Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.

Part 5

Chapter 53,160 wordsPublic domain

[Sidenote: His first published work well received.]

[Sidenote: Crabbe's introduction to eminent persons.]

[Sidenote: Promoted to the church.]

[Sidenote: Died at Trowbridge 1132.]

[A] ALDERMASTON. _Fairs_, May 6, July 7, for horses and cattle, and October 11, for pedlery.

[B] ALDINGTON. Elizabeth Barton, commonly called the Holy Maid of Kent, a religious impostor, lived in the reign of Henry VIII. She was a servant at Aldington, and having been for a long time afflicted with convulsions, which distorted her limbs and countenance, and threw her body into the most violent agitations, acquired a power of counterfeiting the same appearances whenever she pleased. Richard Master, who then held this living, with other ecclesiastics, thinking her a proper instrument for their purpose, induced her to pretend that all she said and did, was by a supernatural impulse, and taught her to act her part in the most perfect manner. Thus she pretended to be honoured with visions; to hear heavenly voices and most ravishing melody; she declaimed against the wickedness of the times, against heresy and innovations; exhorting all persons to frequent the church, to hear masses, to make frequent confessions, and to pray to our lady, and all saints. This artful management, with her apparent piety, virtue, and austerity of life, completely deceived even Sir Thomas More, Bishop Fisher, and Archbishop Warham, the last of which appointed commissioners to examine her, to whom she was instructed to say, in her counterfeit trances, that she should never recover till she went to visit the image of the Virgin Mary, in a chapel dedicated to her in this parish, which was done. After that she pretended that she was called to be a nun, and the Archbishop being fully satisfied with the reports, had her placed in the nunnery of St. Sepulchre, Canterbury, where she alleged she had visions and revelations of a divine nature, so as to completely impose upon the public. The main object of the priests, her managers, was directed publicly to announce how God had revealed to her, "that in case the king should divorce Queen Catherine of Anjou, and take another wife during her life, his royalty would not be of a month's duration, but that he should die the death of a villain," which created considerable excitement, and much controversy: encouraged by the lenity of the government, the ecclesiastics in this conspiracy, resolved to publish the revelations of the nun throughout the kingdom. They had communicated them to the Pope's Ambassadors, and exhorted Queen Catherine to persist in her resolutions. At length this confederacy became a serious affair, and Henry ordered the maid and her accomplices to be examined in the Star Chamber, where they confessed all the particulars of the imposture; and afterwards, upon a scaffold erected at Paul's Cross, were compelled to hear their confession publicly read; they were confined in the Tower until the meeting of parliament, by whom the whole affair was pronounced to be a conspiracy against the king's life, and crown. The nun, and her confederates, were eventually attainted of high treason, and executed at Tyburn, April 20th, 1534, where she confessed the imposture, laying the blame on her accomplices, the priests; craving pardon of God, and the King.

[Sidenote: The History of the Holy Maid of Kent.]

[Sidenote: Holy Maid of Kent.]

[Sidenote: The imposture detected.]

[Sidenote: Herself and confederates executed at Tyburn.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From | +--+-----------------------+----------+--------------+----------------+ 42|Aldington ham| Worcester| Evesham 3| Moreton 10| 35|Aldridge pa| Stafford| Walsall 3|Sut. Coldfield 4| 36|Aldringham pa| Suffolk| Aldeburgh 2| Saxmundha 5| 38|Aldrington pa| Sussex| Brighton 5| Steyning 6| 9|Aldstone Moor[A] to & pa|Cumberland| Carlisle 25| Kirk Oswald 12| 15|Aldsworth pa|Gloucester| Northleach 4| Fairford 6| 16|Aldwark to| Derby| Wirksworth 4| Ashbourn 6| 44|Aldwark to| N. R York| Borobridge 5| Easingwold 4| 45|Aldwarke to| W. R York| Rotherham 2| Sheffield 4| 28|Aldwinckle-all Saints p| Northamp| Thrapston 3| Kettering 10| 28|Aldwinckle-St Peter pa| Northamp| ... 3| ... 10| 4|Aldsworth[B] pa| Berks|East Ilsley 4| Wallingford 7| +--+------------------------+----------+--------------+----------------+ |Dist. | Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond. |Population. +--+-----------------------+-------------------------+------+---------+ 42|Aldington ham|Alcester 10| 96| 104| 35|Aldridge pa|Lichfleld 6| 116| 1804| 36|Aldringham pa|Dunwich 7| 94| 362| 38|Aldrington pa|Worthing 7| 55| 615| 9|Aldstone Moor[A] to & pa|Haltwhistle 10| 272| 6858| 15|Aldsworth pa|Burford 4| 78| 353| 16|Aldwark to|Winster 6| 145| 97| 44|Aldwark to|Knaresboro 9| 202| 190| 45|Aldwarke to|Barnsley 8| 172| ...| 28|Aldwinckle-all Saints p|Oundle 5| 76| 247| 28|Aldwinckle-St Peter pa| ... 5| 76| 171| 4|Aldsworth[B] pa|Newbury 11| 50| 268| +--+------------------------+------------------------+------+--------+

