukeley, were exact, or
that they were constructed with geometrical precision.” See Britton’s ‘ Beauties
of Wilts,’ iii. p. 284.

* Sir R. Hoare noticed this derivation, and supported it by a quotation from
the learned Parkhurst; ‘that the Phoenicians or Canaanites worshipped their
God, the heavens, under this name, is highly probable, from the plain remains

of a Phoenician temple at Abury in Wiltshire, which still retains the name.”—
‘ Ancient Wiltshire,’ ii. p. 63, note.

852 — Abury.

stood, indicates a boundary of that awful regard that was paid to
them.””!

The Rey. Wm. Lisle Bowles in his ‘ Hermes Britannicus,’ 1828,
argues for the dedication of the temple at Abury, to the worship
of the Celtic deity Teutates or Mercury. He says,... “I should
thus designate the intent and character of the whole work at
Abury. The vast pile, in the first place, I consider as sacred to
that great instructor, symbolised and worshipped in Egypt, who
unfolded the heavens, and brought intelligence of one infinite god,
and of eternal life to man: which knowledge, in remote ages, was
communicated to the Celtic Druids by the Pheenicians. The inner
circles, represent, severally, the months, the year, the days, and the
hours, included in the great circle of eternity, representing the god
over the heavens, stretching on each side in the form of the ‘ser-
pent,’ the well known emblem, both of the course of the stars and
of restoration and immortality; whilst, if we admit the single stone
within one of the circles as the gnomon of a vast dial, according to
Maurice,” the shadow of passing life is siill more obvious. Exactly
in the middle, (¢.e. on Silbury Hill, p. 21, &c., and seg.) and upon
a line with the two extremities of the serpent’s body, and opposite
the great circle, in front, stood, according to my conjecture, whe-
ther right or wrong, the simudacrum, such as those of which Cesar
speaks—the simulacrum of that sublime Teacher who will appear
hereafter as the awakener and restorer of the dead, now sleeping,
each in his silent grassy heap, at his feet; whilst he, pointing to the
tracks over the waste and wildering downs, stands thus to be con-
sidered also as the guide of the darkling travellers along the ways
of life, and the AWAKENER and RESTORER of the dead, when the
various ways of that life shall end in the forgotten dust of the bar-
row or the tomb; such is the moral lesson taught by this mysterious
monument, the dark adumbration of the only hope of the Celtic

1 Munimenta Antiqua, 1799, vol. i. p. 202.

2 Rey. T. Maurice. Indian Antiquities, 1801, vol. vi. p. 118. In his ‘‘ Disser-
tation,” in this work, ‘‘ On the Indian origin of the Druids,” Mr. Maurice appears
to have been the first to insist on the astronomical significance of the numbers of
the stones in the circles, &c., at Abury, and in other megalithic monuments ;
a view which, by such writers as Higgins and Duke, has been so greatly
abused.

#

es

' By William Long, Esq., UA. 353

Briton, who, before the light of revelation or civilization dawncd,
traversed these solitary plains.

“The Pheenicians brought the knowledge of this personage to
Britain; this personage, as described by the Pheenicians, was the
great instructor; the greatest instructor became the greatest deity,
and the temple at Abury records the truth respecting the sole Deity
which he taught. On the mound in front, stood the image or si-
mulacrum of the great deified teacher of this truth; and this most
magnificent Celtic Temple stood as emblematical of the One God,
having in front the image of him who was the greatest of the sub-
ordinate popular Celtic deities, who instructed the Phcenicians in
the knowledge of this one God, and which they, with all the mys-
terious discipline of Druidism, taught to the British Celts; and that
Silbury-hill was the mound of Mercury; and Abury the greatest
Celtic temple, sacred to him, and emblematical both of the know-
ledge he taught and the God he revealed.””!

