y of California rn Regional ty Facility sol>^■* ■'ouaAi ' r, i) A D V ^z- JNIVE ^4,OFCAtlF0% ^>^OfCA' AMtl'NIVERS/^ ,v>slOSANCEl. r-n —J -n ~ m m C3 IIVIIO^^ '^' ;.OfiALlrU% ^ ^OFCALlfO/?^ oe 11 / ^*^ % C3 ^4 .:^\tui it?Aiivjian-i^ ^(^Aavaaii^ ;lOSANCElfx^ "^AaaAiNrt^vw ^llIBRARYQ^ '^ii/ojnvjjo'^ -^ILIBRAI ^OJITV] UNIVER^ os;lOSANCElfj> o ^ 5 ^OFCAIIFO/?^ ^OFCALII DC DNVsoi^"^ %a3AiNn-3i\v^ ^jo>' .^MEUNtVERy/A. en ^l. \ ■^ - ^OFCALIF0%, waaiH^ ^(9AHVHaiH^ .^ \WE UNIVER% o iou-hton, 183, 181, 18.3, 186. l!ell, 71. Kells, 144. 310, 321. 33eolev, 170, 198. BeiiKeworth, 96, 196. Berkeley, 96, 133, 189, 190, 200, 241, 298. 15eiTOw."223, 227, 229. Ee'SleVeo': 78, 129, 195, 232, 233, 236. 255. 309, 310. Beyrdeslev, 26, 27. Kinns, 312, 313. Eiimin-ham, 310, 326, 327. lUron, 254. Biitsniorton, 218, 223. Ikslianipton, 185. lUshopton, 189. Black Friars, 47,51,53,98,103. Blackmore, 133, 196, 218, 221, 222. Blacksmiths, 60, 165. Blews, 326, 327. Blocklev, 195. Blount, 92. Bolinghop, 52, 53. Bonner, 38. Border, 9, 13, 17, 25. Bordeslcv, 123, 183, 184, 193, 198. Bosburv, 329. 15racy, 182. Brandon, 139. Bransford, 189, 220, 223, 228. Braziers, 154. Bredicot, 185. Bredon, 212 Bretlbrlon, 327. Brewers, 65, 160, 177- Bricklayers, 154. Brid-iiorth, 25, 48. Bristol, 96, 97. 114, 126, 309, 32/. Bromholm, 275. Bromsberrow, 218,228.229. ^ Bromssrove, 170, 171, 185, 200, 201, 2-52. 2a0, 310, 32o. Bromley, 35, b7, 134, 239, 241. IXDEX. 111. Broome, 231. Broughton Hacket, 185. Bryan, 121. Buckstone, 133. Burtt, 142. Bush-houses at Pershore, 303. Bushley, 197. Butchers, 57, 112, 159, 286. Butler, 65. Butts, 94. Calais, 89. Cambridge, 167, 276. Cannock Chase, 194. Canterbury, 80, 268, 275. Cardmaker, 72. Carmarthen, 78. Caipenters, 63, 154, 155, 168. Carter, 8, 19, 55, 84, 85. Castlemorton, 215, 223. Catesbj% 132. Catheckal, 22, 25, 27, 29, 35, 43, 49, 50, 69, 72, 80, 100, 124, 141, 145, 167, 189, 214, 322, 326, 329. Cattle sales, 64. Cattlev, 331. Cawood, 233. Cecvll, 90, 91. Chester, 38, 48, 164. Cheshire, 40. Chappell, 34. Chipping Norton, 80. Chadborne, 42. Chaddesley, 170, 184, 185, 186, 231. Chandlers, 59. Chapman and Mears, 326. Charlton, 283, 297. Charters. 138, 145. Chesterfield, 279. Chetle, 122, 131. Childe, 199. Chinn, 133. Church Lench, 184. Churchill, 185, 231, 259. Cider, 281. Civil Wars, 24S. Claines, 133, 141, 207. iv. INDEX. Clent, 201:, 327. Clerke, 33, 37, 57. Clevfild, 25. differ, 222, 223. Clinton, 89,90,91. Clochium, 329. Clothiers, 31, 38, 11, 83, 102, 153, 151, 165, 286. Cobblers, 60. Coffee-houses, 116, 127. Cofton, 184, 185. Cockayne, 42. Cocks, 8, 21, 25, 29, 125. Coleshill, 320. CoUve, 36, 71. CollVnge, 19, 87, 88. Collyson, 28. Columbvne, 58, 71. Cohvall.'sO, 214, 223, 227, 309. Commandery, 30, 189. Common halls, 75. Conisby, 133, 247. Cooke, 37, 72. Cookley, 326. Cooksey, 122, 184. Coopers, 154. Corbctt, 186, 213. Cordwainers' Company, 163, 153, 157, 164, 16o. Coniwayl, 244. Corporation bell, 136. Corse forest, 181, 213. Cor\'isors, GO. Cotheridge, 298. Court of Oiiihans, 2. Coventry, 48, 81, 238, 218, 251, 254, 291, 295. Cowcher, 9. Cowleigh Park, 227, 228. Cracombe, 184. Croome, 81, 183, 197. Crosbye, 27, 28, 29. Crowle, 170, 185. Curfew, 114. Curriers, 160. Customs, ancient, 272. Darnell, 2, 8, 77. Dawks, 79, 96. INDEX. Y. De Bluis, 210. De Clare, 213. Despencer, 188, 222. Devil's Oak, 209. Dihvyn, 283, 284. Dinelcy, 80, 222, 283. Dod, 66. DodderhUl, 325. Dodford, 24, 184. Dominicans, 51. Dormstone, 185. Dover, 149. Doverdale, 207. Dowdinge, 2, 54, 55, 65. Drapers, 154, 1G8. Draj'cot, 276. Dress, 20, 63. Droitwich, 102, 170, 171, 183, 184, 200, 202, 206, 207, 252. DucUev, 83, 90, 232, 237, 238, 240, 242, 248, 251, 326, 331. Dunclent, 186. Dunhampstead, 184. Dunsmere, 254, Durant, 36, 59, 73. Durham, 18, 148, 163. Dyghton, 2, 8, 59, 69, 71, 77, 87, 103, 141. Earl's Groome, 211. Eastham, 199. Eastnor, 227. Eccleston, 88. Edwards, 28. Egiock, 178, 190, 198. EUacombe, 324. Elections, 86, 312. Elmbridge, 183, 207. Elmlev Castle, 197, 211. Elmley Lovett, 185, 207. Engelthorpe, 48. Epitaphs, 289. Essex's Plot, 245. Evesham, 96, 184, 196, 200, 203, 334. Exeter, 147. Fairfax, 133, 259. Falkland, 249, 250, 254. Far Forest. 233. VI. INDEX. Farfielcl, 184. Farley, 73. Farrington, 36. Feckcnham, 8, 175, 178, 181, 182, 195, 197, 198, 200, 213, 230. Fires, 74, 144. Fisher, 29, 85. Fishermen, 60, 61, 154, 1 GO. Fladbury, 171, 185, 326. Fleete, 7, 9, 43, 55, 65, 131. Fleetwood, 205. Flyford Flavel, 185. Foley, 198, 237, 257, 293, 295. FoUiott, 25, 93. Forests, 169. Franciscans, 48. Franklev, 192, 232, 243, 244, 253, 266. Frascr, i33. Frver, 29. Frynd, 36. Fiu-niture, 13. Furriers, 154. Games, 75. Gaol, 110, 140. Garnett, 131. Garway, 115. Gates, "71. Gibbs, 18, 36. Gifford, 137. Gilford, 133. Glastonbury, 275. Gloucester, '72, 309, 310, 313, 324, 326, 327. Gloving, 108, 154, 160, 165, 286. Goldicote, 196. Goldsmiths, 286. Gorle, 308. Goslinge, 33. Gough, 61, 84. Gower, 125. Grafton, 132, 181, 198. Grecnbank, 43. Grey Friars, 30, 31, 47, 49, 52, 53, 105. Grocers, 154. Guildhall, 57, 62, 72, 74, 82, 87, 106, 115, 127, 140. INDEX. VI 1. Guilds, 146. Gunpowder Plot, 131, 259. Gylles, 2. Haberdashers, l.H. Ilabiuodon, 130, 133, 192, 195, 197. Hadzor, 1S4. Ilaglev, 198, 231, 235, 253, 26,3. Haines, 133. Hales in Gloucestershire, 2G8. Halesowen. 202, 235, 266, 267, 326, 327. Hall, 19, 28, 79, 83. 96. Hallow, 195. Ham Castle, 199. Hampton Lovett, 207. Hanburv, 184, 190, 197, 205, 333. Hanford, 133, Hauler Castle, 133, 196, 214, 215, 216, 218, 219, 221, 222, 291. Hare, 277. Harper, 88, 133. Hartleburv, 81, 183, 184, 192, 195, 207. Harvington, 184, 188. Haslociv, 36. Hazlewood, 257. Hebb, 43. Herbert, 127, 251. Hereford, 286, 309, 310, 311. . Hewell, 193, 198. Hevnes, 11, 13, 14. Heywood, 2, 24, 27, 38, 53, 61, 85, 90, 99, 158. Highways, 97. Hill, 6i;87, 138. Hill and Moor, 210. Himbleton, 184. Hindlip, 131, 133, 183, 184, 193. History from Marble, 282. Hodgekins, 52. Holberow, 36. Holt, 193. HoUwey, 25. Hooper, 39, 129. Hopcott, 133. Horewell forest, 181, 210. Hornyold, 133, 223. Hosiers, 61, 154, VUl. IXDEX. Howard, 91. Ilowton, 37, 39. Huddington, 185. Huntbath, 133. Hybbvns, 82. Impney, 184, 335. Independents, 127. Indnstiial Home, 44. Ingletlioipe, 43. Inkberrow, 178, 183, 184, 198. Innkeepers, G6. Inns, 117. Inventories, 9. Ireland, 90, 92, 96. Ironmongers, 59, 154, 165. Jeffreys, 199. Johnson, Dr., 280. Jones, 43, 48. Journal Newspaper, 121. Jiicks, 58. Kempsey, 23, 24, 30, 215, 333, 334. Kenyon, 156. Kerry, 80. Kidderminster, 30, 183, 231, 232. King Charles's State Jewels, 271. Kings, 59, 73. Kingsnorton, 326. Kingswinford, 238. Kington, 185, 193, 198, 309, 310. Kinver Forest, 181, 187, 231. Knight, 42, 52, 156. Knollys, 91. Kyre,'l99. Lancaster, 48. Langford, 132. Laxington, 71. Lechmere, 125, 196, 215, 277, 291. Lecturer, 38. Ledbury, 54, 309, 310, 323, 329. Ledingt'on, 24, 54. Leigh, 223, 229. Leighton, 205, 250. INDEX. IX. Lenches, ISo, 206. Lenchwick, 184. Leominster, 309, 313. Lester and Peck, 327. Leycester, 91, 327. Leynall, 133. Lewes, 45, 312. . Lichfield, 48, 231, 283. Lilly, 252. Lincoln, 161, 322. Lindridge, 277. Lindsay, 133. Lineholt, 196, 207. Lodgers, 66. London, 54, 62, G9, 76, 86, 107, 131, 138, 139, 145, 148, 1)1, 239, 242, 244, 256, 274, 280, 324, 327. Longdon, 212, 223, 326. Love letters, 259. Lucy, 199. Ludford, 196. Ludlow, 65, 78, 79, 80, 148, 297, 309. Lygon, 93, 197, 200, 295. Lyttleton, 92, 138, 192, 198, 232, 236, 237, 277, 278. Madi-esfield, 218. Malyern, 181, 182, 211, 212, 218, 290. Manchester, 85. Marcy, '23i. Marlborough, 259, 277- Martin, the Worcester bell-foundei", 325. Martin Hussingtree, 31, 207- Martley, 334. Mason, 32. Masons, 63, 154. Massy e, 34. Mathon, 175, 197, 214, 223, 229. Maye, 41. Maynard, 241. Mears, 326, 327. Mercers, 154, 286. Milton, 40. Mint, 138. Mitchell, 61. Monkish tricks, 267. Monmouth, 279, Moon, 67, X. INDEX, Moore, 3i, 43, 73, 124. Morall, 9, 36. Mortimer, 51, 222. ilosslege, 52. Mowll,' 84. MoAvnslow, 8, 278. Murphy, 32". Musters of Soldiers, 88 . Mysteries and Moralities, 164. Mytton, 131. Names, 314. Nanfan, 87. Nash, 18, 28, 40, 236, 248, 303, 317, 333. Needlers, 109. Neiid, 21, 37. Newcastle, 148. Ne\vdick, 109. Nicolas, 28, 85, 88. Norfolk, 91. Northlield, 326. Northwick, 184. Norton, 24. Norwich, 27. Oddingley, 184. Offenham, 193, 196. Oldcorn, 131, 132. Oldswinford, 231. Old Storage, 227. Oml)crsley, 81, 181, 183, 196, 206. Orphans' Court, 2, 45. Oxford, 273, 275, 283, Pageants, 81, 144, 163, 16". Pakington, 76, 125, 181, 256, 277. Papists, 133. Parker, 14, 19, 58, 61. Parks, 193. Patrick, 9, 35. Pedmore, 231. Penance, 83. Pendock, 183. Penryse, 88. Perry Wood, 184. Perrot, 240, 241, 246. INDEX. XI. Pershore, 93, 187, 193, 196, 211, 218, 303. Peverell, 192. Pewterers, 154. Pliilip of Spain, 128. Pilador, 39. Pilchard, 36. Pitclicroi't, 23, 70. Plague, 40. Plather, 39. Plays, 81. Plumbers, 154. Poche, 50. Porter, 11, 32, 33, 55, 60. Postman Newspaper, 120. Post-horse, 136. Post-office, 115. Pouch-makers, 154. Powell, 43. Powick, 220, 223, 228, 230, 297. Preston, 48. Prestwood, 232, 237, 239, 240. Publicans, 65. Pursers, 154. Pynke, 21. Pj-perode, 181, 185. Pj'tchers, 71. Queen Elizabeth's School, 25. Queenhill, 221. Queen's letters, 270. Raleigh, Sir Walter, 245. Rea, 309. Records, 142. Redditch, 184, 193. Redmarlev, 197. Relics, 267.. Relief of poor, G8. Reynolds, 26. Ripple, 222. Roberts, 16, 133. RoUand, 29, 61. Roman Catholics, 127. Rowlands, 19, 34, 88, 90, 136. Rowley, 238. Rous, 312. Xll. INDEX. Rudhall, 310, 326. Riishock, 183, 18i, 185, 207. Russell, 92, 107, 222, 223. 25^. Ryder, 25. Saddlers, 154. Sakvvle, 90. Salisbury, 131, 324, Sahvarpe, 24, 193, 204, 207. Sandby, 277. Sanders, 310, 325. Sandes, 77, 192, 254. Sanitary, 70. Savage," 244. Scarborough, 94. Sedglev, 238, 326, Severn-end, 196, 291. Severn Stoke, 218. Seymer, 137. Shaw, 90, 112. Sheldon, 108. Shell, 170. Sherard's Green, 209, 228. Sherborne, 175. Sheriff Lench, 184. Sherman, 58. Shearing, "6, 121. Shipston, 06. Shirley, 194. Shoemakers, 60, 159. Shrewsbury, 48, 60, 78, 130, 108, 254. Shurnake, 190. Sidney, 130 Six blasters 32, 44. Skinners, 154, 286. Skirmish, 84. Slve, 26. Smiths, 60, 326, 329, 330. Sneade, 42. Soapmakers, 62. Soldiers, 88. SoUey, 54, 58, 135. Solway, 252. Somers, 335. Sparks, 41. Spctehley, 184, 185, 189, 190, 199, 210. INDEX. Xlll. Staftbrd, 48, 201. St. Alban's. 33, 68, 328. St. Andrew's, 9, 30, 34, 35, 36, 39, 68, 91, 136, 144, 326, 328. Stanford, 198, 283. Staunton, 27, 197. St. Clement's. 32, 45, 68, 70, 91, 133, 328. Stevner, 34, 41, 55, 79, 90, 158. St. Helen's, 21, 27, 29, 30, 31, 37, 45, 57, 59, 68, 83, 144, 159, 325, 328. Stinton, 59. St. John's, 28, 325, 326, 328. St. Martin's, 30, 34, 39, 40, 54, 68, 70, 71, 72, 85, 91, 115, 124, 159, 328. St. Michael's, 26, 69, 101, 118, 325, 328. St. Nicholas, 26, 28, 36, 39, 57, 58, 68, 91, 133, 149, 156, 159, 325, 329. Stock and Bradley, 198. Stoke Prior, 30. Stoke, 184, 190. Stone, 184, 326. Stoulton, 24. Stourbridge, 244, 326. Stourport, 207. St. Peter's, 21, 25, 30, 32, 39, 42, 53, 68, 69, 91, 329. Street, 19, 27. Streets, 97. Strensham, 133, 197, 211, 223. Strickland, 36. St. Swithin's, 21, 28, 30, 53, 59, 68, 101, 159, 329. Studley, 333. Suffolk, 90. Sutton, 199. Tailors, 160, 165, 168. Talbot, 132. Tallow Chandlers, 153. Tandv, 26. Tanners, 62, 154, 286. Tardebigg, 184, 193. Taverns, 66, 117. Tawyers, 154. Tavlor, 71, 115, 327. Tenburv, 199, 232, 309, 310, 311. TewkesW-y, 30, 65, 182, 197, 322. Throckmorton, 31, 184, 210. Tibberton, 184. XIV. INDEX. Tickenhill, 195. Till, 58. 1 oils, 64. !■ mson, 28, 29. i i.ides Unions, 1C2. Trading Restrictions, 56, 161. Treasure-trove, 308. Treherne, 152. T'rimnell, 133. Trinity Guild, 53, 83. Turbeville, 295. Turner, 40, Tymbs, 115. Upholsterers, 154. Upton-on-Severn, 212, 215, 216, 217, 222, 223, 22G, 310. Upton Snodsbury, 185. Upton Warren, 184. Valence, 198. A^avasour, 254. Vernmyden, 223. Visits, 75. Wadborough, 193. Walcroft, 25. Wall, 24, 132. Wallesgrove, 2, 9, 43, 44, 87, 136, 137. Walls, 71. Walsh, 132. Warde, 52, 53, 54. Warndon, 184. Warmstrey, 69, 96, 113. Warner, 327. Warwick, 254. Waterworks, 116. ^ Watts, 37. Watts, Eayres, and Arnold, 327. Wclland, 214, 216, 223. Welles, 25, 53. Westcote, 327. Westwood, 183, 198, 207. Wheler, 19. White, 37, 141, 152. White Ladies Aston, 184, 210. Whitgift, 19. INDEX. XV. Whitmore, 296. Whitechapel, 326, 327. Whittington, 27. Wich, 50. Wigfall, 59. Wild, 18, 23, 40, 42, 71, 72, 77, 114, 252, 333. Wills, 4, 6, 20. Wilson, 335. AVichbold, 183. Winchcomb, 167, 309. Winchester, 50, 129, 207. Windsor, 258. Winnington, 283. Winter, 244. AVitlev, 198, 223. Wolseley, 94, 194. Woods, 169. Woodstock, 187. AVoof, 1, 45, 101, 142, 157. Wolverhampton, 241, 309, 332, Wolverley, 231, 243. Worsted, 27. Wotton, 90. Wright, 43, 311. Wulstan, 30, 161, 189, 322, 331. AVvai-d, 199. Wyatt, 41, 90, 308. Wvlks, 32. Wychband, 184. Wvliugton, 52. Wyre forest, 181, 213, 231, 232. Wyre Piddle, 185,210. Yardley, 42. Yeat, 32. Yenard, 39. York, 207. 248. 249, 325. Younge, 62, 101. Yowle, 2, 29, 34, 55, 72, 139. $M Worcester Jfarcfcit|}cr$. F llY UCH lias "been done of late years in the investi- gation of the records of the city and county of Worcester ; and men and women, as they walked and talked, feasted and prayed, worked and played, for the last three or four centuries, have been photographed for the amusement and profit of their posterity of the 19th century ; but let it not be supposed that the materials are exhausted, especially as regards the city, for since his former publications on this subject many a heap of MSS., long bm-ied in dust and darkness, in holes and corners, have been brought forth by the author of these pages to the light of day and to the scrutiny of their examiners, to be dealt with, as they deserve. It is gratifying to state that, as a labour of love, Mr. "Woof (the late Town Clerk) under- took to restore, arrange, bind, and catalogue, and the Town Council judiciously seconded the work by granting a sum for safely housing and taking care of these valuable memorials of the past ; while the writer of this little work has endeavoiu'ed to perform his share of this pleasant labour by presenting to his fellow- citizens a digest of what was discovered — just another little peep into bygone times — a further tete-a-tete with worthies who now lie under the pavement of our churches or the sod of our burj'ing grounds — a chit-chat with the wealthy and liberal old clothiers and mercers who founded charities and left quaint and curious wills — a few morning calls at the private houses, shops, markets, courts of justice, &c., of this our good old city. N"ow, " gentle reader," take my arm, and let us 2 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. sai;ntcr just where we like up and clown the streets, supposing that the date of our existence was some three centuries ago and continuing up to the present year of grace, '77 ; we must insist on that latitude. THE ORPHANS' COUET. Halt ! what is going on at that old timhcred structure, with piazza in front, and ranges of shops right and left, with a steep flight of steps up to the principal entrance ? Sec the crowd there, scarcely kept in order by the obese beadle and surly porter. That is the Guildhall ; let us enter. We observe that the body of the hall is open to the roof, and lighted by a large Avindow at the north end. Elevated above the general level of the flooring the courts of justice are facing each other at the extreme ends of the hall. On the right and left side of the Nisi Prius Court are the prison and the residence of the gaoler — that miserable unfeeling ■wi'etch Avhom you see crossing the hall with a pail full of muddy beer, which he is about to dispense to the wretched prisoners at about four times its real value (a principal perquisite of the office.) At the north end of the piazza you see the Bailiffs (IMayor's) Court, near the Crown bar; and now we shall soon perceive the cause of this large collection of lookers-on, who are clustering around the little court — an aggregate mass of dirt, rags, and curiosity. Sitting up aloft, in grand robes and backed with the insignia of office, are Masters Christopher Dyghton and Thomas AVallesgrove, bailiffs (Mayors), Hobert Yowle and W. Gylles, very venerable and portly aldermen, Thos. Dowdinge and Thos. Hej^wood, the most trustworthy and accountable chamberlains. The beadle whispers to t;s that it is the Court of Orphans sitting, and presently Mr. High Bailiff, who is the " master " or " judge of orphans," rises, and the following oath is administered to him by Mr. Edward Darnell, the Town Clerk : — THE orphans' court. 