[A] ALDSTONE MOOR, in Leath Ward, is situated on the borders of Northumberland, in the most picturesque and romantic part of the county. The town itself stands upon a hill, at the bottom of which runs the river Tyne. The immediate vicinity abounds in lead-mines, on estates which once belonged to the Derwentwater family. On the attainder of the last earl, they were granted in aid of the support of Greenwich Hospital, from the trustees of which national institution, the mines are at present leased. Satin spar is found in this parish; there is also a pool on Gildersdale Fell, the slime of which is used for painting yellow. About three miles from the town, are the earthworks of Whitley castle, where relics of antiquity have frequently been discovered.

_Market_, Saturday.--_Fairs_, last Thursday in May, 1st Thursday in September, for cattle, horses, linen and woollen cloth.

[Sidenote: Picturesque and Romantic scenery.]

[Sidenote: The slime of a pool use for painting yellow.]

[B] ALDWORTH is pleasantly situated on a hill: here was anciently a mansion belonging to the family of De La Beche, the site of which is now Beach Farm. In the churchyard is a remarkable yew-tree, the trunk measuring nine yards in circumference, at upwards of four feet from the ground. The church is celebrated for its very ancient monuments, nine in number, disposed in enriched arches on each side, and in the centre of the interior; these are supposed to belong to the De La Beche family, and from the costume of the figures upon the tombs, may be referred to the fourteenth century; six of them are knights in armour; two are females, and one in the common habit of the time; some of the knights are represented lying cross-legged; these had vowed, or accompanied a crusade; the workmanship is excellent, and the attitude and expression of each of the figures that remain perfect, are exceedingly graceful, but several of the monuments are now considerably mutilated. The font is very ancient, and remarkably plain, but very capacious, and somewhat singular in its form.

[Sidenote: Remarkable yew-tree, nine yards round.]