“The worship of the serpent” says Mr. Bathurst Deane,
“may be traced in almost every religion through ancient Asia,
Europe, Africa, and America. The progress of the sacred ser-
pent from Paradise to Peru is one of the most remarkable
phenomena in mythological history, and to be accounted for only
upon the supposition that a corrupted tradition of the serpent in
Paradise had been handed down from generation to generation.”
Other temples supposed to have been dedicated to this kind of wor-
ship are to be seen at Carnac in Brittany, at Stanton Drew in
Somersetshire, on Dartmoor, and at Shapin Westmoreland.? In the
time of Dr. Stukeley, the country people of the neighbourhood had
a tradition that “no snakes could live within the circle of Abury.”
This notion may have descended from the times of the Druids,
through a very natural superstition that the unhallowed reptile was
divinely restrained from entering the Sanctuary, through which the

1 Hermes Britannicus, pp. 63, 64, 65. See also Parochial History of Brem-
hill, by the same writer, 1827.

2 In the Gentleman’s Magazine for October, 1844, is a sketch of the circle of
stones at Shap. It was then threatened with destruction, by a railway which
was to pass over it. The avenue there is supposed to have almost rivalled those
at Carnac, in length,

354 Abury.

mystic serpent passed. There have been found at Abury, the usual
Druidical relics of celts, anguina, etc.; and a proof that this was
once a temple of very great resort is afforded by the immense quan-
tities of burnt bones, horns of oxen, and charcoal which have been
discovered in the agger of the vallum. These are indications of
great sacrifices. . . . The temple was the ophite hierogram, the priests
were Druids, whose religion recognized the sun as a deity and the
serpent as a sacred emblem; the name of that mystic serpent”
(in the Hebrew) “ was Aub, and a title of the solar deity, Aur or Ur:
the whole temple represented the union of the serpentine with the
circular sanctuaries, that is of the ophite and solar superstition.
What name then could be more expressive than Aubur or Abur,
the ‘ Serpent of the Sun’?! Silbury Hill, supposed by Stukeley to be
the sepulchral monument of the founder of Abury, “is doubtless,”
says Mr. Deane, “‘a mound dedicated to the solar deity, like the Pyra-
mids of ancient Greece and Egypt; and corresponds with the
OrHettin of classical mythology, and the Mont St. Michel, of
Carnac. In connection with the Serpent temple, it identifies the
whole structure as sacred to the deity known by the Greeks as
Apollo. Its very name imports ‘the hill of the Sun.’””?

The Rey. Edward Duke, says, “My hypothesis then is as follows:
that our ingenious ancestors portrayed on the Wiltshire Down, asa
Planetarium or stationary orrery, located on a meridional line, ex-
tending north and south, the length of sixteen miles ; that the plane-
tary temples thus located, seven in number, will, if put in motion, be
supposed to revolve around Silbury Hill, as the centre of this grand
astronomical scheme; that thus Saturn, the extreme planet to the
south, would in his orbit describe a circle with a diameter of thirty two
miles; that four of the planetary temples were constructed of stone,
those of Venus (the circles of stones at Winterbourne Basset), the
Sun (the southern circle at Abury), the Moon (the northern circle
at Abury), and Saturn (the circle at Stonehenge) ; and the remain-
ing three of earth, those of Mercury (at Walker’s Hill), Mars (at
Marden), and Jupiter (Casterly Camp), resembling the ‘hill altars”

1 Deane ‘‘on the Worship of the Serpent,” pp. 32, 382, 383, 2nd edition,
1833. Tb. ? p. 379.

ee ene 1.

By William Long, Esq., M.A. 855

of Holy Scripture; that the Moon is represented as the Satellite of
the Sun, and passing round him in an epicycle, is thus supposed to
make her monthly revolution, while the Sun himself pursues his
annual course in the first and nearest concentric orbit, and is thus
successively surrounded by those also of the planets Venus, Mer-
cury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn; that these planetary temples
were all located at due distances from each other; that the relative
proportions of those distances correspond with those of the present
received system; and that, in three instances, the site of these
temples bear in their names at this day plain and indubitable re-
cord of their primitive dedication. Now, further, as to the four
temples constructed of stone, I shall be able to shew that they con-
sisted of a certain definite number of stones, and by an analysis of
their details I shall show, that these details are resolvable into every
known astronomical cycle of antiquity, whilst the other appendages
attached to, but not forming component parts of three of such
temples, are resolvable only into numerical cycles; and that these
planetary temples taken synthetically, and as a whole, were inten-
ded to represent the magnus annus, the great year of Plato, the
eycle of cycles, when the planets, some revolving faster, some slower
in their several courses, would all simultaneously arrive at the
several points from whence they originally started, and that then
the old world would end and a new world spring into being.””!

