There is an old saying at Honeybourne, near
Broadway, as follows:
"There was a church at Honeyborn
When Evesham was but bush and thorn."
There is a saying that—
"When elmen leaves are as large as a farden,
It's time to plant kidney beans in the garden."
or,
"When elm leaves are as big as a shilling,
Plant kidney beans, if to plant 'em you're willing;
When elm leaves are big as a penny,
You must plant kidney beans if you mean to have any."
Another saying is—
"On Candlemas day
Every good goose should lay."
It is proverbial in Worcestershire that "you never hear
the cuckoo before Tenbury fair or after Pershore fair."
Tenbury fair is on April 20, and Pershore fair is on June 26,
which two dates pretty correctly mark the duration of the
cuckoo's visit.
The happy village of Norton, near Evesham, contains no
inn, public-house, meeting-house, lawyer, doctor, or curate!
(at least this was the case a few months ago, when the author
of this work was there.)
G. E. R., a correspondent at Kidderminster, has found the
following curious note on the fly-leaf of a rare tract, entitled
"The Infancie of the Soule, by William Hill. Printed at
the Signe of the Holy Lambe, 1605:"—"November ye 29,
1620. In the river Severn was the greatest flood that ever
was sinse the flood of Noah; there was drowned at Homtone's
Loade 68 persons as they whare going to Bewdley
faire."
In the Domesday Book, mention is made of a family
residing at Bromsgrove, of the name of Dipple, and at the
present time there are living in that town three distinct
families of the same name, so that in all probability this
family never became extinct, and is therefore one of the
oldest in the county.
The majority of the Worcestershire bells were cast by
Rudhall, of Gloucester, and his successor, Mears; Chapman
and Mears, of London, towards the close of the last century,
and T. Mears, of London, in the present, also have their
names in some places, as at King's Norton; but a correspondent
says he has one of Mears' lists, and finds only
nine of his peals in Worcestershire, viz., Dudley, peal of ten,
weight of tenor, 21 cwt.; Stourbridge, eight, tenor, 19 cwt.;
King's Norton, eight, tenor, 17 cwt.; St. John's, Worcester,
six, tenor, 16 cwt.; Fladbury, six, tenor, 13 cwt.; Longdon,
six, tenor, 12 cwt.; Cookley, six, tenor, 12 cwt.; Abberley,
six, tenor, 9 cwt.; and Stone, six, tenor, 6 cwt. On the
Tredington bells the names of G. Purdye and Mr. Bagly
appear (seventeenth century). The Clent bells are by Bagly,
whose services were much called into requisition in Warwickshire,
and it is said by enthusiastic ringers that the bells
cast by the Baglys are not to be surpassed in the country:
they are all light peals, with fine musical tones, and run
down as true as a musical instrument can do. At Tanworth,
Warwickshire, the tenor bell has this inscription:
"Richard Saunders of Bromsgrove made we all, 1710."
How long the trade of bell-founding existed at Bromsgrove
does not appear, but the bells of St. Helen's (1706), St.
John's (1710), and St. Nicholas (1715), were founded there by
Mr. Saunders. The Worcester foundry, which had existed
in Silver Street in the seventeenth century,[9] had probably
closed at the above period when Bromsgrove was resorted to.
On the third bell of Himbleton church is the inscription:
"John Martin, of Worcester, he made wee,
Be it known to all that do wee see. 1675."
The Worcester foundry is also traceable on the bells of St.
Michael's, Worcester, Bishampton, Himbleton, and Grafton
Flyford, from 1660 to 1676; John Martin, of St. Martin's,
being the founder.
The Bretforton peal is by Westcote, of Bristol, 1823;
Lester and Peck, of London, founded some of the Halesowen
bells a century ago. Joseph Smith, of Edgbaston, and R.
Wells, of Aldbourne, others of them, at the beginning and
end of the same century. The old peal of bells, prior to
these, at Halesowen, it appears from the churchwardens'
accounts, were completed in 1518, and the bell-founder came
from Nottingham. Joseph Smith, of Edgbaston, also founded
the Alvechurch and Northfield bells—the first in 1711, the
latter in 1730. On the third bell at Alvechurch is the following
euphonious couplet:
"If you would know when we was run,
It was March the twenty-second, 1711."
The Alvechurch bells are kept in excellent condition by Billy
Bourne, a poor demented creature, who however is famous
for his skill in clock cleaning and his adhesiveness to the
church belfry, in which he sleeps regularly on a hard plank,
with an old mat for a coverlid; he has hardly ever been
known to miss ringing the matin bell at five and the curfew
at eight, and constantly defends the sacred precincts from all
resurrectionists by a rusty old sword and pistol.
The Northfield bells are distinguished by some original
versification, thus: On the first—
"We now are six, tho' once but five,"
Second—
"And against our casting some did strive;"
Third—
"But when a day for meeting they did fix,"
Fourth—
"There appeared but nine against twenty-six.
"Joseph Smith, 1730."
Fifth—
"Samuel Palmer and Thomas Silk, Churchwardens, 1730."
Tenor—
"Thomas Kettle and William Jervis did contrive
To make us six that was but five."
The last-named couplet, which seeks to perpetuate a piece
of parochial thrift in the casting of six bells out of five, is
likewise to be found on a bell at Feckenham, with, of course,
other names substituted.
"Sublime in hookahs, glorious in a pipe,
When tipp'd with amber, mellow, rich, and ripe."
The introduction of tobacco (now become so important
an article of general demand) is a subject worthy of a few
notes, especially as regards the traces of its cultivation and
consumption in this district. It is true that Worcestershire
cannot boast of being the first place in England where
"the wicked weed" was grown. That was an honour
claimed by our near neighbours of Winchcombe, in Gloucestershire,
who are said to have profited greatly (in a pecuniary
sense, I suppose) by its cultivation. Tobacco was,
however, grown at Worcester, Feckenham, Eckington, Pershore,
Upton Snodsbury, Pensham, Kempsey, and other
places in this county. The first mention of its use at
Worcester is in the chamberlain's accounts for the year
1643, about fifty-seven years after its introduction to this
country. At that time it was evidently esteemed an especial
luxury. The entry is as follows:
"Item: For one ounce of bacca which Mr. Maior sent for to
spend upon Colonel Sandys, and for tobacco pipe, eighteen pence."
The sum of 1s. 6d. being then equal to at least 10s. of
our present money, some idea may be formed of the scarcity
and value of tobacco in its earlier days. The Droitwich
corporation, it seems, were very liberal in the consumption
of the weed, for at a feast in 1656 it is recorded that the
sum of 9s. was spent "for tobacco of both sorts." This is
the first and only instance of "both sorts" being mentioned.
The price of the article had fluctuated in a most unaccountable
manner, for while in 1643 it cost 1s. 6d. an ounce at
Worcester (the same price which was given for it at Droitwich
in 1632), in 1646 it was entered only at 2s. 8d. per pound
by the constable of Droitwich, in his bill of charges for
soldiers who at that time had taken up their abode in
Dodderhill church, as a barrack. In 1659, "Mr. Maior
Ashbie," of Worcester, charges 6s. 8d. for a pound of
Spanish tobacco; but it is gratifying to observe that, in the
midst of this heavy expenditure on matters of luxury, some
compunction of conscience was evident from the fact that
the corporation made their pipes perform double duty,
frequent entries occurring of a charge of 6d. per gross for
burning them! The price of the article was much reduced
by the time of James II, when the "best Virginia" was
but 2s. per pound, and "two gross of best glazed pipes
and a box with them, 3s. 4d." Previous to that time tobacco
had become almost a necessary among the upper classes,
nor could the Parliamentary representatives of the city of
Worcester be despatched up to town until the "collective
wisdom" had smoked and drunk sack with them at the
Globe, or some other hostelry.
As early as 1621 it was moved in the House of Commons
by Sir William Stroud, that he "would have tobacco banished
wholly out of the kingdom, and that it may not be brought
in from any part nor used amongst us," and Sir Grey Palmes
"that if tobacco be not banished it will overthrow one
hundred thousand men in England; for now it is so common
that he hath seen ploughmen take it as they are at plough."
At a later period of the century, so inveterate had the
practice become, that an order appears on the journals of
the House, "That no member of the House do presume to
smoke tobacco in the gallery, or at the table of the House,
sitting at committees." Indeed we are told by M. Jorevin,
who visited Worcester in the reign of Charles II, put up
at the "Stag inn," and published his doings in the "Antiquarian
Repertory," that the women smoked as well as the
men. As early as the end of the sixteenth century, complaints
were made of this "imitation of the manners of a
savage people," as it was feared that by this practice Englishmen
would degenerate into a barbarous state. So great
an incentive was it thought to drunkenness, that it was
strictly forbidden to be taken in any alehouse in the time
of James I, and his Majesty exhausted much ponderous
wit in attempting to cry down the weed; his celebrated
performance, "A Counterblast to Tobacco," denominating
it "the invention of Satan," and the custom of smoking as
"loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the
brain, dangerous to the lungs, and in the black stinking
fume thereof nearest resembling the horrible Stygian smoke
of the pit that is bottomless."
In 1659, Wm. George, of Eckington, was indicted at the
Worcester County Sessions "for planting, setting, growing,
making, and curing tobacco there," on 400 poles of land,
and a fine of £400 inflicted—the informer being Wm. Harrison,
of Pershore. Ralph Huntingdon, of Upton Snodsbury,
John Redding, of Kempsey, Humphrey Tay and Rd. Beddard,
of Eckington, and Edmund Baugh, of Pensham, were similarly
fined. In the above-mentioned year it was ordered
"that no person plant tobacco after January 1, 1660, according
to Act of Parliament, 12th Charles II, within England, to
sell, upon forfeiture of the same or value thereof, or 40s.,
for every rode or pole so planted, set, or sown, one moiety
to the King and the other to the informer; not to extend
to physick gardens in the university."
In 1662, letters were issued from the Lords of the Council
which commanded that "all tobacco planted within the county
of Worcester should be speedily destroyed by order of the
sheriff and justices of the peace," to whom the said letters
were directed; and for many years subsequent to that period
(as appears from the Sessions rolls) the chief constables of
this county sent warrants to the various constables for cutting
and destroying the weed, and regular returns were made by
them as to whether they had found any growing within their
constablewicks. The tobacco plant, I am informed (Nicotiana
rustica), still grows in a half naturalized state near Bewdley—in
the vicinity, no doubt, of spots where it was formerly cultivated.
This shows how easily tobacco might be produced
in England, if there were no prohibitory taxation opposed to
it. The following quaint stanzas are from a forgotten book
of "Gospel Sonnets," by Ralph Erskine, a Presbyterian
clergyman, whose object was to improve whatever subject he
touched upon, and thus he tunes his pipe in a
The pipe, so lily-like and weak,
Does thus the mortal state bespeak:
Thou art even such,
Gone with a touch!
Thus think, and smoke Tobacco.
And when the smoke ascends on high,
Then thou behold'st the vani-ty
Of worldly stuff—
Gone with a puff!
Thus think, and smoke Tobacco.
In vain th' unlighted pipe you blow,
Your pains in outward means are so,
Till heavenly fire
Your heart inspire;—
Thus think, and smoke Tobacco.
And when the pipe grows foul within
Think on thy soul defiled with sin;
For then the fire
It does require;—
Thus think, and smoke Tobacco.
And see'st the ashes cast away,
Then to thyself thou mayest say—
That to the dust
Return thou must!—
Thus think, and smoke Tobacco."
abound in Worcestershire. One of the most interesting of
them is that at Redstone, in a rock by the Severn, in the
parish of Astley. It was said to be "a place of great resort
for devotees of high quality in Papal times:" and the following
remarks respecting it occur in a letter of Bishop
Latimer, written from Hartlebury to Lord Cromwell, August
25th, 1538. The letter was printed in the Parker Society's
edition of his "Remains," p. 401: "Hereby is an hermitage
in a rock by Severn, able to lodge five hundred men, and as
ready for thieves or traitors as true men. I would not have
hermits masters of such dens, but rather that some faithful
man had it." Habingdon says he had heard "that many who
traffick'd on the river gave, as they passed by in their barges,
somewhat of their commodities to charity at this hermitage;
and to show how much great men have valued this place,
there appear in the very front of the hermitage the arms of
England, between those of Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, with
his crosses croslet on the right hand, and those of Mortimer
with an escutcheon ermine, quartered, as far as I can guess,
with a cross on the left; but these monuments of honour
are here so worn as they are instantly perishing." Nash
states that the hermitage was anciently the inheritance of
Sir T. Bromley, and, with two acres directly over the cell,
was let to a poor tenant. It was afterwards sold and turned
into an alehouse; and more recently it was converted into
dwellings, but which were most unfit for human residences.
Indeed, about thirty years ago a school was kept in a part of
the rock! The entrance to the hermitage is through what is
called the chapel; and an arched passage, with openings at
the sides, seems to have led to the dormitories (now formed
into dwellings), and to the right is the refectory. Over the
doorway is an opening which is reached by some steps in the
inside, and from which, according to tradition, one of the
monks would address the people and pray for the safety of
passengers crossing the ferry. Another tradition is, that a
subterraneous passage once led from the hermitage to the
priory, near the site of the present church.
Blackstone Rock, near the Severn at Bewdley, is also a
most interesting relic. Here is an hermitage, cut in the
rock, to which entrance is gained by a low doorway into the
kitchen, which has for a chimney a circular hole cut perpendicularly
through the rock; there are also a chapel, a pantry,
with a chamber over, an inner room, closets with loft over, a
study with shelves cut for books, and another opening in the
rock, either for a belfry or chimney. Small and rudely cut
openings in the rock served for windows. In the front of
the cell is a seat carved in the rock, from which the hermit
looked forth on the Severn (which then ran closer to the rock
than it does now) and the beautiful meadows and wooded
banks adjacent. There is a tradition that this was at one
time a smuggler's cave; it has of late been used as a cider-making
house, &c.
About a mile from Stanford church is Southstone Rock,
said to be the largest mass of travertine hitherto discovered
in this country, extending for half an acre. Its
northern extremity terminates in a precipice, hanging over
a most romantic dingle. Some cells were formerly hewn in
the rock, and at the top was a chapel dedicated to St. John, on
the feast of whose nativity there was a solemn offering, after
which the assembly ascended, by stairs cut out of the rock,
to the chapel, where they finished their devotions, and afterwards
drank the waters of the well. This hermitage and land
belonged to the abbey of Evesham. From the Jefferies Manuscript
it appears that on St. John's Day a "pedling faire"
was kept here, when the young people treated their acquaintance
with roast meat, "ye smoke whereof yet remains upon ye
rock," and that a wooden offering-post was fixed in the rock,
having a cavity in it for money to pass into a hole underneath.
The offertory dish in which these offerings were made (an
exceedingly curious relic) was till lately in the possession
of the Winnington family, but is now lost.
A hermit's cell may be seen in the parish of Hartlebury,
cut in a rock in a secluded part of a meadow belonging to the
glebe land; its roof is supported by two pillars, and two
deeply splayed holes are cut in the wall.
A cave once existed on the top of Bredon Hill (as we are
informed by Dr. Derham, who wrote about 1712); it was lined
with stalactical stones on the top and sides; but this was
believed to have been an ancient granary, as a quantity of
wheat was found near there at the beginning of the present
century, when a land-slip occurred. The cave was probably
destroyed by one of these land-slips.
At Drakelow, near Cookley Wood, is a sandstone ridge,
excavated and inhabited, that still bears the name of
"Hollyaustin," corrupted, probably (as Mr. Lees suggests),
from "holy Austin," or Augustine, a hermit that once resided
there. There is a cave also in "The Devil's Spittlefull," on
Blackstone Farm, in the Foreign of Kidderminster, and there
was a hermit's cell at the old Sorb-tree in the forest of Wyre.
In the Red Cliff, near Suckley, Mr. Allies states, is a
hole called "Black Jack's Cave," said to have been inhabited,
about ninety years ago, by a convict named Farnham, who
had returned from transportation before his time, and who
used to climb up this cliff with all the agility of a cat, even
when laden with the spoils of the neighbourhood.
The parish of Stone contains a rock in which is a cave
called "The Devil's Den," and some horrifying tales are
told of the fatal results which happened to persons who
attempted to penetrate therein.
There is a hole in a rock, called "The Fairies' Cave,"
in the hamlet of Alfrick.
In the Essex papers published three or four years ago
the following description is given of this county and city, and
also of Hereford: "On the 30th, Wharton writes again—'Worcestershire
is a pleasant, fruitful, and rich country,
abounding in corn, woods, pasture, hills, and valleys, every
hedge and highway beset with fruit, but especially with pears,
whereof they make that pleasant drink called perry, which
they sell for a penny a quart, though better than ever you
tasted at London. The city is more large than any I have
seen since I left London; it abounds in outward things, but
for the want of the Word the people perish. It is pleasantly
seated, exceeding populous, and doubtless very rich, on the
east bank of that famous river the Severn, the walls in a
form of a triangle, the gates seven. There is a very stately
Cathedral called St. Mary's, in which there are many stately
monuments; amongst the rest, in the middle of the quire,
is the monument of King John, all of white marble, with his
picture thereon to the life. Sir, our army did little think ever
to have seen Worcester, but the Providence of God hath
brought us thither, and had it not, the city is so vile, resembles
Sodom, and is the very emblem of Gomorrah, and doubtless
it would have been worse than either Algiers or Malta—a
very den of thieves, and a receptacle and refuge for all the
hell-hounds of the country.' From Worcester, Essex sent
a detachment under the Earl of Stamford to surprise Hereford,
in which Nehemiah Wharton served. He states that
they got into Hereford by telling the Mayor that Essex was
at hand with all his army. 'The city is well situated on the
Wye, environed with a strong wall, better than I have seen
before, with five gates, and a strong stone bridge of six
arches, surpassing Worcester. In this place there is the
stateliest market-place in the kingdom, built with columns
after the manner of the Exchange; the Minster every way
exceeding Worcester; the city not so large; the inhabitants
totally ignorant of the ways of God, and much addicted to
drunkenness and other vices, but principally unto swearing,
so that the children that have scarce learnt to speak, do
universally swear stoutly. Many here speak Welsh. Sabbath-day,
the time of morning prayer, we went to the Minster,
where the pipes played, and the puppets sang so sweetly,
that some of our soldiers could not forbear dancing in the
holy quire; whereat the Baalists were sore displeased.'"