[Sidenote: Church celebrated for ancient monuments.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From | +--+------------------------+----------+--------------+--------------+ 29|Alemouth to|Northumb |Lesbury 2|Alnwick 5| 28|Alesworth ham|Northamp |Deeping 7|Wandsford 3| 37|Alfold pa|Surrey |Guildford 10|Godalming 7| 24|Alford m.t. & pa|Lincoln |Saltfleet 12|Lincoln 34| 34|Alford pa|Somerset |Shepton 7|Castle Cary 2| 10|Alfreton[A] pa|Derby |Derby 14|Wirksworth 10| 42|Alfrick chap|Worcester |Bromvard 6|Worcester 8| 38|Alfriston pa|Sussex |Newhaven 5|Seaford 3| 24|Algarkirk pa|Lincoln |Fosdyke Br. 3|Boston 6| 31|Alkerton pa|Oxford |Shipston 8|Banbury 6| 21|Alkham pa|Kent |Canterbury 12|Dover 4| 15|Alkington ti & to|Gloucester|Old Passage 10|Berkeley 1| 10|Alkmonton to|Derby |Derby 10|Ashbourn 5| 22|Alkrington to|Lancaster |Rochdale 7|Manchester 6| 41|Alcannings pa & to|Wilts |Calne 7|Devizes 4| 29|Allendale pa & to|Northumb |Aldsto. Moor 10|Hexham 8| 29|Allen-Head pa|Northumb | ... 9|Hexham 12| 8|Allen, St. pa|Cornwall |St. Michael 4|Truro 4| 17|Allensmore pa|Hereford |Thruxton 2|Hereford 4| 29|Allenton pa & to|Northumb |Wooler 16|Rothbury 8| 34|Aller pa|Somerset |Taunton 11|Somerton 6| 9|Allerby to|Cumberland|Wigton 8|Cockermout 7| 43|Allerston pa|N.R. York |New Malton 8|Pickering 5| 46|Allerthorpe pa|E.R. York |York 11|Pocklington 2| 43|Allerthorpe to|N.R. York |Northallerton 6|Bedale 5| 22|Allerton to|Lancaster |Warrington 12|Liverpool 6| 34|Allerton Chapel pa|Somerset |Wells 10|Axbridge 3| 45|Allerton Chapel pa|W.R. York |Halifax 7|Leeds 2| 45|Allerton to|W.R. York |Ottley 5|Bradford 4| 45|Allerton Bywater to|W.R. York |Wakefield 6|Pontefract 5| 45|Allerton Mauleverer[B] p|W.R. York |Wetherby 5|Knaresboro 4| +--+------------------------+----------+---------------+-------------+ |Dist.| Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population. +--+------------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+ 29|Alemouth to|Morpeth 19| 311| 415| 28|Alesworth ham|Peterborough 5| 87| 289| 37|Alfold pa|Haslemere 9| 41| 514| 24|Alford m.t. & pa||Louth 11| 142| 1784| 34|Alford pa|Glastonbury 8| 115| 137| 10|Alfreton[A] pa|Mansfield 9| 139| 5691| 42|Alfrick chap||Gt. Malvern 10| 119| 493| 38|Alfriston pa|Hailsham 6| 55| 694| 24|Algarkirk pa|Donnington 7| 111| 651| 31|Alkerton pa|Kineton 6| 77| 192| 21|Alkham pa|Folkestone 4| 69| 542| 15|Alkington ti & to|Dursley 3| 113| 1167| 10|Alkmonton to|Uttoxeter 7| 134| 79| 22|Alkrington to|Oldham 1| 187| 367| 41|Alcannings pa & to|Marlborough 9| 88| 811| 29|Allendale pa & to|Haltwhistle 10| 273| 5540| 29|Allen-Head pa|Allendale 4| 268| ...| 8|Allen, St. pa|Falmouth 12| 252| 637| 17|Allensmore pa|Ross 12| 131| 592| 29|Allenton pa & to|Bellingham 15| 310| 822| 34|Aller pa|Bridgewater 8| 128| 490| 9|Allerby to|Abbey-Holm 6| 313| ...| 43|Allerston pa|Scarborough 10| 220| 385| 46|Allerthorpe pa|M. Weighton 6| 212| 185| 43|Allerthorpe to|Thirsk 6| 218| 167| 22|Allerton to|Prescott 6| 202| 374| 34|Allerton Chapel pa|Bridgewater 11| 132| 313| 45|Allerton Chapel pa|Bradford 8| 194| 1730| 45|Allerton to|Keighly 4| 200| 1733| 45|Allerton Bywater to|Leeds 6| 182| 375| 45|Allerton Mauleverer[B] p|Borobridge 5| 202| ...| +--+------------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ALFRETON, is situated about two miles from the commencement of the moors, which extend so widely in this county. The town is supposed to have been built by King Alfred, and to derive its name from him. The spot is shown where the house stood in which he lived. The inhabitants are principally employed in a stocking manufactory, and in the neighbouring collieries. Earthenware is also made in this place, and the Monday market, for corn, is considerable. In Greenhill Lane, near this town, seven hundred Roman coins, were discovered by a labourer employed in repairing a fence.

_Markets_, Monday and Friday.--_Mail_ arrives 2-1/4 P.M., departs 9-1/4 A.M.--_Fairs_, horses and cattle, October 8, and November 22, statute.--_Inns_, Angel, and George.

[Sidenote: Built by King Alfred.]

[Sidenote: 700 Roman coins found here.]

[B] ALLERTON MAULEVERER, is situated in a very beautiful part of Yorkshire. The park now in the possession of _Lord Stourton_, consists of about four hundred acres, in which is a superb mansion; the land is very rich, and charmingly diversified by a variety of hills, dales, and groves, which are considerably enlivened, and receive much additional beauty, from a very fine expanse of water. An octagonal tower has been built on a lofty hill, finely shaded with trees; it consists of two rooms, and is approached by a double flight of steps, each of which, as well as the terrace around the building, are protected by iron palisades. From this commanding situation, all the various beauties of the park are seen to the greatest advantage, and many extensive and diversified prospects are enjoyed. Here was a priory of Benedictine monks, founded by Richard Mauleverer, in the reign of Henry II., which was dissolved about three centuries afterwards by King Henry VI. The manor was the seat of the Mauleverer family for more than five hundred years, when Sir Richard, the last heir, who died unmarried, left the estate by will to his mother, who, afterwards by marriage, conveyed it to the Arundel family, and from them it became the property of the Honourable, William Monkton Arundel, Viscount Galway, whose son, the late Lord Galway, sold it in the year 1786, to the late Duke of York, who afterwards occasionally resided in the park, with George IV., then Prince of Wales. The estate, comprising four thousand five hundred and twenty-five acres, was sold by the Royal Duke to Colonel Thornton, for £110,000; and was, in 1805, resold by that gentleman to the late Lord Stourton, father of the present proprietor. The mansion stands on a gentle elevation; it was erected by his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and has since been considerably improved.