In connexion with this system, he considers that Silbury Hill
represented the Earth; the serpent, ranging from east to west of
Silbury Hill, and embowed to the north, represented the northern
portion of the ecliptic; and that the temples on that ecliptic re-
presented the Sun, and the Moon, as his satellite, revolving around
him. He considers the 30 stones of which each of the two circles
was composed to have represented the cycle of the days of the
month; the inner circle of 12 stones the cycle of the months of the
year; the single stone in the Temple of the Sun, the cycle of the
entire year; and the three stones in the interior of the temple of
the Moon, the cycle of the seasons; of which earlier nations than the
Greeks and Romans reckoned only three of four months each, viz.,

«‘Drnidical Temples of the County of Wilts,’ 1846, pp. 6, 7, 8, 186, et seq.

356 Abury.

spring, summer, and winter. The stone which Stukeley called the
‘Ring’ Stone and considered to be that to which the victim about
to be slain was fastened, Mr. Duke pronounces to have been a
gnomon; and the name Abury to be a corruption of the word
“Abiri,” (Cabiri) signifying in Hebrew “the mighty ones,” in
allusion to the two temples as the representatives of the sun and the
moon, the two chief deities in the Sabzean or planetary worship.!
Mr. Herbert,? in his learned work, ‘Cyclops Christianus’ (1849),
expresses his belief that the Stonehenges, Aveburies, Carnacs, ete.,
did not exist in Britain or Gaul when Cesar, Strabo, Diodorus,
Mela, Pliny, and Tacitus wrote, otherwise these writers would have
certainly made mention of them; but that groves of upright stones
were substituted by the later Britons for the oak tree groves of
obsolete Druidism. He treats the ““Dracontian” theory with great
scorn, and says, “ When the case of Avebury is divested of lies and
forgeries, I see nothing in it but great circles and avenues, with
some reason for thinking that groves and woodland walks were
typified by them, none for supposing the form of a snake was ex-
pressed.” He continues, “It would be no reasonable supposition,
that the same people should at one time have venerated their oaken
groves with that zeal and love, of which the name has become so
famous, and also have expended energies immensely great to repeat
and imitate in lifeless stone the living symbol of their system ; for
substitutes are seldom used concurrently with their prototypes. It
follows that they did so at a different time, and under altered cir-
cumstances, and, we should add, in altered localities. For their
solemn rites were then called out of the woods, in which their
wooden idols stood, in which their sacrifices were performed, and

1 ¢Pruidical Temples of Wilts,’ pp. 59, 60, 188. See, on Mr. Duke’s theory,
the Christian Remembrancer, vol. xii. 1846. One cannot but remark, how
much the disposition to theorize about Abury would haye been checked, by the
publication of Aubrey’s plans by Sir R. Hoare.

2 The Honble. Algernon Herbert, who was a member of the noble house of
Carnarvon, was born 1792, was placed in the Ist class in Lit. Hum. in the year
1813, became a Fellow of Merton College, and was called to the bar. He died
in June 1855. A short notice of him appeared in the Gentleman’s Magazine for
December, 1855,

—— ee

By William Long, Esq., .A. 857

of which the sacred trees were aspersed with the piacular blood,
and came to be celebrated in the most open and champaign places
that could be chosen, and where the circles or avenues would stand
most conspicuous. These plains had anciently been unadapted to
Druidism, but were peculiarly suited to the construction of sepul-
chral tumuli; by which it is consequently found that the greatest
cors (such as the Stonehenge and the Rollrich) are surrounded.”!