Among the archaic or peculiar words used in Worcestershire
(as also in some of the neighbouring counties), are
the following: "Tabber," to strike repeated blows with
the fist; "heft," weight; "colly," the black from a tea-kettle
or from coal; "wowing," selling ale without a license;
"leazing," gleaning (this is used in many counties); "cott,"
or "Molly Cott," a nickname given to a man who interferes
unduly in domestic affairs; "lungeous," being awkward,
heavy, and dangerous in play; "off his head," deranged;
"squilt," a small wart or pimple on the skin; "moithered,"
a state of great bewilderment in the head; "glat," an
opening in a hedge; "unked," or "unkid," to denote loneliness
and awkwardness; "butty," a companion, also a sort
of overseer among colliers; "fettle," to mix or interfere
with, also means condition; "gain," and "kind," both words
used to represent the condition of crops or anything else the
appearance of which is promising; "dollop," a good share or
quantity. A person was cutting cloth, and was recommended
to rip it, as more expeditious. "That is not so good," he
replied, "because the thread fazles." A lady told her servant
the "string was broken;" the servant replied, "Yes, and
I tried to mend it, but I couldn't odds it." The servant
came from a village in Gloucestershire. "Odds it" means
to alter it. The word is very common in Gloucestershire,
and in some parts of this county. In the above list several
words of Saxon origin are perceptible, showing that old
languages linger among the poorer classes longer than with
the better educated, whose vocabulary has been more enlarged
by finer, though perhaps not more expressive words,
which are constantly being imported from foreign sources.
Sir Thomas Phillipps, Bart., says: "I have recollected
a remarkable term which I heard formerly in Broadway.
It is the word anant or enant, spoken when it was intended
to express that one thing was opposite to another, by poor
people. "He lives anant such a place," "anant that yat,"
&c. It is remarkable, because it is almost the Greek word
[Greek: enantios] εναντιος. Are we to suppose it to have been introduced
when the Saxon kings adopted Greek phraseology and terms
in their grants to monasteries? Pershore, to which Broadway
belonged, was a Saxon monastery, therefore it is not
impossible but it may have been introduced by the monks
in their visits to Broadway."
An unusually large number of places in Worcestershire
in ancient times seemed to have been dedicated to the Dii
Inferi, as also to the more sprightly beings which have hardly
yet ceased to exist in our woods and groves, in shady glens,
and by babbling streams. The Devil's Leap is a deep dingle,
partly in Dodenham and partly in Hartley. There are the
Devil's Den, Hell Hole, and Death's Dingle, in Stanford;
this "den" is a black wood in a narrow dell, deeply enclosed
in entangled woods; and Mrs. Sherwood says that the country
people give it names which commemorate its former evil
character—"The Devil's Den" being the mildest of the
epithets bestowed on this sequestered scene. In the above-named
Hell Hole grows the plant called Devil's-bit, which,
tradition says, was given to heal man of any deadly wounds,
but when Satan saw what numbers of the human race it
deprived him of, he in spite bit the roots off, whereupon it
miraculously grew without those usually necessary appendages,
and this is the reason we find it growing apparently without
roots. There is the Devil's Pig-trough, near Leigh; and the
Devil's Bowling-green at Inkberrow, ironically so called, it
is said by Mr. Allies, as, till lately, it was one of the roughest
pieces of ground in that parish. The Devil's Spadeful is the
name of a large mound of earth near Bewdley, traditionally
said to have been so denominated in consequence of the great
impersonation of evil having once intended to drown the
Bewdleyites by damming up the Severn, but being misinformed
by a drunken cobbler as to the distance he had to go,
he dropped the spadeful of earth and decamped. This tradition,
slightly modified, is common in various counties, and is
one of a numerous class tending to mark the popular contempt
for Satan's want of sagacity. Hell Holes abound in the
county, and there is Hell Bank near Stourbridge, Hell Kitchen
near Newbold-on-Stour, and Hell Patch in Upton Warren.
Whether, however, these names had reference to the "shades
below" or originated in the Celtic word hel (to assemble) is
a question. In Shelsley Walsh is a place called Witchery
Hole; and the souvenirs of fairy-land are exceedingly
numerous in many parishes of the county, such as Hob's
Hole, in Offenham; Hob Moor, in Chaddesley Corbett; Little
Hob Hill, in Beoley; Little Dobbin's Hill, in the Berrow;
Dobbin's Meadow, in Mathon; Puck Meadow, in Hallow;
Puck Hill, in Himbleton; Puck Croft, in Powick; Puck Piece,
in Abbot's Lench; Pixam, or Pixies' Ham, in Powick; Cob's
Croft, in Dodderhill; in Northfield, several places called Hob,
Cob, and Jack; Impey, in Alvechurch; The Whistlers, in
Lulsley, and innumerable others.
While on the subject of curious names it may be mentioned
that at Bellbroughton the word "Bell" is constantly heard
ringing in your ears—such as Bell Hall, Bryan's Bell,
Moorhall Bell, Bell End, the Bell inn, &c.; and at Hanley
Castle the word "End" is as frequently repeated, in Gilbert's
End, Church End, North End, Robert's End, Severn End, &c.
There are also Hunt End, a straggling village near Crabb's
Cross; Dagtail End, near to Astwood Bank; Neen End,
near the Ridgway; Alcester Lane's End, between King's
Norton and the Birmingham road; and Holt End, at the
foot of Beoley Hill. It is probable that the addition of the
word "End" to so many places means that the spot so
designated is the extreme end of some enclosed plot of ground
or farm, as Robert's End, &c. The Grimsend House in
Alfrick is situate at the extreme end of the estate, and there
is a place called Coppy (coppice) End or Ind in the neighbourhood.
With respect to Bellbroughton, it was called by
the prefix only in very early times, therefore that may
account for the names "Bell End," &c., in that parish.
Mr. Thursfield, of Broseley, at the meeting of the Archæological
Institute, at Shrewsbury, in 1855, read a paper
in which he stated that about the year 1750, a manufacture
was commenced at Caughley, near Broseley, for the production
of porcelain, by two persons named Gallimore and John
Turner, the latter originally a silversmith at Worcester.
They carried on the works with considerable spirit towards
the close of the last century, having introduced several
French artisans. The distinctive mark of the Caughley
porcelain is supposed to be the letter S., and some pieces
bear the mark "Salopian." The manufacture continued
till 1799, when the works were purchased by Messrs. Rose,
and it was subsequently carried on at Coalport. During
Turner's management, Worcester porcelain was sent to
Caughley to be printed and coloured. The process of
printing decorations upon porcelain, originally invented by
Dr. Wall at the Worcester works, was transferred as it
is believed to Caughley, by R. Holdship, who had been
employed at Worcester in 1757.
Chaddesley Corbett, Mamble and Bayton, Rock, Tenbury,
Martley, Abberley, and two or three other places in this
county, are famous for the longevity of their inhabitants.
Perhaps a larger number of very old people can be enumerated
in the neighbourhood of Martley and the Berrow hills
than in any other given space in the kingdom. The late incumbent
of Chaddesley, who was himself nearly 90 years of
age, buried, in 1813, Sarah Yates, at the age of 101; and in
1841 he did the same service for Elizabeth Young, aged 103.
At Feckenham, a Mrs. Eadee died, in 1802, at the age of 103.
At Abberley, Mary Bagnall died, in 1836, aged 102; and the
venerable rector of that parish, the Rev. F. Severne, is only the
tenth incumbent since the beginning of Elizabeth's reign—a
period of about three centuries! The grandfather of the present
rector held the living 48 years, his father a similar term,
and he himself bids fair to imitate the longevity of his
ancestors. Two of his predecessors who, as he also does,
held the incumbency of Kyre, held that living between
them for 108 years! The Rev. G. Williams, of Martin
Hussingtree, but recently deceased, held that living from
the year 1790; and it is said that some ale brewed when he
was first inducted was only drunk out (at the rate of a
bottle per annum, at the audit) just prior to his decease—an
instance of longevity quite as remarkable as any now being
enumerated. The parish of Strensham has had only three
rectors in a century and a half. Betty Palmer, who was
born at Rock, died in 1782, aged 113; she had a sister and
three brothers: Richard lived to be above 100, and their
father and mother to 102 and 103. At Mawley, Jane Corkin
was living, in 1710, at the ripe age of 126. A man died
at Coreley, in 1849, aged 107 years 7 months. Mrs. Perkins
died near Tenbury, in 1810, aged nearly 105. Mr. Mapp, of
Shelsley, is, I believe, living in his 94th year; and the burials,
in 1853, of old people between 80 and 100 years of age, at
Rock and the vicinity, were remarkable. At Alvechurch is
an inscription to Joseph Davies, who died in 1831, "who
for nearly 70 years assiduously fulfilled the office of clerk
of this parish with a distinct, pleasing, melodious voice, and
inoffensive life, till within a few days of his death." A
Mrs. Elizabeth Bourne died at White Ladies Aston, in 1812,
aged 106. At Bredon, for the whole term between 1813
and 1846, the greatest number of deaths occurred between
the ages of 70 and 75. The celebrated Countess Dowager
of Coventry died at Holt in 1798, aged 96. At Henwick,
near Worcester, a person died recently who remembered
the coronation of George III, and others are still living
there between 90 and 100 years of age. There is a saying:
"All about Malvern Hill
A man may live as long as he will."
Dr. Addison, in 1834, showed that there were then living in
that parish, on the eastern side of the hill, nearly double
the number of persons, at 80 years of age, than were in
all England at the same rate of population; and at 90, three
times the number, without taking into account still older
persons. In January, 1835, at Great Malvern, there were
60 persons residing, who were 70 years and upwards. Miss
Sarah Davis, of Rock, died on the 17th of June, 1856, at
the age of 103. She possessed all her faculties till within a
few hours of her death, and had only suffered a little lameness
from rheumatism. Till very lately she could see to
thread her needle, and had been employed for half a century
on Hollins' farm, as a market and charwoman. She had
been a spinster all her life, and had a strong aversion to
the male sex.
The Worcester papers of July 12, 1856, recorded the death
(on the 10th of the same month) of the Rev. James Hastings,
rector of Martley, in his hundred and first year, and also
that of Jane Doughty on the 8th, in her ninety-fifth year.
The latter was a very remarkable instance, because the poor
woman belonged to a class who enjoy but few of those comforts
which would seem necessary for the prolongation of life
to such a span. She had lived for many years in a humble
tenement in Pye Corner, Bull Entry—a situation which no
one would point out as apparently conducive to long life.
Formerly, she was a fruit-seller in Fish Street, and many of
the citizens probably recollect her as the little old woman
who used to take her seat on the Old Bank steps, with her
basket of fruit, &c., for sale. Up to the last she could hear
and see well enough, and was only a little bent from age.
She would eat heartily, but of plain diet, and her neighbours
do not recollect her taking ale till the day before her death,
when she wished to have some, and it being brought, she
drank a good draught. A few hours only of indisposition
brought her to her end—being one of the rare instances of
really natural death (i.e. not dying from disease) which occur
amongst us. Deceased was the grandmother of Sergeant
Doughty, of the city police. She was born in the proverbially
healthy district of Martley (where also, it will be observed,
the other individual mentioned in this narrative formerly
resided); and married Abraham Doughty, sergeant in the
29th, at All Saints in this city. She had four children, all
of whom she survived, twenty-five grand-children, fifty great-grand-children,
and four great-great-grand-children. Previous
to her death, Sergeant Doughty could say what very
few can—that he had a grandmother and grand-children
living at the same time.
It is said in the history of Gloucester that shortly after
the Restoration of Charles II, the King, bitterly remembering
his father's defeat before that city, ordered the doors belonging
to the gates to be pulled down, and presented them to the
city of Worcester, which had long remained faithful to his
cause. On the south gate of Gloucester, which was battered
down during the siege by the King in 1643 (but was rebuilt
in the same year), was inscribed in capital letters round the
arch—"A city assaulted by man but saved by God: Ever
remember the 5th of September, 1643." This was the day
the siege was raised by Essex.
The old Black Boy, at Feckenham, is now closed as an inn.
It had been in the family of the Gardners about 139 years.
The sign, which was of copper, stood the whole of that time,
until taken down in 1854.
The present occupiers of "Mopson's Cross" inn, near
Wyre Forest, boast that their ancestors have occupied that
inn for more than two centuries, and that it is the oldest
licensed house in the county. The Talbot inn, Sidbury,
Worcester, and the Talbot in the Tything, are very ancient,
and the County Sessions were formerly adjourned regularly
to those old hostelries.
In Yardley church is a memorial to one of the Este family,
who, though blind, was said to have attained a perfect knowledge
of the Scriptures, by heart, from beginning to end.
The Longdon marshes (formerly a waste of nearly 10,000
acres) are believed to have formed a backwater of the Severn
estuary, subject to tidal influence, in those very ancient times
when, according to Sir R. Murchison, the "Straits of Malvern"
existed. Various sea birds still come there in the winter
season, as though a traditionary remembrance had been
wafted down among the feathered tribes of the time when
this wild spot was more particularly their own sporting
ground.
There are many instances in Worcestershire of the offices
of sexton and clerk having been held as hereditary ones for
very lengthened periods. At Feckenham, the late Mr. David
Clarkson (literally, the clerk's son), who died in March, 1854,
after having been a model clerk for many years, could boast
of his ancestors having occupied the same office for two
centuries. He served in his youth as drum-major in the
artillery, and when he succeeded his father in the clerkship,
became the tutor of choir after choir, and was the founder of
that celebrity which has long attached to the Feckenham
singers. He was also leader of the ringers. His death took
place in his 79th year, and he was greatly respected.—The
late clerk of Wolverley, Thomas Worrall (whose father had
been thirty years clerk, and to whose memory some curious
verses are inscribed on a stone in the churchyard), was himself
clerk forty-eight years, schoolmaster for thirty-three, and
registrar for a long period, besides being leader of the choir
and ringers. He was never absent from his duties at church
but twice!—The Field family have been connected with the
clerkship and beadledom of Kingsnorton for upwards of two
centuries. Two of them alone held it for one hundred and
two years! The last of the race, I think, died in 1818. The
Fields were an ancient family in that parish, for there is an
indenture in existence between William Wyllington and John
Field of Kingsnorton, dated the 30th year of Henry VIII.—The
family of the Roses has provided the church of Bromsgrove
with clerks and sextons time out of mind; and at
Belbroughton the Osbornes have done the same thing. One
of this family was clerk till a very recent period. It appears,
also, that the Osbornes had been tailors from very remote
time, and the late clerk had several brothers who followed
that very useful avocation. From a letter of Mr. Tristram
(then the patron of Belbroughton) to Bishop Lyttelton, the
Osbornes were tailors in the reign of Henry VIII, but they
can trace their descent much higher, having been lineally
descended from William Fitz-Osborne, who about seven
centuries ago unjustly deprived Ralf Fitz-Herbert of his
right to the manor of Bellem, in the above parish.—At
Oldswinford, on December 28th, 1855, died Charles Orford,
aged seventy-three; he had been parish sexton from his
youth, having succeeded his father in that capacity, and
leaving a son to follow.—The office of clerk at St. Michael's,
Worcester, has been in the family of Bond for nearly a
century.—John Tustin, the present clerk and sexton of
Broadway church, has held those offices fifty-two years,
and his father and grandfather also held them.
The mansion of Glasshampton, in the parish of Astley,
was some years ago totally destroyed by fire. The Rev.
D. J. J. Cookes, on coming into possession of the property,
enlarged, repaired, and beautified the family seat. When
the work was nearly completed, a dinner was given to the
workmen in the mansion; but one tipsy fellow among them
let fall the contents of his pipe upon some shavings, and
the place was soon in a blaze. The entire edifice was
destroyed, but among the furniture saved was an organ
built by Green, the favourite artist of George III; it was
afterwards sold to the parish of St. Nicholas, Worcester, and
may be still heard in the church of that parish. Disastrous
as was the Glasshampton fire, it nevertheless was an auspicious
event for genius and literature, by bringing into notice
that remarkable man, the Rev. Dr. Lee, late Professor of
Arabic and then of Hebrew in the University of Cambridge.
At the time of the fire he was employed as a carpenter
in the mansion. The loss of his chest of tools and most of
his books in the fire compelled him to solicit pecuniary help
towards the purchase of another set. This circumstance
led to such a development of his character and attainments,
as resulted in his acquaintance with the late Archdeacon
Corbett, and his matriculation and career at Cambridge.
In Redmarley church is an inscription to one George
Shipside, as follows:
"All flesh is grasse worme's meat and clay, and here it hath short time to live,
For proofe whereof both night and day all mortall wights ensamples give.
Beneath this stone fast closde in clay doth sleepe the corpes of George Shipside,
Wch. Christ shal rayse on ye last day and then with him be glorifide.
Whose sovle now lives assvredly in heaven with Christ ovr Saviovr
In perfect peace most ioyfvlly with Gods elect for evermore.
Obit die De'bris An. D'ni 1609, Ac An. Ætatis
svæ 84. Ecce quid eris."
This is believed to be the George Shipside whose wife was
sister to the martyr, Bishop Ridley. The bishop had the
free warren of Bury Court, in this parish, and a George
Shipside was his sister's second husband; he was the bishop's
park-keeper at Bushley, was incarcerated at Oxford, and
attended the martyr to the stake. Ridley's affectionate farewell
on that occasion to George Shipside and his wife will
not be forgotten. Ridley was led to the stake in 1555, at
which time the above George Shipside was just thirty years
of age.
The following is a copy of the will of John Baxter, of
Conderton, Overbury, as proved in the Consistory Court of
Worcester, in 1724:
"July the 25 Anno 1723;—
With God's good leave this is my last will
Which to deceive is past man's skill
I do bequeath unto his hill. My soul for to abide
My body to be turned to dust nere to my wives yt my sonnes nurst
To meete my soul againe I trust; when it is glorifide
For this world's good as God did lend it
If I heve not for to spend it; after this manner I commend it
As hereafter is directed
My goodes and cattle greate and small, to my son John I give them all
And unto him my land doth fall. Hes my executor
And though to my wife I little give. I mean with John that she to live
And boath my sonns her to releive, and not to let her want
I leand som pounds to my sonn Thomas
Thirty of which by bond and promis
He must pay back at the next lamas after my decease
Nine thereof I bequeath unto his seede, three a piece I have decreed
Which being paid his bonde is freede I meane the thirty pounds
I give and bequeath tenn pounds to my sonn in law John Jones
And three pounds a piece to his 3 youngest ones, Samuel, Jone, and Marey Jones
I give and bequeath to my sisters three children John
Moses and Ann one pound nobles a peece. A slender fee
I give and bequeath to my sonn in lawe William Withorn
And to his wife Elizabeth and to his sonne William and to his daughter Sarie five shillings a peece
Last of all if my daughter Jones do out live her husband
I desire she may have free abiding at Conderton or
At Kinsham."