3 " Ye shall be good and trew to ower Sovereign Lady Queen. Elizabeth and to her heyres and successors, Kings and Queens of Englande. Ye shall, in suche convenient time as ye may, call before you all executors and executrixes of parties deceased, and survey and view all such testyments, if anye goods and cattels be given therein to any ynfants or younge chyldi-en. Ye shall commit the keepynge of them and theyre goods to theyre friends, taking sufficiente sureties for ye delivery of ye same goods of ye same orphans, accordinge to theyre parents' and friends' last willes and testyments, and to doe alle and everythinge that dothe belonge to your office as nere as ye may to youj: knowledge and cunning — Soe help ye God." Presently enters tlie common crier, wearing an over- whelming livery coat, and under his arm is the instrument of his office. He is followed by a hrace of substantial looking townsmen, habited in their best coats and hosen, with gowns lined with rabbit or fox skins — I am not sure which — and the usual swords dangling (for all citizens carry arms.) One of these is a brewer and the other a weaver, who, being executors of the will of a deceased townsman, have received the usual warning from the crier to attend the court, and they now produce the will and inventory of the testator, the said inventory having been made by the 'praysers duly ajjpoiuted by the same court. The executors are then sworn as follows : — "Ye shall swere that ye have presented and showed forthe to the bailiffs, aldermen, and others appointed, all such goods, cattels, plate, jewels, household stuffe, wares, and merchan- dice, as were your late testator's. Ye have lefte owte noe redye money ; ye have charged hym withe noe detts but such as ye ought ; ye have made no detts which ye thincke in youre co'science to be good detts neyther doutefull nor desperat, but doune in althings uprightlie as a executor ought to doe— So help ye God." The town clerk, who is also " clerk to the orphans," takes the will and inventory, and deducting debts and such costs for funeral expenses as the substance and position of the deceased warranted (there was no apeing 4 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. the gentry in -weddings and funerals in those days), he divides the goods detailed on the paper into two parts — one to go to the orphans and the other to be applied as specified in the will. The executors then produce sureties for the faithful husbanding of the orphans' estate till they come of age, at which time all parties will reappear at this court, and the executors then receive from the orphans a "written discharge for the due performance of their trust. And now, the business of the court having come to an end, the crowd of "unwashed," as eager after sensual as the ancient Greeks were for intellectual excitement, leave the hall in a body for "The Grasse Crosse" (opposite Mr. Birley's, now the Civet Cat), where a large bull-ring and staple, near the then White Hart Inn, indicate what sport Mr. High Bailiff has prepared for his fellow citizens in the afternoon. The reader and I, not patronising such brutal exhibitions, stay behind in company with the sedate " clerk to the orphans," and having sent across to " The Globe " for a pottle of sack, we discuss with him the nature and liistory of this " Court of Orphans," and are allowed freely to inspect his books. By the charter of 1st and 2nd Philip and Mary (1554) it would appear, then, that the city of Worcester — whether originally then or a re-enactment, I can't say — obtained the benefit of a very valuable institution, which, as supplying simple but effectual macliinery for accomplishing a most important part of the social purposes or requirements of the day, it seems a great pity was ever allowed to become obsolete or to be supplanted by subsequent legislation. This was the court for proof and registry of all wills made in the city, and also for the care of orphans and their property, which was vested in the corjiorate body. In the following details this two-fold operation of the court must not be lost sight of. Here is the extract THE orphans' court. 5 (modernised spelling) from the aforesaid charter relative to wills generally : — •' And that the said bailiffs, aldermen, and chamberlains of the city aforesaid, for the time being for ever, at the suit of the party, shall have full poAver and aiithority of provmg all testaments of ■whatsoever lands, tenements, rents, services, and hereditaments, bequeathed within the said city of Worcester, the suburbs and precincts thereof, within two years after the death of the testator, so that such testaments and bequests be proclaimed in full court of the Guildhall of the same city and on the rolls of the same court enrolled, and that the same testaments, after such proclamation and enrolment, may and shall be of record for ever." Next follows the clause relative to the Orphans' Court : — " And, further, we, the aforesaid King and Queen, desiring to provide for the safety, defence, and brriiging up of the orphans and infants Avhich shall hereafter be and hajDpen to be in the city aforesaid, and that their lands, tenements, goods, and chattels, shall be conferred and disposed of to the best use and profit of the same orphans during theii' minority for the more abundant advantage and utility of the same orphans and infants, of oiir special grace and our certain knowledge and mere motion do will, and by these presents for us and the heirs and successors of us the aforesaid Queen do grant to the aforesaid bailiff, aldermen, chamberlains, and citizens aforesaid, for the time being, and to theii- successors, that they may and shall have for ever hereafter the custody and guardiansliip of all and smgular orphans whatsoever of the citizens within the city aforesaid and the liberties thereof, and that they may and shall have authority, faculty, and power of receiving, levying, collecting, keeping, and causing to be kept in the common treasury of the city aforesaid, for the time being, all goods and chattels, and debts and legacies whatsoever, within the city aforesaid, the subui'bs and pre- cincts thereof, happening, arising, found, or being, of what- soever orphans of any of the citizens of the city aforesaid hereafter happening to die, and the same goods and chattels, debts, and legacies, to place out, use, employ, and dispose of, for the better use and behoof, advantage, and profit of the same orphans, and that for the same goods, chattels, debts, and legacies, together with the increase and profit thereof, to the same orphans shall pay and deliver at such age and in the 6 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. same manner and form in all tilings as in our city of London in that behalf now is or formerly hath been used and accus- tomed, and that they shall have all and such actions and remedies for the taking away and seizure of any orphans happening to be within the same city of Worcester, and for the recovery of their goods, chattels, debts, and legacies, and all such and such-like officers for the better protection and preservation of those orphans and their goods, chattels, debts, and legacies, as and which in the aforesaid city of liOndon heretofore hath been or ought to have been used, and that they shall execute and perform all and singular other things touching such orphans or their goods and chattels, debts, and legacies, which in our said city of London heretofore hath been used to be executed, done, or performed, and not other- wise nor in any other manner. All which we will and by these presents do command to be inviolably observed." Two lx)ok.s only — " The Book of the Orplians' Court" aud "The Book of W iUs "—remain in the possession of the Corporation to indicate the purposes and operations of the " Court of Wills and Orphans," having recently been found in the archives of the Charity Trustees and kindly presented by them to the Corporation. They commence with the year 1561, and range over nearly a century. At one end of the wills book is fixed a sheet almanack of the above year (3rd Eliz.), Avhich, as being scarce and curious, will be described hereafter. Both books are bound in orna- mental leather, and one of them has three straps crossing the back, the middle strap terminating with a buckle at one end and flap at the other. On the book of aWIIs is inscribed — " This booke for the entringe of wylls and testaments that the orphants when they come of aige maye sc their fathers' gyfts, the clarke takinge for searclie iiij (id.) and for the copyc of the wylle if hit be requyrcd, to take for everie shete of paper wry tinge iiijV. and not above, upon payne of losinge of his office, and that he do regcstr. all testaments comynge to his handes uppon like pame above mencioiied, takinge his fee for the same. God, who is all truthe, gyve grace to all the doers hereof to do the same. Amen. God save Quene Elizabeth." THE ORPHAKS' COURT. There is likewise a list of fees, and a body of rules and regulations, the latter setting forth that Avithin a month after the death of any freeman his executors shall he warned hy the town crier to attend the court, to be there bound by recognisance to bring, on a certain fixed day, the wi\l and inventory of the testator ; appraisers dAvelling in the same ward as the deceased to be chosen by the court. When the will and inventory are produced, together with sureties, the executors take the oath as before-named, and then the clerk, after setting apart so much for fimeral and debts, divides the goods (estate) " into three p'tes, whereof the wife must have the thirde parte, the children one other, and the thride is res'rved for the performance of the will of the testator." If the testator have no wife, then the goods to be divided into two jiarts, whereof the children to have one and the other reserved as before said. If the testator have no children, the wife to have one-half. Four sureties to be taken for every orphanage and four for every legacy. On the Monday after Midlent Sunday in every year the sureties were called before the court, and if they had made default they forfeited to the city 2d. in the £. for as much as they were bound for. If the orphan married withoiit the licence of the court, being under age, she forfeited 12tZ. in the £. of her portion to the use of the city. Such children as were married in the life-time of the father, and had received anything in advance, were not to be partakers of any portion after the death of the father. The court was very rigid in its rules to prevent the improper treatment of orj)hans. AYhen they came of age and received their portion they were boimd to acknowledge satisfaction in open court. There is one instance in which a Margaret Ann Meete appoints her father-in-law, Edward Hodson, glazier, her attorney for receiving her legacy, as she lived in Lancashu'e. These acquittances, or receipts signed and sealed by the 8 OUR WORCESTER FOREFAXnERS. legatees, appear in the book, together with certificates of clergymen and churchwardens as to the age of the legatees, their marriages hy " liolie church," or deaths, copied from various church registers. Some sign their initials in a monogram or peculiar mark, some have both signs and names, some with names only, and there are some marks without names ; very few crosses are seen, the Puritan element being then at work in society. Only one monogram or mark indicative of the writer's trade or calling is observable in the books, namely, that of Arnold Bcane, a bargc-OAvner, who signs with an anchor. Here is a special entry of an acquittance : — (1575). " Mem. the 2Sth day of Sep. in the l7th yeare of the raj'ne of our Sovraine Ladie Elizabeth, Thomas Carter, Sonne of William Carter, have receyved at the hands of Mr. Christopher Dyghton, master of the orphans, two brass potts, too platters, two pottingers, too sawcers, and fower silver spones, brought into this eovirt by John Mownslow, boocher, and remayned in the custody of Edward Darnell, town clerk, which potts and pewter and too of the spones were given unto the said Thomas and Margarett by Thomas Carter, their grandfatlier, deceased, and the other too spones were given unto them by Alice W , the said Thomas thcyro grand- father's wyff (the word 'wyff' marked out, as though the lady did not bear exactly that tender relation to the old gentleman), as ys credybly reported and affirmed by John Cocks her sonne." Next we see an " acquittance " by a legatee, 20th Elizabeth : — "Be it knowen to all by these presents that I, Richard Lee, of the parish of Feckenham, within the countie of Worcester, have rcmyscd, released, and perpetually quit- claimed unto Wm. I'ooler, now or late of the citic of Wor- cester aforesaid, gent. , all and all manor of actions, as well real as personal, all sixits, quarrels, debts, exactions, tres- passes, and demands, which I, the said Richard Lee, have had or might or ought to have against the said Wm. Pooler, by any manor of cause or coloure, from ye begynnynge of ye worlde luitil the day of the date of these presents." INVENTORIES. 9 The coming-of-age of a legatee named Eicliard Ashby is thus recorded : — " Mem. it apeareath by a booke showed before Mr. John Cowcher and Mr. Jolm Morall, bayliffs, and written by Ilugli Asheby, deceased, that the said Richard Ashby was boren in Sainete Katryne's yeve after ye wynnynge of Bullen (Boulogne), which Avas in the year of our Lord God 1544, and in the thirtie sixt yere of the reigne of the late Harry the eight." In general the ijractice aj)peared to he that girls were said to he of age at 18 and hoys at 21 ; there is an illustration in the will of Thomas Patrick, of St. Andrew's, who hequeaths to his children certain money and household articles, " all which is to he paide when the wenches he at xviij and the hoy at xxi." Thomas Wallsgrove, alias Fleete, left his son Thomas iOs, when he should come to he 15 years of age, hut some legatees did not receive their j^ortions till they were 24 or even 26 years old, the testator prohahly being guided by his own notions as to their arrival at years of " discretion." IN"VENTOEIES. One of the best expositions of domestic life, of civili- zation, and of the state of the arts and sciences, is an inventory of goods and chattels ; I therefore here present a coujjle, taken from these books, premising that both belonged to wealthy clothiers in the earlier part of Ehzabeth's reign : — •• An Inm-entory of the goods and cattells of Thomas Border. Imprimis, a fowldynge borde Avt. a carpett vs. \\d. It. i forme the settels and ij chayers xs. Aid, It. The paynted clothes AA't. \-iij cusshyns ixs. It. i cubbord Avt. ye coverynge and a peAvter bason, .xs. viijo'. It. V masslen basons wt. ij flower potts iiijs. y.d. It. ij aAvndyerns and a payre of tonges Avt. a fyer shovell. .ijs.. It. i barre of ierne wt. ij pott hanglesse xxt/.. 10 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. In ye p'lcr (parlour) It. A standyngo bedd, -wt. a niattre.sse, fether bedd, bolster, ij blankets, curtcns, and i coverlyd . . . .xxxvis. It. i cobbord \vt. ye coverynge, a bason and an ycwer xviii*. xid. It. A bason and a laver wt. a towell ix j. It. xvi llowcr potts \s. It. A fowldynge bord Avt. ye forme and settell. . xxivs. viijt/. It. ij lyttell coffers wt. yc paynted clothes ijs. yiijd. It. vii cusshyns, a payre of tables, and a barrc of yerne ijs. yid. In ye buttrye and yeiner p'ler It. x^latters, potengors, sawcers, pewter potts, ca'dlestycks, masslen, and a brasen morter wt. an iren pcstell . . iij 1?. It. a cobbord wt. ye coverynge and a bason vis. It. ij. tabell bords wt. ye forme and benche iiij s. In ye kytchyn It. xii potts and iiij possnets wt. ij. chafernes xlijs. It. vi panes, v cawtherns, ij chafynge dysshys and ij skymbers xxiiijs. It. ij fryenpanes, iij.jjayr of pott hooks, ij choppjTige kny ves iijs. iiijc^. It. A imyr of racks, an iren barre, wt. iii lynks and a fyer pyke vs. It. vi brochysse, a furnesse, and a payr of bellows . .vis. viijrf It. platters, pottyngers, sawcers, candlcstycks, and masslen xxs. It. ij chopjiynge knyves, wt. an iren ladell and a pykeaxe, a payre of brazen ballanco, and a mattoke iijs. In ye bnltynge house It. a bultyngc Avhyche, ij tubbs, iij skeles, iij bagges, and a strycke iijs. iiij c?. It. i^aylcs, cowlcs, and wother coAvpye ware vs. It. a candell moide and and an icrn xijc?, In ye stabcU and barne and workehowse It. a mare, a cowe, and iij yonge hayfers iij/(. iijs. It. V lode of hay and iij of corne Is. ixd. It. a spynynge turne and a spolynge turne ^ij<^. It. smaie tymber, a malt cpiyrne, aiul a packe saddcll . . . .vs. It. a payr of hooks, a wat' bote, a coffer, and a troghc . .iijs. It. skyncs and all yt. bclongeth to ye shoppe xlvis. It. a payr of wafcrne irens and iij nawgars -^ijcA In ye further chamber It. a standynge bedd, a fether bedd, a canvassc, v blankets, a coverlyd, and a bolster xvijs. It. an other bedd, a llocke bed, a bolster, and a say vis. It. ij coffers, a rownde tabell, and a lyttell tabell xxd. It. ij paynted clothes vijf/. INVENTORIES. 1 1 It. xlvi payre of shetes vZt. It. Ix napkyns , xijs. It. xij tabell clothes xxxijs. It. XV towels and j cubbord clothe xiijs. It. xvi pillows beres xvijs. In ye next chamber It. In plate, spones, rynges, and salts xxvij^?. It. ij standynge beds wt. theyr curtens xijs. It. ij flocke bedds, ij fether bedds, ij payr of bla'kets, ij bolsters, and ij coverlyds Is. It. viij pillows xiiiJ5, It. iij coffers wt. j tabell borde iiijs. xcl. It. a payre of awndyerns and a pyke forke ijs. In ye chamber at ye stayer hedd It. a mattresse, a payre of blankets, a bolster wt a coverlyd viijs. It. a presse for clothes ijs. viijc?. In ye next chamber It. ij mattresses, a payr of blankets, iij bolsters, a grene saye, a coverlyde, iij coffers, and an old coverynge xiiJ5. iiij<7. It. a grayne gowne furred wt. fytchon xxxviijs. It. ij cotes wt. ij doblets xxiijs. iiijd. In ye over chamber It. iij fether bedds and a flock bedd, wt. theyr appurtejaiance iiijZ/. xix*. It. ij payr of blankets, ij canvesses, wt. a coverlyde, and a chayr xis. In ye woll chamber It. in woll, yeorne, and clothe xxiij//. xiijs , S'ma totalis Ixxxxviij/i. xviijs. \ii]d." " The true inventorie taken of all the goods and cattells of AVillm. Heynes late of the p'ishe of all Saincts deceased made the XXV of August in the yere of or Lorde god 1564 And praysed by Willy am Porter Harry Hamlet Thomas Crue with. others. In the halle Imprimis ij cubbourdes one with a try'mer ij coubbourde clothes of grene say a lynnen cupborde clothe and a table boTU-de Avith a frame xiijs. In the parler Itm. A joyned bed with a tester of joynedAVorke vis. Itm. ij fetherbeds ij bolsters and ij pillowes xxvs. Itm. A flockbed a bolster a fourme by the bed sid and a coffer by the beds feete xs.. 12 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Itm. A table bourde vith ij trissells and s'ten paynted clothes -w-th arisse worke xs. Itm. ij cov'letts iiij thromclothes ij pare of blanckets and a canvas xxxs. Itm. iij (iuisshines xijs. Itm. ij pare of flaxen sheetes and iij pare of canvas sheetes xijs, Itm. ij table clothes one of flaxen the other of hempe j table clothe of diapoure j table clothe of noggen j diapoure towell iiij table napkins and j bolster case of lynnen cloth vijs. Inthekichin Som' v«. xijrf. Itm. iij brasse potts eclie bigcr then other xiijs. iiijd. Itm. A litcll cauthornc a litell skcllct a fryinge pane a chafing dyshe and a skymer iij s. iiij (i. Itm. A pare of cobbards ij brochcs ij pare of iron lincks ij yron hookes and one pare of dogges iijs Itm. j pare of tonges a gridyron a fj-re shoule a pare of pothooks a pare of bellis a close hampern ij trene platters a garlice morter a ponner j dozen of trenchers a ladle a mele seve and a chopinge knyfe iijs. iiijcl, Itm. iiij shilfs ij stonds a water coule ij pales in the tavcrne (brewhouse ?) a skele and a half barell and a pype . .ijs. Sum' XXV5. In the buttrye Itm. fyve platters iij pottengers and ij sawcers iiij*. Itm. A bason an yewer and a quarte potte ijs. vj(/. Itm. ij salt sellers and ij candlesticks xiiijcf. Itm. half a dosscn of flowre cupps and half a dozen of sponies xvj(f. Som' ixs. In the chamber ov' the parler Itm. ij standinge beds -vvt. ij painted testers and one paynted cloth xijs. In a litell chamber a bedstede a flockbed a matres and ij coffers vs. ij gownes and ij doubletts xxxs. ij jirkins and ij pare of hose xvs. iiij shirtts vjs. viijrf. A sworde and a dagcr xs. Surama iij/e. vjs. viij(/. In the wooUe chamber Itm. fyve keepes ij spyninge tourncs a spoulinge tourne a castinge bourde a litele caldorne Avth. oyle a bench ij shelves and iij cub's to put in wole vs. DOMESTIC FURNITURE, ETC. 13 In the weaving shoppe Itm. ij loomes v geares with, shayes and all that be- longeth to them iiij^j. Itm. a rathe awarpinge bare a troughe and a quil- tourne TJ basketts and ij pare of shuttels a swiste and a knave to the quiltovune and iij pare of woUe sheres ys. viijV/. Itm. ij lode of kidds and 'sten charcholes lijs. Itm. A yowen bowe and iij shafts iijs. Itm. A glasen window in the hall ijs. Ex concord cu' original j)' me Edward Darnell." o DOMESTIC FUENITUEE, &c. Let us skim over these inventories briefly before dismissing them, remembering that the households under consideration were extraordinarily large ones, and that among the great mass of inhabitants of Worcester some dozen or fewer articles of furniture, including always a great brass pot, a board and trestles, a candlestick, a form, a settle, a bed, a coffer, basins and platters, beside wearing apparel, constituted all their worldly gear. Tables and cupboards, such as we have them, were then scarcely known : they were mere boards standing on trestles, for although boards attached to frames had been invented at an earlier period they were only used in the houses of the wealthy. The board and trestles were brought in by the domestics at each meal, and were usually cleared away before the company roee from the benches : — « When they had ete, and grace sayd, And the tabyll away Avas leyd, Up aroos Ipomydon."