[B] BANSTEAD is celebrated for the excellent herbage which the neighbouring downs afford the sheep, which are highly prized for the delicate flavour of the mutton. There are many elegant seats in the vicinity, amongst which are Banstead House, Miss Motteux; Cold Blow Cottage, General Sir Edward Howorth; and the Oaks, the seat of the Earl of Derby. This celebrated villa was erected by a society of gentlemen, called the "Hunter"s Club," and the present n.o.ble proprietor can accommodate his guests with more than 50 bed chambers; and a pack of hounds are kept on the establishment, which has been long noted for its hospitality. On the 26th of February, 1834, Mr. John Richardson, a farmer, returning from Epsom to Banstead, was robbed and murdered on these downs.
[Sidenote: Seat of the Earl of Derby.]
[C] BANWELL is an agreeable village, situated under the northern declivity of the Mendip hills, and is supposed to derive its name from a spring strongly impregnated with mineral properties, which expands into a fine sheet of water, and after turning two mills, empties itself into the channel near the ruins of Woodspring Priory. The church, which is a fine specimen of the florid gothic of the Tudor age, contains a richly carved screen and rood loft, a beautiful sculptured stone pulpit, and several windows of the richest stained gla.s.s. This manor has been in the possession of the Bishops of Bath and Wells, from the reign of Edward the Confessor, with little exception, till the present time. They had for many centuries a palace here, but nothing of it remains except a private residence called Banwell Court, still interesting for its antiquity. The park has been divided into enclosures, which afford at every point a most pleasing variety of landscapes. The Bishop of Bath and Wells has also a cottage ornee, for the accommodation of his family and of the numerous visitors which are driven hither to view the two singular caverns which have been discovered of late years in this neighbourhood. The monastery of Banwell was founded by the early Saxon monarchs. a.s.serius, or a.s.ser, the scholar and biographer of King Alfred, was made Abbot by that monarch. This Abbey was destroyed by the Danes; it was afterwards restored, but never recovered its pristine importance; for instead of arriving at the point of prosperity usual in Royal foundations, it sunk into obscurity long prior to the dissolution of religious houses. Banwell is remarkable for two extraordinary caverns discovered in the year 1824, which occasioned no inconsiderable number of the curious to resort to the village. They were first discovered by some workmen digging a shaft in search of Calamine, which intersected a steep narrow fissure; after they had descended about 80 feet it opened into a s.p.a.cious cavern, 150 feet long and 30 broad, and about 30 feet high. This is called the stalact.i.te cavern, from the beautiful specimens of crystalized stalact.i.te, which lay covering huge fragments of rock about the floor. In this place were found two pieces of candle, encrusted with lime, supposed to have been left by the miners after working for ochre, calamine, &c. A rich vein of iron ore, with some cobalt and manganese, was also discovered, the working of which has long since commenced, and the produce is conveyed to the smelting works on the southern coast of Wales. The workmen, in order to facilitate an easier method of entrance, opened another fissure lower in the rock, when suddenly another cavern presented itself, the floor of which was covered with a ma.s.s of sand, limestone, teeth, bones, &c. Professor Buckland, who surveyed this place, states, that a shaft being driven into this ma.s.s, proved it to have been nearly 40 feet deep. The bones consisted of various specimens of the ox tribe, including the elk.
Skeletons of the wolf, and a gigantic bear, in point of preservation, like what are to be found in ordinary churchyards--supposed to be of antediluvian origin, where found here. In the roof of the cave is a large chimney-like shaft, formerly rising to the surface, but now blocked up by fragments of limestone, mud, and sand, adhering together by incrustation, and through which dreadful pitfall, it is presumed, this immense number of beasts were precipitated at the great inundation.
The rubbish has been partially cleared, and the bones are used to decorate the sides of the walls. A British earthwork crowns the summit of the neighbouring eminence, enclosing, within its irregular rampart, an area of about 20 acres; and, about a quarter of a mile further, is an entrenchment nearly square, the ground in the centre of which is elevated in the form of a cross.
_Fairs_, Jan. 18, and July 18, for cattle, sheep, and cheese.
[Sidenote: Formerly a Bishop"s Palace.]
[Sidenote: Extraordinary caverns.]