In some of our old histories occasional mention is made of
pools suddenly changing from water to blood, or putting on
a sanguine aspect, which in those "muddy-evil" times was
considered a prodigy portending wars and direful slaughter.
A similar appearance was presented a short time ago
in a pool at Snead's Green, Mathon, in this county, the
surface of which was so closely covered with a film of crimson
and vermilion as to present a most extraordinary appearance.
The gentleman who first observed this sanguine aspect of the
pond, not thinking much of portents or omens, thought that
the rural wheelwright had been emptying some refuse red
paint in the water, which had got dispersed over the pond.
But on inquiry this was not the case, and botanical science
was then called in to solve the mystery. In the mean time,
more than a week having elapsed, the curious appearance
was almost gone when the spot was visited by some members
of the Malvern Club; but the clay on the margin of the
pool displayed several patches of what looked very much
like clotted blood, evidently the relics of what had been
previously seen. On these being examined by Mr. E. Lees,
who noticed the subject at a recent meeting of the Worcestershire
Naturalists' Club, they were found to consist of
innumerable minute globules containing a coloured fluid that
oozed forth into a gelatinous mass, leaving the globules empty
like small beads of glass; but so numerous and minute were
they, that 6000 were contained within the superficial space
of half a square inch. The bloody appearance was thus
occasioned by the sudden fructification of an algoid plant,
belonging probably to the genus Hæmatococcus, and allied to
the singular production called Red Snow, though appearing
in a different medium and under altered circumstances.
In 1656, Oliver Cromwell and his Parliament laid on a tax
very much like the present property and income-tax, and its
machinery of commissioners, assessors, &c., was also very
similar. The commissioners for the county of Worcester
were—"Sir Thomas Rous, Baronet, John Wilde, sergeant-at-law,
Major-General James Berrey, Wil. Lygon, John Egiocke,
Edw. Pit, Hen. Bromley of Holt, Rich. Grevis, Nicholas
Lechmere, Gervase Buck, Wil. Geffreys, Joh. Corbet, Henry
Bromley of Upton, Edw. Dingley, Charles Cornwallis, Nich.
Acton, Rich. Foley, Walter Savage of Broadway, John Bridges,
Richard Vernon, Thomas Foley, Thomas Milward, Talbot
Badger, Thomas Tolley, John Latham, John Fownes, Theophilus
Andrews, William Collins, Esquires; Thomas Young,
Edmund Gyles, Edw. Moore, Nicholas Harris, Nicholas Blick,
John Corbyn, John Baker, Gentn.; the Mayor of Evesham,
Bayliff of Bewdley, and Bayliff of Kidderminster, for the
time being; Edmund Gyles, one of the Masters of the
Chancery, Walter Gyles, Thomas Symonds of Peershore,
Gentlemen; John Nanfan, Edward Salwey, Esquires. For
the city of Worcester—Major-General James Berry, Edmund
Pit, John Nash, Edward Elvins, Henry Ford, Francis Frank,
Aldermen; Gervase Buck, Thomas Hall, Esquires; Capt.
Thomas Wells; Richard Henning, Anthony Careless, John
Higgins, William Cheatle, Arthur Lloid, Thomas Harrison,
John Philips, Thomas Baker the Elder, Foulk Estop, Richard
Ince, Robert Gorl, Gentn.; Edmund Gyles, one of the Masters
of the Chancery; Wil. Collins, Esq.; Tho. Hackett, Alderman."
To this tax the county of Worcester was to contribute
£1013. 6s. 8d. per month, and the city of Worcester £53. 6s. 8d.
per month, the value of the money in each case being then
about ten times as much as it is now, as farms which were
then let for £100 a year are now let for nearly £1000. The
ordinance by which this tax was imposed is the ordinance of
the Parliament, chapter 12, of the year 1656.
Specimens of punning are sometimes to be met with in our
churches, and they will be found chiefly to belong to the
seventeenth century, when all kinds of odd conceits and
frippery in language abounded. In Eldersfield church, the
widow of "William Helme, gentleman," thus laments his
loss:
"My ship, long on the seas of this world tost,
Of helme bereav'd, lo here is sunk at last."
King's Norton church contains a monument to "Richard
Greves, of Moseley, Knight," part of which is made of
touchstone, and the inscription is in gold letters, concluding
thus:
"Wherefore his name hath broke detraction's fetters,
And well abides the touch in golden letters."
Affixed to the principal porch of Bromsgrove church is a
dial, at the bottom of which are the words "We shall;"
the constructors of the instrument having left its name to
complete the sentence, thus: "We shall (dial) die all." An
excruciating pun, forsooth.
In Ledbury church is an inscription to one Charles Godwin
and his wife, ending—
"Godwyn the one; God-won the other."
This order was intended by King Charles II as a reward
to several of his followers, and the Knights of it were to wear
a silver medal with a device of the King in the oak, pendant
to a ribbon about their necks; but it was thought proper to
lay it aside, lest it might create heats and animosities, and
open those wounds afresh which at that time were thought
prudent should be healed. There is, however, a manuscript
in the handwriting of Peter Le Neve, Esq., Norroy King of
Arms, the title of which is "A list of persons who were fit
and qualified to be made Knights of the Royal Oak, with the
value of their estates. Anno Domino 1660." This list contains
the name of Baronets, Knights, and Esquires, with the
value of their estates, and embraces every county of England
and Wales. The list, so far as it relates to Worcestershire, is
as follows:
|
Per ann. |
| Sir William Russell, Knight and Bart. |
£3,000 |
| Sir Henry Littleton, Knight and Bart., of Frankley. |
3,000 |
| Samuel Sandys, Esq., of Umbersley |
1,000 |
| Sherrington Talbott, Esq. |
1,000 |
| Thomas Savage, of Elmley Castle, Esq. |
800 |
| —— Sheldon, of Broadway, Esq. |
600 |
| Mathew Morphew, Esq. |
1,000 |
| Major Thomas Weld, Esq. |
600 |
| Thomas Acton, Esq. |
1,000 |
| Sir Rowland Berkley, Knight |
1,000 |
| Henry Bromley, Esq. |
1,000 |
| Philip Brace, Esq. |
600 |
| Francis Sheldon, Esq. |
600 |
| Joseph Walsh, Esq. |
1,000 |
| Sir Joseph Woodford, Knight |
2,000 |
| Thomas Child, Esq. |
2,000 |
The following are the names in the Commission of the
Peace and of Oyer and Terminer for the county of Worcester,
dated December 5th, 1st Richard III, as they occur on the
patent rolls of that year:
- J., Bishop of Worcester.
- John, Duke of Norfolk.
- John Sutton de Dudley, Knight.
- Richard Ratcliff, Knight.
- Humphry Starky, Knight.
- Thomas Tremayle.
- William Catesby, Esquire, of the Royal Body.
- William Littleton.
- Humphrey Stafford.
- Roger Harwell.
- Thomas Lygon.
- William Lygon.
- Robert Handy.
- Robert Russell.
The Bishop here mentioned was John Alcock, who was
Lord Chancellor in the reign of Henry VII; Humphrey
Starky was Lord Chief Baron in the reign of Richard III;
and Thomas Tremayle, a King's Serjeant, and afterwards a
Judge.
It is worthy of observation, that at this period the Commission
of Oyer and Terminer under which the criminal
business of the Assizes is still transacted was not separated
from the Commission of the Peace; and the very small
number of Magistrates is accounted for by the fact of so much
of what is now business at the Quarter Sessions, and before
Magistrates, going to the Sheriff's Torn and the Courts Leet,
of which Courts the Sheriff's Torn was the most important.
From 1651 until 1834, a period of 183 years, the Baptist
Church at Bromsgrove had but five pastors, namely Revds.
J. Eccles, W. Peart, G. Yarnold, J. Butterworth, and J.
Scroxton. Mr. Scroxton resigned the pastorate at the above
date (1834), on account of his age, and died in 1854, at the
advanced age of 90. The first mention in history of Baptists
in this county was in 1645, and the first minister the
celebrated clergyman of Bewdley—the Rev. Dr. John
Tombes, a native of that borough. In early life this noted
individual studied at Oxford, and having made good use of
his time, he was, at the age of 21, chosen lecturer at Magdalen
Hall. In 1643 he held a private meeting with the
principal London clergy, to whom he avowed his belief in
adult baptism, and in the same year he transmitted his
belief to the Westminster assembly of divines, in a well-written
argument in Latin; the assembly, however, did not
send him a reply. He returned to his native place in 1645,
and both preached and administered baptism by immersion,
and formed in Bewdley a distinct church, which continues
till the present time. He also preached with great success
at Worcester and other places. His popularity procured
for him a great many opponents, and among others Richard
Baxter, who at that period (1648) resided at Kidderminster.
Mr. Baxter courageously challenged Dr. Tombes to a public
discussion. This took place at Bewdley, on New Year's Day,
1649, before a large number of individuals, some of whom
came from distant parts of the country, including several
from the Universities. Wood, the historian, noticing this
controversy, says, "All scholars then and there present,
who knew ye way of disputing and managing arguments,
did conclude that Tombes got ye better of Baxter by far."
He also held several other discussions, both in England
and Wales.
The House of Lords, in their conference with the House
of Commons, on the "Occasional Conformity Bill," speaking
of him, says that he was "a very learned and famous man."
Among others he baptized at Bewdley were the Rev. Richard
Adams and John Eccles. Mr. Adams was a short time
afterwards ejected from his living at Humberstone, Leicestershire,
and, in 1651, was minister of Devonshire Square
Chapel, London. Mr. Eccles commenced preaching at Bromsgrove
in 1650, and soon afterwards formed the church there
which still exists. The opposition and persecution he met
with was very severe, but it appears that, notwithstanding,
the members greatly increased, for in 1670 there were 97
at Bromsgrove who professed the Baptist belief; at the
present time, although the population has more than doubled,
there are but 103. Mr. Eccles was for a considerable time
confined in a dungeon in Worcester gaol, but was restored
to liberty through the influence of Mr. Swift, M.P., one of
the county members, who was bound for him in £1000 bond.
Dr. Tombes also suffered greatly, and on two occasions was
robbed of all he had by the King's forces at Leominster and
Bristol: at the latter place he narrowly escaped with his
life. Mr. Eccles continued at Bromsgrove till 1697, when
he retired to Salisbury, where he died (1711) at an advanced
age, after being a minister upwards of 60 years. Dr. Tombes
retired to Coventry, where he died in 1676, aged 73. The
Baptist church at Worcester was founded in 1651; Pershore,
1658; and Upton-on-Severn, 1670. Several very noted individuals
have been baptized at Bromsgrove—David Crossley,
who became minister at Currier's Hall, London; Rev. R.
Claridge, M.A., rector of Peopleton, afterwards a noted
minister in the metropolis; Rev.—Miles, M.A., master
of Kidderminster Grammar School; Solomon Young, who
become tutor at Stepney College, &c. During the ministry
of the Rev. G. Yarnold, at Bromsgrove, and principally by
a few of the Baptists of that town, the first Birmingham
Baptist Church was founded, 1737, in Cannon street, and
is at the present time the most influential and, with two
exceptions, the largest Baptist interest in the United Kingdom.
Another chapter on Nonconformity will be found
in this book.
The number of communicants at the holy sacrament in
1548 in thirty-five parishes in the diocese of Worcester is
given in the certificate of Colleges and Chantries, No. 60,
now remaining in the Carlton Ride Record Office. This
certificate was made by "Sir John Pakynton, Knyght, Sir
Robert Acton, Knyght, John Skewdamour, Esquyer, William
Sheldon, Esquyer, George Willoughby, William Grove, Willyam
Crouche, and John Bourne, Gentilmen," under a
commission from King Edward VI, bearing date the 14th
day of February, in the second year of his reign. This
certificate contains a column headed "The names of the
Townes and Parishes withe the nomber of hosslyng people
in the same;" and each entry is in the following form:
"1. The parishe of Saynt Ellyns within the said Citie,
wherein bee of hoselyng people the nombre of six hunderd."
For the sake of brevity the names and numbers are here
given. It is impossible to give the population of these
places at the earlier date. The numbers of the communicants
were carefully preserved by the ecclesiastical authorities,
although the civil authorities paid no attention to the numbers
of the population; but it is curious to mark, at a time
when the numbers of the population must have been so
much less than at present, how large a proportion the
numbers of religious communicants in some instances bear
to those of the present population.
|
|
Communicants in 1548. |
Pop. in 1851. |
| 1. |
St. Ellyns |
600 |
1368 |
| 2. |
St. Swythyns |
400 |
906 |
| 3. |
St. Andrews |
600 |
1678 |
| 4. |
All Saints |
600 |
2205 |
| 5. |
St. Nicholas |
600 |
2030 |
| 6. |
St. Peters |
500 |
4588 |
| 7. |
St. Martins |
— |
5050 |
| 8. |
Kemsey |
420 |
1375 |
| 9. |
Claines |
400 |
6819 |
| 10. |
Kingsnorton |
910 |
7759 |
| 11. |
Bromesgrove |
1000 |
10308 |
| 12. |
Severn Stoke |
300 |
726 |
| 13. |
St. Andrews, Droitwich |
200 |
983 |
| 14. |
St. Peters, Droitwich |
— |
812 |
| 15. |
Hampton Lovet |
80 |
172 |
| 16. |
Salwarpe |
200 |
446 |
| 17. |
Alvechurch |
400 |
1600 |
| 18. |
Holy Cross, Pershore |
— |
2528 |
| 19. |
Kethermyster |
700 |
23845 |
| 20. |
Olde Swyneford |
700 |
20038 |
| 21. |
Chiddesley Corbett |
500 |
1420 |
| 22. |
Tenbury |
400 |
1786 |
| 23. |
Knyghton |
160 |
523 |
| 24. |
Rocke, otherwise called Raka |
260 |
1435 |
| 25. |
Rybbesford |
940 |
3435 |
| 26. |
Rypple |
300 |
1097 |
| 27. |
Byshampton |
200 |
444 |
| 28. |
Blockley |
400 |
2587 |
| 29. |
Icombe |
80 |
131 |
| 30. |
Rydmerley |
230 |
1192 |
| 31. |
Suckley |
200 |
1193 |
| 32. |
Lygh |
340 |
2342 |
| 33. |
Elderfyld |
280 |
794 |
| 34. |
All Seynts, in Evesham |
1300 |
1698 |
| 35. |
St. Laurence, in Evesham |
500 |
1733 |
It has been suggested that the large numbers specified in
this certificate were not the numbers of actual communicants,
but merely the numbers of persons who were of an age to
be so, or perhaps the total number of communicants during
the year. This seems, however, not to have been the case,
and that these were the numbers of the actual communicants
is shown by the fact that in the certificates for Gloucestershire
and Wiltshire the numbers are equally high; and on the 14th
of May, 1637, the Bishop of Salisbury issued an injunction
to the curate and churchwardens of Aldbourne containing
(inter alia) as follows: "I doe further appoint that thrice
in the yeare at the least there be publique notice given in the
church for fower Comunions to be held vpon fower Sundaies
together, and that there come not to the Comunion in one day
above two hundred at the Most." The population of Aldbourne
is 1622. It has been suggested by a Roman Catholic
gentleman that, before the Reformation, if any one beyond
the age of confirmation had not received the Holy Communion
at Easter, he would not be entitled to Christian burial if he
died within the year, unless some very special cause could
be shown. This also would go to account for the number of
communicants in the different places being very large.
The costume of the Bench and the Bar is the first thing
which attracts the attention of the stranger visiting our
Courts of Justice, and on this we will remark, beginning with
The Wig.—"All the wisdom's in the wig" is a saying
familiar to us all, and yet the wig was the latest addition
to forensic costume. The first species of wig worn in the
Courts is that now worn by the Judges at our Cathedrals,
called the full-bottomed wig. This was introduced by Louis
XIV in France, and copied by Charles II in England; and
after that it was worn down to the time of George II as the
full-dress wig of noblemen, generals, admirals, churchmen,
lawyers, and private gentlemen. It is still worn as the full-dress
wig of the Lord Chancellor, Judges of law and equity,
the Speaker, Queen's Counsel, Serjeants-at-Law, Masters in
Chancery, Recorders, and Judges of the Local Courts. In
one of Hogarth's prints of Speaker Onslow and several
members of the House of Commons, sitting in the House,
all are represented with the full-bottomed wig; and in the
prints of the same celebrated artist, Mr. Kettleby, who was
the last barrister who merely as a barrister wore the full-bottomed
wig, is so represented.
Mr. Meadows, of Gloucester, who is the oldest wigmaker
in this part of England, states that those wigs which had the
tails knotted were called "tie-wigs," and those short at the
back were called "bob-wigs." Thus, a Judge's Nisi Prius
wig was called a "friz-tie," it being frizzed all over; a
Bishop's wig being a "friz-bob." And it is stated by Mr.
Planché, in his admirable little work on British costume,
that the tie-wig and the bob-wig were both introduced in
the reign of George II, the latter being sometimes worn
without powder. Mr. Planché also informs us that the
bag-wig was introduced in the reign of Queen Anne.
The Friz-tie Wig.—This is worn by the Judges at Nisi
Prius and by the Judges of the local Courts, but this wig
was not originally forensic, as it appears in the portrait of
Mr. Beaumont, a London attorney of the reign of George II.
The Two-curl Bob-wig.—This was a powdered wig with
a peak in front, frizzed all over, except two rows of curls
all round the bottom of the back of it. It was worn by
Judges when opening the commission, and down to the time
of Lord Denman, when they received the Magistrates and
the Bar at dinner in the circuit towns; and down to the
time of Baron Garrow, when the Judges dined with our
Diocesan or Lord Lieutenant, they wore this wig, a black
silk gown, and bands. This species of wig was worn by
private gentlemen at the beginning of the reign of George
III; and Mr. Walter Horton, an eminent shoe manufacturer,
at Stafford, who died about 1776, is represented wearing this
wig in his portrait, now in the possession of Dr. Knight,
the physician and magistrate at that place, who married
his granddaughter and co-heiress.