* In William Heynes's inventory, above given, tables with frames and others Avith trestles are mentioned, showing hoAv the old form lingered. Thomas Border, it wiU be observed, has " a rownde taljell " in his " further chamber." In one of the orphans' inventories a table board and trestles are appraised at 3s. Forms, * Parker's " English Home.' 14 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. stools, benches, and settles, supplied tlie sitting accom- modation, cliaii-s being rarely used but in the mansions of the rich, and then but one or two, intended to honour the principal guests, so that, as Mr. Parker suggests, " taking the chair " even in private life perhaps implied something more than common civility. Mr. William Heynes had but " a foumie " by his bed- side, and at the feet a coffer or chest, such as may still be seen plentifully in old farm-houses. Mr. Border has three " chayei-s " in his estabHshment, but they are elsewhere only scantily mentioned. " Children's stools " are set down in the inventory of a deceased Worcester cooper. Settles, together -with the hangings, " painted cloths," and " arisse worke," which himg around the apartments, and the rushes on the floor, served partially to protect the inmates from the frightful draughts of air which must have been a necessary consequence of those old half-timbered unpaper'd walls, imceiled roofs, long passages, and the rough carpentry of the doors. Wainscotted and tajDestried apartments were the exception, not the rule ; and although carpets of English manufacture had long been in existence they were considered as only effeminate luxuries. ]\Ir. Border lias but one in his house, and that probably by the bedside, and the walls of one of his chambers were hung '\\-ith green saye, or the serge of Ghent. This was probably the best chamber, kept chiefly for guests ; but Mr. Heynes hangs green saye in his hall. The *' brochysse " mentioned in the inventory just given were spits, for cooking joint or fowl ; they were turned by boys or aged people unfit for other occujjation, and subsequently by dogs. " Awndyrons " were irons used to support the wood fires, sometimes called '' fire- dogs," or "dog-irons." In the inventory "a pair of doggs " is mentioned. These were sometimes made of silver or copper, elaborately wrought, but the prevailing form was the " swan-neck." Ko entry of " pokers " DOMESTIC FURNITURE, ETC. 15 occurs, Lut the " fyre pyke " or " yrcn barre '' was probably the same thing. Hooks Avere more useful for wood fires, until the introduction of coals rendered pokers or iron bars necessary. The hand-bellows had been applied to domestic use for two centuries before the reign of Elizabeth. Fenders were a much later invention. " Cawtherus " probably meant cauldrons or great boilers ; " chafems " Avere chafing dishes ; "sawcers," not for the reception of tea-cups (then unknown), but small vessels or tureens for sauce; " maslin " basins was the name of the mixed metal of which they were made, as candlesticks of maslin are also named, and the word is still in use ; " bell candle- sticks " (what were these ?) ; " treen-ware platters " meant plates and dishes of wood, for common use, while the platters and trenchers of pewter were for more special occasions; and probably the "coAvpye ware " signified dishes, pails, or vessels of wood, as in a cooper's inventory there is mention made of " cowpye ware, ready made," and " cowps timber that is rough, unAvrought." In another document I have since found the term " cowpar's (cooper's) ware." A " set " or " service " of dining ware was called a " garnish." Entries occur in some of the inventories of square platters and sawcers. The introduction of pewter in the place of Avood platters and silver and tin spoons instead of Avooden ones is noticed by Holinshed as proofs of the progress of what he calls " luxurj^" In the village Avliere he lived Avere old men dAvelling Avho remembered when a man Avould hardly find four pieces of peAA'ter in a substantial farmer's house ; and from the records of Lyme, Dorsetshire, it appears that the vicar of that parish presented 24 pcAvter platters to be lent yearly for the profit of the poor — that is, probably, Avere lent out to church ales and other feasts, and the money paid for the use of them Avas given to the poor ; and there AA'as the " town peAA^ter," for the use of the 16 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS, Corporation, who, in the language of the chronicler, found " tlie means to obtain or achieve such furniture as heretofore hath been impossible." But a wonderful progress was made in the reigns of Henry 8th and Elizabeth in the introduction of domestic comforts, as compared with the period when chimneys were unknown and the smoke was allowed partly to escape through a hole in the centre of the great hall roof — when straw pallets, covered only with the coarsest of cloths, were slept on by the owners with all their Avearing apparel on, or by the cleaner sort of people entirely naked — when round logs were used for bolsters, pillows being thought fit only for women in child-bed — when men and women ate their meat with the aid of theu' fingers alone, drank out of one common " black jack," and allowed their dogs to polish oif their bones underneath the board. Yet old men bewailed the change : the intro- duction of chimneys, they said, had brought rheums, catarrhs, and poses, while, before pillows existed, heads never did ache ! The improved mode of building had, according to their views, done much harm, for w^hen houses were built of willow the men were of oak, and "when oak began to be used then were the men of wiUow. So at a much later period stage coaches were to cause the extinction of hackney horses ; guano was to occasion universal disease, and when the cholera came it was attributable to that fertiliser, though perhaps fiir distant from where any had been api)lied to the soil.* ]>ut to return to bur inventories. "Wainscots and glazed windows are always separately siiecified and bequeathed in wills and also figui-e separately in the appraisements. Although glass had been used for centuries it was not yet become common, the lattice window prevailing, and glaziers being ycry few. It would seem as though glazed windows and wainscots were made movable, and I have frequently * Roberts's " Southern Counties." DOMESTIC FURNITURE, ETC. 17 read of their being removed and carried by ecclesi- astics and others visiting their various manor-houses, so as to do duty in each. We know that their kitchen and cooking furniture Avas so carried, and that those who had charge of this important dejDartment were called " the black-guard ; " hence the origin of that term of contempt. A " lanthorne of glass " is specially named in an inventory, as though rarely made of that expensive material. These useful little articles are said to owe their origin to the illustrious King Alfred, who had previously had his royal ingenuity sorely taxed to prevent his candles from being extinguished by the horrid draughts Avhich penetrated through the cracks and crevices of the palace. What must then have been the dwellings of the poor, but mere sheds or mud hovels, in which they burrowed like swine for warmth ! A bed-room in the time of Elizabeth was however a vast improvement on this. The reader will be surprised to see one of the parlours in Mr. Border's large estabhshment appropriated as a bed-room, but this was the general custom of the day. The French gentry used to receive their guests while in bed, and the English must of course imitate the custom ; but although the latter were the first to abandon it, the practice of keeping a great " standynge bedde " in the parlour seems to have prevailed for a lengthened period. This great bedstead was the four-poster, introduced in the 15th century; previous to which was the " tester of joyned worke," suspended from the roof of the chamber ; before that was the truckle-bed, which was long afterwards continued in use for inferior apartments ; and prior to all these, the bed, or sackful of straw, was laid on a bench, or in a recess, with a curtain suspended before it, and rushes and other litter on the floor. " Wainscoat " bedsteads are mentioned in some of the wills which I shall have to produce. The hangings of beds and bed-rooms were in some cases most fantasti- 18 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. cally decorated with figures of birds, Leasts, trees, and various devices ; pillow-cases and towels were wrought with hlack, " most curious to see," and in an old Durham will a pillow is set down which had on it the figure of Christ, for the owner's head to repose upon ; coverlets of " all colours of the rainhoAV ; " sheets made of flax, canvas, or hemp, and so durably con- structed as to afford warmth and comfort to three or four generations, vide Mr. John Wild, the clothier, of Worcester, who in ICll left to his son a pair of " fine sheets which were his grandfather's, IMr. Gibbs, and have Mr. Gibbs his marke on them ; " and to his daughter " a coverlet of red and green and one towel wrought with black wliich were her grandfather's." Bed mats, "quisshines" (cushions), thromcloths, Holland sheets, and diaper towels, are also included in the bed-chamber appointments. The front bed-room was denominated " the fore-streete chamber." Not only beds, but wearing apparel, plate, and the never omitted " great brass potte " or pan, with some- times one or two smaller editions of the same article, figure most prominently as bequests from father to son through several generations. Many instances occur in which mention is made of " the great pott of brasse which I had with my wiff," so that this piece of furniture was not unfrequently a lady's dower. Under the wall of John Kash, fuller, some 300 years ago, his tliree children, John, Hugh, and Jane, divided the paternal effects thus : John had the table boards in the hall and parlour, the cupboards, forms, settles, hangings, and bed, in the same apartment, the " grett potte and a grett cowthornc," a "sylver salte at his mother's decesse " (valued then at the very large sum of £3. 13s. 4d.), a murrey gownc, " wolsted jacket," the " second dublett," and a cow and calf, Hugh comforted himself with the best pan, the second pot, the " bed in the fore-streete cliamber," two silver DOMESTIC FURNITURE, ETC. 19 spoons, and a cow and calf ; while Miss Jane had assigned to her " the potte which the testator bought of one Grif&n," the second cawthorne, a '* bed by her mother's appointment," two silver spoons after her mother's decease, one charger, and a cow and calf. The best silver ale ciij) or goblet was a heirloom for centuries. WidoAv Street (20th Eliz.) leaves to her son the precious goblet which was his grandfather Collynge's. In one of the folloAving wills it will be seen that Arnold Hall, a clothier, bequeaths to his children a silver cup and a dozen sj)Oons which he had bought of the Bishop's wife. This was in the 21st year of Elizabeth, and the Bishop of Worcester was then John Whitgift, the great defender of the reformed church, and afterwards Archbishoj). It will be a curious question as to what induced his Avife to sell their plate. Silver spoons also descended through generations, and these were frequently described as being wrought with the apostles' heads. Eichard Wheler, a clothier, leaves a dozen spoons, one-half of which were engraved with the heads of " the smallest of the apostles " and the other half with maidens' heads, and to his daughter " one silver spoone of ye apostles, with a turne upjie on ye head ;" while John Eowlands the clothier has Kons at the end of his spoons, and Thomas Carter bequeaths to his grandson Edward a silver spoon " with a strawberry end." Silver pins and silver rings are also frequent items of jeAvellery. One silver salt is mentioned with a naked man and child on the top of the gilt cover, the man having a spear in his hand. This was a great era for plate, and beautiful works of art of the goldsmiths' craft abounded in this country. Indeed for a long period prior to the time of which I am speaking this description of wealth was highly pojiular, as being more portable and convenient than others. As Mr. Parker observes, on a political or family emergency the 20 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. nobles and even the King himself sold or pledged the household plate to raise the dower of a daughter or the ransom of a relative. The baron, too, could conceal his treasure in time of war and gratify his pride by displaying it in time of peace — advantages which sufficiently compensated for the loss sustained by reducing it to ingots in times of necessity. The growth of banking checked this accumulation of household plate. ANCIENT WILLS : DEESS, &c. One of the greatest social characteristics of the time of Elizabeth, and especially noticeable in the wills of the Worcester citizens, was the love of finery and sumptuous apparel. Strype informs us that " This excess grew on apace and gave great offence to pious people, wdio thought it consisted not with the gravity and seriousness of a nation professing true religion to lash out so excessively that way, many spending upon their backs more than they could well spare, to the impoverishing of themselves and families and to the decay of charity." Her Majesty therefore in the year 1559 issued a proclamation against excess of apparel, but wliich was a revival of the i)revious sum])tuary statutes of Philip and Mary and Henry 8th. Allowance however was given for the wearing of " certain costly furs and rich embroideries bought and made by sundry gentlemen before this proclamation, to their great cost." One of the prelates of that time pit^turcs the dress of his contemporaries in this manner : " These fine fingered rufflers, Avith their sabl(>s about their necks, corked slippers, trimmed buskins, and warm mittens, furred stomachers, and long gowns ; those tender i^arnels must have one gown for tlie day, another for the night — one long, another short— one for winter, another for summer— one furred through and another but faced — one for the work day. ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 21 another for the holy day — one of this colour, another of that — one of cloth, another of silk or damask ; change of apparel, one afore dinner, another after — one of Spanish fashion, another of Turkey ; and to be "brief, never content with enough, hut always devising new fcishions and strange ; yea, a ruffian will have more on his ruff and his house than he should spend in a year. He w^ho ought to go in a russet coat spends as much in apparel for him and Ms wife as his father would have kept a good house with." All this will be abundantly exemplified in the following Worcester wills, together Avitli other curious details ; ex. (jr., how amusing to note the minuteness of the bequests of clothing — a lady leaves her second-best gown to a friend ; John Pynke his best shirt to his brother ; Wm. Archbold, mercer and draj)er, of St. Swithm's, his velvet night-cap to his cousin Thomas ; and, to crown aU, Christopher ]Si"end, weaver, of St. Helen's, bequeaths his flaxen shht to his father and his horse- Jiesh breeches to his brother ! Then what kindly feeling is apparent in many of these last testaments — what a general remembrance of the poor — old and faithful servants thought of as members of the family — "my old bedwoman 6s. 8d. and her dyner ev'y sooneday so long as she lyveth " — there was a genial- minded man, that Bertram Cox the dyer ! Workpeople, journey nien, and neighboiu's, all came in for a parting memento, if only a "kerchief" apiece, or a crooked coin to be broken betwixt them as a token of affection. Then think of a dowlas shirt being left to " Ed. Yfeton, weaver, which married with my servant ;" of the sums of money left to "promote" poor maidens' marriages (the origin, probably, of what is now called " maiden money") ; of the dying request that neighbours and friends shoidd "make merry withal " after the funeral ; of the money left to " honest yoimg men " to trade with, free of interest. 