[Sidenote: Antediluvian bones.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-----------------------+---------+----------+---------------+ 28Barby paNorthampDaventry 6Welford 1139Barcheston paWarwickShipston 2Kineton 938Barcombe paSuss.e.xLewes 3Uckfield 644Barden paN.R. YorkLeyburn 3Richmond 444Barden to & chapW.R. YorkSkipton 8Paitley Brid. 914Bardfield,(Great)[A] paEss.e.xThaxted 5Dunmow 714Bardfield-Saling paEss.e.x4724Bardney[B] paLincolnLincoln 12Horncastle 9+--+-----------------------+---------+----------+---------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-----------------------+--------------------+-----+---------+ 28Barby paCrick 47863739Barcheston paL. Compton 58319838Barcombe paBrighton 114893144Barden paBedale 823110644Barden to & chapOtley 1321821414Bardfield,(Great)[A] paHaverhill 1048102914Bardfield-Saling pa104835924Bardney[B] paWragby 91361098+--+-----------------------+--------------------+-----+---------+
[A] BARDFIELD, (Great.) _Market_, formerly Tuesday (now disused.)--_Fair_, June 22, for cattle and toys.
[B] BARDNEY, anciently Beardanam, is situated in a marsh on the north bank of the river Witham. An abbey was founded in the time of the Saxons, prior to the year 641. Here Ethelred, divesting himself of the splendour of royalty, retired to devote his days to religion, and became superior of the monastery. King Oswald is said to have been buried here, but the body was afterwards removed to the church of Gloucester. The hand was retained by the monks as a relique, to which they ascribed the power of working miracles, and for a long period imposed upon the credulity of superst.i.tious pilgrims. In the year 870 the monastery was burned by the Danes, but was afterwards rebuilt by Gilbert De Gaunt, Earl of Lincoln, who annexed to it several extensive estates. At the dissolution its annual revenues were estimated at 429. 7s.
[Sidenote: King Oswald buried here.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+----------------------+----------+-----------+------------+ 23Bardon Park toLeicesterLeicester 9Loughboro" 522Bardsea toLancasterUlverston 3Dalton 550Bardsey Isle[A]CaernarvonAberdaron 4Pwllheli 2045Bardsey[B] to & paW.R. YorkWetherby 5Leeds 9+--+----------------------+----------+-----------+------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+----------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+ 23Bardon Park toAshby 91076522Bardsea toCartmel 8276...50Bardsey Isle[A]Nevin 182568445Bardsey[B] to & paTadcaster 8193331+--+----------------------+----------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BARDSEY ISLE, is near the south-east point of the promontory of Llyn, in Caernarvonshire: it is of a moderate elevation; in length two miles, and in breadth one. The third part of its contents of 370 acres, occupied by a high mountain, affords sustenance to a few sheep and rabbits. It is about a league distant from the main land, and only accessible to the mariner on its south-east side, where there is a small well-sheltered harbour. There is no reptile ever seen on this island, except the common water-lizard. The soil is clayey, but produces excellent barley and wheat. The inhabitants are employed in cultivating the land, and in fishing. The abbot"s house is a large stone building, occupied by several families, and near it is a singular chapel, or oratory, being a long arched edifice, with a insolated stone altar near the east end. Dubricius, archbishop of Caerleon, almost worn out with age, resigned his see to St. David, retired here, and died in 522. He was interred upon the spot, but such was the veneration paid to his memory in after ages, that about the year 1107, his remains were removed, by the procurement of Urban, then Bishop of Llandaff, and re-interred in the cathedral of that see, of which he had been the first bishop. St. Dubricius was a man of singular eminence for learning and piety. He was Archbishop of Caerleon, and Metropolitan of all Wales, in the time of Aurelius Ambrosius; and prior to this elevation, he taught a school on the banks of his native river, which was much resorted to from all Christian countries.
[Sidenote: No reptiles on this island.]
[Sidenote: St. Dubricius.]