The Curl Tie-wig.—This is the Barrister's wig. It was
worn by the late Lord Melville when at the House of Lords,
although he was not a barrister. This noble Lord died
in 1811.
The Scratch-wig.—This was a brown wig curled all over,
worn by the Judges in the streets, with a hat now only worn
by Bishops and dignified clergy. This wig was introduced
by George IV when Prince of Wales, and was worn by the
Judges when not in Court, down to the time of Lord Gifford.
It was stated by Mr. Meadows that all these wigs were well
known by their names before-mentioned when he was an
apprentice.
The Moustache.—On the Bench and at the Bar the moustache
was the immediate predecessor of the wig. In the
reigns of Queen Elizabeth and Kings James and Charles I
the Bench and the Bar wore moustaches, as may be seen in
the council-room at Lincolns' Inn and elsewhere in the portraits
of Lord Coke, Lord Hale, Lord Keeper Coventry, Lord
Ellesmere, and many others. In the reign of King Charles
II the moustache generally disappeared, and on went the
wig; but there is in Berkeley Castle a fine portrait of King
Charles II, by Sir Peter Lely, in which that monarch is represented
in a large full-bottomed wig, like that of a Judge at
our Cathedral, with the exception of the powder, and wearing
a small but well-trimmed moustache. The moustache, however,
which had been almost universally worn by all (ecclesiastics,
lawyers, and laymen, Archbishop Laud included), did
not reappear at the Bar till very recently, when it was worn
in our Courts by Mr. Bernhard Smith, Mr. Chandos Pole,
Mr. Woodhouse Owen, Mr. Compigne, and other members
of the Oxford circuit.
The Band.—Dr. Burn, in his "Ecclesiastical Law," in
treating of the costume of the clergy, says—"The band is
not so ancient as any canon of the church. Archbishop Laud
is pictured in a ruff, which was worn at that time both by
clergymen and gentlemen of the law, as also long before,
during the reigns of King James I and Queen Elizabeth.
The band came in with the Puritans and other sectaries upon
the downfall of Episcopacy, and in a few years more became
the habit of men of all denominations and professions." It
was worn by Oliver Cromwell; and in the portraits of some
of the Judges (temp. Charles II) in the Courts at Guildhall,
London, the band appears to be nothing more than the ends
of a turn-down collar, of the kind worn by young boys now.
The Gold Collar.—This is worn by the two Lords Chief
Justices and Lord Chief Baron, and is called the collar of
Esses, from the letter S occurring in it. The origin of this
is not known: it was worn by the personal friends of Henry
IV, and is found represented on the monuments of noblemen,
warriors, and even ladies.
The Scarlet Robe.—This is of great antiquity. Lord
Chief Baron Cassy is represented wearing such a robe on
his monument in Deerhurst church, near Tewkesbury; he
died 1401.
The Black Silk Gown.—This is an undress gown of the
Lord Chancellor, Judges, Queen's Counsel, and Serjeants-at-Law,
none of them wearing his full dress gown in an assize
town except the Judges. The Queen's Counsel's full dress
gown is of figured black silk, tufted all over like a parish
clerk's. The serjeant's full dress is a cloth robe, scarlet for
state occasions, black in term time, and purple on the red
letter days of the almanac if in term.
The Tippet.—This is a piece of cloth about two feet long,
shaped something like a gun-case; it is worn by the Judges
in the Crown Court, and by the Serjeants in term time, hung
from the right shoulder by a strong metal hook. The tippet
is mentioned as a portion of ecclesiastical costume in the 74th
canon of 1603. In a very interesting article, which recently
appeared in the "Quarterly Review," entitled "Rubric against
Usage," some question is raised as to what the tippet was, but
on this there ought to be no doubt, as it is still worn by the
Judges and Serjeants-at-Law.
The Black Silk Scarf.—This is worn by the Judge in
the Crown Court; it is the same as the scarf worn by the
clergy, and is evidently derived from the stola, an ecclesiastical
vestment.
The Black Silk Girdle.—This is worn by the Judge in
the Crown Court; it was a part of the civil costume of the
reign of King Henry VII, and is often seen represented in
monumental brasses of that period.
The Hood.—Judges sometimes wear the ermine hood
with their scarlet robes. The barrister has a black hood
(useless from its small size) attached to the back of his
gown.
The Judge's Court Hat.—An equilateral cocked hat.
The gentleman's hat temp. George II.
The Black Coat and Waistcoat.—The bar did not uniformly
wear these till after the general mourning for Queen
Anne. Before this time the barristers wore coats and waistcoats
of any colour under their gowns, as the undergraduates
of Oxford do now. But at this general mourning the Judges
thought that the bar in the uniform black dress looked so
well that they suggested its continuance, and it has been
continued ever since. Indeed, it seems to be pretty clear
that a black waistcoat was not always a part of the costume
of the bar, as even now, on full dress occasions, the Queen's
Counsel wear waistcoats of gold or silver tissue, or of white
silk embroidered with coloured flowers. On ecclesiastical and
forensic costume in general the Rev. Dr. Burn (before cited)
observes that "most of the peculiar habits, both in the
Church and in Courts of Justice, and in the Universities,
were in their day the common habit of the nation, and were
retained by persons and in places of importance only as
having an air of antiquity, and thereby in some sort conducing
to attract veneration, and the same, on the other
hand, in proportion do persuade to a suitable gravity of
demeanour, for an irreverent behaviour in a venerable habit
is extremely burlesque and ungraceful."
The Barrister's Bag.—At present the younger barristers
have blue bags, the elder having red ones. Down to the
reign of George IV no barrister carried a bag in Court unless
it had been given to him by a King's Counsel, which arose in
this way. Down to that period the King's Counsel had no
salaries, but each was allowed every year a ream of foolscap
paper, a ream of draft paper, six pieces of red tape, six bags,
a penknife, a paper of sand, and a paper of pins. These
bags being more than they wanted for their own use, some of
them were given by them from time to time to their younger
friends, who were getting into business, to entitle them, as
the phrase was, "to carry a bag," the clerk, who was the
bearer of the present, having a fee of a guinea for it. But
at last the King's Counsel complaining that the paper was
bad, the amount paid by the Government for the allowances
was given to them instead, and so matters continued until
Mr. (afterwards Lord) Denman was appointed King's Counsel,
when fearing that this commuted allowance might be the
means of vacating his seat in Parliament, he was appointed
King's Counsel "without any fee, gain, or reward whatsoever,"
and so have been all the King's and Queen's
Counsel ever since.
Opening the Pleadings.—At present the junior counsel
for the plaintiff, in a Nisi Prius cause, shortly states the
effect of the pleadings. This is called "opening the pleadings."
This practice was introduced at the suggestion of
Lord Mansfield, early in the reign of George III. The
Nisi Prius business in London was then monopolised by
Sir Fletcher Norton, Mr. Dunning, and a few other leaders,
and to throw something into the hands of the juniors Lord
Mansfield suggested the practice that in every case where a
King's Counsel was alone for the plaintiff a junior should
have a guinea fee to state or open the pleadings. This was
acceded to; but as the clients thought this of no use to them,
they had a second brief delivered to a junior with two guineas,
and the junior then assisted the leader throughout the cause,
as the practice is now; but even at present, if a plaintiff has
only engaged Queen's Counsel or Serjeants, the youngest
counsel present is paid a guinea to open the pleadings only,
and do nothing more in the cause; and this is called a
"kite."
Assize Balls.—The late Mr. Bellamy, who went the
Oxford and other circuits for sixty-two years, and who
died in 1845, remembered that in every county on this
circuit there was an assize ball on the commission day of
each assize. This ball was attended by the nobility and
gentry of the county and the Judges and Bar. The Judges
used to wear to the balls the black silk gown, band, and
the two-curl bob-wig. They were attended by the High
Sheriff, wearing a full court dress, bag-wig, and sword; and
his chaplain, in his gown, cassock, and band. The Judges
did not dance, but they usually played at whist. The assize
ball was continued in Buckinghamshire within the memory
of the Rev. Edward Owen, one of the present magistrates
of that county.
The Courts.—In the recollection of Mr. Bellamy, in every
assize town on the Oxford circuit the two Courts were held
in the same room, without any division or partition, so that
one Judge could see the other. This continued at Gloucester
till the year 1816, and the alteration was occasioned by this
circumstance: Baron (then Judge) Bayley was trying a
man for murder, and his jury burst into a laugh at one
of Mr. Dauncey's jokes in a horse cause in the other Court.
The learned Judge thought it was time this was altered.
Assize Presents.—Formerly the Judges on their circuits
had an immense number of presents—venison, fruit, wine,
&c.—which half kept their house during the assizes; but
in the year 1794, when so much was subscribed for the
defence of the nation against the threatened invasion, the
value of the different presents was subscribed, and the presents
discontinued, and never again renewed. About thirty
years ago a story was current in Worcester that the Mayor
always sent the Judges a present of a loaf of sugar, and
that the Judges in return invited the Mayor to dine with
them; but that the Mayor being once uninvited, the sugar
was discontinued ever after. Till the passing of the Municipal
Reform Act the Corporation of Gloucester always sent each
Judge in spring a salmon and a house lamb, and in summer
a salmon and a whole sheep; and at present the Corporation
of Oxford give to each Judge a pair of white kid gloves,
edged with gold lace, and ornamented with gold tassels.
The High Sheriff's Costume.—Of late years, in Worcestershire,
the High Sheriff has dressed as any other gentleman.
In Berkshire and Oxfordshire the High Sheriff's costume is
a court dress, and it was so till lately in Gloucestershire
and Monmouthshire; but as the present court dress was
first introduced in the early part of the reign of George III,
the bag-wig in the reign of George II, and as swords were
worn by all the gentlemen as part of their usual evening dress,
within the memory of Mrs. Hannah Shenton, of Stafford, who
is now living at the advanced age of ninety-seven, it is manifest
that the High Sheriff only appeared in the full dress of a
gentleman of his time. And as a further proof that the
costume of the High Sheriff was the full dress of the private
gentleman of the period, there is a portrait of Francis
Goddard, Esq., High Sheriff of Wiltshire, in the reign of
King William III, now in the possession of Major Goddard,
of the Wilts Militia, in which the High Sheriff is wearing
a full-bottomed wig.
Javelin Men.—These, no doubt, were the vassals and
retainers of the High Sheriff, who attended to protect and
guard the Judges, the weapon they carried being the partizan,
which is still carried by the yeomen of the guard, which
was introduced in the reign of Henry VIII. Mr. Aubrey,
the Wiltshire antiquary of Charles II's reign, in a letter
published by him in a work called "Miscellanies on several
Curious Subjects," says, from information obtained from his
grandfather (temp. Henry VIII)—"Lords had their armouries
to furnish some hundreds of men. The halls of Justices
of the Peace were dreadful to behold: the screens were
garnished with corslets and helmets, gaping with open mouths
with coats of mail, lances, pikes, halberts, brown-bills, batterdashers,
bucklers, and the modern calivers and petronels
(in King Charles I's time turned to muskets and pistols).
Then an esquire, when he rode to town, was attended by
eight or ten men in blue coats with badges;" and it would
seem that from the reign of King Charles II the javelin
men have continued to be much the same as at present, as
in the printed articles of agreement entered into in that
reign by sixty-four Wiltshire gentlemen, who were liable to
serve the office of High Sheriff, it is stipulated (inter alia)
"That no one of the said persons, when he is made sheriff
of the said county, have above thirty livery-men, nor under
twenty, for his attendance at the assize. * * * And that
when any of the said subscribers shall be made sheriffs of
the said county, the livery shall be a plain cloth coat or
cloke, edged and lined through with sarge, a black hat, and
suitable javelin." This curious document, which was signed
by one of his ancestors, still remains in possession of Major
Goddard.
The Trumpeters.—These were part of the state of every
Nobleman, Bishop, and High Sheriff. Mr. Aubrey, in his
letter before cited, says—"The Lords kept trumpeters, even
to King James;" and as late as the reign of George II
there were trumpeters in the establishment of the Archbishop
of Canterbury. At ancient banquets, trumpeters were always
in attendance. At the Peacock Feast given by Robert
Braunche, Mayor of Lynn, to King Edward III, and represented
on the tomb of that magistrate, in Lynn Church,
the sonorous blast of the trumpets accompanies the introduction
of the viands; and at the Lord Mayor's Dinner at
Guildhall, on the 9th of November, every toast is announced
with a flourish of trumpets, at the top of the hall, which
is answered by another flourish from the bottom.
John Aubrey, Esq., F.R.S., in his Natural History, written
between the years 1656 and 1691, says (p. 70)—"Dame Olave,
a daughter and co-heire of Sir Henry Sharington, of Lacock,
being in love with John Talbot, a younger brother of the
Earle of Shrewsbury, and her father not consenting that she
should marry him, discoursing with him one night from the
battlements of the Abbey church, said shee, 'I will leap
downe to you.' Her sweetheart replied he would catch her
then, but he did not believe she would have done it. She
leapt down, and the wind, which was then high, came under
her coates, and did something breake the fall. Mr. Talbot
caught her in his armes, but she struck him dead. She cried
out for help, and he was with great difficulty brought to life
again. Her father told her that since she had made such a
leap she should e'en marrie him. She was my honoured
friend, Colonel Sharington Talbot's grandmother, and died at
her house at Lacock, about 1651, being about a hundred
yeares old." To this passage the veteran antiquary, John
Britton, Esq., F.A.S., has added this note: "Olave, or Olivia
Sherington married John Talbot, Esq., of Salwarpe, in the
county of Worcester, fourth in descent from John, second
Earl of Shrewsbury; she inherited the Lacock estate from
her father, and it has ever since remained the property of
that branch of the Talbot family, now represented by the
scientific Henry Fox Talbot, Esq." Sir Henry Sherington
was the son of Sir William Sherington, one of the ecclesiastical
commissioners for Wiltshire on the dissolution of the
Chantries; and to him Henry VIII granted the possessions
of Lacock Abbey, and a good deal of other monastic
property in Wiltshire. Mr. Aubrey was one of the original
members of the Royal Society. He attended Charles II and
his brother, afterwards James II, on their visit to the
Druidical Temple, at Avebury, in 1663; and dined with Oliver
Cromwell, the Protector, at Hampton Court, in 1657 or 8, as
is stated in his work before cited, pp. 97 and 103.
An interesting relic of the seventeenth century exists in
the old Theological Library in the School in King's Norton
churchyard, founded by Thomas Hall, the ejected Puritan of
1662. Hall is well known to literary men as the author of
"Funebriæ Floræ, or Downfal of May-day Games," the
"Treatise against Long Hair," and other works. An interesting
sketch is given of him by Calamy, in his account of
the ejected ministers, affixed to his life of Baxter; and also
by Wood, in his "Athenæ Oxonienses." The library consists
of from six to eight hundred volumes, of all sizes, ranging
from about 1580 to 1645 or 1650, and the books contain the
name of the donor on the title-page. All the works are
devotional, and many of them controversial. There are discoveries
of and safeguards against the subtleties of Jesuitism,
and against the then recently propounded notions of the
Quakers, as well as treatises on doctrinal points, commentaries
on the Scriptures, translations from Ovid, and sermons
preached before Parliament. The entire collection shows
strikingly how, even in the stirring times of civil war, a
minister could devote himself to the duties of his sacred
calling; and, judging from the evidence presented by his
choice, how completely he could isolate himself from the
seductions even of theological polemics, for the grand old
truth held by all orthodox Christians. It is to be regretted
that the library is so little known. It is said that a similar
library was established at the little village of Sheldon, near
Yardley.
The old English black rat (Mus rattus), which has been
nearly superseded in this country by the brown Norway rat,
still lingers at retired farmhouses in this county, as, for
instance, at Grimsend, Alfrick, Clay Green, and Wick, near
Worcester. The brown rat was unknown in England till
1730. It is said that the great numbers of these intruders
in the Isle of France drove the Dutch from that settlement.
The earliest mention of the purchase of paper in England
is believed to be in an original computus roll of the 43rd
year of Edward III (nearly five centuries ago) relative to
the receipts and disbursements of Halesowen Abbey; it is as
follows: "Et in paper empt. pro literis et aliis necessariis
domus, 12d."
After being lost for half a century, the seal of the Corporation
of Worcester has been found at Rouen, in Normandy.
The antiquity of this seal is not so curious, perhaps, as the
locality where it has been found. The device is a church,
surrounded by a wall, having battlements on it, and round
the device is the inscription—"SIGILLUM COMMUNE CIUIVM
WIGORNIE," with something like the date "952." The figures,
however, are very indistinct, though it is supposed by a writer
in the "Worcester Herald" that they may refer to the date
of King Edgar's reign, who was a great friend to the city
of Worcester, and might have fortified it about that era;
but then the use of figures was not adopted in England,
or in Europe generally, till some centuries after the date
assigned.
In Macaulay's "History of England," vol. iv, p. 461, it is
stated, that when the Dutch army was marching from Torbay
towards London, in 1688, Sir Edward Harley, of Brampton
Brian, and his son Robert (afterwards, as Earl of Oxford,
Queen Anne's minister, and a high churchman) declared for
the Prince of Orange and a free parliament, raised a large
body of horse, took possession of Worcester, and evinced
their zeal against Popery by publicly breaking to pieces,
in the High Street, a piece of sculpture which, to rigid
precisians, seemed idolatrous.
"A Stranger," writing to one of the local newspapers a
few months ago, drew the attention of antiquaries to some
painted glass in the great east window of the above church
which is not noticed by Dr. Nash or Mr. Green, the Worcester
historians. There is (he says) a head with long flowing hair
and a forked beard, and another head with the face close
shaven and a coronet. The first of these, I should suggest,
was painted in the reign of Richard II; on his tomb in
Westminster Abbey there is his effigy with a forked beard;
and on the tomb of Edward III, in the same place, his effigy
has the long flowing hair. The head with the coronet is
exactly like one in the great church in Cirencester, of which
there is a coloured engraving in Mr. Lyson's Gloucestershire
Antiquities: that is supposed to be the head of Edward IV's
father, whose "feodary" (an official something between
an English steward and an Irish middleman), built this
part of the church. Dr. Nash mentions two circumstances
connected with St. John's which coincide with these dates.