22 OUR WORCESTER FOREFx\.TnERS. This last item however was a stretch heyond the fair limit of good-natured confidence in public honesty, as there is hardly one of these sums so bequeathed in the city of Worcester but Avhat is now lost, through bank- ruptcy, fraud, or carelessness. It "will be noted that the large majority of the testators directed their bodies to be buried in the Cathedral yard — a very restricted space when so much of it was covered with houses and enclosures, since removed. As this custom prevailed over a lengthened period, the remains of mortality in the said groimd must have been enormous. Such trifling sums as 12d. to be becpieathed toAvards the repairs of a chiu'ch, and even smaller amounts for some high altar, "vvill be noticed in the religious element, as likewise the anxiety evinced to settle matters with the clergy by paying up neglected tithes [this was probably in lieu of mortuaries] and leaving handsome smns for f imeral sermons ; but the reader is specially requested to observe the varying forms of expression used in commendmg their souls to heaven, the invocation of the Virgin Mary and the saints here and there denoting the Papist, and the sole reliance in the atonement of Clirist the reformed Churchman, these two great parties in the religious strife of that day being perhaps not far from a numerical equality. It was a custom of the time to appoint not only execi;tors for a will, but " overseers," whose duty it was to see that the executors did theirs ; in many instances the widow w^as left sole executrix, one of the testators saying of his better-half — " in whom I put my trust to sec me honestly brought to yearth ;" but in other instances there was evidently not the same amount of affection between the wedded pair, the widow being relieved of any share in the executorship, and even subjected to the degxadation of a special clause — clever and judicious enough, no doubt, in some cases — to the effect that if she or any one else ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 23 attenq^ted to go to law in respect of the pro^Derty their portion of the same was to be null and void. But now we proceed to give brief abstracts of the most noticeable wills in this highly interesting book : — Thomas Wylde, clothier, 15-58, includes " Oiu" blessed Lady" among the Divine Beings to whom he bequeaths his soid ; desires " that there be at my burial as many prestes and clarckes to praye for my soule as may be convenyant, and a sermond made by some discrete lerned man, having for his paynes 6s. 8d. ;" to twelve pore men to bear lightes at my buriall, a black gown each ; "to the pore, to jDray for my soule and all Christen sowles," .£13. 6s. 8d. ; " lykewyse to the pore at or before my monthes mynde," £Q. 13s. 4d. (Dies anniversarii were solemn days appointed to be celebrated in commemoration of the death or martyrdom of saints, or when people Avere wont to pray for the souls of then' deceased friends, according to the obituary customs of the Eoman Catholic Church, mentioned in the statute of Ed. 6, c. 14. It was called a "year-day" or "mind day" — i.e. memorial day, or to be kept in mind. It was one of the trading devices of the priests, who got many a legacy for continuing the memorial of deceased friends. It wiU be seen that, like many other ancient customs wdiich had obtained a hold on the public affections, it was continued after the reformation.) Upon the higli- ways between Worcester and Kempsey he orders £20 to be laid out. For " ye mariage of 20 niaydens to bo maryed Avithin the cittie of Worcester Avithin two yeares next after my deathe," £20, by 20s. each, at the discretion of the executors, "Avliere need shall require." He gave Little Pitchcroft and 4|- acres of meadoAv in Great Pitchcroft to the Corporation on condition that Avithin two years after his decease they shoidd erect and establish a free school in the city " to bringe uppe youthe in their A B, mattens, even- 24 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. songe, and other lernynge, "whicli shall make them mete and reddie to ye Kinges gramer scole," but if not done within two years then the said lands to revert to his heirs. He left to his son Eohert the manor of Dodford and all his lands and tenements in St. Peter's parish ; to his son George <£50 and all his lands and tenements belonging to the chantry of Salwarpe ; to Thomas, his son, £50 and the lease and indenture of the parsonage of Kempsey, Norton, and Stoulton, with corn and hay, a bidl, some oxen, mares, two iron- boimd Waynes, two ditto tombrells,* and all the implements that belonged to the said parsonage of Kempsey. To his daughters Margaret, Esther, and Alice, he left £150 each, and on their marriage a feather bed and theu' mother's raiment equally divided between them. To his brothers 40s. each, " and for- give them Avhat they owed me." To every one of his brethren and sisters' children 6s. 8d. for " a remem- brance." To each of his brothers a black gown. His father Ledington to have the keeping and government of his two eldest daughters, or, if he died, then his cousin, Thomas Hej^vood, was to undertake it. Elianor his wife to have the custody and management of the two yomigest sons and youngest daughter ; and, if his wife married agam, " then the children's portions to be put into the Chamber of the city, imlesse her husbande shall finde sufficient suretie for the same." To every one of his apprentices and journejTnen he leaves a black coat and 6s. 8d., and to each of his maid servants a black go"\vn and 6s. 8d. His wife and son Eobert were appomted executors ; and his father Walle, his father Ledington, and his cousin Heywood, are desired to be " overseers " of the will. [The bequest above alluded to seems to have been the origin of the school foimded and fiu'ther endowed * A low rolling cart or carriage. ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 25 three years later by Queen Elizabeth, and still per- petuated in the Ty thing ; see more hereafter.] Bertram Cox, dyer, 1555, after providing a dinner for his "old hedwoman" every Sunday during her life, leaves to several of his friends a great cheese each, "to Mrs. Ellice a kecher clothe," and to "Wm. Coles, the " overseer " of his will, his green coat and best sword and buckler. Walter Walcroft desires his body to be buried in "St. Mary Church hey" — that is probaby the Cathedral graveyard. Thomas Boordar, 1558, destines his body for the same place, " between the sextry and the cross there " (the sextry was a lodging for one of the officers, and the cross near the north porch was where sermons were sometimes preached to the citizens). He gives his best fox-fixrred gown to Walter Welles " for the XX shillinges had of hiin at Brydge Northe." " To my father Cleyfild my gowne furred with black cony (rabbit) ; to my cousin Eoger Ffolliott my pewk gown that I had at my cosyn Hollwey's buriall;" a russet gown, faced with black cony, to another ; a russet gown with grey cony, a blew cloke, a pewk coate, an unwater'd chamlett dublett, a cotton coat with sleeves, and a blewe sleveles coate, all separately to other parties ; a hoop ring of gold to another ; 4d. to the high altar of the Cathedral ; and ditto to St. Peter's Church. The will of John Eyder, skinner, will explain many of the terms used in describing the linings of gentlemen's dress : liis shop effects (skins) are thus set forth : — ij c. of white Crispin lambe, praysed at xxxs. j c. of white lambe x*. 6 doz. of black conyes skens xxiijs. 8 foxe cases viij«> 26 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. 1 timber of Ffychoves* vis. viijc^ 10 stagers xijfi?- 5 Tvylde f catteskins xxr/. j c. of blacke lambe xiijs. ivd. 9 doz. budge iij/j. iijs. ivd. Grey conye skins ij^. 7 tame caltcs skins ijs. 1 dos. of black conyes skins ijs. iij qr. of a huncked of white lambe vijs. \id. Thos. Gold, of St. Michael's, bequeaths to his daughter " the house Avhere the mill standeth in and the grindstone belonging thereto," Eobert Slye, weaver, 1560, leaves a fustian dublett, a best satin ditto, a russett hose, a workday coat, and other things, separately, among friends and relations. Wm. Tandy, corviser, 1558, leaves 8d. to the high, altar of St. I^icholas, and to the poor people's chest there 12d., also to the repairs of the said church 12d. ; to his daughter " two sylver spones with mayden heads, a pewter platter, a pottinger, and a candlestick ; to my brother Edmund my raised jerky n of lether, and to my mother Alice Tandy a Spapiyshe piece of viijr^." Lorct Beyrdesley, widow, who seems to have been a Eomanist by her " beads," thus allocates her goods and finery : " my best carpett, two of my best cofifers, two masculyne (maslm 1) basons, a lytic cathorne, my best girdles, and my best bedes, a chaffron, a posnet, and eight quosshins (cushions), my second gyrdle, with l)ypes of sylver, my bedes of ivery, mth silver gaudes (a rosary, or beads, used in devotional exercises, the name probably derived from ''GaudeVbgoChristipara"), and my wolsted (worsted) kyrtle," all to various par- ties • to my cousin Wm. Eeynolds " my husband's puke go"\vne, IjTied with black lambe ;" and to female * The ffychovc, or fitcher, as it is still called, is the stoat, or some animal of that kind. The term "timber'' means a certain numV)or of skins, and the word is not yet extinct. t This formidable animal, it will be seen, was not then extinct. ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 27 friends " my puke go-vvne furred with, shanks and my red kjTtle edged with velvet." Kath. Heywood, widow, of St. Helen's, distributes among her female neighbours " a carchyff and a partlett " to each, a sheet and a platter to every one of her godchildren, and " to Goodman Crosbye a gold ring which he gave me." Margaret Browne, widow, of AUliallows, among other things leaves silver hooks and eyes, a woolsted apron, and two silver pins. [Worsted, or woolsted, was first produced in the 14th centmy in the little -village of \Yorsted, near ISTorAvich, and for a long tune supplied cheap hangings for the chambers of the middle classes, as well as material for warm clothing.] Ann Iviiittington, widow, leaves her best satin kirtle to her mother, and to her sister a cassock, guarded Avith velvet, pewke cassock, and medley cassock, fiurred with otter fur. Harriet Berdesley, widow, had amongst her worldly possessions 13 silver spoons "wth th'appostles," the usual bed in the parlour, great brass pot, six " comiter- fett dysshes," best carpet, best girdle, and best bed qunt, all left to her son Walter ; Avhile her daughter Elizabeth received flaxen and hempen sheets, the second girdle with pipes of silver, beads of ivory with silver gauds, and a worsted kirtle, Margaret Strete, widow, desires her body to be buried in the Cathedral porch, and among her furniture Avere pilloAV beres (cases) Avith boan lace and flaxen sheets " Avith a boan lace thro' ye niyddell." She had lent one Thomas Staimton 40s. on a brass pan and a goAvn of his wife's which " he had layd to gage" (paAvned) ; and of this sum she bequeaths 6s. 8d, to George the butcher's son, her godson. (Gaging or paAvning of pots and pans, wearing apparel, and even the communion plate, Avas not micommon in 28 OUn WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. those days ; and the city chanil)orlains from time to time regularly handed over to their successors these "gages" of brazen pots, table boards, cupboards, pieces of cloth, chaffing-dishes, &c., apparently taken in distress or held as security from the tenants of the Corporation.) John JSTash, of St. Mcholas, 1558, leaves "a murrey gowne and wolsted jacket." Thomas Bannams, smith, of All Saints, hands over his awndfjdd (anvil) to his brother-in-law. Arnold Beane, " walker and sherman," All Saints, owns several barges, named " The Ragged Staff," "The SpeedweD," "The SwaUow," "Black Pear," and "Luk" (Luck), which he divides amongst his sons, and leaves " to the chUde my wiff now goeth with, whatever it be, boye or wenche, y^U. viijs. ivd." Goodlack Edwards, clotliier, 1559, requests that " Mr. Halle, if he will take the jjajoies, or some other lerned man, at ye discretion of my executors, shall preache a sermond at my biuiall, wherem he shall trulye and faithf idl teache our deliv'raimce from synn and free remyssion in Christe Jesu, and in the same exhorte men diligentlie to do good workes commanded of God in Scripture ; and also the sermond shal teche the faithe in the resurrection of Jesus Crist, cmd he (!) to have for his jiaines vj.sr. viij^Z." This INlr. EdAvards was one of the nmuerous clothiers then aboundhig in the city, and he held besides of the Dean and Chapter the farms or manors called Hardwick and Pittensaries, in St. John's. To his brother John and sister Wynefred he left as a token of love " one cruckcd ryall equally to lie broken and delivered betwixt them by my executrix," a French crown in gold to his brother, and to every one of his godsons " one Edward shilling." Edward Crosbie, draper, of St. Smthin's, leaves one of his bows, his sword and buckler, to Oliver Tomson, six arrows to P. Nicolas, and to Jas. Collyson, his ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 29 apprentice, 40s., conditionally, "that he -will faithfully serve out the time of his yers specifyed in his inden- ture with Oliver Tomson, so that ye said Oliver Tomson do use him no worse than I have done ; and if they too do agree, the said Oliver to paye him at ye ende of his tyine xiijs. ivrZ. accordyng to his indenture. And if ye said James do not agree to serve oute liis yeres with him I will then that he shal have hut xxs. and his indenture." His wife's clothing Mr. Crosbie divides in detail among some female servants and others ; to Eoger Elf Iris best fustian doublet, his bro^vn frice jerkm lined with white cotton, to Ed. Fryer his best taffeta doublet and his English Bible, to Ed. Eisher of the College his lute, a medley coat of Kentish cloth to Thos. Harley, " a rapier aud dowles shurt to Ed. Yfeton, weaver, which maryed with my servante," to one of his godsons " as much new dowles as will make him two new shiu-ts, and as moche broAvn frice as wyl make him a cotte ;" and lastly " to Mr. John Eollaiid my borre (boar 1) to make merry withal." (WTiat can be the meaning of thisi) John Cocks, of St. Helen's, clerk (i.e., clergyman), bequeaths " to ten maids xxs. a peece towards ye pre- ferment of their maryage, whereof Margaret my servant to be one." One of the wealthiest and most distinguished of our Worcester clothiers was Eobert Yowle, a "capital citizen," who left his body " to be buryed before ye pulpit of ye Cathedral church, as nere to Elianor my wyfe as may convayniently bee" (this was probably his first wife, as immediately afterwards he proceeds to mollify the existing Mrs. Yowle, thus) ; "to Margaret my loving wife," a house, with table boards, forms, trestles, settles, glass, bedsteads, portals, presses, stoles, coffers, chests, "and all maner of joyned work and timber work whatsoever, also the orchard and all other 30 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. thingcs beinge the late Grey Friars* whicli are con- teyiied in a lease of a demise of tlie bailiff, aldermen, and chamber of the cittie, &c., so longe as shee remaync unmarried, and alsoe 500 marks to her, besides the goodes lefte to her and her children by her late husbande." He gave 20s. to the poor-box of St, Helen's. To his daughter he left several houses in " Grey Friar-street." His possessions included a large number of houses in the city, amongst which was the then famous hostelry "The Cardinal's Hat," which changed its name in more Protestant days to " The Coventry Arms," Friar-street. This house was at that time occupied by one Eoger Bury. Mr. Yowle's will occupies five closely written pages of the large book I am now examining. Besides the houses before-named and his own mansion he held " St. Martin's Croft, and St. Ellen's Arbour, wiiich latelie belonged to the Com- manders of St. Wolstan's ; " he owned lands, woods, houses, &c., at Stoke Prior and Kidderminster, also " lands at Portfields which did belonge to the chantry of St. Ellen's," a portion of the tithes of Colwall, lands that had belonged to Tewkesbury monastery, lands at Clerkcnleppe and Kempsey "which belonged to the chantrey or finding of a priest in ye parish churche of St. Elyn's ; " ditto, at St. Peter's. Perry woods were his also. He left " The Anthelopp," f in Broad-street, of the yearly rent of ,£4 10s., and other houses in St. Andrew's and St. Swithin's parishes, " to the commons of the city, to helpe paye theyre taxes, fifteenths, subsidies, contributions, harnessing of men for ye warres," &c., to be managed for ever by the chamber- lains of the city, who were to have 2s. yearly for their trouble ; and if ever the proceeds should be applied to other purposes the testator's heirs to have power to *AftenTard3 the site of the late city gaol, and now of Laslett's almshouses, t The Antelope was at one time a favourite sign for inns. ANCIENT TVILLS : DRESS, ETC. 31 reclaim the property'. (Alas ! jioor ]\Ir. Yowle's good intentions towards " the commons " have long since evaporated, his heirs all dead or unknown, and the property divided amongst a hundred owners.) To the poor of St. Helen's, to the occujiants of Throclanorton's almshouses (where are these now 1), and the Trinity almshouses, he bequeaths 6s. 8d. yearly on the day of his burial ; also to be distributed among the poor as a funeral dole no less than <£30 (more than equal to £300 of the j)resent money), " and at my month's mynde £20, and at my yere's mind £20." He left £7 to his "occupation" (i.e. the Clothiers' Company), of which 40s. to be spent at his funeral and the rest to be bestowed upon the hall belonging to the occupation. The highways at Martin Hussingtree had £10 assigned to them. (These bequests for the repair of highways were benefactions of no trifling* kind in those days of imfathomable mud and ruts.) ]\Ir. Yowle leaves his little gilt cup to Eowland Eton ; and his more public benefactions included the gift of "all the stones of Gye's Hall, within the late Grey Friars, to the main- tenance of the walls of the cittie, and such other necessarie thinges as appertain and belonge to the said cittie, uppon condition that my heyres, executors, and assigns, may quietly enjoy e all the stone walls about my pastures, orchards, and gardens, in the late Grey Friars." And likcAvise he devoted £100 "towards the fomidation of a free school "within the citte, to be laide cute on lands for the niaintapiance of ye schoole for ever, and besides a statute of £12 by yere which they have already in execution. And I "wille that the maister and skollers of ye same schoole shall come yearly upon the day of my byriall to the place where my corpse shall lye, and there uppon thyer knees to praye for my father's