[B] BARDSEY, comprises the township of Bardsey, with Rigton and Wathersome. Near the church is a mound called Castle Hill, supposed to have been the site of a Roman fortress. At Bardsey Grange, in this parish, resided occasionally, and died, Francis Thorpe, the tyrannical Baron of the Exchequer; but the same house is rendered memorable as the birth place of the poet Congreve, in 1670. This clever and celebrated poet, was baptised in the church of this village in the month of February of the same year. When an infant he was carried to Kilkenny, by his father, who had the command of the army there. He received his education in the school of Kilkenny, and from these circ.u.mstances it is probable that persons had fallen into the erroneous impression that Congreve was a native of Ireland. In 1685 he was admitted into the university of Dublin. In 1691 he became a member of the society of the Middle Temple, but soon relinquished the dry study of the Law. At the age of twenty-one, he published his novel called "Incognita," or, "Love and Duty Reconciled." Soon afterwards, he brought out the Comedy, called "The Old Bachelor," of which Dryden says, "he never saw such a first play in his life;" it was performed in 1793, with the most unbounded applause. Lord Falkland wrote the prologue. The singular success and merits of this production, recommended him to the patronage and notice of the Earl of Halifax, who settled him in an office of six hundred a year, and during his life patronised him in every way he could. His next piece was "The Double Dealer." On the death of Queen Mary, in 1693, he wrote a Pastoral on the occasion, ent.i.tled "The Mourning Muse of Alexis," upon the appearance of which King William, her husband, granted him an annuity of 100. per annum. In 1695, he produced his Comedy, called "Love for Love;" and in 1697, the beautiful Tragedy of "The Mourning Bride." Having lived a high and honorable life amongst the most celebrated wits and cla.s.sical men of the age, he died at his house in Surrey-street, in the Strand, January 19, 1729. On the 26th his corpse lay in state in the Jerusalem Chamber, at Westminster, and the same evening was carried into Henry the Seventh"s Chapel, and afterwards buried in the Abbey. His pall was supported by the Duke of Bridgewater, Earl G.o.dolphin, Lord Cobham, Lord Wilmington, Hon. George Berkeley, Esq., and Brigadier-General Churchill. Dr. Johnson says, "He has merit of the highest kind; he is an original writer, who borrowed neither the models of his plot, nor the manner of his dialogue." And Voltaire remarks, "That he raised the glory of comedy to a greater height than any English writer before or since his time."
[Sidenote: Birth-place of Congreve, the poet.]
[Sidenote: His works.]
[Sidenote: Died in Surrey-st., London.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-----------------------+---------+------------+--------------+ 36Bardwell paSuffolkBury 10Ixworth 322Bare toLancasterLancaster 3Burton 1023Baresley toLeicesterLeicester 10Melton 827Barford paNorfolkWymondham 5Dereham 1339Barford paWarwickWarwick 3Stratford 731Barford,(Great)[A] paBedfordBedford 6St. Neots 73Barford,(Great) paOxfordDeddington 2Banbury 63Barford,(Little)[B] paBedfordSt. Neots 3Potton 731Barford, St. John"s, chOxfordDeddington 3Banbury 541Barford, St. Martin, paWiltsWilton 3Salisbury 643Barforth toN.R. YorkRichmond 10Barnard Cas 10+--+-----------------------+---------+------------+--------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-----------------------+----------------------+-----+--------+ 36Bardwell paThetford 98079922Bare toK. Lonsdale 1424311023Baresley toM. Sorrel 10105...27Barford paNorwich 1010542039Barford paKineton 89274831Barford,(Great)[A] paPotton 7537313Barford,(Great) paChip Norton 11713503Barford,(Little)[B] paBiggleswade 95417631Barford, St. John"s, chChip Norton 117213141Barford, St. Martin, paHindon 108757043Barforth toDarlington 9243128+--+-----------------------+----------------------+-----+--------+
[A] BARFORD, (Great). At this place is a piece of land, called White Bread Close, left, as is generally believed, by one of the Shepherd family, formerly residents of considerable opulence in the parish, for the purpose of purchasing loaves of white bread, to be thrown among the populace from the church porch. This whimsical custom at last became such a scene of scrambling, fighting, and disorder, that it was prohibited by the curate, and the money applied towards the purchase of coals for the poor, at Christmas. The boys, and even men, seemed to have partic.i.p.ated in this sport, the same as at a game at foot-ball, or other play; and an old gentleman in the adjoining village fully remembers taking an active part in the scramble, and bearing off the wheaten loaf in triumph.
[Sidenote: Curious custom.]