He says that in 1371, only six years before the reign of
Richard II, William de Lynne, Bishop of Worcester, suppressed
the Chapel of Wyke and constituted St. John's a
vicarage; and that in the first year of the reign of Edward
IV, the Prior of Worcester granted to the Corporation the
privilege of attending Divine service at the Cathedral with
their officers, but if any officer should arrest, or do any act in
the monastery sanctuary, or St. John's, he should "forfeit
his mace and office without any hopes of restitution." This
grant is witnessed by John Carpenter, then Bishop of Worcester;
Sir Thomas Littleton, Serjeant-at-Law (the very
celebrated Judge who was buried, in the Cathedral); and
others. There is also a figure kneeling. This is a Saint, as
he has the nimbus round his head, and from his young and
beardless face it is probably St. John. There is also between
this figure and the coroneted head a grotesque head with
the mouth open and the tongue protruded. This I never
before saw in a window, or inside a church, though it is very
common in carving on the outside of churches. These
grotesques are by some supposed to represent the deadly
sins—the evil passions and the like. May not this device be
founded on Isaiah ch. lvii, v. 4?
The Rev. O. Fox, incumbent of Knightwick-cum-Dodenham,
late head master of the Worcester College School, has
advanced the following ingenious theory to account for the
remarkable epitaph on the above monument in the Lady
Chapel of Worcester Cathedral, which has long puzzled our
local and other antiquaries. The epitaph (he says) was
prepared by the Bishop himself fourteen years before his
decease in 1641, at the age of 94. He was addicted to
alchemy, and published a book in 1621, entitled [Greek: Dithotheôrikos] Διθοθεωρικος,
sive, Nihil aliquid, omnia, &c. In the course of some recent
studies in the Pythagorean philosophy, my attention was
accidently engaged by this inscription; and it at once struck
me that it was thence that the explanation was to be derived.
The epitaph is as follows: on one side,
"Denarius Philosophorum, Dum Spiro Spero."
on the other
"In Uno, 2o 3o 4or 10. non Spirans Sperabo."
The two latter letters are now effaced.
It is well known that the Pythagoreans found all the
modes of space in the relations of numbers.
The monad, or unit, was not only the point whence all
extension proceeds, but it further symbolised the First Principle,
the origin of all. The decad represented the line, as
being bounded by two points or monads. The triad stood for
surface, as length and width. The tetrad for the perfect
figure—the cube, length, depth, and width. The decad, or
denarius, indicated comprehensively all being, material and
immaterial, in the utmost perfection: hence the term decas,
or denarius, was used summarily for the whole science of
numbers, and in the title of Meursius's tract, "De Denario
Pythagorico," which was published four years after the date
of the inscription, and when the philosophy was attracting
much attention among European scholars. To be as concise
as possible, then, I presume that the old bishop intended that
the tomb on which his effigy lies was his access to that perfection
of existence which philosophers had designated by
the decas, or denarius. During the present life he was hoping
for it. "Dum Spiro Spero."—On the other side: "In Him,
who is the source, the beginning, the middle, and the end of
all existence and perfection (in Uno, 2o. 3o. 4or 10. non Spirans
Sperabo), though I breathe no more, yet shall I hope."
Such is probably the meaning of his pious conceit, and I
offer it as a solution of what has long served for a riddle to
the visitors of our Cathedral. Beyond this, your readers
and myself may be equally indifferent to such cabalistical
quaintness. But let us treat it with charity, as the devout
consummation of an aged alchymist.
Traces of ancient vineyards are abundant in this county.
At Great Hampton is a place called "Vineyard Hill,"
where a vinery was established in the Conqueror's time.
("Et vinea novella ibi," Domesday.) In South Littleton is
"Vineyard Orchard," "Vine Street" in Evesham, and "Vineyard
Hill" near that town. At Pensax is a field called "The
Vineyard," and there is a tradition that a Mr. King, about a
century ago, endeavoured to establish there a vineyard of
considerable extent, and created an artificial atmosphere by
means of flues spread over the piece of land. The appearance
of the field justifies the tradition. Is there any allusion
to this wild scheme in the archives of the Dean and Chapter,
to whom the land belonged? In the rector's garden at
Fladbury is the supposed site of the "Vineyards," which in
the time of Henry III were cultivated there—(Item percepit
duas paries decimarum terrarum quondam ubi vineæ fuerunt
apud Fladbury: Priory Ledger.) Vines still flourish and
ripen well in that garden. To the south of Astley church,
across the road, lies the "Church-bank," whereon, tradition
says, the monks of Astley Priory were wont to cultivate the
vine; and traces are still visible of terraces whereon probably
the vines were planted. Documents exist relative to vineyards
at Ripple, Leigh, Sedgberrow, and Elmley Castle; and
at Droitwich is a place called "The Vines;" "Vine Hill"
and the "Vineyards," at Doddenham; "The Vinne," "Vinne
Orchard," "Big Vinne," "Little Vinne," and "Great Viney,"
at Abberley; "Vineyard," in Stoke Bliss; "The Vineyard,"
Powick (belonging to St. Martin's parish, and appropriated
to the repairs of the church); "The Vineyard," Lower
Mitton, &c. Some writers have supposed that the Romans
planted vines in Britain. Tacitus intimates that the olive
and the vine were deficient here; but it is clear from Bede
and others that they were cultivated at a subsequent period,
and perhaps were neglected only when the inhabitants found
they could purchase better wines at a low price from France,
or employ their lands to greater advantage by growing corn.
(See also the chapter on Bishop Swinfield's Roll, p. 146.)
Mr. Allies, in his "Antiquities and Folk-lore," mentions a
remarkable echo at the Upper House, Alfrick, which is so
distinct that it will allow about ten syllables to be uttered
before it begins to repeat them. A pointer-dog in the neighbourhood
used to resort to the spot, and bark till he was tired
at his supposed antagonist. Nash records that in the parish
of Bromsgrove were several echoes—one at the white gate,
between Dyer's bridge and the turnpike; another in the
Crown Close behind High Street; a third at the east and
west corners of the church; a fourth at Woodcot; and a
fifth on the east side of High Street, near the Presbyterian
meeting-house, opposite New Barn. Whether any of these
mocking nymphs have left their cells since the days of Nash,
the writer is unable to say. There is a good echo in the Bath
Road, about two miles from Worcester Cross, and another on
Lansdowne Terrace. In the garden of Chaddesley Corbett
vicarage an echo is produced by the tolling of the great bell
of the church, which, after an interval of two or three seconds,
returns distinctly upon the ear, as though it were the tolling
of the bell of Stone church, which is two miles distant.
The last country gentleman who kept a fool—that is, a
professional jester—in his house, was said to have been Mr.
Bartlett, of Castlemorton. Jack Havod, or Hafod, was the
name of "the squire's fool," and his tricks and drolleries
were remembered by the inhabitants of Castlemorton long
after his death, and are related even in the present day.
It is still a common saying there—"As big a fool as Jack
Havod;" and it is also told of him that on one occasion he
was assisting in storing peas in a barn, and there being insufficient
room for the crop, Jack very coolly shovelled them out
of a window into a pool of water underneath, saying, "We've
got a vent for them now;" and to this day it is a proverb in
the neighbourhood—"We've got a vent for them, as Jack
Havod said."
The only doctor of medicine known to have resided in
this parish for the last 200 years was John Aaron, Esq., of
the Moat House, Cutnal Green, who died in 1767, aged 83.
He was descended from an ancient family of Little Drayton,
near Shiffnal, Salop.—Dr. Wanley, of Elmley Lodge, who
died in 1776, aged 69, was the only "D.D." that has held
that rectory for the last two centuries.—Between the river
Salwarpe and Bury-hill Estate, near Droitwich, is some
meadow land belonging to the parish of Elmley Lovett.
This land is more than two miles distant from the nearest
boundary of the parish, and there runs some part of three
other parishes between it, viz., Elmbridge, Hampton, and
Salwarpe. The area of this land is about five acres, and is
the property of Mr. Roberts, and rented by a gentleman at
Droitwich, who pays the rates to Elmley Lovett.
By a statute as old as the time of Richard II, County
Magistrates were allowed to make a charge of 4s. per day,
and the Clerk of the Peace 2s., as wages for attending
Quarter Sessions. That charge has been regularly made and
allowed by the Sheriff up to the close of last year (1855),
when the ancient statute was repealed by the passing of the
Criminal Justice Act, 18th and 19th Victoria, chap. 126.
In this county these wages were clubbed together as a
dinner and wine fund for the magistrates, but the old
practice is now discontinued, and the magistrates will henceforth
be thrown upon their own resources. In the year
1810 a long and bitter controversy, at one time wearing a
serious aspect, arose among the magistracy of this county,
in consequence of Mr. Welch, the chairman, having
been charged by Mr. Johnson, a fellow magistrate, with
misappropriating a part of these "justice wages" that had
been intrusted to him. The Bench acquitted Mr. Welch.
There is a common tradition at King's Norton that Queen
Elizabeth came thither, and was entertained at an ancient
house adjoining the churchyard, probably the residence of
the Manorial Bailiff; but the name of the Queen has perhaps
been mistaken for that of Henrietta Maria, wife of
Charles I, she, according to Dugdale's Diary (p. 52), having
come to King's Norton from Walsall on July 10, 1643.
The manor was part of the Queen's dower.
Names of the members for Worcestershire returned for
Cromwell's second Parliament, July, 1654: Sir Robert Rouse,
Knt. and Bart., Edward Pitt, Esq., Nicholas Lechmere,
Esq., John Bridges, Esq., Talbot Badger, Esq., (Worcester
City), William Collins, Esq. (ditto), Edward Elvines, Alderman
(ditto). The names of the gentlemen returned to
Parliament on September 17, 1656, are—Major-General
James Berry, Colonel of Horse, and Major-General of the
counties of Worcester, Hereford, and Salop, and also North
Wales; Sir Thomas Rouse, Bart., Edward Pitt, of Kiere
Park, Esq., Nicholas Lechmere, Esq. (Attorney of the
Duchy of Lancaster), John Nanfan, Esq., Worcester City.—Edmund
Giles, Esq., one of the Masters in Chancery,
who married a relation of the Lord Protector; William
Collins, Esq.
By an ordinance of the Parliament[10] made on the 31st of
March, 1643, it was ordained that the estates of the two
Archbishops and twelve of the Bishops, including the Bishops
of Worcester, Hereford, Gloucester, and Coventry and Lichfield,
and of all persons ecclesiastical and temporal as had
raised arms or been in active war against the Parliament, or
had voluntarily contributed any money, horse, plate, arms,
munition, or other aid or assistance, towards the maintenance
of any forces against the Parliament, should be sequestered.
The owners of these estates were allowed to pay a composition
for the restoration of their property. A list of the
compounders and the sum paid by each was printed in 1655
by Richard Dring. The following is a copy of the title page
of this work:
"A Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen, that
have compounded for their estates. London: Printed
for Thomas Dring, at the signe of the George in Fleet-street,
neare Clifford's Inn. 1655."
[Extract so far as relates to Worcestershire.]
|
£. |
s. |
d. |
| Acton, George, Stilden, Worcest., Esq. |
0120 |
00 |
00 |
| Ablely, John, of Worcester, Yeoman |
0010 |
16 |
00 |
| Berkley, Sir Rowland, of Cotheridg, Com. Worcester |
2030 |
00 |
00 |
| Bromley, Henry, Holt Castle, Worc., Esq. |
4000 |
00 |
00 |
| Bushell, Anthony, Cleeve Prior, Worc. |
0005 |
00 |
00 |
| Barkley, Thomas, of Worc., Gent. |
0423 |
13 |
04 |
| Broad, Edm., of Stone, Worc., Gent. |
0115 |
00 |
00 |
| Bache, Tho., of Worc. Citty, Gent. |
0002 |
10 |
00 |
| Bayly, Thomas, of Evesham, Worc. |
0003 |
06 |
08 |
| Clare, Sir Ralph, Cawdwell, Worc. |
0298 |
00 |
00 |
| Churge, Burbage, of Worc., Gent. |
0008 |
06 |
08 |
| Child, Will., of Shrawley, Worc., Esq. |
1844 |
18 |
08 |
| Cupper, Henry, Woodcock, Worc., Gent. |
0101 |
15 |
00 |
| Davis, Edward, Droitwich, Worc., Gent. |
0190 |
00 |
00 |
| Day, Philip, of Witchfield, Worc., Gent. |
0015 |
00 |
00 |
| Defell, Thos., Senior, Sturbridg, Worc. |
0060 |
00 |
00 |
| Evet, John, of Woodhall, Worc., Gent. |
0225 |
00 |
00 |
| Evans, William, of Worcester, Gent. |
0359 |
00 |
00 |
| Freeman, John, of Buckley, Worc., Gent. |
0380 |
00 |
00 |
| Fortescue, John, Cookhill, Esq. |
0234 |
15 |
5 |
| Hacket, Henry, Grymley, Worc., Gent. |
0300 |
00 |
00 |
| Herbert, Sir Hen., of Ribsford, Worc., Knt. |
1330 |
00 |
00 |
| Ingram, Henry, of St. Jones, Worc. |
0021 |
00 |
00 |
| Lawrance, Giles, Bengworth, Worc. |
0016 |
13 |
04 |
| Littleton, Sir Edward, p. Fisher Littleton, and Francis Nevell, Esq. |
1347 |
06 |
08 |
| Midlemore, Robert, Mosley, Worcester, Gent. |
0400 |
00 |
00 |
| Mucklow, Thomas, Arley, Worcester, Gent. |
0045 |
00 |
00 |
| Midlemore, George, of King's Norton, Com. Worcester, Esq. |
0167 |
14 |
08 |
| Mucklow, William, of Arley, Worcester, Gent. |
0360 |
00 |
00 |
| Moore, Francis, Seavern Stock, Worcester, Gent. |
0121 |
00 |
00 |
| Not, Sir Thomas, of Obden, Com. Worcester, Knight |
0354 |
07 |
00 |
| Norwood, Henry, Bishampton, Worcester |
0015 |
00 |
00 |
| Nanfan, Bridges, of Worcester, Gent. |
0080 |
00 |
00 |
| Packington, Sir John, of Alisbury, Buckingham, Baronet, with £190 per annum, as settled |
5000 |
00 |
00 |
| Pennel, Edward, Lineridge, Worcester, Gent. |
0060 |
00 |
00 |
| Pitts, Scudamore, St. John's, Worcester |
0018 |
00 |
00 |
| Russel, Sir William, of Strentham, Worcester, Baronet, with £50 per annum setled for £10 |
1800 |
00 |
00 |
| Shelden, William, of Bromsgrave, Worcester |
0096 |
00 |
00 |
| Shrimpton, Iohn, Norton, Worcester |
0000 |
12 |
00 |
| Sandis, Martin, Ombersly, Worcester, Gent. |
0041 |
03 |
04 |
| Stratford, Anthony, Bushly, Worcester, Gent. |
0040 |
00 |
00 |
| Shrimpton, Thomas, of Kingsham, Worc. |
0000 |
16 |
00 |
| Sands, Sir Martin, of St. Michael in Bedwardine, Worcester, with £50 per annum setled |
0210 |
00 |
00 |
| Seabright, Sir Edward, Besford, Worcester |
1809 |
00 |
00 |
| Talbot, Sherrington, Salwarp, Worcester |
2011 |
00 |
00 |
| Tyat, Daniel, of Worcester, Apothecary |
0270 |
00 |
00 |
| Tomkins, Nathaniel, Elmridge, Worcester |
0208 |
16 |
08 |
| Twitty, Thomas, of Claines, Worcester, Gent. |
0002 |
10 |
00 |
| Tyrer, John, of Ludley, Worcester, Gent. |
0650 |
00 |
00 |
| Twynning, John, of Fladbury, Worcester, Yeoman |
0019 |
10 |
08 |
| Vernon, Edward, of Hanbury, Worcester, Gent. |
0400 |
00 |
00 |
| Wilde, Robert, of Worc., Gent. |
0576 |
00 |
00 |
| Washburn, John, Wickenford, Worc., Gent. |
0797 |
10 |
00 |
| Winford, Sir John, of Astly, Worcst., Knight |
0703 |
13 |
00 |
| Wainwright, Robert, of Hol, Worcester |
0001 |
00 |
00 |
| Washington, Henry, of Worcester, Gent. |
0015 |
00 |
00 |
| Wainwright, Francis, Holt, Worcest., Yeoman |
0012 |
00 |
00 |
To this payment Worcestershire does not appear to have
been very heavily charged, as the entire list contains upwards
of 3500 names, extending over the whole of England and
Wales. The largest payment was that made by Baptist Noel
Lord Cambden, which amounted to £9000, "with £150 per
annum settled," which in the case of Sir Richard Tancred,
Knt., is explained to be "settled on the Ministry." The
smallest payment is that of Mr. John Shrimpton above-mentioned.
It is stated in the "Pictorial History of
England" [vol. iii, p. 525] that by these compositions
above £4,500,000 were raised in England, and £1,000,000
in Ireland.
About the year 1823 were born at Bromsgrove four female
children at a birth, all of whom lived for many years. They
were the children of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, who had five
other children, all single births. The writer of this note saw
them when about three months old, when they were small
for their age. He saw them again when they were about
ten years old. They were then very pretty children, with
dark hair and eyes. Three of them were very much alike,
and exactly of the same height and size. The fourth resembled
the others, but was about half a head shorter.
It is a remarkable fact, that from October 2nd, 1842, to
October 23rd, 1848, during which period there were entered
in the parish register of Suckley 106 baptisms, not one illegitimate
birth took place; but this happy state of things did
not continue, for in the next six years, ending October, 1854,
with 89 entries, there were 5 illegitimate births. Thus, during
the last twelve years, the latter have numbered scarcely 1 in
38 of the rising population of Suckley. The average throughout
the kingdom is 1 in 16. It is rather a singular coincidence
that the illegitimate births, and consequently the
illegitimate portion of the community, bear the same proportion
to the general population as the paupers do, viz., 1 in 16.
This remark must, however, be somewhat modified, for
although it cannot be classed amongst statistical facts, it is
probable that there die a larger proportion of illegitimate
than legitimate children.
A correspondent says that the Droitwich brine has for a
considerable time been declining in strength; so much so,
that constant complaints emanate from the working men that
they have considerable difficulty in earning the ordinary
wages of labourers; and the coal which is consumed in
manufacturing a ton of salt is considerably more than was
formerly required. By some of the practical men of the
place this deterioration is attributed to the excessive consumption
of the last few years, and to the immense quantity
that has been wantonly pumped into the river and canal; but
the correspondent suggests the probability of the pits being
insecure, and in consequence the fresh water mingling with
the brine, and thus reducing its natural strength. It has
always been an error (according to his opinion) that shafts
should be sunk down to the brine, as they enlarge the
difficulty of keeping out the water considerably more than
the old-fashioned small bore-holes.