soidc, my mother's sole, for my soule, my meff and children's soidles, and for all Chrysten sowles, besydes thyer dayly prayer for us 32 OUR "WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. morning and evening in the sclioole." [This part of Mr. Yowle's piiMic bequests, excepting of course the praying for his soul, has met with better fate than some others, the properties purchased with his money having always been in the possession of the Six Masters, and the proceeds from them appropriated to the almshouses and free school.] Lastly, Mr. Yowle's will contains this significant clause, that if liis wife or any other relative should dispute the will or go to laAv, " theyr portions to be taken away and divided among the rest who are quiet." Thos. Yeat, smith, St. Peter's, leaves to his daughter Catherine all his houses and lands in New-street, " stretching from Balaam's Vine (probal)ly the name of an uin at the bottom of the present Pump-street) to the Market-place (old Corn-market), but she is to be ruled by the counsel of her mother concerninge her marryage." Thos. Porter, butcher, among other things, leaves " a iron barre to hang ye pott on going through ye chimney." Eichard Badlam leaves " a pucke gowne lyned with white bayse." Puandle Wylks, ])utcher, bequeaths to his .servant, Humphrey Abell, 3s. 4d. to buy him a jerkui and 18d. for a hat. Another individual, iii leaving affectionate tokens to his old servants, guards himself by adding, " If any of my servants do take or bassell (embezzle) any thinge oute of my howse he shall have nothinge." Wm. Mason, a tanker of St. Clement's, in 1577, gives to that parish " towards the redeemyng of theyr comimion cup," 30s., and alludes to the old custom of " free bench " in this city thus : " My wife is to have my house or tenement wherem I doe noAv inhabit for the terme of her life," ordering also that the glass wincloics, waimcoh\ table boards, forms, and bedsteads, ** now about or within my said howse, do remaine to be o ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 33 kept there for stanclerds (fixtures), to be enjoyed of my executors (his wife and son) diu-ing their natural lives, and so after to remaine to my heyres from one to another for ever without removing and taking away of the same ; " and this he enjoins on his executors " as they will answer at the dreadful day of judgment ! " Hugh Goslinge, the fuller of Allhallows, leaves a buckskin doublet and Idack hose. Edward Gierke, clothier, of St. Alban's, gives £20 for ever, to be lent yearly to any honest young man requiring it, Avithout interest, and then to some other next year, and so on. To his brother-in-law he leaves two yards of puke cloth, which was the quantity then used for a cloak, and to other persons his best puke " brytches," red taffeta doublet, and silk doublet ; also a French crown to each of several relations, and to his " dear father one spure ryal, being xvs., to make him a ringe." [The rial (or Spanish reale) was first called royal money because stamped with the King's effigy. In England it was first a piece of gold, value 10s. in the reign of Henry 6th, b\it 15s. temp. Elizabeth. Eose rials were worth 30s. in the time of James 1st.] William Porter, clothier. All Saints, 1577, in a most affectionate will, after leaving 5s. a year to his mother, expresses a wish that " she may live with the rest of her chyldren, one to comfort of the other, a greate while if yet shal please God, and afterward I praye that they all may be made inheritors of his kingdom. Item, I give and bequeathe to my brother Ealfe, of London, grocer, who hath bm special good frind to me and all myne, my graye ambling colt, now in my stable, wishing it were so good a thinge as his hart would most desire ; and to my brother Ealf e's wife a fine cloth in token of a thankful mynd to her for her greate good will to me and myne. To his other brother, Thomas, a cutler of Loudon, he gives his bay colt "now in Batual Park." 34 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Contrasted with this warm-hearted " act and deed," the will of ]\Ir. John liOAvlands, r^/^/.s' Stcjaier, clothier, reads chilly and as though his family could not have been a happy one : after leaving to his son " a nest of silver bowlcs with a cover doiihle gilt ; a silver salt Avith a cover double gilt, 'with a naked man ujion the toji "with a child, and a speare in his hand ; a nest of ale cupps of silver, also Avith a cover double gilt ; a dozen silA'er spoons, Avith a lion at the end ; Avhich said plate Avas of my oAvne, Ijefore the deathe of my father-in-laAV, Mr. Yowle ; " and likcAvise 20 marks a year for his son to study at Lincoln's Inn ; he goes on to say that if his AA'ifc Susan or the children should be discontented or troubled the others, their legacies Avere to be A'oid ; and his Avife Avas to give security to his son for all " stand- ards " (fixtures) ; but nevertheless he — the son — Avas to " use her reverentlie as hisfatha-'s wife." The son Avas to be fidl executor. John Chappell, clothier, St. AndrcAv's, directs his body to be buried in the little chancel of his parish church, and 20s. to be given toAvardsthe repairs of the said church; "but if the parish Avill not suffer my l:)odie to be buryed there, then the xx-*?. to be giA'en to the poore in bred." To his sister-in-laAv he leaA^es a " fagg," to make her a petticoat, and " to Roger Massye, our cm-ate, a white fagg* to make liini a coat ; " also .£10 to young beginners (weavers) each for tAvo years free ; £20 to the Corjjoration to " buy corne and sell it to the poor Avhcn they see most neede," and if they neglected to do so then the duty to be undertaken by the Dean and Chapter; and lastly, .£10 "to the com- pa]iy of bakers for a bread donation, to begin at St. Andre Av's, and then for that and the other parishes in rntati(jn to ye Avorld's end ; and I i)ray you, in giving thereof, to remember the poor journeymen Aveavers." John Moore, clothier, of St. Martin's, 1581, among * This perhaps meant a remnant ; we still use the term " fag-end." ANCIENT WILLS ; DRESS, ETC. 35 his bequests mentions *' two gowns of pewke, one faced with fojaies and the other with silk mockadoe," " a bed in the inner cliimney* parlor wher my mayden servants do conionly use to lye," branch candlesticks of brass, flower cups (pots) of pewter, a looking glass (the only one mentioned throughout the book, but glass mirrors had not then been introduced many years), a green carpet for the table boards, a candlestick of maslin, two "kerchews " and two " pinners." To his son he gives " the lease of the crane which I have of the city" (an. interesting item in relation to the trading and commer- cial arrangements of the clothing interest of Worcester at that time.) Thomas Patrick, of St. Andrew's parish, says : " I be- queathe most humbly, hartely, and faithfully, my pore soide, created by God, redeemed by Christ with his most pretious bloude, and ev'more strengthened Avith the co'fort of ye Holy Ghost — I bequeath, I say, and comaund this my soide into the merciful handes of the Almightie God, my most loving and bomitiful Father, to be saved from the danger of all enemyes by my Saviour Christ, ye Holy Ghost sealinge the assurance hereof on my hart luitil th'end amen. Likewyse I be- queathe thys bodie of myne that came of the earthe unto ye earthe againe, bemge sure it shal ryse againe with all God's saincts, a glorified and incorruptible bodie, to rayne with Cluist sowle and bodie world without end." Ealph Bagnall, gent., -wishes his bodie to be buried " in the w^est part of the Cathedral Church, as near to Thos. BromJey as may be," and he leaves to a friend his "great pole and limbicke." (What was tins'? Was he an apothecary, having a pole over his shop, and the " limbicke " intended for " alembic," a chemical appa- ratus used in distillation 1) * This reads as though chimueys were not even then very common. 36 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Wm. Giljbs, brewer and clothier, leaves three yards of cloth to make a female relative a j^oAvn. Jas. Pitchard, gent., owner of the Cardinal's Hat before mentioned, bequeaths a ring apiece to each of his overseers, one having on it death's head and the other a signet. Edward Atkins, carpenter, of St. ISI'icholas, disposes of his body to be buried in that parish church " att the cominge in att the great doore." Thomas Collye, brewer, of St. Andrew's, leaves .to Eichard Durant his sealing rmg, to Eobert Durant liis " wTether ringe," to John Frynd his best bow and quiver and his " reaving arrows," and to Raphe Byl- lingsley liis second bow and all his " prickshafts." John Prynd, of St. Andrew's, who is evidently the individual mentioned in the last will, leaves " to Mr. Tasker, our parson, my old quiver and all my arrows," probably the same that he had received from Mr. Collye. Wm. Holberow, walker, gives to his son a pair of shears marked with a bell, and two dozen handles. Christopher INIorehall, clothier, presents a model will, extending only to seven lines, and dividing all his pro- perty into three parts, one-third to his widow and the other two portions to his two children. John Strickland acknowledges the kindly services of his spoiise thus : " In consideration and forasmuch as my wife hath all the time during our marriage behaved herselfe very dutifid and kinde unto me, and specially duriii" this my last sicknesse taken greate paines with me, I doe give and beqTieath all my lands, tenements, houses, edifices, and hereditaments Avhatsoever and wheresoever withyn the realme of Inglande," &c., " unto my wife Margaret and her heirs for ever." George Harrington, of St. Nicholas, (1605). Pinned to his will is a letter to some " Eight Hon." personage, advertising him that Eobert Haslock had sued the Cor- ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 37 poration of Worcester in the Court of Requests for a legacy due to him and his wife out of the said \^dll, hut that on a conference hetween him and some citizens he was content to rehnquish the claim, throwing him- self on the mercy of the Court, and desiring to have a lease of some house of theirs assigned to liim, which they (the Corporation) assented to as soon as they could find a house to suit him ; that in 1622 the sum of £25, heing part of Sir Thomas White's gift to young men in trade, was lent to him for 10 years free, with another sum of £20, also free ; that through the interest of Mr. Watts, an Alderman, he was appointed town crier, "but perceyvyng that many of ye inhabitants and many strangers have often much dislyked and spoken agaynst Haslocke for hys smal voyce unmeet for that place of servyce, the now fyrst elected Alderman for this yeare, "vvith the greate parte of ye other Aldermen, dyd appoynt another, yet allomng Haslocke halfe the benefit of the market profyts till Christmas, which did gyve him contente." Launcelot Clarke, alias Cooke, leaves to his son " our great pott which was his grandfather's and our greate caldren which was my mother's." _ John Howton, brewer, 1608, bequeaths £500 to his son, requesting tlie Chamber (Court of Orphans) to put out the same to use till his son came of age, after the rate of £8 for the hmidred ! Christopher ISTend, Aveaver, of St. Helen's, leaves his flaxen shirt to his father, and to " my brother my beste hatt, my tawny jerkine, tawny breeches, black doublet, one bande, a paire of blewe stocky nges, and a pair of liorse-flesli hreeclies ! "* To another brother a pair of * In this there naturally seems something strange. However the word par-fleche, used by hunters and trappers in America to signify raw-hide,'elucidates the matter: for by analogy, horse-fl£che—lov which in days of yore the mistaken form flesh might be written — would mean raw liorse-hide. So that it is possible the breeches were some sort of overalls or leather small clothes. 38 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. green stockings and " a jiair of Itiitches witli two welts down ye side ; '' lastly, " a greate brass panne to the cliilde which uiy wife goeth Avith." Thomas I5onnor, who calls himself "gent.," bnt who appears to have been a shoi)keeper, in the year 1607 left his body to be buried in the church of AllhaUowes (All Saints), " nere the seate oriicAve wlier I doe usuaHye sitte or knelle downe in the tjane of devine service." His house he assigns to his executors for six years to- Avards the discharge of his legacies, and then the said house, '' Avith the AA^ainscott ncAve placed therein, the glase* in ye AA'indoAves, the bords, frames, formes, bed- stids, lin'y tables, cobards, presses, chests, Avitli ye shope and warehouse adjoininge to ye saide house, Avith the presses, boxes, shilA'es, spice, mortars, pestills, waights, scalles, painted clothes, together Avith the garden, backesid, corts, yeards, and appurteynances to my cousin." He gave £40 for foiu- young men, for three years, free, the young men to be of the companies of clothiers and mercers. Bread Avas left to the poor of every parish in the city, and £20 for " hiring and mftin- taining of a preacher or lecturer AA'ithin the cittie of Worcester, and toAA'ards buyinge and majTitenance of a fayre Byble, to be sette uppon some fay re deske, and so to remayne Avithin the parish churche of AlllaalloAves for ever."f He leaves to his l)rother-in-laAV Freeman his furred goAvn, " and I doe forgive him all such sum or summes of money as he shall be indetted unto me for my shojje book or otherAvise." A sih^er boAvl to one friend, a morning goAvn to another, a morning cloak to a third, a silver can of double gilt to a foiu-th, and to his * I have elsewhere stated that prlass and wainscots were movable, and not considered as part and parcel of a house. Among the II ar- leian MSS. is one entitled "The Custom of Chester, for takcinge away glass and wainscote by the tennants wliich sett them upp." t This Bible was recently rebound in its old covers at the expense of I\Ir. Haywood, cliurcliwarden, and is now in the possession of the rector, Rev. B. Arthure. ANCIEXT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 39 cousiiis a silver bowle " rouglit about," a sugar boxe of silver, some gilt goblets, and " my brasellnutt." (Was this a cocoa-nut shell, mounted, for drinking piu'poses 1) John Beane, of 8t. Andrew's, walker and clothier, left to his two brothers his cloth barge and a little boat, and to A. Hooper ''my old barge under the wall." Wm. Yenard, clothier, of St. Peter's, 1 609, bequeaths 40 marks to his son William " yt he may be brought upp to scoole and to be taught to weight and to reade, and his duetie fyrst to serve God and then to man ; " also the use of 40 marks " to lielpe to mayntein hym while he goeth to scoole and when he goeth to be ap)ren- tice, which I desyre he may be put to at xv or xvi yeres of adge, and that then xx poimd of the first xl merks be put forth to the best use to the increase of hys stock ; and the other xx nobles, remaynder of the xl merks, to be lent to hys master with whom he shal be aprentice for the space of seven yeres, being a man sufficient to be putt in secm-itie for the repaying of the same xx nobles back at the end of his seven yeres ser- vice." If the master should not use the boy well the 20 nobles to be returned, and Avhen the boy arrrived at the age of 22 the whole was to be handed to him. To his father Mr. Yenard bequeaths the comforting legacy of "my newe paii'e of wynter shewes." Thomas Howton, brewer, 1609, gives £3 towards enlarging St. Martin's Church, and among other articles he leaves " a knob gold rynge " to a female friend ; his " bigger and lesser gilt bowls," silver goblet, and silver beker, to other parties ; and to his servant Margaret his late wife's best go^vn, best hat, two partelets, two " charchefs " (kerchiefs), and three flaxen aprons. John Plather, alias Pilador, alias Plador (it being then fashionable in all ranks to spell names with the greatest possible variations), Avas a baker of St. Nicholas' parish in 1610, and observes in his Avill : — " Knowingc that all mortall fleshe must die, the tyme of deatlie not 40 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. knowne, but most xmccrtaine to all creatures, and now helnge vlnited hy Ahnighfie God, and yeat of good and p'fecte hcalthe and memory, thanks be unto God," proceeds to bequeathe £3 "to the company of the occupation of bakers, towardes niakyng a pall for the company's use, and xiijs. ivd, to make merry withal at theyre pleasures ! " [The words in italic seem to indi- cate that the testator was expecting an attack of plague, pestilence, or some other of the many epidemics wliich abounded in tliose times, and this is borne out by the terms of the wiU following, which Avas made in the same year, though I have failed to discover in any other records any allusion to the year 1610 as being particu- larly marked Avith such a visitation — biit there was a visitation of plague in Worcester in IGll]. Thos. Turner, weaver, of St. Martin's (Aug. 14, 1610), gives to his journeyman, John Cheshire, his best shirt, band, and stockings, and his greatest caldron and frying-pan to his sister-in-law ; " and forasmuch (says he) as at this tpne the Lord hath layd His hande upon mee, and l)y His greate vysitacyou hatli taken one of my chyldren out of thys myseralde lyfe, and every day both I myselfe and all the reste of my people do ex- pecte the lyke vysitacyon from the Lord, unto whom wee doe all of us refer ourselves whether it be to lyfo or deathe, as it shall be most agreeable to His dyvinc will," &c. John Wild, clothier, 1611, after dividing sheets and other Imen Avhicli liad descended to him from his ances- tors, gives to Humphrey Nash his best flaxen shii't and band. This Nash was probably in his emi)loy, as Mr. Wild leaves to one Wilham j\tilton " three ^--ards of medley cloth wliich is noAve in Aveavinge at Humphrey JSTashe his house." [The factory systeui Avas not their invented, and the clothing trade of Worcester and of tlie 'West of England generally Avas conducted in this Avay : the farmer having sheared, Avashed, and dried his ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC, 41 wool, it was tlicn spun in tlie farm-house with a distaff, brought to the market, and piu'chased by the clothiers, who employed people to weave it at their own homes. Looms Avere sometimes erected in outhouses and even in bye corners of lanes and court-yards. The cloth so