The medieval view of Abury would appear to resemble that
adopted by Stukeley, if we may form any opinion upon the subject,
from the Norman Font in Abury Church, which, writes my friend
Mr. Falkner, “is somewhat remarkable, not only as being very
ancient, but from having so appropriate an ornament round the
outside, which may easily be construed into the triumph of
Christianity over the Pagan worship that existed on the spot pre-
viously. There is a serpent at the foot of an ecclesiastic who, with
his left hand presses a book to his breast, and in his right he holds
a spear, the point of which he forces into the serpent’s head. It is
not the emblem so often found of Michael and the Dragon, but
seems to have had a closer and more direct allusion to the serpent
temple and its heathen worship that had hitherto prevailed.” Mr.
Paley, in his ‘Illustrations of Baptismal Fonts,’ (1844,) gives the
following account of this symbol; ‘On the east side of the bowl is
the figure of a bishop with mitre and crosier, holding a closed book
in his left hand; on each side of himis a dragon, whose tail flows
off into the foliage which surrounds the upper part, a Norman in-
tersecting arcade running round the lower part.”

Such are some of the many theories which have been propounded
respecting the object of the founders of Abury. “Men of the
greatest learning, and most subtle intellect have felt the difficulty,
as well as importance of the sub ect: it has been acknowledged by
hundreds, who have started, full of energy, in the pursuit of their

' pp. 108, 109. See a paper on the ‘ Cyclops Christianus,’ attributed to the
Rey. J B. Deane, in the Gentleman’s Magazine, 1849, vol. xxxii, N. 8.; also
an article in the Quarterly Review, vol. xci. In the former, the claim of Abury
to be considered the circular temple of the Hyperboreans named by Hecatieus of

Abdera (Diod. Sic, ii. 47), and even the winged temple of the same mythic peo-
ple, the vads 6 mepwos of Eratosthenes, is vindicated.

358 Abury.

true history, and have in the end wisely kept silence. .. . . And
Stonehenge and Abury continue as before,—apparently incapable
of explanation: still inexpressibly, awfully majestic, in the now
feebleness, so to say, of their abused remains ; fragments, rather
than ruins; shadows of skeletons, rather than presenting to the
common observer even a rude outline of their original structure ;
exciting a solemn veneration; raising up question after question,
theory upon theory; and still the same now as yesterday,—falling
back into the dark obscurity of a hundred generations.””!

EcciestasticAL History oF ABURY IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
ANTIQUITIES.

For the following notice of the ecclesiastical history of Abury,
and its connection with the preservation of the antiquities of the
place, I am indebted to Mr. Hunter’s paper before referred to.
“Before the Norman Conquest a Christian church was erected, a
little without the mound, on the western side. There is nothing
to show when it was erected, but it is mentioned as existing in
Domesday Book.? It is worthy of notice that the church was not
erected within the enclosure, which would seem to have been its
natural position: and perhaps it may be inferred from that cireum-
stance, that the persons who erected the church did not contemplate
the destruction of the fabric of the older temple, and intend to
raise the Christian edifice on the ruins of one which had (probably)
been used in Pagan superstitions. Some portions of the fabric of
the present church appear to have belonged to the original edifice,
proving that the present church is on the site originally chosen by
Saxon piety. Another circumstance worthy of notice in the Domes-
day account of Abury is, that it was Terra Regis, and that the only
land in cultivation about it was two hides attached to the church,
which was held by one Rainbold the Priest. He had the church of
Pewsey also. But at Pewsey we find there was a lay-manor also, while

1 Christian Remembrancer, vol. xii. 1846.
2 Gentleman’s Magazine, July, 1829.
3 In the list of the ‘‘ King’s Lands.” ‘‘Rainbold a priest holds the church
of Avreberie, to which belong two hides. It is worth 40 shillings,”—Wynd-
ham’s Wilts Domesday, p. 51.

ooo o_O

By William Long, Esq., UA. 359

no other manor is noticed at Abury, but that of the church held
immediately of the King. There was probably some reason why .
the crown reserved its rights here; and that there was no manor
but the manor of the church, may I think be taken as proof of a
very early foundation of a Saxon church here, and that the erection
of a church preceded the erection of any dwellings. Perhaps at
the beginning it was a Feld-cype (field-church), intended for the
use of the shepherds and the few inhabitants dispersed over the
plain from the borders of Bishops Cannings to the borders of Marl-
borough, and to a great extent to the northward and southward.
It must have been erected by some person of eminent rank, perhaps
a Saxon sovereign, and not merely (as some of the country churches
were) by some lord of the soil living there, that he might have the
offices of religion brought home to the doors of himself and his
vassals.