The smallest parishes in Worcestershire are Oldberrow,
Doverdale, Daylesford, Edvin Loach, Abberton, Bredicot,
and Little Shelsley. The last named place contains the
smallest population, being but 49 in 1851; Bredicot, 67;
Abberton, 80 (although the worthy clerk alone mustered 19
children in his own family); Edvin Loach, 69; Daylesford,
66; Doverdale, 56 (here there are but five houses in the
parish, besides the rectory and mill, and there is no recollection
of any labourer's cottage being in existence); and
Oldberrow, about 50 (here also is no labourer's cottage,
and the only child in the parish is the rector's little boy;
the parson's surplice fees in eleven years amounted to one
shilling only, and but one interment took place during that
time).
The parish of Offenham is remarkable for some of the
richest land and one of the poorest churches in the county
of Worcester.
A paragraph recently appeared in the London publication,
known as "Notes and Queries," as follows:
"'Good Queen Bess,' when she visited Worcester, borrowed
£200 of the Corporation, which still stands as a 'bad debt' on
the town books."
On the occasion of the Royal visit alluded to, a "fare
cupp" was bought at London "for the presenting the gyfte
to the Queen's Majestie, and xl. pounds in sov'raignes and
angells of her own coign and stamp;" a crimson velvet purse,
with £20 in it, was also presented to the Queen on her
visit to the Cathedral. The total outlay by the city for entertaining
her Majesty was £173. 8s. 4d., but the writer is
not aware of any record of the Queen's having borrowed
£200, or of such an item standing as a "bad debt" on the
books, which he has closely examined from a date prior to
the Queen's visit.
Traders' tokens were issued from the year 1648, towards
the close of the reign of Charles I, until the year 1672, when
they were cried down by proclamation of Charles II, and a
new copper currency issued, the first we had in England, all
previously being Royal tokens. During the Commonwealth
they were not very numerous, but after the Restoration, in
1660, to the year 1672, they are exceedingly abundant, and
were issued in nearly every town and village in England.
They were issued without authority, no doubt, as many of them
state, for necessary change. In London alone nearly 4000
were issued, and the remainder of England are estimated
at 15,000 more. In the year 1669 (when this kind of coinage
was first checked) the citizens of Norwich had a pardon
granted them for all transgressions, and in particular for
their coinage of halfpence and farthings, by which they had
forfeited their charter, all coinage being declared to be the
King's prerogative; and in 1670 the Worcester Corporation
petitioned his Majesty's pardon for "putting out farthings
in this city." The following list of Worcestershire tokens,
recently published by Mr. W. Boyne, in "Aris's Birmingham
Gazette," I now reprint, with a few additions:
| WORCESTER. |
|
Value. |
| 1. |
(Obverse) |
A WORCESTER FARTHING |
Arms of Worcester; a castle with a bird above it. |
| (Reverse) |
FOR NECESSARIE CHAING |
C. W. (City of Worcester) 1667 |
1/4d. |
| 2. |
|
RICHARD ALDNEY |
|
1/2d. |
| 3. |
O. |
EDWARD BARON OF YE CITTY |
E.B. conjoined. |
| R. |
OF WORCESTER HIS HALF PENY |
Arms of Worcester; three pears |
1/2d. |
| 4. |
O. |
RICHARD BEDDOES OF YE |
Arms of Worcester. (16)59. |
| R. |
CITTY OF WORCESTER |
Mercers' Arms. R. B. |
1/4d. |
| 5. |
O. |
RICHARD BEDOES |
Arms of Worcester. |
| R. |
HIS HALFE PENNY |
Mercers' Arms. R. B. |
1/2d. |
| 6. |
|
A variety with the date 1664. |
| 7. |
O. |
JOHN CHERRY HIS HALF |
Arms of Worcester. |
| R. |
PENY IN WORCESTER 1664 |
I. S. C. |
1/2d. |
| 8. |
O. |
WILL. CHETLE IN BROD STRT. IN |
Merchant's mark. W. S. C. |
| R. |
WORSTER CLO. HIS HALF PENY |
Arms of Worcester. |
1/2d. |
| 9. |
O. |
WILLIAM CHETTLE 1666 |
Merchant's mark. W. C. |
| R. |
OF WORCESTER, CLOTHIER |
Arms of Worcester |
1/4d. |
| 10. |
O. |
HIS HALFE PENNY 1667 |
WILL. COLBATCH |
| R. |
THE CITTY OF WORCESTER |
Arms of Worcester |
1/2d. |
| 11. |
O. |
WILLIAM COLBATCH OF |
W. C. conjoined. |
| R. |
YE CITTY OF WORCESTER |
Arms of Worcester |
1/4d. |
| 12. |
|
WILL. FINCH |
|
1/2d. |
| 13. |
|
DITTO |
|
1/4d. |
| 14. |
|
THOS. FOWNE |
|
1/4d. |
| 15. |
|
THOS. HACKETT |
|
1/2d. |
| 16. |
|
JOHN HURDMAN |
|
1/2d. |
| 17. |
O. |
JOHN HILL DISTILLER |
Arms of Worcester. |
| R. |
CITTY OF WORCESTER (16)64 |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 18. |
O. |
THOMAS JONES 1669 |
A hat and glove; Feltmakers' Arms. |
| R. |
IN WORCESTER |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 19. |
|
JOHN JONES |
|
1/2d. |
| 20. |
O. |
JOHN LILLIE IN WORCESTER |
Weavers' Arms. |
| R. |
HIS HALFE PENNY 1667 |
Arms of Worcester |
1/2d. |
| 21. |
O. |
ARTHUR LLOYD IN |
Arms of Worcester. |
| R. |
WORCESTER. 1663 |
HIS HALFE PENY |
1/2d. |
| 22. |
O. |
WILL MOORE OF WORCESTER |
Arms of Worcester. |
| R. |
HIS HALFE PENNY 1668 |
Mercers' Arms. W. M. |
1/2d. |
| 23. |
|
EDWARD PRITCHETT |
|
1/2d. |
| 24. |
O. |
FRAN. RICHARDSON OF YE CITTY |
Arms of Worcester |
| R. |
WORCESTER, HIS HALF PENNY |
F. A. R. |
1/2d. |
| 25. |
O. |
HIS HALFE PENY 1664 |
JOHN SEABORN |
| R. |
THE CITTIE OF WORCESTER |
Arms of Worcester |
1/2d. |
| 26. |
|
JAMES SMITHIN |
|
1/2d. |
| 27. |
O. |
HIS HALF PENY 1662 |
WILL. SWIFT |
| R. |
THE CITTY OF WORCESTER |
Arms of Worcester |
1/2d. |
| 28. |
|
A variety is without date, and the centre is brass, the other part copper |
1/2d. |
| 29. |
|
Another variety has the date 1663. |
| 30. |
O. |
WILLIAM SWIFT OF YE |
W. S. conjoined. |
| R. |
CITTY OF WORCESTER |
Arms of Worcester |
1/4d. |
| 31. |
|
A variety is silvered, and has the initial S. joined to the last limb of W.; in the other it is joined to the first limb |
1/4d. |
| 32. |
O. |
JOHN TUBERVILLE |
Arms of Worcester |
| R. |
WORCESTER HIS HALF PENNY |
Mercers' Arms. I. T. 1/2d. |
| There were 36 of these tokens coined at Worcester, Rd. Bedoes having issued three varieties besides those attached to his name above, and Wm. Colbatch another variety. |
| BENGEWORTH. |
| 33. |
O. |
EDWARD PITTWAY AT THE |
A lion rampant. |
| R. |
RED LION IN BENGEWORTE |
E.F.P. |
1/4d. |
| BEWDLEY. |
| 34. |
O. |
THE WARDENS HALFE PENY OF BEWDLEY |
In four lines across the field. |
| R. |
1668. An anchor between a sword and rose |
(Octagonal) |
1/2d. |
| 35. |
O. |
SAMUELL CART |
A lion passant. |
| R. |
IN BEAUDLY 1653 |
S.M.C. |
1/4d. |
| 36. |
O. |
THOMAS DEDICOT, GROCER, HIS HALF PENNY |
In five lines across the field. |
| R. |
IN BEWDLEY (Three cloves.) |
SQUARE DEALING (SQUARE) |
1/2d. |
| 37. |
O. |
WALTER PALMER OF |
A hat. |
| R. |
BEWDLEY, CAPPER 1656 |
W.A.P. |
1/4d. |
| BROADWAY. |
| 38. |
O. |
MICHAELL RUSSELL |
A dog. |
| R. |
OF BROADWAY 1670 |
M.A.B. |
1/2d. |
| BROMSGROVE. |
| 39. |
O. |
HENRY JEFFREYS |
Grocers' Arms. |
| R. |
IN BROMSGROVE |
H.I. |
1/4d. |
| 40. |
O. |
SAMUEL ROGERS 1668 |
S.R. |
| R. |
IN BROMSGROVE |
HIS HALFE PENNY. |
1/2d. |
| CLIFTON-ON-TEME. |
| 41. |
O. |
JOHN JENCKINS 1666 |
HIS HALF PENY |
| R. |
OF CLIFTON UPON TEAM |
I.A.I. |
1/2d. |
| DROITWICH. |
| 42. |
O. |
STEPHEN ALLEN |
HIS HALFE PENY |
| R. |
APOTH. IN DROYTWICH |
Arms of Droitwich; quarterly 1st and 4th, checky, 2d and 3d, two barrows |
1/2d. |
| 43. |
O. |
GEORGE OLDBACK & ***SON |
THEIR HALF PENY |
| R. |
OF DROITWICH 1667 |
Arms of the Town of Droitwich |
1/2d. |
| DUDLEY. |
| 44. |
O. |
WILL. BIGGS OF DUDLEY IN |
Mercers' Arms. |
| R. |
STAFFO*** |
W.M.B. |
1/4d. |
| 45. |
O. |
JOHN FINCH OF DUDLEY |
HIS HALFE PENY |
| R. |
IN WORCESTERSHIRE |
Ironmongers' Arms |
1/2d. |
| (Dudley properly belongs to Worcestershire, though it is surrounded by Staffordshire. Singularly enough, the two tokens above give it to both counties.) |
| EVESHAM. |
| 46. |
O. |
THE BURROW OF EVESHAM |
Arms of Evesham; a prince's coronet between two ostrich feathers, a garb in base, the whole within a border bezantée. |
| R. |
FOR NECESSARY EXCHANGE |
B. E. |
1/2d. |
| 47. |
O. |
No inscription |
Arms of Evesham. |
| R. |
FOR EXCHAINGE |
B. E. |
1/4d. |
| 48. |
O. |
PHILLIP BALLORD |
HIS HALFE PENNY |
| R. |
OF EVESHAM 1664 |
P. B. |
1/2d. |
| 49. |
O. |
RICHARD BENNETT |
Wheat sheaf. |
| R. |
OF EVESHAM 1666 |
HIS HALF PENNY |
1/2d. |
| 50. |
O. |
PAUL BENNING |
HIS HALF PENY |
| R. |
IN EVESHAM |
A sugar loaf |
1/2d. |
| 51. |
O. |
WILLIAM BROOKE |
W. A. B. |
| R. |
IN EVESHAM 1656 |
W. A. B. |
1/2d. |
| 52. |
O. |
PETER CROSS |
P. M. C. |
| R. |
IN EVESHAM 1649 |
P. M. C. |
1/4d. |
| There is another described as "PHILLIP CROSS," in all other respects the same; it may be an error of the die-sinker or describer. This is interesting from having the earliest date that is found on these tokens. No. 57 is also of the same early date. |
| 53. |
O. |
JOSHUA FRANSHAM |
HIS HALFE PENNY |
| R. |
IN ESHAM 1666 |
I. S. F. |
1/2d. |
| 54. |
O. |
RIC. GODDARD, IN BRIDG |
R. M. G. |
| R. |
STREET IN EVESHAM |
R. M. G. |
1/4d. |
| 55. |
O. |
JOHN LACEY |
A flower. |
| R. |
OF EVESHAM 1654 |
I. M. L. |
1/4d. |
| 56. |
O. |
MATHEW MICHELL |
Grocers' Arms. |
| R. |
OF EVESHAM 1653 |
M. M. M. |
1/4d. |
| 57. |
O. |
WILLIAM RUDGE |
W. A. R. |
| R. |
IN EVESHAM 1649 |
W. A. R. |
1/4d. |
| KIDDERMINSTER. |
| 58. |
O. |
AT THE RAVEN IN |
A raven. |
| R. |
KIDEMUNSTER, 1652 |
R. M. B. |
1/4d. |
| 59. |
O. |
THOMAS BALAMEY IN |
Weavers' Arms. |
| R. |
KIDDERMINSTER 1667 |
HIS HALF PENY. |
1/2d. |
| 60. |
O. |
FRANCES CARTER |
A pair of shears. |
| R. |
IN KITTERMINSTER |
F. M. C. |
1/4d. |
| 61. |
O. |
EDWARD CHAMBERLIN |
HIS HALF PENY. |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER |
E. A. C. |
1/2d. |
| 62. |
O. |
EDWARD CHAMBERLIN |
A man making candles. |
| R. |
OF KIDDERMINSTER |
E. P. C. |
1/4d. |
| 63. |
O. |
WILLIAM MOUNTFORD |
A tankard. W. M. |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER 1666 |
HIS HALF PENY. |
1/2d. |
| 64. |
O. |
LAWRENCE PEARSALL |
Arms. |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER |
HIS HALF PENY. |
1/2d. |
| 65. |
O. |
SIMON PITT 1670 |
HIS FARTHING |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER |
S. E. P. |
1/4d. |
| (This is one of the few FARTHING tokens which has the value expressed on it.) |
| 66. |
O. |
RICH. RADFORD, HIS HF. PENY |
Weavers' Arms. |
| R. |
OF KIDDERMINSTER 1666 |
Merchant Tailors' Arms |
1/2d. |
| 67. |
O. |
EDMUND AND WILLIAM READE |
Weaver's Arms. |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER 1666 |
THEIR HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 68. |
O. |
JOHN ROWDEN IN |
Nag's head. |
| R. |
KIDDERMINSTER 1656 |
I. A. R |
1/4d. |
| 69. |
O. |
NEVILL SIMMONS, BOOKSELLER IN |
KIDDERMINSTER. |
| R. |
EDWARD BUTLER, MERCER 1663 |
THEIR HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 70. |
O. |
THO. SADLER, HIS HALF PENY |
Chandlers' Arms. |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER 1664 |
T. A. S. |
1/2d. |
| 71. |
O. |
WALTER THATCHER |
A shuttle. |
| R. |
IN KIDDERMINSTER |
HIS HALF PENY 1670 |
1/2d. |
| PERSHORE. |
| 72. |
O. |
HENRY GIBBS |
HIS HALF PENY |
| R. |
IN PERSHORE 1666 |
H. G. |
1/2d. |
| 73. |
O. |
GIDEON PALMER |
Mercers' Arms. |
| R. |
PERSHORE 1667 |
HIS HALF PENY G. S. P. |
1/2d. |
| 74. |
O. |
EDWARD PERKINS, HIS HALF PENY |
Apothecaries' Arms. |
| R. |
OF PERSHORE, APOTHECARY 1664 |
E. P. |
1/2d. |
| SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR. |
| 75. |
O. |
RICHARD COOPER OF |
A bee-hive. |
| R. |
SHIPSTON UPON STOWER |
HIS HALF PENY 1669 |
1/2d. |
| 76. |
O. |
HENRY COTTERELL IN 1666 |
Mercers' Arms. |
| R. |
SHIPSTON UPON STOWER |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 77. |
O. |
ROBERT FITZHUGH |
Apothecaries' Arms. |
| R. |
IN SHIPSON 1664 |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 78. |
O. |
EDWARD PITTWAY |
Ironmongers' Arms. |
| R. |
OF SHIPSTON |
E. P. |
1/4d. |
| 79. |
O. |
SIMON SIMONS |
Mercers' Arms. |
| R. |
OF SHIPSON 1669 |
HIS HALFE PENY |
S. E. S. 1/2d. |
| STOURBRIDGE. |
| 80. |
O. |
A STOWERBRIDG. HALF PENY |
Ironmongers' Arms. |
| R. |
FOR NECESSARY CHANGE |
Clothworkers' Arms. |
1/2d. |
| This is a town piece, the arms
showing the principal trades carried on. There is a specimen
in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries, having the
reverse indented, doubtless caused by the previous struck
token not having been removed from the die. It was bequeathed
with many other Worcestershire Tokens to the Society by Dr.
Prattinton. |
| 81. |
O. |
JONATHAN BUTLER, MERCER |
Arms of Worcester City; three pears. |
| R. |
IN STOWERBRIDGE 1665 |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 82. |
O. |
ANDREW MUCHALL, IRONMONGER, HIS HALF PENY |
In five lines across the field. |
| R. |
OF STOWERBRIDGE 1669 |
Ironmongers' Arms. |
1/2d. |
| 83. |
O. |
EZEKELL PARTRIDGE |
HIS HALF PENY. |
| R. |
IN STOWER BRIDG 1665 |
E. M. P. |
1/2d. |
| 84. |
O. |
JOHN PRATT OF |
A bridge of four arches. |
| R. |
STOW BRIDGE 1668 |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 85. |
O. |
EDWARD SPARRYE |
E. I. S. |
| R. |
OF STOURBRIDGE |
1656 |
1/4d. |
| 86. |
O. |
HUMPHREY SUTTON |
H. S. S. |
| R. |
OF STOURBRIDGE |
1657 |
1/4d. |
| SWINFORD (OLD). |
| 87. |
O. |
JOHN RICHARDSON |
HIS HALF PENY |
| R. |
OULD SWINFORD 1669 |
Arms of Worcester; three pears |
1/2d. |
| TENBURY. |
| 88. |
O. |
EDMOND LANE |
Arms; a chevron between three arrow-heads. |
| R. |
IN TENBURY |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
| 89. |
O. |
EDMOND LANE |
Arms as the last. |
| R. |
OF TENBURY |
E. L. |
1/4d. |
| 90. |
O. |
ANTHONY SEARCH |
PLAINE DEALING IS BEST |
1/2d. |
| R. |
IN TENBURY |
Mercers' Arms. |
1/2d. |
| OLDBURY. |
| 91. |
O. |
OLIVER ROUND |
St. George and the dragon. |
| R. |
IN OLDBURY 1663 |
HIS HALF PENY |
1/2d. |
This must have been formerly an important trade in our
county and city. The city of Worcester, and the towns of
Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Droitwich, and Evesham, were
extensively engaged in it; and when many persons dwelling
in other parts of the county had begun cloth making, much
to the injury of these towns, an act was passed in the 25th
year of Henry VIII, prohibiting all persons from making
cloth, except such as resided in the above-mentioned places,
but all persons were allowed to make cloths for their own
wear, or for their children, servants, &c. At the present
day only one loom is in existence in Bromsgrove, and in
Worcester the trade has ceased for many years, although the
Clothiers' Company still exists as a body for the administration
of charitable funds.