produced, being luidyed and undressed, was then sent to foreigners, principally the Flemings, who realised a great profit by finishing it ofi:". In 1557 a petition was sent to the Queen's Council by the bailiffs of Worcester as to the " increase of poore people in the city, occa- sioned liy the clothiers being unable to imploy so many, owing to the statute passed in the 5th of Edward VI., which enacted that the clothes made in Worcester called ' the long Worcesters,' containing so many yards in a piece, shoidd be of a certaine w^eight, under a stated penalty, and considering that ye said cittie hath bm of long time chiefly maintained by clothe making, and that people in ye same cannot be otherwise main- tained, and that if this inequalitie (alluding to the weight of cloths made in other counties) Ije not by means of your honours reformed speedilie, the same cittie is lycke to fall into utter ruyne, Avhich Aver great pittie, and thereby this smal countie of Worcester to be so replenyshed Avith beggers that wee shal not be able to rely\'e them," and the pith of the petition was that it prayed the Council to dispense with the penalty till Parliament met. Six or seven years afterwards an order Avas received by the Sheriff of AYorcestershire to appoint two clotlxiers to appear before a Eoyal Commis- sion on a day named, " to commune on manie things respecting theyr facidties." The principal clothiers Avere then John Stayner, Ed. INIaye, Ealph Wyatt, and Ed. Sparks. The result of this " communing " is not stated ; but some years later a similar clothing deputa- tion, sent up to London from Dorsetshire, ended some- Avhat disastrously, the representatives spending two months' time and 100 marks of money, which they do 42 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. not seein ever to have recovered from their constituents, and besides were rohlied on their return home. Three years heforo Mr. Wild's will was made, James I. gi-anted to Aid. Cockayne the right to practise his invention of dying and dressing cloths, and prohibited the exporta- tion of nndyed fabrics, but the patent was annulled in 1615, and English clothiers adopted a method of dyeing the wool before weaving it. The trade however soon afterwards dwindled, and eventually it left AVorcester and most other places in the West and passed over to the great factory system of the North. Aji ex^jlanation of names and terms may be here desii-able : there Averc Aveavers, walkers, fulling-mill men, shearmen, dyers, forcers of avooI, carders and sorters of wool, and spin- ners ; carders and sj^ullars of yarn. A " walker " meant a fuller, the fulling of cloth being performed by walking over it, as is still practised in the Isle of Sky, In addition to colours now in general use, there were others designated tawny, russett, marlile grey, puke or dark grey, sadnew colour, asewer, watchett, sheep's ct)lour, lion colour, motley or iron grey, friar's grey, crane colour, and old medley.*] Eichard Chadbornc (1615), in the course of his will, says : " Whereas the six men of the parish of St. Peter's have i)m'chasc(l in the name of me and of John Knight, my fellow churclnvarden, one house to the use of the said chm-che and poore of the parish aforesayd, wherein John Sneade now dwelleth, my will is and hei-(!by I do devise the same soe far forthe as in mc lyeth the said house with the appm-teynances to the six men of the aforesayd parish, to be imj)loyed accord- ing to the use for which it was purchased." lluiiiphrcy Yardley (1618) leaves to his infant son c£100, the use of which, he says, " is comonly ten pound by the yeare," to his wife during the minority of the son, " to bringe liim ujipe in the feare of God, in * Koberts's " Southern Counties." ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 43 leamingc and good beliavioiu' ; " also " a faire newe Bible " to another son, and to his " loving friend Thos. Jones one peece of goold of half a crowne." Thos. Powell heqiieathes £100 to the parson of All Saints, " to be putt forthe for the space of five yeres, att seaven in the hundred, to gather a stock for ever to the good of the poore of the said cittie ; " 20*'. of this to go to the poor of All Saints, and the money to be distributed yearly on the 5th of JSTovember ; and at the end of the five years the profits of the .£100 "to be given to my Avife Johan, for her mayntenance during her natiuval life, and at her death the £100 tc be divided among the children." Thos. Moore (1629; he died 1633) in his will says : " Item, for the good love I beare to the cittie of Wor- cester, I give and bequeathe towards the makeinge of a water conduct in or near the oatmeale market betweene the ende of Baxter-strete [now the Shambles] and the nowe dAvelling howse of Wm. Greenebanke, pewterer, and Henry AVright, draper, thu'tie pounds, upon con- dition that the worke ha taken in hande and perfected within two years after my decease ; and if not, the Mayor and the twentie-three {i.e. the 24 capital citizens) to dispose of the money towards the mayntenance of a preacher to read a lecture within the said cittie once every weeke, and soe to have continuance for ever." The last two wills of which it will be necessary to make any mention are those of Eichard Engelthorpe (1618) and Thomas Walsgrove alias Fleete (1613.) The former gentleman filled the office of high bailifi" in 1610, and Avas buried in the Cathedral, where there still may be seen a small gilt and coloured monument commemorative of his benevolence in founding the almshoiTses bearing his name. His Avill is fully detailed in Hebb's " Account of Public Charities." As to Mr. Walsgrove, Mr. Hel;)b records the benefactions of several generations of the family, and especially the 44 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. foundiug of almsliouses in Powick-lane by John Wals- grove in 1567, but he unaccountably omits all mention of tlic following, although he names a John Wabgrove in 1613, whicli is the same year as that in which Thos. Walsgrove makes the follo^ring Avill : — He bequeaths to the Corporation certain messiiages and lands in Fish- street and Foregate-street, on condition that Avithin two years after his decease " they shal procure and provide some convenyent place, howsings, and romes, for the bringinge upp of poore children within the cittie in a laborious course of life, from begging and idlenesse, and alsoe for settinge of idle persons in work who being liable to work for want of care and provision had for theyr reformation and relief live most idlie to the dis- honour of God and to the disgrace of this cittie, to set on worke and to bring upp in lalioiu" such pore chiltlren and idle persons as aforesaid ; and also that they p'cure and apoynt a mayster or governor to oversee and correct such cliildren and persons as shalbe ther set to worke ; and to suche an overseer, master, or governor, for his paynes to be taken therein I doe give and apoynt three pound yerely to be payd out of the said rents and profits, and yerely iij*', ivd. to a clarke to be apoynted to receyve tlie rents and keepe the accoimts." iUl this to be done in two years, or else his heu's to enter on the property. [Tliis is the very first effort probably ever made in Worcester for the establislimcnt of an " industrial homo," l)arring the measures taken under the Act of Elizabeth for scttuig the poor at work ; but there is no record as to what became of it. In another of the Corporation books I have found a record that Hugh Atwill, parson of 8t. Tewe, Cornwall, left ^3. 6s. 8d., the interest of Avhicli was to be employed in keeping the poor of the city of Worcester at work. !Mr. Walsgrove goes on to say :] " And wliereas the Corporation of Six INIasters hold by lease of tlic greate Corporation divers messuages and lands lyeing within ANCIENT WILLS : DRESS, ETC. 45 the said cittie, the benefit whereof is employed in many- good and godly uses, now if it shal plese the ChamlDer and Council of the cittie to renewe their grante of the premises for 41 yeres in possession at the now rente reserved for continuance of so good and charitable a work, to be granted within one next yeer after my decease, in recompense and in lieue wdiereof I doe give to the Corporation for the feine thereof the sum of ten poimdes, levying it to theyr wise and godly considera- tion." We must just stay to peep into an executor's account of " charges layed forthe concernjmge ye last ^vill and testament of Ed. Badland," at whose funeral were con- sumed ''whyght fysshe" at a cost of 19d. ; "yeeles," 2s. ; saltlisli, stockfish, and " saman " 6s. (it was pro- bably Lent); "ale fatched in at d'verse places," 6s. ; "to the p'son of Saynct Clemens for his paynes and for tythes behynd," 3s. ; distributed to the poor in money, £.3. 6s. 8d. ; " Dr. Lews for ye sermon," 10s. ; the clerks of St. Clement's, AllhalloAvs, and St. Helen's, received respectively 8d., lOd., and 20d. ; the shoemakers' com- pany had for the use of their hall 4d. ; " shewis for Eaphael and Jolin and a payer of hosen for Ursula " (this and " Perren " were favourite names for girls at that time) are also presented in the account, and Eoger Tovey has 12d. " for praysmg the plate." The last date in the book is 1656, previous to which there had been great gaps and irregularities, owing pro- bably to the civil commotions between King and Par- liament, and so we lose all further trace of the " Wor- cester Court of Willes and Orphans." Before taking leave of the books however, I must briefly describe the sheet almanack of 1.561 appended to one of them, and which Mr. Woof has very properly preserved in a frame. 46 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. A SHEET ALMANACK OF 1561 is entitled at the head " An Almanack and Prognastica- tion for the Yere of our Lord God MDLXI." It is some 1 Sin. square, and has a column for every month ; at the hcafl of each month is a woodcut, containing in the Icjft-hand corner of the to]) part of each the sign of the zodiac ; the cut itself is devoted to some scene sug- gestive of the month or season — in January there is feasting gomg on; February, a man is bringing in billets of wood to a great fire, at which another person is warming his liands ; a dog is seated by the side, and a pot is on the ih'c ; March, some operation in the field ; April, a bacchanalian scene, or two ladies hocussmg a prostrate gentleman, suggestive of Lot and his two daugliters ; May, a scene in the coimtry, a gentleman on horseback, with a lady on a pillion behind liLm, and a man on foot in the road, approaching an inn ; June, leading cattle to water ; July and August, moAving and reaping, with one ingenious youth tapping a Avooden bottle ; September, bre-wing or Avuie making, Avith a man treading grapes (?) in a large tub ; October, plough- ing, apparently on the G. 0. principle, and soAving ; November, tAvo men (not babes) in the Avood, but their occupation a matter of great uncertamty; December, killing an ox by cutting its throat, a Avoman catching the blood in a disli. AU the principal fasts and festi- vals are given, Avith their octaves, saints' days, 12th day, laAV terms, moon's quarters, &c. But the principal feature is the cool and business-like manner in which the weather is foretold, and not only that but every change of Avind, Avith the greatest nicety and distinct- ness. For the 4th of August, for instance, it is an- nounced that there would be " A^ehement blasts of wind Avith some miseling Aveather at night." An exceedingly small modicum of fine Aveather Avas anticipated through- out the year ; and it would seem that in this respect — BLACK AND GREY FRIARS, 47 if the almanack was an indicator of the average state of the seasons — Queen Elizabeth was hy no means so fortunate as her descendant Victoria. Having disjwsed of the subject of wills and orphans, I proceed to pick the " plums " from the other records examined among our Corporation archives, which in- cluded the following : The books of rents, &c., of the suppressed Black and Grey Friaries, commencing with 1540, the year of the suppression; city accoimt books of all officers; toll book, soldier musters, and miscel- laneous, 1552; sessions and "law day" order books, commencing 1569 ; liber recordmn, 1575 ; bye-law book, 1578; views of frank pledge, Chamber order book, 1653 ; Papists' estate books, the company of joiners and carpenters' guild books, 1692, &c. The first subject will be — THE BLACK ANT) GEEY FPJAES. Very little is known of the Black and Grey Friars of Worcester. If these fraternities kept any books or records they were probably destroyed by the bretlu'en themselves ; or the Corporation of the city, when the suppressed houses were handed over to them in 1540, thought such Avritings were useless and committed them to the flames. To hope that they may yet " turn up " in some half-forgotten chest or antiquary's closet would perhaps be to expect too much. We must therefore be content witli the scanty materials at our command, and with f urnishmg a few more notes for histories which may hereafter be written. The Grey Friars were foimded by St. Francis of Assisi, in Italy, in 1182, and confirmed by Innocent III. in 1207. The saint was an anchorite, who supposed that Clmstian perfection consisted mainly in possessing nothing ; he therefore sorely punished himself with austerities, went barefoot, girt Avith a knotty cord, and professed the greatest example of humility. He called 48 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. those " Minors " Avhom lie chose from the first to he his compaiiioiis ; they were also tcnnod Franciscans. Gene- rally they dwelt liy sevens or tons in a convent. The order first appeared in England ahout 1224, hut how well the regular monks of this country liked the im- portation may he gathered from the words used hy one of them : '* Oh dolor ! j^lus quam dolor ! pestis truculenta ! Fratres minores venerunt in An"liam ! " And Mathew of Westminster says of them that " they were diligent instruments of the Pope in all his affairs, Bometimes as messengers or legates, and always sedu- lous for his advantage. Neither were they slack in preaching, signing Avith the cross, and assisting the sick in making their wills ; which employments did not a little hinder the monks hoth in point of profit and power." They had seven districts in England, each of which Avas governed hy a provincial. AVorcester Avas said to have heen the head of one of these districts, having the care or oversight of the friaries of Shrews- biuy, Bridgnorth, Lichfield, CoA^entry, Stafford, Chester, Preston, and Lancaster. No charter of foundation or grant of the site of the Worcester house is knoAvn to be in existence, AA'hich is accounted for by the supposi- tion that they Avcre not cndoAved Avith houses and lands, but lived Avholly on the charity of others, and that the structure of thcnr house and church Avas at the cost of pious people. From a IMS. in the British Museum, hoAvever, it appears that these friars Avere not too jiroud to accept of donations of land ; thus : " To Frere Thos. Jonys of the Freres Minours of Worcester, the meadoAV called Digley (now Digits) lieing under the castell there, duringe the King's (liichard IIL) pleasure, Avithouten anythinge therefore yieldiuge." The arms of various other benefactors Avere also emblazoned in the AvindoAvs of their hall. According to Leland, their house Avas of the foundation of William do Beauchamp first Earl of WarAvick, and Avas erected a fcAV years after the appear- BLACK AND GREY FRIARS. 49 ance of the order in England. The Grey Friars' house was generally on the site of the late city gaol, and extended (as Green informs us) from Eriar-street eastward to the toAvn walls, and the wall of the Blockhouse to the south ; the church stood without the walls at the bottom of St. Laurence-lane — a name which afterwards gave place to Friar's-gate, leading to the Blockhouse fields. The extreme jealousy existing between the friars and monks We^ jr-..' fncilc? is illustrated by one circumstance, that in 1298 William de Beauchamp was prevailed upon by a friar minor, who drew up his will, to order his interment, not in the Cathedral, where his ancestors lay, but m the choir of their friary. In that will he l^equeathed to them two great horses which at his fimeral shoidd carry his armour, and left j£200 for solemnizing his interment. The friars then, as though to mortify the monks of the Cathedral, made a procession in triumph, carrying the Earl's body through the streets and lanes of the city. 50 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATUERS. and then deposited it in giuiind wlicrein duiiiig tho winter season (saitli the monkish clironicler) it may rather be said to be drowncil than interred — "in a spot where I have seen futchers were also obnoxious for their gambling and other propensities, and in 1577 "Mr. Bayliff" was requested to "punish all boochers and others yt. use rifelings (qy. raffling?) or any other unlawful games." Also " any boocher or other person keeping any mastiffe gomg abroad unmuzzled " to forfeit 6s. 8d. It is well known how Queen Elizabeth encouraged the eating of fish, on the ground that our fisheries were a nursery for the navy. The eating of flesh in Lent could therefore only be permitted by special license. Her Majesty's proclamation against eating flesh in Lent requii-ed that bonds should be taken of the butchers not to kill meat during the prohibited period ; " and if jiersons are sicke or weake, other flesh nieates not usuallie sold by butchers may seeme meter, and soe may be lor them dressed in theyr owne howses, without thereby giving occasion of killing of beefes, muttons, vcales, or such like." In 158-4 there were three butchers at the Grass Cross — Thos. Barker, Richard Sherman, and John Jucks, who paid 6s. 8d. each for their shops. Trade however was aj^parently but very indifferent with them, as year after year they were " respited " from more or less rent. One of the successors of the above-named was Thos. Till, probably an ancestor of our present fellow citizen of that name. Three shops close to St. ^Nicholas' Church let for 4s. per annitm each, but even at that moderate rental the occu[)iers could not thrive, and one of them got it reduced to 3s. For some time it was sought to remove the nuisance of the butchers and their evil doings from so prominent a place as the Grass Cross, and this Avas TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 59 effected in the year 1660 (the ironmongers having some 20 years hefore heen removed from the Cross to near St. Helen's Church). Baxter, or Bakester, or Bakers'- street, was the locality assigned to the butchers. It is now called the Shambles, though its old name was used in deeds down to the present century. The entry of this exodus of the butchers is as follows : — " Mem. That in the two and fortieth yere of her Majesties rayne there was erected in the Bakster-strete at the costs and charges of the cittie new shambles for the countrie bochers to sell theyr mete att, whereas before that tyme they did stand at ye Grass Crosse and there did sell theyr meate ; the yerely profitt and benefitt of which shambles doth wholly come unto the cittie. And this was done in the time of Geo. Stinton and Wm. Kingies, gents, bailifts, Christofer Deighton and Rd. Durant, aldermen of the said cittie, Mr. Kd. Hursse and John Wigfall, chamberlains." The cabbage market was soon afterwards held in Baxter-street (Shambles), and it should be borne in mind that in those days every trade and occupation had a special street or locality assigned to it, so that if a poor man wanted only potatoes and salt he might have to travel from one end of the city to the other to combine the two. In the time of Philip and Mary it was ordained that — " The market place for cowpar's (cooper's) and all other ware made and Avrought of woode shal be from henceforth kept and used at the yend of Saynct Swoghton's (Swithin's) churche, and so up by ye pales into ye baxter streate, so that they shal not hinder or lett the markett, on paine of xxs." Country butchers were permitted to sell only up to a certain hour, and the severest rules were laid down against selling meat, tallow, hides, or even a city dmig- heap, to "foreigners" (i. e., non-residents in the city) until the inhabitants had been served. No chandler was allowed to sell more than 121bs. of candles to any " foreigner " in one week, or to melt tallow near any 60 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. " fore street ; " no halcer Avas to make " spiced bread or short cakes," iuasmuch as it " enhanced the price of butter ! " Fish was to be sold only at " the King's boards in Fish-street," and that at certain hours, after a portly alderman or two had gone round and applied their nasal organs to the piscatory supply. Smiths were compelled by the 1st and 2nd Philip and Mary to shoe horses with shoes and nails of forest iron alone ; and to prove how overwhelming was the macliinery sometimes employed to regidate the most trifling affairs of social life, in the Liber Eecordum, 1575-6, is a proclamation by the Queen touching a Worcester blacksmitli, thus : — " By the Queen. — Hight well beloved, we grete you well, and woU and comaund you to stave and noe further proceede in the suyte by you, Richard Porter, brought again.st Richard Bullock,' before the bailiffs of our cittie of Worcester, for exercising the occupation or mysterie of a blacksmith for the space of one year nexte before the fyrst of May last past, not ha\ang been apprentice to the said occupation according to the tenour of the statutes in that case made and provydcd, until the same matter be first harde and examined by our Council in our Marches of Wales ; and for that entente, you, the said Richard Porter, do come and appear before our said Council ye fowrth daye of November next, to answer on that p'tie (part) as shall appertayne, not failinge hereof upon payne of cli. Given under our signet at our town of Salopp, xxiv daye of October, in ye xvi. ycre of ourrayne." ISTot even the ol)scurity of the col)blers' craft shielded that ust^ful though humble class of men from special enactment. In 1574 a pretty considerable agitation among the members of this fraternity was settled thus : — " Whereas divers discords, controversies, and debates, before this tyme have bin moved, stirred, and dependinge between the occupation or societie of .'ihoomakcrs, corvesers, or codeners, within.this cittie, on the one i)arte, and certaine persons tisinge or occupyng the trade or practice of coblyiige or clowtyng of shoes or boots, commonly called coblers, witliin the same cittie, on the other parte, "for appeasing whereof the bailiffs, TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 61 John Rolland and Thomas Hey wood, and the aldermen, called before them the steward and wardens of the said crafte, de- liberatmg, perusing their books, and hearing both sides, it was ordered that Thos. Hill, AVm. Bird, David Gough, Wm. Usherwood, Griffith ap John, and John Parker, shal exercise the art and mystery of coblinge, and non other, uppon paine of imprisonment." Here is a shot aimed at the knitters of hose in the year 1590 : — " The baiKffs were requested to call the knitters of hose together, and suffer non that are of suspected behaviour, unless they shal satisfie the bailiffs of their honest behaviour, because divers of them are common locksters and resetters of yarne and will pilfer from the owners thereof to the great decaie of the' inhabitants within this cittie." The restrictions on fishermen will be read with interest at a time when it is hoped that the persevermg efforts of our local association to unprove the fisheries will result in complete success. Ordered in 1576 — " That no fisher or anie other person shall draw to take fysh of dace netts within the water of Severne from hence- forth within the liberties of the cittie betwixt Allhallow-tide and lames (lammas), on forfeiture of xx5." " Commission granted to Himii^hrey Mitchell as to the Severn.— The Queen our Sovrayne Ladie, by the grace of God, &c., having certain knowledge that in the streame or river of Severne, and in other rivers, streams, creks, and ditches, ther- into runinge and desendinge, the spawn and broode of trowte, samons, and samonetts, and other fyshe, is yerely greatlie destroyed bj^ inordinat and unsasiable takinge of ye same by ye comon fyshers useing and occupying unsised and unlawful netts and other engynes agaynst and contrarie to the ordinances and statutes thereof made and ordayned, to the greate hurte, losse, and prejudice of ye common welthe, for reformation whereof by her letters patente hathe apoynted her welbcloved scrvante, Humphrey Mitchell, Esquyre, to be water bailyff'e of all her river of Severne, and of the creks, riming waters, and dyches, into the said river or water of Severn fallinge or runnyuge, from ye brydge of Gloucester unto the lieade of same river of Seavern, to have oversyght and correction of the same and of all defaultes done therein contrary to the tenour, form, and effect, of the same statutes ; and therefore her Highnesse straitely chargeth and comaundeth that noe 62 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. mancr of persons, of what state, degre, or condycon, he be of, use ne occupy anie manner of takynge of trowte or trowte samon or samonetts within the said streame or anie parte or member thereof thereunto cominge or descendynge, from ye fyrst day of October luito ye fyrst dayc of Aprill, uppon paine of forfitture at tlie first time xs., and at everie tyme after xxs., and punishment at the discretion of our said water bailiffe. And also her Ilighnesse straightlie chargeth and comaundeth that noe maner of persons brynge or cause to be brought unto ye markets no roches to be solde or geve but if two of them be worthe one peny ; nor pickerell, jjerch, ne pollores, but if they be of the length of xiv. inches acordynge to the Queue's standard, upon paine of forfitture of ye same, and that our saide water bayliffe or his dcputie make in everie markett or marketts, as well within the liberties as withoute, dewe serch for all such offenders. Dated the xxxth daie of June, in the xxth yere of owre rayne." Soap-making at one time engaged the anxious atten- tion of her Majesty's Council in the Marches ; here is tlieir order : — '' Whereas we are given to understand of late yeres there hath bin practyscd in ye cittie of London a uewe trade of makinge sope, whereof there hath bin j'erely consumed in that citie above ccc thousande waite of tallow, to the great inhaunsynge of the prices of such ware and hurte of ye coiuon wcale, which sope is affirmed to be both more unprofitable in use and more unwholesome for man's bodie, and only some- what gaineful to the sopemakers," the Lord Mayor had there- fore restrained the makinge of it in Ijondon, and it was requested that the authorities of Worcester should " see that noe sope be made excepte with oyl as heretofore." About the year 1590, " Richard Younge, E.squier," had assigned to him the exckisive right of importing and trading in starch. " Triers" were appointed to judge of certain goods ordered to be deposited at the Guildhall, especially leather, in order to its being tanned properly. But the instances of interference with trade and the shop- keeping interest are innumerable, and should have the effect of making our fellow citizens of the present day thank their good fortune that they were " born so late." In the time of Elizabeth, any two i:)ersons TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 63 living in one lionse, and carrying on separate trades, were charged to the local taxation as though they had lived in two houses. Servants and artificers' wages were fixed, jDenalties being imposed if they refused to work at that rate or if the employers offered more, though it is not difficult to perceive how such regula- tions might at any time have been evaded. En 2)assant I may notice that master masons and carpenters charged only Id. per day more for their time than for that of their workmen. It has been elsewhere noticed that the great besetting sin of tlie nation in Queen Elizabeth's time, as in that of Queen Victoria, was an inordinate love of dress and finery, and how it was sought by legislative inter- ference to limit and discourage this propensity. The most ingenious scheme for accomplishing this object is embraced in the following document : — " Oi\\' temporall person wlios wief weareth. ony gowne of silk, onie French, hodd or bonet of velvet, with billyment or edge of golde, perle, or stone, or anie chayne of gould aboute hir necke or ony parte of her app'ell, or weare anie velvett in ye lynying or other parte of hir gowne, oyther than in cuffes, or piufulles, or Aveare anie velvitt in hir ciirtle or any peticote of silke, shal be charged to have continually kepe and mayn- tayne one geldinge liable and meate for a light horsmann, with sufficiente harness and weppons for the same. Playne French hoddes or bonets without bylynients or edges be not Avithin ye compass of ye statute, so that you have to inquire whether ther be onie man Avithin the cittie of Worcester and the liber- ties of the same Avhose Avives do wear anie of the apparell aboA'e named, and if therbe ony such then to inc^uire Avhether the same man had in a redyness at the fifteenthe daye of August last past and soe ever sithence do continually kepe and mayntayne such horse, arnnice (harness), and Aveppons, as is above particularly sett forthe in Avritinge, and thereof do make presentment unto us here at Worcester the third daye of November next comiiige." This sumptuary laAv Avas enacted in 1558, but seems not to have been put in execution in Worcester till a year or tAvo later. 64 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Tlic following were the " orders for apparel for bailiffs, aldermen, and those who have heforc heeu "bailiffs :" Scarlet gowns upon Christmas, Xew Year's day, 12th day, and certain saints' days ; niorrey in grain gownes on certain other days ; " and to wear all such sylks, velvetts, and such furres in their gownes, cotes, and doubletts, as by the statute they may and are permitted to wear." One of the earliest books contains a registration of all sales of cattle in the city, describing minutely the colour of each horse or cow, and the toll paid on each. This was in the time of Edward VI., and the book is headed thus : — "Toll entered the Sonday (!) beingcye eight daye of August Anno lleg. Ed-\vardi Sexti (juinto, according to ye tenor, forme, and eftecte of ye King's Majesties letters from his Counsell of ye Marches of Walles unto ye shreve of ye countie of Worces- ter, directed to be p'claymed, -wliich was done accordjniglie." In reference to this subject, the sublime and the ridiculous were probably never more conspicuously blend(;d than in the following entry : — " The order of the takyng of the King and Queenes (Philip and Mary) Majesties toUe for horses, marrs, and coltes, accord- ing to the foiTae of the statute of late made in the second and third ycres of theyr Highnesses raynes for the time of this instant feyer of St. Palmestontydc (Palm Sunday), in such forme and order as hereafter insueth. Item ; That the Tcwsday nexte before the feaste of Palmesondy in the yeres of the raynes of Kinge Philippe and Queue Mary, by the grace of God Kinge and Queen of Englonde, Spayne, Praunce, both Sycylles, Jerusalem, and lerlandc, defenders of #hc fay the. Archduke of Austriche, Duke of Myllyan, Burgen, and Brabande, Countes of llapsburge, Flaundres, and Tirolcs, the second and the thjTd (years of their reign), one Gryfhth ap Jolm, dwelling in the Marches of Walles, solde one gcldinge, colored graye, with a bald face, and the nearer hinder foote whyte, for fyve mrks, xh/., to one Anthony M'chall, of Dayworth, in the countie of Worcester, and hath payde tolle." Porters were stationed at the gates of the city to exact certain tolls for produce brought into it, and to TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 65 apprehend all parties who hroiight wood which they had stolen from hedges, bridges, stiles, gates, or the props of trees. Also at Severn bridge a porter was stationed whose duty it was to claim toll of all boats and barges passing up and down. His custom was to throw a little stone into each vessel, which was a chal- lenge for it to turn to the quay to be examined as to what was on board. If the produce was such as the citizens stood in need of, the owner was bound to sell here, without going to a further and perhaps better market. There is a copy of an order made by the Council of the Marches when at Ludlow, 15th Henry 7th, regulating the toll to be levied on boats passing Worcester bridge from Eewdley. About 1564, John Butler and Thomas Godwyne, baiUffs of Tewkesbury, memoralised the Lords of the Council, complaining that, notwithstanding by ancient custom and jirivilege they were to buy and sell and go to and fro to every market and fair in the kingdom without paying toll for themselves or cattle, or their boats on the river, Messrs. T. Fieete and T. Dowding, bailiffs of the city of "Wor- cester, had lately thought fit to take toll of their boats, and at a fair on the 15 th of August in the above year they had seized a heifer and detained it, being the goods of the petitioners ; therefore redress was sought. 'No result is given in the books. No class suffered more from the rigid regulations of the times than brewers and publicans. The former were permitted to use but one kihi each, they were to buy their wood only in certain quantities, to pm'chase barley in the driblets prescribed to them, and not to go on with the " tunning " of their drink till a sign had been placed at the door for the Corporation taster to step in. Beer was sold at the assize price and no other. Before the introduction of tea and coffee the manu- facture of beer was a process in which society was largely interested, and great care was taken that the (J6 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATnERS. beverage was " sufficiently mighty of corn and wliole- some for man's hody." Innlceopers, as well as their customers, wore called " tipplers," being sellers of "tipple." In 1578 it Avas ordered in AVorcester that " no inholder shal refuse to hoste and lodge any person or persons, beinge strangers and fote men, not knowen to bo diseased persons, and paying for that they take, upon paino of \is. xiijd." Innkeepers, too, M'cre to assist in ligliting the streets, being included among the princi]:)al inhal^itants who then hung out lanterns at theu" doors, thus scarcely serving to dispel the Egyptian darkness which reigned without, until some respectable citizen, on his way home, passed by, preceded by a lad carrying a llaring link. The order on this point is curious — "That every one of the xxiv and xlviij (the upper and lower ckisses of the Corporation), iunholders, vittellcrs, and all f^ood comens — unless ye moonc shyne within yt tyme — sliall hange oute a candell in a lanthornc cverie night from Alhallow eve, and put light in the lanthorne at six of the clocke, and soe to burne till nine of the clocke at the least, on paine of vis. viijV/." Some at least of the taverns were in cellars, and great complaints were made of the open stairs which led down to them capsizing and grievously injuring the pedestrian in a dark night ; indeed, very few persons ever ventured abroad in such nights, the streets being dangerous witlt saw-pits, heaps of iilth, and ruffians. Another objection to inns was their harbouring of improper persons. John Dod and his wife were, in 1578, ordered never again to " keep any ale or vitelling house in this cittie, and that all other such evill behaviour that do take any man's wj'fes, wedowes, or maydes, servants, on pain of disfranchisement and other punishment." This brings me to the subject of lodgers, concerning which so much jealousy and ai)prehension were evinced. About 1554 a petition was sent to the Coimcil of Wales TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 67 from Richard Moon, of Worcester, complaining tliat as he lodged many of her Majesty's snbjects resorting to his house, he was in the habit of brewing tlu-ee bushels weekly, but never retailed it out of his house. Never- theless the wardens of the mystery or craft of brewers had commenced an action of debt in the town court before the bailiffs, declaring that he should forfeit 40s. to the said company of brewers ; and as his lodgers were more desirous to drink beer than ale, " and forasmuch also as there is no beer brewer in the said citie" (!), he prayed their lordships to direct letters to the bailiffs to call the parties before them. The letters were accordingly sent, and subsequently the following entry occurs : — " Before the bailiffs and aldermen, an