“ Abury remained a place peculiarly ecclesiastical till the Refor-
mation. Rainbold doubtless held his two hides here only in right
of his church, and they would descend not to his heirs but to his
successors. A foreign house, the Benedictines of St. George of
Bocherville, was placed in the reign of Henry I. in the position in
which Rainbold stood. The gift of the church was by William de
Tankervile, a person to whom the Crown must have conveyed its
right soon after the date of Domesday, and of whom it may be con-
jectured that he had never any intention of changing the ecelesi-
astical character of Abury. The foreign house retained possession
of Abury till the time of Richard II., in which reign many of the
foreign houses were deprived of their English possessions. The
patronage and protection of Abury and its curious remains were
then committed, first to New College, Oxford, and then to the Col-
lege of Fotheringay: and it was not till the 2 Edward VI. that any
private person had power over this temple to pull down and
destroy.!

1 These observations relate to the Rectorial estate and manor. The patronage
of the Vicarage of Abury was in the gift of the Abbots of St. Mary’s, Ciren-
cester, from 1297 to 1538 (see Wilts Institutions); and since the Dissolution, in
the Crown. ‘The place still gives its name to the Deanery of Abury.

BB

360 Abury.

“Tn the interval between the Conquest and the Reformation, the
temple at Abury being under the protection of these communities,
perhaps suffered but little from dilapidation. If any Court Rolls!

1 The following extract from the late Mr. Kemble’s ‘‘ Notices of Heathen Inter-
ment in the Codex Diplomaticus,” printed in the Archeological Journal, No. 54,
is inserted here, although it has no reference to the period mentioned in the text.

‘‘The Anglo-Saxon boundaries then, do very frequently run to the old grey
stone, or hoary stone or stones, and among these it is reasonable to believe that
sometimes cromlechs or stone-rings were intended. There is one case of consider-
able interest, and I will request your particular attention to it, because it contains
the clearest possible allusion to the great stones at Avebury, and besides fur-
nishes a singularly interesting example of the accuracy with which the lines of
boundaries may, even to this day be followed. It oceurs in Cod. Dip. 1120, (one
of Athelstan’s charters. A.D. 939,) and is the limitation of the territory of Over-
ton, a little village in Wiltshire, near the Kennet. The Saxon estate comprises
very nearly what is now known as Overton town. The words are as follows :—

«¢¢ These are the bounds of Overton. From Kennet to the Elder tree; thence
to Wédens den; thence to the wood on the main road; thence upon Horseley
up to Wansdyke upon Tytfer’’s road; thence upon the hedge of Willow mere
(or Withy mere) eastward by south round about to ASelferSe’s dwelling on the
stony road; thence to the narrow meadow ; then through Shothanger along the
road to the rising ground, or link; thence to the west head; then northward
over the down to the right boundary ; then to the town or enclosure; thence to
Kennet at the Saltham ; from the Saltham up between the two barrows; from
them to the furlong’s west head; thence to Scrows pit; thence to the Pan-
croundel, in the middle; then by Coltas barrow as far as the broad road to Hak-
pen; then along the road on the dike to the south of AiSelferSe’s stone; then
south along the Ridgeway to the dun stone; then south-west over the ploughed
land to Piggle dean; then up to Lambpath, southward up to the link, to the
hollow way; then back again to Kennet. Now this is the boundary of the
pastures and the down land at Mapplederlea, westward. Thence northward up
along the stone row, thence to the burial places (‘‘byrgelsas”’); then south along
the road; from the road along the link to the south head; thence down upon
the slade; thence up along the road, back again to Mapplederlea.’