[B] BARFORD, (Little), is situated in the hundred of Biggleswade, and is chiefly celebrated as the birth-place of Rowe, the dramatic poet, who was born here in the year 1673. His father having designed him for the study of the law, took him from school at the age of sixteen, and entered him a student in the Middle Temple. He made considerable progress, and was called to the bar, but Homer and Virgil had more charms for him than either c.o.ke or Littleton. He was strongly solicited by his friends to practice, but nothing could overcome his affection for the muses; and his play, the "Ambitious Step-mother," having been received with great applause, he resolved to make poetry his profession.
He had imbibed in his youth the most n.o.ble sentiments of liberty, of which he gave a specimen in his Tragedy of "Tamerlane." This was the second play that he wrote, and until of late years it was usual to perform it on the 4th and 5th of November, in commemoration of the gunpowder treason, and the landing of King William. Mr. Rowe being out of all employment, went one day to wait on the Earl of Oxford, Lord High Treasurer of England, when, among other things his Lordship asked him, whether he understood Spanish. He replied in the negative, and his Lordship said he would advise him to learn it as soon as possible. Rowe took his leave, applied himself to the study of that language, and expecting some lucrative employment, again waited upon him. How great was his disappointment, when his Lordship, on being informed of his acquisition, merely exclaimed, "How happy are you, Mr. Rowe, that you can now enjoy the pleasure of reading "Don Quixote" in the original!"
His death took place on the 6th of December, 1718, in the 45th year of his age, and he was buried with great funeral pomp, in Westminster Abbey, where a handsome monument is erected to his memory.
[Sidenote: Rowe, the Dramatist.]
[Sidenote: Anecdote.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+--------------------+----------+------------+-------------+ 21Barfreston paKentWingham 6Dover 819Barham paHuntingdonKimbolton 6Alconbury 421Barham paKentCanterbury 7Dover 936Barham paSuffolkIpswich 5Needham 524Barholm paLincolnM. Deeping 4Stamford 623Barkby paLeicesterLeicester 5Melton 1123Barkby-Thorpe toLeicester4124Barkham paBerksWokingham 4Reading 714Barking[A] m.t. & paEss.e.xRomford 5Woolwich 436Barking paSuffolkNeedham Mt 1Stow Market 4+--+--------------------+----------+------------+-------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+ 21Barfreston paCanterbury 106511419Barham paHuntingdon 10687321Barham paSandwich 1162105336Barham paDebenham 97482524Barholm paBourn 89415523Barkby paHoughton 510080623Barkby-Thorpe to5100724Barkham paBagshot 113524714Barking[A] m.t. & paIlford 27803636Barking paIpswich 10701884+--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BARKING, in the hundred of Beacontree. The name is derived, according to some writers, from the Saxon words Beorce--a birch tree, and Ing--a meadow; but the most natural presumption is, that it takes its name from Berging, signifying a fortification in a meadow, and which seems to be borne out, as there is an encampment still to be traced, of the most extensive dimensions, being more than forty-eight acres in the area; near to which is a spring of fine water, which no doubt supplied the inmates. In 870, Barking was burnt by the Danes, and the abbey destroyed, and the nuns either murdered or dispersed. Soon after the conquest, King William retired to this place, while the Tower of London was being erected, not deeming it safe to continue in that city; and here he was visited during the preparation for his coronation, by Earl Edwin, of Mercia; Morcar, Earl of Northumberland; and many others of the n.o.bility, who swore fealty to him, on the restoration of their estates.
It is situated on the river Roding, which branches off in two different streams, and unites with the Thames about two miles distant. Barking Creek is navigable for ships of 80 tons burden, and the coal and timber, together with the fishing trade, is carried on to a considerable extent.
About a hundred fishing smacks sail from this town. Near the creek is a large flour mill, formerly belonging to the abbey; and in the vicinity of the town are extensive potatoe grounds for the supply of the London market. Barking is rather a dull town, from the want of a main thoroughfare; it has the appearance of antiquity stamped upon it, particularly the market-house, which is an extensive and ancient building of timber and plaster, of the age of Elizabeth. Here is a town-hall and work-house. A free quay for landing goods, subject to a table of regulations, and a s.p.a.cious new road from the Commercial-road, through Eastham and Wallend to Barking. The church is dedicated to St.