The assumption of Miss Strickland that the mortuary cloth
in the possession of the Clothiers' Company at Worcester was
the pall used at the funeral of Queen Catherine, the first
wife of King Henry VIII, who was buried in Peterborough
Cathedral, has been, upon examination, refuted. At a recent
meeting of the Archæological Institute at Cambridge, the
Rev. C. H. Hartshorne read a paper on the funeral of
Catherine of Arragon, and produced a document from the
Rolls' Court which had never been consulted before, and
which gave a full account of the Queen's funeral. The rev.
gentleman afterwards alluded to the life of Catherine of
Arragon, by Miss Strickland, who says that the pall used
on this occasion is now in the possession of the Clothworkers'
Company at Worcester. Mr. Hartshorne then produced this
pall, which he had been allowed to bring with him. It was
spread out and examined, and it clearly appeared that it
could not be that used at the Queen's funeral. It consisted
of three or four old capes [copes?] put together, and it was
utterly impossible to recognise it from the description given
in the document produced from the Rolls' Court.
If the moon on a Saturday be new or full
There always was rain and there always will.
If it rain on Good Friday or Easter day,
It's a good year of grass but a sorry year of hay.
If Easter be early,
Or if it be late;
It's sure to make
The old cow quake.
The weather's always ill
When the wind's not still.
When the wind is in the East
It's neither good for man nor beast.
A storm of hail
Brings frost in its tail.
A May wet
Was never kind yet.
As the day lengthens
The cold strengthens.
A rainbow at night
Is the shepherd's delight.
When the reds are out at night
It's the shepherd's delight,
But when out in the morning
It's all the day storming.
At New Year's tide
A cock's stride:
By Twelfth-tide
Another beside.
When Bredon hill puts on his hat,
Ye men of the vale, beware of that.
(This alludes to the rain-cloud settling on the hill.)
A peck of March dust is worth a king's ransom.
When the new moon "lies on her back," as the saying is—that
is with its concavity upwards, it is expected to be a dry
time, "the rain being kept from running out," but, vice versa,
it will be wet.
It is said that if the little beetle, the Carabus, should be
trodden upon, rain will fall. This little glittering insect runs
about only in fine weather.
The first writ for the levying of ship money was issued by
King Charles I, addressed to the Lord Mayor and citizens of
London. It is dated October 20th, in the 10th year of the
reign of King Charles I [1634], and after reciting that
"certain thieves, pirates, and robbers, of the sea, as well
Turks, enemies of the Christian name, as others, being
gathered together, taking by force and spoiling the ships and
goods and merchandises not only of our subjects, but also of
the subjects of our friends in the sea, which hath been accustomed
anciently to be defended by the English nation, and
the same at their pleasure have carried away, delivering the
men in the same into miserable captivity." The writ commands
the citizens of London to provide seven ships of war,
varying in size from 900 to 300 tons, with 1,460 men, with
ordnance, gunpowder, spears, and weapons, and other necessary
arms for war; and directs that their ships shall be at
Portsmouth on the 1st of March then next. In the year 1636,
King Charles I, by the advice of his Privy Council, sent writs
to the different counties for the raising of money to provide
ships. This was called ship money; but although it was
levied for the nominal purpose of providing ships, the counties,
instead of providing any, paid the amount into the Royal
Exchequer, and this was really a mere device to raise money
without the authority of Parliament.
The county and city of Worcester were assessed as follows:
|
|
Tunnes. |
Men. |
Charge. |
| "Worcestershire, one ship |
350 |
140 |
£3,500 |
| Corporate Towns— |
|
City of Worcester |
£233 |
|
Burrough of Evesham |
74 |
|
Burrough of Bewdley |
62 |
|
Burrough of Droitwich |
62 |
|
Town or Burrough of Kidderminster |
27" |
On the 10th of November, 1639, King Charles I, by the
advice of his Privy Council, caused other writs for ship money
to be issued to the several counties of England; and by one
of these writs the county of Worcester was assessed thus:
|
Ship. |
Men. |
Tons. |
| "Worcester |
1 |
112 |
280" |
But at this time thirty-five of the English counties and seven
of the Welch counties were in arrears for their earlier ship
money, as appears from a table of the arrears, in which there
is the following entry as to Worcestershire:
|
Arrears. |
Arrears. |
Arrears. |
|
An. 1636. |
An. 1637. |
An. 1638. |
| "Worcester |
£096 0 0 |
£1070 0 0 |
£710 0 0" |
Ship money was declared to be illegal by the statute 16th
Charles I, chap. 14, which was passed in the year 1640.
For this information we are indebted to John Rushworth,
Esq., Secretary to the Lord General Fairfax, in whose collection
it will be found (vol. ii, pp. 257, 335, 975, 978.)
Mr. Rushworth, Secretary to the Lord General Fairfax, in
his Historical Collections, vol. ii, p. 71, under the date of July
6, 1630, says that "the King having sent writs to several
sheriffs of the several counties for the summoning of all that
had forty pound land or rent by the year to appear at the
day of the Coronation and prepare themselves to receive the
Order of Knighthood," did award a Commission to certain
Lords and others of his Privy Council to treat and compound
with all those who had made default. This was founded on
the Statute De Militibus, a statute stated by the Record Commissioners
to be of uncertain date, but which is usually printed
as of the first year of the reign of King Edward II. By the
statute 16th of Charles I, chap. 20, compulsory Knighthood
is abolished. The following is a list of Worcester gentlemen
fined by King Charles I for not taking the order of Knighthood;
it is extracted from the "Book of Compositions for
not taking the Order of Knighthood at the Coronation of
King Charles I. 1630-1632. Auditor of the Receipt[11]."
"Wigorn.
p. 196.
Sir William Sandy, Knight, Collector.
|
£. |
s. |
d. |
| Walter Blunt, of Sillington, Esquire |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| John Barnabie, of Bockleton, Esquire |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| Mathias Maysey, of Hakenhurt, Esquire |
11 |
13 |
4 |
| John Nash, of Markeley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Winford, of Astley, Esquire |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| Hunfrey Packington, of Chadsley Corbet, Esquire |
31 |
5 |
0 |
| Humfrey Parrott, of Bellhall, Gent. |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| Roger Lowe, of Bromsgrove, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Robt. Gower, of King's Norton, Esquire |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| John Crabbe, of Bromsgrove, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Walter Brace, of Bromsgrove, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| William Chambers, of Northfield, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Ffoulke, Bourne, of Elmbridge, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Ffawnes, of Bromsgrove, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Bourne, of Ombersley, Gent. |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| John Horniold, of Hanley Castle, Esquire |
27 |
10 |
0 |
| Thomas Moore, of Suckley, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Dingley, of Sherifelench, Esq. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Roger Dowleswell, of Rushley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| William Wheeler, of Wicke iuxta Parshore, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Turvey, of Walcott, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Armell Greene, of Vpton Snodsburie |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Francys Haselwood, of Wick iuxta Parshore, Esq. |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| John Bridges, of Estington, Esquire |
25 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Copley, of Norton iuxta Bredon, Esquire |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| John Clent, of Wicke Epi, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Henry Bromley, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Esquire |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Nashe, of Claines, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Hornihold, of Breedon, Esquire |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| Thomas Saunders, of Moore, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Coxe, of Crowle, Esquire |
17 |
10 |
0 |
| John Jones, of Crowle, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Giles, Blount, of Wicke Epi |
11 |
5 |
0 |
| Philip Bearcroft, of Hanburie, Gent. |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| John Russell, of Malverne Pva, Esquire |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| George Lench, of Inkeberrow, Esquire |
11 |
13 |
4 |
| Samuel Atwood, of Wooverley, Esquire |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Raphaell Hunt, of Hanbury, Gent. |
12 |
10 |
0 |
| Thomas Hunt, of Inkeberrow, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Robt. Wyld, of the Commanders, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Holberrow, of Wooverley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Nicholas Langstone, and Will. Langstone, his sonne and heire |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| 541li. |
16s. |
8d. |
vnde solut. |
| 200 |
|
|
25o Oct., 1630. |
| 200 |
|
|
27o Oct., 1630. |
| 141 |
16 |
8 |
4to Martij, 1630.[12] |
| Richard Skinner, of Coston Hacket, Esquire |
25 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Good, of Redmarley Dabitot, Esquire |
30 |
0 |
0 |
| William Child, of Shrawley, Esquire |
25 |
0 |
0 |
| John Wrenford, of Longden, Gent. |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| William Cave, of Lighe, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Trinnell of Salwarp, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| William Ingram, of St. Johnes in Bedwardine, Esq. |
32 |
0 |
0 |
| William Child, Senior, of Blockeley, Esquire |
33 |
0 |
0 |
| William Barnes, of Treddinton, Esq. |
16 |
0 |
0 |
| Henry Townesend, of Elmley Lovett, Esquire |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| John Cowcher, of Redmarley Dabitot, Esquire |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| William Parsons, of Longdon, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edmund Giles, of White Ladie Aston, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Norris, of Chadsley Corbett, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Barraston, of the Rocke, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Parker, of Longdon, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Ffreman, of Busheley, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Ffrench, of Salawarp, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Geo. Morinle, of Lighe, Gent. |
16 |
0 |
0 |
| Gibt. Wheeler, of Droytwich, Gent. |
16 |
0 |
0 |
| William Amphlett, of Hadzor, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Gower, of Droytwich, Gent. |
20 |
0 |
0 |
| John Woodhouse, of Salwarp, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Wheeler, of Droytwich, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| James Naeshe, de ead, Gen. |
18 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Symonds, of Whitelady Aston |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| William Hill, of Castell Morton, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Hill, de ead, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Arden, of Martley, Gen. |
16 |
0 |
0 |
| Arthur Bagshawe, of Inkeberrowe, Gen. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Stevens, of Broadway, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Wheeler, of Whichbole, Gen. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Nicholas Lilley, of Bromesgrove, Gen. |
9 |
6 |
8 |
| John Giles, of Astley, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Wild, of Dodderhill, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Stevens, Jun., of Brodway, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Henry Garrett, de ead, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Francis Rosse, of Great Malverne, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Jo. Hobdins, als Ffeckenham, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Burie, of Abbotsley, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Hackett, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Henrie Sheylard, de Hanburie, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Henry Coller, de ead, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| John Perkes, of Wickbole, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Barret, of Draitwch, Gen. |
22 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Chaunce, of Hadzor, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Hall, of Hollowe, Esquire |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Rich. Baughe, of Tibbton, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| John Cookes, of Bentley, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Ballard, of St. John's in Bedwardine, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Robt. Boulton, of Ffeckenham, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Daniel Rawlingson, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Robt. Wheeler, of Offenham, Gen. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Wm. Wichelowe, of Ardeley, Esquire |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Ffeild, of King's Norton, Gen. |
20 |
0 |
0 |
| John Westwood, of Bromesgrove, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Jo. Chambleine, of Astley, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Coxe, of Claines, Gent. |
16 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Moore, of Seauerne Stooke, Esquire |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Robt. Yates, of Yardley, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| John Knotsford, of Holfast, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Powck, of the Rocke, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Halford, of Armescott, Gen. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Geo. Ffrench, of Parshore, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Lunde, of Breedon, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Anthony Palmer, of Combtin Magna, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Phillip Parsons, of Oldburie, Gen. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| John Horner, of Martley, Gen. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| James Hill, of Vpton sup. Sabrina, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Woodward, of Ripple, Esquire |
30 |
0 |
0 |
| John Marston, of Yardeley, Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Acocke, de ead. Gen. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Rotten, of Kingsnorton, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Rosser, de ead. Gen. |
13 |
6 |
0 |
| George Middlesmore, de ead. Esquire |
18 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Cooke, of Longdon, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Nicholas Ffletcher, of Paxford, Gent. |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Horton, of Staunton, Esquire |
30 |
0 |
0 |
| John Hanburie, of Ffeckenham, Gen. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Hayward, of Eldersfield, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Terrett, of Chadsley, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| George Palmer, of Suckley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Geo. Darley, of Ffladburie, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Jo. Callow, of Bishampton, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Booth, of Pershore, Gent. |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Walle, of the Rocke, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Humfrey Salwaie, of Stanford, Gent. |
25 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Dingley, of Strensham, Gent. |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Rushell, of Rushocke, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Humfrey Hill, of Stone, Gent. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Civitas Wigorn. |
| John Coucher, Esquire |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| John Hassellocke, Esquire |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| John Tomkins, Esquire |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Ffrogner, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Hardman, Esquire |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Wyatt, Esquire |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Huntbach, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Writer, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Sowley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Hanburie, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Hughe Greenes, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Daniel Tyas, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Smith, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Collins, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Robt. Mason, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Ffleete, Gent. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Christopher Woodward, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Breinton, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Wigorn, 14to Maij, 1631o. |
| William Barkeley, of Cotheridge, Esquire |
40 |
0 |
0 |
| John Washborne, of Wichenford, Esq. |
35 |
0 |
0 |
| John Liddiat, of Wollason, Gent. |
18 |
0 |
0 |
| William Ffreman, of Blockley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Cookes, of Shiltwood, Esquire |
40 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Ffreeman, of Emlode, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Andrewes, of Bathenhall, Esquire |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Acton, of Bockleton, Esquire |
20 |
0 |
0 |
| William Walshe, of Redmarley, Esquire |
40 |
0 |
0 |
| Wigorn, 1o Augusti, 1631o. |
| Robt. Acton, of Ribsford, Gent. |
15 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Middlemore, of Hawkesley, Esquire |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Mason, of Birlingham, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Baugh, of Pensham, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Edmond Bearecroft, of Inkeberrow, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Kightley, of Littleton, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Bloxham, of Ouffenham, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Ffletcher, of Paxford, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Ffincher, of Inkeberrowe, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Smith, of Ffranckeley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| John Manne, of Ridmley, Gent. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Ralph Pearsall, of Alchurch, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Fflourris Cowper, of Ridmley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Purton, of Ridmley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Browne, of Eldersfeild, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Ffrancis Huband, of Rouslench, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Jo. Atwood, of Staunton, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Jo. White, of Dorne, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Widdones, of Aston Magna, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Doughtie, of Suckeley, Gent. |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Webley, Jun., of Aufricke, Gent. |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Darke, of Alston, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Ffrancis Palm, of Bricklehampton, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Smith, of Badsey, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Hames, of Inkeberrow, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Wm. Johnsons, of Aufricke, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Bushell, of Prior's Cleeve, Gent. |
13 |
6 |
8 |
| Thomas Greene, of King's Norton, Gent. |
11 |
0 |
0 |
| Richard Burnford, of Bromsgrove, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| Simon Rowney, of Darlingscote, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Tho. Cheatle, of the Cittye of Worcester, Gent. |
20 |
0 |
0 |
| Edw. Neast, of Chaseley, Gent. |
18 |
0 |
0 |
| Simon Batch, of Suckeley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Paul Romney, of Suckley, Gent. |
12 |
0 |
0 |
| William Martin, of Hampton, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Edward Anslowe, of the Citty of Worcester, Gent. |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| Ffrancis Dison, of Bradeley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| 26to Martij, 1632. |
| Ralphe Poole, of Beoley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| Humfrey Grissall, of Yardeley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
| William Sambadge, of Broadwaie, Esquire |
14 |
0 |
0 |
| Thomas Greenes, of Moseley, Gent. |
10 |
0 |
0 |
WM. SAUNDYS.
2183li.
vnde solut.
| £. |
s. |
d. |
| 25 |
0 |
0 |
10o Maij, 1631. |
| 300 |
0 |
0 |
eod die. |
| 100 |
0 |
0 |
xjo Maij, 1631. |
| 400 |
0 |
0 |
xiijo Maij, 1631. |
| 175 |
0 |
0 |
xxiijio Maij, 1631. |
| 400 |
0 |
0 |
xxviijo Maij, 1631. |
| 132 |
0 |
0 |
23tio Julij, 1631. |
| 450 |
0 |
0 |
2do Nov., 1631. |
| 80 |
0 |
0 |
22do Dec., 1631. |
| 121 |
0 |
0 |
14 Junij, 1632. |
| 2183" |
The onslaught made on dogs found in the streets of Worcester,
when the cholera was expected three or four years
ago, suggests an extract from history bearing on the point.
In the Droitwich records, the bailiff's accounts for the year
1637, a time of great pestilence, contain the following among
other entries:
|
s. |
d. |
| "To Wm. Watkins for burienge of doggs and katts in the sicknesse time |
5 |
0 |
| To Wm. Harris for mendinge his gunn to kill doggs Aug. 26. |
0 |
18 |
| To Ed. Turke for killing two katts |
0 |
4" |
In the parochial records of the city of Westminster for
the year 1603 mention is made of one person having "massacred
the amazing number of 500 dogs;" and in 1605, 83
others. Thus it seemed the practice of making a hecatomb
of dogs and cats on these sad occasions. Can any one
explain the reason of this? Was it that these animals
were deemed to be peculiarly obnoxious to the pestilence,
and that it was contagious? Similar practices prevailed in
ancient times: we read in the "Iliad"—
"On mules and dogs the infection first began;
At last the vengeful arrows fix'd on man—
For nine long days throughout the dusky air,
The pyres, thick flaming, shot a dismal glare."
The following notes contain a few historical facts, either
not fully related, or omitted altogether in the local histories,
relative to the progresses of Charles I and his son through
this county during the Civil Wars:
The unhappy contest between King Charles and his people
first brought that Sovereign into Worcestershire in the year
1644, when he fled from Essex and Waller at Oxford. The
city of Worcester presented his Majesty with £200 and the
Princes Rupert and Maurice £100 each, the purse for his
majesty costing 8d. (as recorded in the Corporation books),
and those for the Princes 4d. each. An order had been issued
to raise £1000 (equal to £15,000 of the present time) in less
than two days, and the above sums were probably all that could
be extracted out of the half-ruined inhabitants at that time.