«I do not know whether there is any place called Maple Dur/ey in the neigh-
bourhood, but nothing can be more accurate than the boundary which takes in
nearly the whole of Overton town, extending, however, at first southward from
the river Kennet, at East Kennet, to the Wansdyke; re-ascending on the east
by a road still very remarkable for the great stone blocks which lie aboutit, till
crossing the river again it runs northward up towards Hackpen Hill, then turns
westward and southward in the direction of Avebury, and declining again to
the south, crosses the little spot then called Pyttelden, now Piggledean, and re-
turns to where it commenced at the corner of Hast Kennet. The stone row here is no
doubt the great avenue. Hackpen or Haca’s pen enclosure, &c., is the well-
known stone ring; what the byrgelsas are, it is, of course now, impossible to
identify ; it may have been some particular set of barrows, but itmay, I think,

EE EE a

ee

By William Long, Esg., M.A. 361

of the ecclesiastical manor now exist, they should be carefully ex-
amined; and I make no doubt that much interesting matter might
be collected from them. If they contained no notices of grants to
the tenants of portions of the stones, or of land within the area,
they would at least show the number of freeholders, and perhaps
of other tenants, and a guess might be made at the population
which had collected round the church in the middle ages of our
history. I suspect that it was very small, and that the extension
of the village within the bounds of the enclosure has been the work
of the three last centuries. It is manifest that many of the houses
are recent erections: some of them are certainly on new sites, and
even those which are supposed to be re-edifications, may be on sites
not more than two or three centuries old.””!

very possibly have been Avebury circle itself.”” It may be questioned whether
Mr. J. M. Kemble was able to give the requisite attention for the identification
of the different localities specified in this charter; and he will not carry many
readers with him in his assertion that Hackpen means the circle itself. With
perhaps somewhat unjust sarcasm, he concludes:

‘«The avenue you see, which my friends the Ophites consider so mysterious,
was only a common stone row, and the ‘temple’ itself of the snake, the sun,
the Helio-Arkite cult, the mystic zodiac, and a number of other very fine things
—so fine that one cannot understand them—is very probably, in the eyes of this
dull dog of a surveyor, only a burial place. As for the stone ring, it was only
Haca’s pen or enclosure, though I dare say Haca himself was some mythical
personage whom I have not been able to identify. . . . . . The Anglo-
Saxon did not know that Hac in Hebrew meant a serpent, and Pen in Welsh a
head; and would hardly have been ingenious enough to fancy that one word
could be made up of two parts derived from two different languages! though he
rayed about snakes, he does not seem to have raised his mind to the contempla-
tion of Dracontia. And he was quite right. Would that some of his successors
had been as little led away by their fancy |”

1 Unlike Stonehenge, which has been so often celebrated in song, Abury has
been, as far as the writer is aware, the subject of only two poetical effusions.
One entitled ‘‘ The Old Serpentine Temple of the Druids at Avebury, in North
Wilts, a Poem,” printed at Marlborough in 1795, was the composition of the
Rey. Charles Lucas, A.M., when he was curate of Avebury. Mr. Lucas was
for many years curate at Devizes, and died there in 1854, aged 85. He was
also the author of ‘‘ Joseph,” a poem, in two volumes 8vo. He was a man of
fortune, and never held any church preferment. His poem on Abury extended
to 29 pages, and is a versification of Stukeley’s description. Another is a MS.
poem by the Rey. John Skinner, the Somersetshire antiquary, and Rector of
Camerton, entitled ‘“‘ Beth Pennard, or the British Chieftain’s Grave,” It was
written ‘‘to commemorate the opening of an ancient British barrow near the

362 Abury.

In the foregoing sketch, I have endeavoured to give to those
who are unacquainted with Abury, an idea of the remarkable works
of man which it contained, and which, although little known even
in our own country, would have formed, had they remained entire,
one of the Wonders of the World. I would urge all who have not
done so, to visit them, and they will find that Stukeley said truly,
“that the pleasure arising from them is in being on the spot and
treading the agreeable downy turf, crowded with those antiquities,
where health to the body and amusement to the mind are mingled
so effectually together.” And not only will amusement be afforded
to the mind, but the sight of this wonderful ruin will open to the
intelligent visitor a mine of profitable subjects for study and inves-
tigation. Let him not omit to view the Church, with its Norman
doorway and font, and the interesting remnant of the roodloft.
The lime-tree avenue at the rear of the picturesque manor-house,
should not be neglected; and I think he will return home with
the conviction that it would be difficult to find in England a more
interesting spot than the village of Abury.