Margaret, and is a s.p.a.cious ancient structure, with a lofty embattled tower at the west end, having a beacon turret at one corner. A free-school, which now occupies part of the work-house, was founded by Sir James Campbell, in 1641, who bequeathed a sum of 666. 13s. 4d. for that purpose. John Fowke, Esq., bequeathed certain lands for the maintenance of eight boys in Christ"s Hospital, two of whom are chosen from this parish. The importance formerly attached to the town of Barking was almost entirely to be attributed to the magnificent abbey that was established here in the year 670, by Erkenwald, Bishop of London, for nuns of the Benedictine order: it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary. This abbey was governed by a succession of Abbesses, of n.o.ble, and even royal descent After the destruction of the establishment by the Danes, in the year 870, it was again rebuilt in a style of greater splendour than before, and on the death of King Edgar, in 970, his queen became Abbess. From the earliest period to the time of its dissolution, it may be said to have been a seminary for the princ.i.p.al gentry of England. Its revenues amounted, at the suppression of the religious houses, to 1084. 6s. 2-3/4d. Destruction has done its worst to this beautiful abbey, for at present little or nothing remains but the gateway, an interesting object, and in good preservation; over which is a room, called the Chapel of the Holy Ghost. This gateway was denominated the fire-bell gate, from its having anciently contained the curfew; it is a square embattled structure, with an octagonal turret at one of the angles. The arch of the entrance is finely pointed, and enriched with deeply receding mouldings; above is a canopied niche, under a fine gothic window of three lights. Among the ruins of the abbey were discovered a fibula, and a gold ring, on which were engraved, the Salutation of the Virgin Mary, and the initials I.M. The tyranny exercised over the tenants of this manor by the fraternity, would almost create a feeling of surprise in our present liberal and enlightened age, were they not perfectly well known in a thousand other instances. The manor of Clayhall was held under the Abbess and convent of Barking, by the following services: viz. that every tenant should come in person to the Abbey Church, on the vigil of St. Ethelburg the Virgin, and there attend and guard the high altar, from the first hours of Vespers till nine the next morning; and that he should be ready at all times, with a horse and a man, to attend the Abbess and her steward, when going upon the business of the convent, any where within the four seas. And, lastly, that the Abbess should have by way of herriot, upon the death of every tenant, his best horse and accoutrements: these services, however, did not exempt them from the quit rents. Besides the above tenure, there were other vexatious contingencies; viz. one (Robert Gerard) was among other services, to gather a full measure of nuts, called a pybot, four of which should make a bushel; to go a long journey on foot once a year to Colchester, Chelmsford, Ely, or the like distances, on the business of the convent, carrying a pack; and other shorter distances, such as Brentford, &c., and maintaining himself upon the road. He was to pay a fine upon the marriage of his daughter, if she married beyond the limits of the manor. If his daughter had an illegitimate child, he was to make the best terms he could with the Abbess, for the fine called Kyldwyte.
It appears also, that he could not even sell his ox fed by himself, without the Abbess"s permission. Some of the tenants, according to Blount, were obliged to watch and guard thieves in the Abbess"s prison.
A few miles distant, in a glade in Hainhault Forest, formerly stood an oak, famed through many centuries, and known by the name of Fairlop Oak.
Its age is traced by the traditions of the country half way through the Christian era. Part of this n.o.ble tree has been converted into the pulpit of St. Pancras new church. Its rough fluted stem was 36 feet in circ.u.mference, and about a yard from the ground, divided into eleven immense arms; yet not in the horizontal manner of an oak, but rather that of a beech. Beneath its shade, which formerly overspread an area of three hundred feet in circuit, an annual fair was held on the 2nd of July, and no booth was suffered to be raised beyond the extent of its boughs. The fair is still continued on the same spot the first Friday in July.
_Market_ disused.--_Fair_, October 22, for toys. It lies within the three-penny post delivery.
[Sidenote: Origin of its name.]
[Sidenote: Burnt by the Danes.]
[Sidenote: Once a town of importance.]
[Sidenote: Singular services by which the manor of Clayhall was held.]
[Sidenote: Fairlop oak.]