[Sidenote: Extensive park and mansion.]

[Sidenote: Picturesque tower.]

[Sidenote: Here was a Priory of Benedictine monks.]

[Sidenote: Sale of the estate by the late Duke of York, for £110,000.]

Map|Names of Places.| County. | Number of Miles From | +--+----------------+----------+------------+--------------+ 39|Allesley pa|Warwick |Coventry 2|Nuneaton 8| 10|Allestrey pa|Derby |Derby 2|Ashbourn 14| 23|Allexton pa|Leicester |Rockingham 6|M. Harboro 9| 9|Allhallows pa|Cumberland|Wigton 5|Market Ireby 4| 21|Allhallows pa|Kent |Rochester 7|Sheerness 5| 12|Allington pa|Dorset |Bridport 1|Lyme Regis 8| 21|Allington[A] pa|Kent |Maidstone 2|Rochester 7| +--+----------------+----------+------------+--------------+ |Dist.| Map|Names of Places.| Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population. +--+----------------+-----------------------+--------------+ 39|Allesley pa|Kenilworth 6| 93| 875| 10|Allestrey pa|Alfreton 13| 128| 501| 23|Allexton pa||Uppingham 5| 89| 68| 9|Allhallows pa|Allonby 7| 308| 205| 21|Allhallows pa|Queenboro 6| 36| 263| 12|Allington pa|Beaminster 5| 136| 1300| 21|Allington[A] pa|Wrotham 8| 32| 37| +--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

[A] ALLINGTON. Situated in the hundred of Larkefield, in the lathe of Aylesford, near the river Medway. ALLINGTON CASTLE was originally built in the Saxon times, by a noble family denominated _Columbary_, but was razed afterwards by the Danes. The manor was given after the conquest to Bishop Odo, (in whose time there was a _church_ at Allington,) and on his disgrace, to the great Earl Warrenne, who is stated to have had the castle rebuilt, which, however, seems to be doubtful, as the famous Sir Stephen Penchester, constable of Dover Castle, in the reign of Edward I., and then owner of this manor, had a license to fortify, and embattle, his mansion-house here. It passed afterwards to the _Cobham_ family; and from them to the _Brents_, by whom it was alienated to Sir Henry Wyatt, a descendant from a worthy Yorkshire family; who, besides losing seventeen manors, was deprived of his liberty for engaging in the plot against Richard III. in favour of the Earl of Richmond; but when success had crowned the attempts of the latter, he was released by the new king, knighted, made banneret, a knight of the bath, and a privy counsellor. He made this castle his residence; and here was born his accomplished son and successor, Sir Thomas Wyatt. This gentleman who was equally renowned, as a scholar, a soldier, and a statesman, (in consequence of which he was considered to be "the delight of the muses and mankind") made this a "fair seat," and was visited here by Henry VIII., (as his father Sir Henry had also been,) with whom he was a great favourite; though he appears in some degree to have unintentionally excited his jealousy, through the admiration which his accomplishments had raised in the breast of the fascinating Anne Boleyn. He died in his thirty-eighth year, at Sherborne, in Dorsetshire, of a violent fever. His son Sir Thomas Wyatt, the younger, being deprived of his estates and life, for treason against Queen Mary, this castle and manor became vested in the crown, and were granted, on lease by Elizabeth, to John Astley Esq., master of her jewels, in her eleventh year. His son, Sir John Astley, afterwards had the whole granted to him by the queen's letters patent, dated in her twenty-sixth year, and from his family it was transferred to that of Lord Romney, and is now the property of the present earl. The remains of the castle are particularly curious and interesting, but give the idea rather of a fortified dwelling, than of a place of strength. The moat still exists, as does the entrance gateway, which was erected by the Cobhams. Besides the castle and parsonage, (a mere cottage,) there is only one house in this parish; though Sir Stephen de Penchester is recorded to have procured a grant of a market weekly, and a three days annual fair for his manor of Allington.

[Sidenote: The castle.]

[Sidenote: Mansion given to Bishop Odo.]

[Sidenote: Sir Henry Wyatt deprived of seventeen manors and his liberty, for treason.]

[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Wyatt, was an accomplished scholar, soldier and statesman.]

[Sidenote: Parish consists of one house, a church, and a cottage.]