One word in conclusion to the landowners and tenants at Abury.
I am sure that I am uttering the sentiments, not only of every
English, but of every European antiquary, when I entreat them
religiously to spare the few stones that remain. Sir Richard Hoare
finished his account of Abury (as Stukeley did the 5th chapter of
his book,) with the following lines, from one of the Triopian in-
scriptions.

“Ne cuiquam glebam, saxumye impuné moyere
Ulli sit licitum. Parcarum namque severe

village of Abury, on the Wiltshire Downs by Sir Richard C. Hoare,” Aug. 11,
1814. Within the barrow at a foot and a half below the surface was a perfect
skeleton and a clay cup, as described in Hoare’s ‘Ancient Wilts,’ vol. ii. pp. 92,
93. The Rey. J. Douglas, author of the ‘‘ Nenia Britannica,” urged Mr. Skin-
ner to publish it. A copy of this poem is in the Library of the Royal Literary
and Scientific Institution at Bath ; andin the same MS. volume are copies of a
very interesting correspondence between Mr. Skinner and Mr. Douglas on vari-
ous antiquarian subjects. The letters in which Mr, Skinner describes the results
of his examination of the Mendip barrows and of the Wellow tumulus should,
at all events, be printed in the Journal of the Somersetshire Archeological and
Natural History Society,

—~

By William Long, Esq., UA. 363

Pene instant: si quis sacra scelus edat in ede.
Finitimi agricole, et vicini attendite cuncti!
Hic fundus sacer est.”

I will bring my paper to a close, with a free translation by my
friend, the Rev. F. Kilvert:

‘Let no rude hand disturb this hallowed sod,
Or move stones sacred to the Briton’s god—
Ayenging spirits o’er the place preside,
And bold profaners evil will betide.
Sons of the soil,—with faithful watch and ward
This holy precinct be it your’s to guard.”
W. L.

Contributions to the atuseum and Library.

The Committee feel great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of the following
articles, presented to the Society :—

By J. Yoner AKERMAN, Esq., Fellow and Secretary of the Society of Anti-
quaries.— ‘Some account of the Possessions of Malmesbury Abbey in the
Days of the Anglo-Saxon Kings, with remarks on the ancient limits of the
Forest of Braden,” by the Donor. Reprinted from the Archeologia, vol.
XXxvii., 1857, 4to.

By T. Herserr Noyes, Esq., Jun., Last Mascalls, Sussexc.—‘‘Some Notices of
the family of Newton, of East Mascalls in Lindfield, and Southover Priory,
near Lewes; and of Newton, and Pownall Hall in Cheshire; with a short
account of the Manors and Rectory of Lindfield,” by the Donor, 1857, 8vo.

By Mrs. Brirron.— Letters from the Bodleian Library, and Aubrey’s Lives
of Eminent Men,” 3 vols. 8vyo. ‘‘ History of the Manor and Ancient Barony
of Castle Combe,” by G. Poulett Scrope, Esq., M.P. 1852, 4to. Printed for
private circulation. ‘‘ Wilton and its Associations,” by James Smith, 4to.
1851. ‘‘ Akerman’s Wiltshire Tales,” 12mo. 1853, ‘‘ Britton’s Topograph-
ical and Historical Description of Wiltshire,” from the ‘ Beauties of England
and Wales,’ 8yo. 1814, ‘‘ Britton’s Autobiography,” 2 vols. 4to. ‘‘ Stuke-
ley’s Stonehenge and Abury,” folio, 1740-3. ‘‘ Britton’s History of Fonthill
Abbey,” 1823, large paper, illustrated with numerous additional plates, draw-
ings, and autograph letters. Also, several pamphlets and a large number of
engravings relating to Wiltshire.