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-------------------+---------+--------------+--------------+ 45Barkisland toW.R. YorkHalifax 4Huddersfield 823Barkston paLeicesterMelton 12Belvoir Cas. 424Barkstone paLincolnGrantham 4Sleaford 946Barkstone Ash toW.R. YorkTadcaster 6Abberford 518Barkway to & paHertsHertford 15Puckeridge 824Barkwith, East paLincolnWragby 3M. Raisin 824Barkwith, West paLincoln3835Barlaston paStaffordStone 4Newcastle 638Barlavington paSuss.e.xPetworth 5Chichester 1210Barlborough paDerbyChesterfield 8Worksop 746Barlby chapE.R. YorkSelby 2York 1323Barleston chapLeicesterBosworth 3Leicester 1218Barley paHertsBarkway 3Cambridge 1422Barley toLancasterColne 5c.l.i.theroe 532Barleythorpe chapRutlandOakham 2Melton 914Barling paEss.e.xPrittlewell 5Rochford 524Barlings paLincolnLincoln 7Wragby 446Barlow toW.R. YorkSelby 3Snaith 610Barlow, Great chapDerbyChesterfield 4Dronfield 310Barlow, Little toDerby53+--+-------------------+---------+--------------+--------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-------------------+------------------------+-----+--------+ 45Barkisland toRochdale 13196229223Barkston paBingham 711529724Barkstone paFolkingham 1111443046Barkstone Ash toYork 1518526518Barkway to & paCambridge 1735110824Barkwith, East paLouth 1214718724Barkwith, West pa1114611335Barlaston paCheadle 814551438Barlavington paArundel 85411110Barlborough paSheffield 1715071346Barlby chapHowden 1218334823Barleston chapAshby 910958218Barley paWare 163770422Barley toBurnley 521770732Barleythorpe chapStamford 1396...14Barling paSouthend 64531724Barlings paBardney 814028046Barlow toHowden 817922510Barlow, Great chapSheffield 1015458110Barlow, Little to1015558+--+-------------------+------------------------+-----+--------+
MapNames of Places.County.Number of Miles From+--+-----------------------+---------+-------------+-------------+ 46Barmby on the M. chapE.R. YorkHowden 5Selby 646Barnby on Don to & paW.R. YorkDoncaster 6Thorne 746Barmby on Moor, to & pE.R. YorkPocklington 2York 1153Barmele toFlintChester 7Holywell 1227Barmer paNorfolkBurnham 6Fakenham 721Barming[A] paKentMaidstone 3Tonbridge 1155Barmouth[B] toMerionethDolgelly 10Harleigh 1113Barmpton toDurhamDarlington 3Stockton 913Barmston toDurhamSunderland 5Durham 1043Barmston paE.R. YorkBridlington 7Driffield 1039Barnacle hamWarwickNuneaton 5Coventry 730Barnack paNorthampWansford 4Stamford 422Barnaker toLancasterGarstang 3Lancaster 1213Barnard Castle[C] t & pDurhamMiddleton 10Darlington 17+--+-----------------------+---------+-------------+-------------+Dist.MapNames of Places.Number of Miles FromLond.Population.
+--+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+ 46Barmby on the M. chapSnaith 618052546Barnby on Don to & pa916861746Barmby on Moor, to & pM. Weighton 821044053Barmele toFlint 819611527Barmer paLynn 181154321Barming[A] paChatham 133356555Barmouth[B] toTowyn 11222198013Barmpton toDurham 182449013Barmston toNewcastle 72697343Barmston paHornsea 820022339Barnacle hamRugby 129521930Barnack paPeterboro" 118881222Barnaker toPreston 1523251913Barnard Castle[C] t & pStaindrop 62464430+--+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----+-------+
[A] BARMING. Of this village the learned antiquarian, Mark n.o.ble, was rector. His princ.i.p.al works were a history of the College of Arms, a Genealogical History of the Royal Families of Europe, Memoirs of the Protectorate House of Cromwell; and, also, of the ill.u.s.trious house of Medici. On St. Thomas"s Day there is an annual solicitation for charity, and with the money raised loaves of bread are purchased, and distributed to the resident poor. Great quant.i.ties of hops, cherries, and filberts, are grown in this parish.
[Sidenote: Mark n.o.ble.]