His Majesty retreating with his army to Bewdley, two guides
for the royal carriage were engaged at a cost of 4s. 6d., and
six axletrees (articles frequently requiring renewal in those
days of un-M'Adam-ized roads) were charged 4s. At Bewdley,
Charles wrote a letter from Tickenhill Palace to Prince
Rupert, urging him to relieve York. This led to the battle
of Marston Moor. The letter is given in the appendix to
Guizot's History of the English Revolution. About the same
time a Royal missive was addressed to the Corporation and
inhabitants of Droitwich, thanking them for the assistance
they had sent into Worcester when Waller assaulted it.
While at Bewdley also the King dispatched a party of horse
to relieve Dudley Castle, which was then besieged by the Earl
of Denbigh, but they were defeated with considerable loss.
Waller having now outflanked the King, his Majesty returned
suddenly to Worcester, and hastened through Evesham to
join the remainder of his forces at Oxford. At Evesham, he
took the Mayor and certain Aldermen prisoners and carried
them to Oxford; but the Royalists were closely pursued by
the forces of the Parliament under Waller, and were obliged
to break down the bridges behind them to make good their
retreat. The Royalists also burned down many houses in
the suburbs of Worcester, the better to secure the city.
Between Evesham and Oxford are several memorials of his
Majesty's misfortunes. In a bed-room at the White Hart
inn, at Moreton-in-the-Marsh, appears the following:
"When friends were few, and dangers near,
King Charles found rest and safety here.
KING CHARLES I
slept at this inn on his way to Evesham,
Tuesday, July 2, 1644."
In August, 1644, offers were made to the Parliament by divers
gentlemen of Worcestershire to raise forces for their service,
and an ordinance was passed for that purpose. At the
beginning of 1645 the King appointed Prince Maurice, his
nephew and son of the Elector Palatine of the Rhine, "General
of Worcester, Hereford, and Shropshire." It is apparent,
from other records besides those of the corporation, that his
brother, Prince Rupert, was also, at short intervals of inaction
in the field, present at Worcester, and there is sufficient
evidence to show that these arrogant, fiery, and remorseless
soldiers of fortune bled the city more copiously than Dr.
Sangrado did his patients. Here is an extract from a warrant
of Prince Rupert's, which will exhibit his peremptory tone
and fierce character, and afford some idea of the horrors of
civil war. It commands labourers and provisions to be sent
to him "upon your utmost peril, as the total burning and
plundering of your houses, with what other mischief the
licensed and hungry soldiers can inflict upon you." Early
in 1645, the "clubmen," as they were called, appeared in
large bodies in Worcestershire, assumed a defensive attitude,
and refused to serve the King according to his proclamation.
These clubmen first arose in the west of England, where for a
time their efforts were principally directed to the checking of
the cruelties and licentious outrages of Goring, the Royalist
commander, and his desperate bands. Gradually gentlemen
of rank and substance joined the yeomen and peasantry, and
gave a new direction to the association. The original motive
of the "clubmen" was sufficiently explained in the motto on
one of their ensigns or standards—
"If ye offer to plunder or take our cattle,
Be you assured we'll give you battle."
The Worcestershire clubmen first mustered to the number
of about two thousand, and put forth a declaration of their
intentions against the Popish party and to preserve the
King's rights and the privileges of Parliament. They rapidly
increased in force; Prince Rupert strove to pacify them, but
in vain; the constables refused to bring in a list of the names
of those who thus assembled. By the middle of March their
number had increased to fourteen thousand well armed men,
and they applied to Colonel Massey, then in command at
Gloucester, for assistance to enable them to besiege Hereford.
Massey replied that if they would fully declare for the Parliament
he would join with them. They requested two or three
days for consideration, but their answer is not recorded that I
am aware of. It is probable, however, that they did declare,
either at this period or a little later, for the Parliament.
On Sunday, the 11th of May, 1645, the King and his
forces were at Inkberrow, at the vicarage of which place
I have seen an old book of maps, said to have been left
behind him by the King when he slept there. The title
page is as follows:
"The Kingdome of England and Principality of Wales, exactly
described with every sheere and the small townes in every one of
them, on six mappes portable for every man's pocket; useful for
all commanders for quarteringe of souldiers, and all sorts of persons
that would be informed where the armies be—never so commodiously
drawne before this 1644. Described by one that travailed
throughout the whole Kingdome for its purpose."
Thorn farmhouse, at Inkberrow, also claims the honour
of having sheltered the royal head; and there is a farmhouse
at Cookhill, in the same parish, in which a portrait
of the King remained hidden behind a sliding panel (probably
ever since the days of the Commonwealth), and would not
have been discovered to the present time but for the decay
of a peg on which it was hung, occasioning it to fall with
a great noise in the night time some years ago. So large
a number of old houses in this county are said to have been
temporary resting places for the King or his fugitive son
that it is probable one half of these traditions cannot be
correct. The King marched from Inkberrow to Droitwich,
where he stayed from Sunday till Wednesday, and then
went to the siege of Hawkesley House, which was at once
surrendered, and set on fire. That night the King lay at
Cofton Hall, near Bromsgrove, occupied by Mr. Thomas
Jolliffe, who was faithful to his Sovereign to the last, and
attended his execution. There is a tradition that when the
King was in prison he gave a key to Mr. Jolliffe, to visit
him when he pleased; and in Dr. Nash's time there was
a picture in the house, representing that gentleman, with a
key in his hand, his pistols and sword hanging on a pillar
before him. After leaving Cofton Hall the King marched
to Himley, then inhabited by Lord Ward.
In June, 1645, was fought the famous battle of Naseby,
which crushed the Royal cause. Soon afterwards, the Scotch
army was ordered to march from Nottingham to Worcester;
and in July, Canon Froome, in Herefordshire, then a garrison
of the King's, was taken by the Scotch army with little
loss, and Col. Harley, progenitor of the famous Tory minister
of Queen Anne and of the Earls of Oxford and Mortimer,
was appointed governor of the place. Whether the property
at Canon Froome then belonged, as it does now, to a member
of the ancient family of Hopton, I have not the means of
ascertaining, but it is recorded in the memorials of Whitelock
that about this time a Mr. Hopton, with a small band of
followers, fell in with, and, after a gallant conflict, destroyed
a party of the Royalists in the vicinity of Ledbury.
In August, 1645, the King came with his army from
Shipston-on-Stour to Worcester, where they rested several
days, the guards lying at Claines. The Worcester Corporation
accounts of this period contain numerous items of
expense incurred by "the Scots' king," as his Majesty was
then somewhat contemptuously termed; and the chamberlains
also "pray to be allowed for butter potts and napkins, bottles,
&c., sent to the Denary (his Majesty's quarters) and there
lost."
Charles again passed through Bewdley, where a skirmish
took place with his pursuers, and sixty Royalists were taken
prisoners. It is said that he slept for two nights at the Angel
Inn, in that town, and that the inhabitants granted the sum
of half-a-crown for his entertainment, but there is probably
some mistake either in the amount or in the alleged object
to which it was applied. Tickenhill Palace was so much
damaged during these wars that it was taken down soon
afterwards. From Bewdley the King went to Bromyard,
and at length the hunted monarch found shelter in the
princely halls of Ragland with the Marquis of Worcester.
It is recorded that in November of this year divers persons
of Worcestershire, under Mr. Dingley—he was an officer
who had served in the Low Countries—declared for the
Parliament and complained of the "insolence and injuries"
of the garrison of Worcester. Probably the clubmen now
gave in their adhesion to the only party which was able to
protect them, and against which resistance would have been
unavailing, for the fortunes of King Charles were rapidly
sinking to the lowest ebb. In proof of these "insolences
and injuries" a copy of a warrant from Col. Bard (probably
Baird), the governor, to the constables who were accustomed
to collect the contributions, was laid before the Parliament.
It was drawn after the most approved Rupert style:—
"Know that unless you bring into me (at a day and house in
Worcester) the monthly contribution for six months, you are to
expect an unsanctified troop of horse among you, from whom, if
you hide yourselves, they shall fire your houses without mercy, hang
up your bodies wherever they find them, and scare your ghosts, &c."
This probably led to the organisation of the Worcestershire
Committee of defence and safety, of which mention first
occurs immediately after the declaration of Mr. Dingley and
others and the representation made by them to the Parliament.
Early in December, 1645, Prince Rupert and Prince
Maurice set out from Worcester with 160 horse in the direction
of Oxford. They were obstructed on their march by a party
of the "clubmen" under Sir Edward Dingley, the then head
of this old Worcestershire family. But these raw levies were
no match for the trained cavaliers and their ardent leaders.
The Princes and their troop cut their way through Dingley's
yeomen, killing and wounding several of them, and so got
safely to Oxford.
The unfortunate upholder of "divine right in kings" passed
to his account in January, 1649. In 1651, Charles II escaped
with his forces out of Scotland, and marching through the
northern and midland counties, entered Worcester on the
23rd of August. Major-Generals Lambert and Harrison
had despatched some forces to secure the place, lest the King
should make it a quarter or garrison. These and the country
levies made a brave resistance and beat back the Royalists
several times, but the townsmen having laid down their
arms, and some of them shooting at the Parliament soldiers
out of the windows, they removed their ammunition, while
a party of only thirty men kept the enemy at bay. They
then retired in good order upon Gloucester, the King's troops
being too much fatigued by their long marches from the north
to pursue them. Charles was proclaimed King in this city.
The result of the disastrous battle of Worcester has been
already described by various historians. William Bagnall,
then living in Sidbury, being one of the "Chamber," or Corporation,
turned out a horse, ready bridled and saddled, for
the use of his Majesty, when the latter was so near being
captured. Mr. Bagnall died in a year afterwards, but the
family would never afterwards receive any consideration for
the horse or saddle. In Chambers's "Biographical Illustrations"
it is stated that "Sir Charles Wogan is said to have
been robbed of the honour of saving King Charles II after
the battle of Worcester, as he stopped those who were in
chase of his Majesty and Colonel Carless." At Wolverley,
in the dell upon the brink of which Lea Castle stands, is still
shown the spot over which the King crossed on his way to
Kinfare and Boscobel.
On the Bromyard road, some three miles and a half from
the city of Worcester (says a writer in the publication called
"Notes and Queries"), is Cotheridge Court, the manorial
residence of the Berkeleys. The Mr. Berkeley who held it
at the date of the battle of Worcester was a stout Royalist,
and went to help the fallen fortunes of his King. It so
chanced that he had two piebald horses, who were exactly
like each other, "specially Sambo," as the niggers say. He
made one of these horses his charger, and rode him to the
fight. When Cromwell had gained his "crowning merits,"
Mr. Berkeley escaped to Cotheridge as best he might; and
planning a very skilful ruse, left his exhausted charger at
one of the farmhouses not far from the court. He then
betook himself to bed, and, as he had foreseen, a troop of
crop-headed Parliamentarists now made their appearance
before his doors and sought admittance. Mr. Berkeley was
ill in bed, and could not be seen. Fudge! they must see him.
So they go to his bed-side. "So you were fighting against us
at Worcester to-day, were you?" say the crop-heads. "Me!"
says Mr. Berkeley, faintly and innocently; "why, I am sick,
and forced to keep my bed." "All very fine," say the crop-heads,
"but you were there, my dear sir, for you rode a
piebald charger, and were very conspicuous." "It could not
have been me," says the sick man, "for though I certainly do
ride a piebald charger when I am in health, yet he has never
been out of the stable all day. If you doubt my word, you had
better go to the stable and satisfy yourselves." So the crop-heads
go to the stable, and there, of course, find piebald
No. 2, as fresh as a daisy, and evidently not from Worcester.
So they conclude that they had mistaken their man, and leave
the sick Mr. Berkeley to get well and laugh at the ruse he
had so successfully played upon them.
After his flight from Worcester and concealment at White
Ladies, the King appeared as "Will Jones," attired in a
leather doublet, with pewter buttons, a pair of old green
breeches, a green "jump coat," a pair of stockings with the
tops cut off, a pair of stirrup stockings, a pair of shoes cut
and slashed to give ease to his feet, an old grey greasy hat
without a lining, a "noggen shirt" of the coarsest linen, his
hands and face made of a "reechy complexion" with the aid
of walnut leaves. He attempted to reach Wales, but got no
further than Madeley, being obliged to return, as there were
no means of crossing the Severn, without danger. He
returned to his shelter in Staffordshire, and quitted his suit
for a new grey one, as the holiday attire of a farmer's son,
and thus as "Will Jackson" he rode before Mrs. Jane Lane,
and ultimately effected his escape.
In Martley church is still, I believe, an inscription to
Lettice Lane, sister to the above Mrs. Jane Lane, who rode
with Charles II, disguised as her servant, on his retreat to
the south-west coast. On the floor of the old church of
Knightwick (recently closed) was also a plain stone to Grace
Lane, another of the same family. It is said that his Majesty
halted at Knightwick, and was glad to turn shoeblack at the
Talbot inn, to avoid the suspicion of pursuers. Colonel Lane,
of Bentley, Staffordshire, had property at Knightwick, and
the young lady, with her royal master, probably rested here
on that account. The gold pouncet box given by the King
to Mrs. Jane Lane during their journey from Bentley to
Bristol, after the battle of Worcester, and a beautiful portrait
(a miniature) of Colonel Lane, were exhibited by Miss Yonge,
at the Archæological Institute Meeting at Shrewsbury, October,
1855. On the former are engraved, on a lozenge, the arms of
the Lane family, with the canton of England granted as an
honourable augmentation. These interesting relics were in
the possession of Dr. Arden, who married a lady of the Lane
family, and they were presented by Miss Arden to their
present possessor. In "Colston's Life and Times" is the
following interesting allusion to the progress of the royal
fugitive:—"At the close of the year, the vessel which conveyed
the body of the Lord-Deputy Ireton, who had died of
the plague, at Limerick, came into King Road, 'notice of
which having been forwarded to the Mayor of Bristol, he
sent a boat, covered with black, in which the corpse was
brought to the city. When the body was landed, a velvet
pall was placed over the coffin, and the Mayor, Aldermen, and
Common Council, in their formalities, and the Governor and
his officers, with a multitude of citizens, attended the body.
On this occasion the great guns were fired from the castle and
fort.' Nearly coincident with the above, a horseman, with
apparently his mistress seated behind him, on a pillion,
entered Bristol at Lawford's Gate. He was unknown, unnoticed;
but between him, and the ashes that with gloomy
solemnity were paraded, there was a connecting link—connecting
yet repulsive. They were the ashes of a fallen foe,
the mortal remains of an enemy—of one who had sentenced
to a traitor's doom the august sire of the menial who now
journeyed through a city, whose allegiance to him and his
cause had been severed, where there awaited a thousand
arms to deliver him to captivity, perhaps to death. The
place is evidently familiar to the rider. He made no inquiries,
but conducted his horse unheeded through the streets.
He arrives in view of the lofty bulwarks of the castle, its
towers and gigantic keep. Their sight may have called forth
latent memories, for here the horse was stayed, turned aside,
as though the travellers would take a passing survey of the
stately pile; but this was all; they halted not to rest at inn
or hostelry, nor dismounted to refresh the steed, but quietly
and leisurely continued their course, through a narrow gloomy
street, over the bridge, and thus in safety passed from out
the ancient town, unsuspected, unchallenged, and unknown.
How strange are life's vicissitudes, its contrasts! A king,
disguised—passing obscurely through a half hostile city!
The mortal remains of the son-in-law of the usurper of his
kingdom received with military honours and Royal etiquette.
In one quarter, pomp and state following the ashes, as would
befit a monarch's obsequies; in another, a deserted crownless
sovereign, in lowly garb, eludes the pursuit of his enemy, and
passes in safety to a less doubtful shelter from the city, of
which he was the lawful lord. In after years, all this quaint
and gorgeous pomp will be displayed to welcome this fugitive,
and he will be escorted triumphantly through its lately hostile
bosom."
In reference to the Civil Wars in this county, the following
extracts from Dugdale's Diary will be found to possess some
interest:
"March 22, 1644. This night, —— brother to Fox ye tinker
(wch. keeps a garrison of rebells in Edgbaston House, com. Warr.)
entred Sturton Castle, com. Stafford, with 200 men from ——
to plant a garrison there.
"May 3 [1644].—Sr. Tho. Littleton, of Frankley, com. Wigorn,
taken prisoner by a p'ty of horse (sent by Fox, the tinker from
Edgbaston) to Ticknall Mannor near Beaudley."
John Fox "the Tinker," as he is here and before called,
and "that rogue Fox" as the Royalists sometimes term him,
appears to have been a very active officer, and no small
annoyance to his adversaries. Amongst the papers of the
republican Earl of Denbigh, who was commander in chief
of the forces in the counties of Warwick, Worcester, Stafford,
and Salop, is a memorandum, made about March, 1643-4,
of a commission granted to John Fox to be colonel of a
regiment to consist of six troops of horse and two companies
of dragoons, and a commission to Reynold Fox to be his
major. The same collection (which is arranged in two large
folio volumes) contains several letters from Fox, during his
occupation of Edgbaston House, where nothing but the
enthusiasm of party could have kept his ill-clothed and ill-paid
soldiers together. Indeed, at one time, he confesses
that he durst not leave them to wait upon his Lordship, "for
feare of mutunyes and a general departure." Fox signs
in an illiterate manner, and his letters are always in the
writing of another hand, probably that of a German, as he
mentions "Hampton, Brewood, and the Dorpes [villages]
thereabouts." By referring to October 5, following, it will
be found that the united forces from Worcester and Dudley
Castle were not able to unkennel him in his little garrison
at Edgbaston, but "returned without doing anything;" or—as
Fox would probably have said—were repulsed with loss.
Odious enough in the eyes of the Cavaliers, for his successful
opposition, he was surcharged with being one of King
Charles's executioners: "Some have a conceit that he that
gave the stroke was one Collonell Foxe, and the other
Captain Joyce, who took the King from Holmby, but that
is not believed."—Journal of the Earl of Leicester, in
Sydney Papers, by Blencowe, p. 61.
"October 5.—Forces went out of Worcester and joyned
with others from Dudley Castle to recover Edgbaston House
from ye Rebells. Returned without doing anything."
THE END.