By G. Pourerr Scrorr, Esq., M.P., Castle Combe.—Maps and Plates to the
“* Memoir on the Geology and Volcanic Formations of Central France.”’ 1 yol.
oblong folio, by the Donor.

364 Contributions to the Museum and Library.

By the Soctetry or Antiquartes, London.—Nos. 44, 45, 46, of their Proceed-
ings, and List of Fellows for 1857.

By Tuomas Bruers Frower, Esq., Bath.—‘‘ The Botanist’s Guide through
England and Wales,” by Turner and Dillwyn. 1805. 2 vols, 8vo.

By the Rev. Epwarp J. Purprs, Stansfield Rectory, Suffolk.—‘Two grants by
the Procurators of the Church of St. Mary’s, Devizes, of tenements belonging
thereto,” 12th and 46th Edward III. Also, a small collection of Tradesmen’s
Tokens, issued in the counties of Wilts and Somerset.

By W. Lone, Esq., Bath.—Aubrey’s Survey of Abury, A.D. 1663: in three
drawings accurately copied from the original MSS. of the ‘Monumenta Bri-
tannica,’ now in the Bodleian Library, Oxford.

By T. Sornreron Estcourt, Esq., M.P., Estcourt House.—Horns and portion
of cranium of Bos primigenius, fragments of British pottery, bones, horns of
deer, &c., found in a tumulus at Calston, 1833. See ‘‘ Wood’s Description of
Fossil Ox found in the river Avon, near Melksham,” and ‘“‘ Wilts Magazine,”
vol. iv. p. 139.

By Mr. Cunnineron, F.G.S., Devizes.—Cranium of Bos longifrons found in the
river-drift at Avon bridge, near Chippenham. Skull of recent Devonshire
Ox. Fragment of Granite found in the Upper Chalk, near Maidstone.

By the Rey. W. C. Luxts, Collingbourne Ducis.—Fragment of Primary Slate
embedded in a Chalk Flint, found at Collingbourne, Wilts.

By the Rry. G. AsHzGopparp, Clyffe Pypard.—Vertebre of Plesiosaurus, and
Humerus of Saurian, from the Kimmeridge Clay, Wotton Basset.

By Mr. J.G. Forzy, Zrowbridge.—Fossil molar tooth of Elephant, found at
Westbury.

By James Warten, Esq., Etchilhampton.—Two portions of Encaustic tile,
from Patney Church, Wilts.

By Mr. W. F. Parsons, Wotton Basset.—Final agreement between John G.
Gallamore, on the one part, and Gabriel Church, Mary his wife, and John
Church, on the other part, respecting certain lands and tenements in Shrop-
shire-marsh and Wotton Basset; made at Westminster in the octaves of St.
Hilary, 34 Charles II., before Francis Pemberton, Hugh Wyndham, Job
Charlton, and others.

Errata.

Page 320, in the wood-engraving. For ‘‘ Beckhampton, read ‘‘ Backhampton.”
Page 323, line 20. For ‘‘(1740)” read ‘ (1743).”

Page 330, line 9. For ‘‘ formed a cove,” read ‘‘ formed, with them, a cove.”
Page 337, line 17. For ‘‘Traids” read ‘ Triads.”

Page 342, note 1, line 1. For ‘‘The avenue which south east” read ‘The

avenue which stretched south east.
Page 342, note 1, line 9. For “‘ seem” read ‘‘ seems.”

eae
3

w*\

*
as |
.
3.
wD

4,

{

4

teh ty

ep)
t

qt ‘
434,% gat tut
tek fate fee
‘ aise
ak ‘
‘4,
<4 <
EGA ate

Hid
tate
sty ly

Any

4

pate
He
<
<

age
eat
tases
ay
fa
4 ay
tA

4
+i
+

< he eon

ce
aS
‘

+
24

eee ease ee

istgt

~
a

ot
oi

en meee : =
ees : 3 ats

Satlonsk sa
areas > Rane oe Se asl
a