action of debt for xls. for that plaintiff hath presumed to occupy the art and mystery of brewing within the cittie of Worcester, contrary to the acts of the gelde merchant of the said cittie, &c., that they the defendants shall surcease thej-r sute, and noe further proceed in the said action of debt, and the plaintiff at noe tyme hereafter shal brew or cause to be brewed anie ale or beer without license of the wardens of the brewers, upon payne of the penaltie in the company's bookes." Mr. Moon no doubt thought it a hard case that he was not permitted to brew for his household, but this was a part of the exclusive and tyrannizing system of the time, and the authorities cared not what hardships they inflicted so that they discouraged lodgers. When in 1572 an act Avas passed for a compidsory assessment for the poor, the rulers of towns perceived that unless they took stringent measures to prevent " settlements " in their own territory the new tax might prove an alarmingly heavy one. Every new comer, therefore, was obliged to produce credentials of competency, or move on to another town. Owners of houses even were not permitted to " do as they liked with their own," for in the Slth of Elizabeth an order was issued that — 68 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. " Whereas the concourse of poor people into this cittie cominge for the most parte forthe of Wales is verie greate, and daylie more and more incrcasinge, to the pesteringe of the said cittie and the inhabitants therein, ordered, that no cityzen let his house to anie one who has not alreadie inhabitted the cittie for three yearcs." At another time no citizen was to let liis house to any strancjer under 13s. 4d. without tlie consent of tlio hailiff, and the Lelhnan and constables were ordered "to take true notice of all persons resorting to this cittie from time to time and make relation thereof to Mr. Baylifl'e." Prior to the act ahove-namcd the relief of the poor seems to have been left for the most part to voluntary benevolence. In 1558 this entry occurs : — " Copy of all the bookes of every parishe concerning the order taken by Mr. Baylifies for the releefe of the pore people, ■with the names and surnames as well of all those able persons in everie parish that of thcyr good wills are able to payc to the same releefe, with thoyr particular somes ov'r everie mon's hede, as alsoe the names and surnames of all thempotent or pore persons in everie parish that hath the distribution of the same collection and gathering had and taken by the apoynted collectors and churchwardens of everie parish, according to the purport and effect of a certain act of Parliament of late provyded which is dewlyput into execution accordingly, and hath bvn order taken therein sence 16 Februarie, in 2nd and 3rd riulip and Mary." The relative condition of tlie parishes of this city as to Avealth and pauperisui (1563) may be gathered from the following tabular return : — Parish, Ratepayers. * Poor. All Saints G7 10 St. Helen's 5!) 4 St. Alban's F, 3 St. Clement's 13 b St. Martin's 28 15 St. Switliin's 43 9 St. Nicholas 43 12 St. Andrew's 42 11 St. Peter's 30 13 TRADING RESTRICTIONS. 69 "What a state of poverty is here — 82 poor persons in need of relief, and only 330 who could administer to their necessities ! One in every four a pauper ! and only 330 paymasters in the city ! How have we progressed for the better -since the time when deep poverty was the rule ! Wliat a distressing case was that of 1597 :— " Robert Warmstrey and Chris. Dighton Bailiffs. Through unseasonable weather and two yeres of scarcity previous, come and grajaie was at an exceeding high rate, so that before harvest wheat was sold at xis. and xijs. a bushel (this would be about £10 now), moncorn and rye viijs. and ixs., beans and barley vijs. and viijs. ; at which time of scarcity and dear- ness Mr. Bailiffs and their brethren carefully foreseeing pro- vyded and bought from London of Dansk corne 700 quarters, for the provysion of the pore of ye cytie, amounting to the full charge of £1,800 ; by reason of which good provysion the pore bought theyr corne at a lower rate by xijf/. or xviij(/. a bushell." The citizens and gentlemen of the county subscribed liberally, and " besides the provision of corne Mr. Baylifietook speciall care for the reliefe of the impotent, lame, aged, and younge children, whose parents were pore, and by theyr greate pabies and dailie trouble, by the consent of their brethren, there were above cc. poore and aged persons placed for theyr dyett with men of best abilitie within the cittie, and ther was weekly collected fiftie shillings of the myddell sorte, which was weekely distributed unto pore householders wanting releefe and in necessitie, which charge continewed untill ye fcaste of St. Bartlemew, 1597." In this same year an act was passed to restrain the excessive use of malt, which empowered Justices to suppress the making of that article, in order to save the grain for food. A few years hefore this period I find a statement of the " Proportion of xlZ/. by the yeare to be given to the pore by the Cathedral Church of "Worcester " : — " Allowed for the prisoners after ivs. by the monthe lijs. Allowed for xx poore householders out of the cittie after xs. by the weeke, viz., to everie one vif^. weeklie, to be chosen by the minister and churchwardens of the parish of St. Michells and fower out of St. Peter's parish and ten oute of the other parishes of the cytie, xxij??." 70 OUR "WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. SANITARY. Next to the imsatisf actory condition of tlie poor were the sanitary arrangements in the city. Swine, ducks, and dogs, prowled about the streets at their own sweet will, and when any of them accidentally gave up the ghost their dead bodies mixed a rich perfume with the dimghills piled up by the road side tlu'oughout the city. Carrion, entrails of animals, timber, and saAV- pits, were also among the impedimenta everywhere offending the nose and endangering the neck. "V^^lat wonder at plagues and pestilences 1 In the 14th year of Elizabeth it was ordered — "That cverie person that will bringe anie swyne going abroad in the streetes to the geldc hall or unto the pillorie in the come markett shal have iijd. for everie such swyne." Some 16 years later the nuisance had not been removed, for it was again ordered — " That it be carefully seen unto that swyne have not theyr course upp and downe ye cittie, being an intoUerable abuse." The l)ooks abound with orders against miskens and ducks, lilth, and all kinds of encroacliments (called " purprestures ") in the streets. Every person bringing dung to St. Clement's gate was ordered to lay the same between the gutter there and Little Pitchcroft, and no person was to cast dung from the bridge into Severn. One of the allowed recejitacles for this was on the common ground at Severn-side beyond Frog-mill, another was at the quay, and others outside some of the city gates ; there was also a jiound outside St. Martin's gate. Every inhabitant of Foregate-street was to "make cleane the ditche before theyr soiles, that the water may have his course to passe oute of the same streete, as hyt hath bin heretofore used," on default of 10s. Pits in the highway leading from Frog-gate to Severn, " whereby men do couionly dryve GATES AND WALLS. 71 or lead theyr catell to water of Severn," were ordered to "be fiUed up. Salt-lane was full of gravel pits and filth, and even the waU of the Bishop's Palace was not considered too sacred for the worst of offal. It was ordered that no sand or gravel should be dug between St. Martin's niisken, near the poimd, and Samson's stile ; nor was any clothes to be washed at the new quay, or Bytter's-slip, where the brewers fetched their water from. Three men were paid 50s. " for theyr wages for enlarging and castuig of the to^vne ditche for one month and one daye." Some offensive trades were carried on in the streets, and women washed their clothes there. Already exceedingly narrow, and still further shut out from the breath of Heaven by the overhanging gables of houses, our streets were the very hot-beds of disease and epidemics, and the encroach- ments on their restricted space were such as to seriously impede even the insignificant traffic of those days. This was submitted to, however, on condition that for each encroachment, or " purpresture," as it was termed, a fine or rent were paid. Thus, in September, 1566, Ave have a list of " Purpesters vieAved," and these included— " Mr. Wylde, for a bulke and a porclie lyeiug at Sudbury gate, next beyond the chapel there, rated by the yere at ijrf. ; a house built as p'pester in the tenure of James Wayte, rated at \i}d. ; llicardus Walker, Avith a window in his bulk, ijf^. ; a chimney and windows in the tenure of John Colambyne ; a taverne in the tenure of Jas. Pytchers, a forge, a ten't, a house without the Forgate in the tenure of Thos. Hewes ; John Laxington, for his taverne head ; Robert Colly, for a gowt goinge to Severne ; Mr. Dighton for hia posts ; and Greg. Taylor, for his chimney." GATES AND WALLS. The porters at the city gates were ordered to close them at nine o'clock in the winter and ten in the summer. Thomas Bell had 3s. 4d. a year for closing a gate every night by nine o'clock and opening it by 72 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. daylight. The porter at Sidbiiry gate had also the responsibility of attending to Frog-gate. There were towers over all the gates, as we still see them remaining in many old towns, and apartments in the towers Avere occupied for various purposes. In the reign of Mary, mention is made of " the house over Ht. INIarten's gate that the pavyer dwelleth in," and " the house that the belman dweUeth in over the pavyor's house, over St. Marten's gate," so that there were two storeys over that gate. There were also towers over Friars' gate. Frog-gate, and over the centre of the bridge : the latter let for 3s. a year in the time of Elizabeth. The tenement over St. Peter's gate let for 4d. The "tower of Foregate and the house imder" were let to George Cardmaker for 13s. 4d. At the end of High- street, near the Cathedral (before College-street was projected), there were " the College grates," or a gate- way and tower across the street, and in the tower sometime lived the barber who belonged to the Cathedral body. Largo sums were spent on the repau's of the towers and walls of the city, and when Mr. Yowle and Mv. Wyld represented the city in Parliament (Ed. 6 th) they were requested to get an Act for a grant of lands to provide £40 a year for the rej^aration of AVorcester walls and bridge. A curious bequest was made by Dame Joan Cooks (temp. Eliz.), who gave certain manors to found a school at Gloucester, and, if the conditions were not carried out, the Mayor was to forfeit £10 to the bailiffs of AVorcester to go towarils the reparations of the city walls. These walls were destroyed at the close of the civil wars. THE GUILDHALL, &c. Great attention seems to have been paid to the paving of the city about 35th and 36tli Elizabeth, and seven years afterwards a new Tollsey was built ; — THE GUILDHALL, ETC. 73 " Mem. that in the 43d yere of her Majesties rayne yt was agreed uppon that for the Avorshipp of the cittie and for the more convenyency of the sittiiige and assemblie of the Magis- trates and chief cittyzens in all theyr affayres, and business to be desyred, that a new tollsey should be forthwith built, for the enlargeing wherof and the beautifyinge thereof, Mr. Thomas More, one of the bayliffes of the sayd cittie, and of the company of the xxiv., gave freely of his owne accorde and good mynde unto the Corporation for ever the plott of grounde next adjoyninge unto the old tollsey, whereby the said new buildinge was greatlie enlarged. And this was con- cluded by common counsel of the said cittie the yere aboveseyd, in the tyme of Ed. Durant and Ed. More, gents, bayliffes of the said cittie. And afterwards, the next yere following the building and frame of the seyd new tollsey was made and erected at the onlie cost and charges of the cyttie, in the tyme of Wm. Kuigs and Roger Farley, bayliffes of the cyttie of Worcester." If this entry refers to the old Guildhall, which gave way ill 1721 to the present structure, the Elizabethan builders produced but a poor specimen of work, to last only 119 years. It reads curiously in the book of ordinances that if any one made holes in the walls, to have a knowledge of what was done within the hall, he was to pay certain penalties. Wlieii it is also taken into account that the citizens played tennis in the hall, and that plays were there performed before croAvds of people, who must have done great damage to the building ; that the gaoler lived there, and kept his prisoners in the vaidts below ; it need not be wondered at that the building lasted no longer. It seems that a special fund existed for furnishing the hall with glass windows, as it was a rule that when any citizen was elevated to the "24 or 48" (the Corporation) he paid the usual fee, besides 16s. 8d. "towards the glass windows." Fines for refusing to serve certain offices were also devoted to the same purpose. Glass was still considered a luxury, and an expensive one. In the 7th year of Elizabeth it was ordered " that all trees growing near the Council chamber window on the 71: OUR WORCESTER FOREFxVTHERfJ. west side shal be removed from thence before the law day." A vignette engraving of the present Guildhall — the handsome structure which succeeded the above-named building — faces the title-page of this little work ; and the author has the greater pleasure in presenting it on account of the recent narrow escape of this line old structure from destruction, and of the active part which he took, with others, both in and out of the Council chamber, to rescue it from the ruthless hands by which it was endangered. FIEES. Notwithstanding the issue of many orders against timber chimneys and thatch, as being the fcrtde cause of fire, as early as the reign of Etlward 4th, bricks did not supplant lath and plaster till the ITth century, when the great fire of London occasioned a stimulus throughout the country in the way of further improve- ment. There is an order on the Worcester books in 1592— " For avoyding and eschowinge of tlio damage of fficr that from henceforthe evcric person havinge messuages or tene- ments within ye x'recincts of this cyttie shal bikl and erect in every such messuage or tenement a chimney of brycke or stone, the same to be made before the nativity of owre Lord God next ensewinge, upon xiayne of \li. "for everie defawte." Huge fire-hooks were kept — they were useful in plucking down the timl)er-framed hoitses in case of fh'e— two at tlie Guildhall, one at Allhallows' steps, and a fourth near the Cardinal's Hat (now the Coventry Arms, Friar-street) ; and in 1658 the Recorder's salary (he had 40s. a-year) was diverted from that functionary's pocket to the purchase of a iire-engine. Places in each ward were appointed for keeping ladders, which were probably also used in these emergencies, and every person who removed a ladder without returning it to the proper place forfeited 3s. 4d. PEASTINGS AND VISITS. 75 GAMES. Unlawful games in the streets were much in vogue ill the time of Elizabeth, and that undue indidgence wliich is now granted to offenders in tliis line does not seem to have characterised the dealings of the Magis- tracy of the times we are contemplating. The following is an order on the point (17th Elizabeth) : — " Forasmuch as in ye open strets there is of all sortes of common people Avithyn this cytie that do use to play at un- lawful games, as bowles, sto\\-'leball,and other unla-\vful devises of plaies, whereby d'vse hurts do ensue, as well by breaking of men's glasse wyndows as also by other harmes and offences that happneth to d'vrs p'sons thereby, it is ordered that no person withynthe liberties of thys cytie, excepte sural chyldren under seaven yeres of age, shall play at any imlawful games in the stretes, as tenys, stowball, catt, and other such like, uppon paine of imprisonment." COMMOI^ HALLS. Every inhabitant was ordered to be at the Guildhall, in gOAvus or other decent apparel, by eight in the morning on the Wednesday after laW-day, to hear the by-laws and the alterations made in them read aloud and expounded by the. Town Clerk, and proclamation of this proceeding was made throughout the city. Had a response been made by all who were invited, the Guildhall woidd have presented a very small area for their accommodation. To be sure, the population was then of small account as compared with the present time, it being stated in one of the books now tmder investigation that early in the reign of Elizabeth there were but 80 freeholders in the city. EEASTINGS AND VISITS. The "collective wisdom" of this city was noted throughout its earlier career for an intense love of conviviality and good cheer, Avhicli exliibited itself on every imaginable occasion. The grand feasts given by 7G OUR WORCESTER FOREFxVTHERS. the high bailiffs (or mayors) was an institution with wliich notliin^tf was permitted to interfere, except indeed wlien the plague was in the city. AVhen the Members of Parliament returned from London, his "Worship and the Aldermen drank and smoked with them at the Globe, discussed the prospects of the nation, and advised with them as to theh futm-e votes. No opportmiity was ever known to have been lost for venison eatings, discussing pottles of sack, wine, sugar, " beare and tobacko," not only over their business meetings, but whenever any Avork of rej^air or improvement was to be inspected in the city, also after perandjulations, or when the bishop or some neighbouring nol)leman sent a buck, or when news of l)eace or war arrived. Nay, they even ran up a score at the Green Dragon when King James went to hear mass at the chajjcl on that mcmoral)le morning when Mr. Mayor Shewring, representing the Protestantism of the nation, refused to accompany his Majesty. Sir John Pakington and other distinguished visitors were treated with inj)es, wliich a commendable regard for economy induced the corporate body afterwards to burn, that they might be fit for fiu'ther duty. In 1561 the city chamberlains brought in their account for " suudric bancke([uels, drynkyngs, and rewardes given and bestowed on my Lord Presydent (of the Marches of Wales), the recorder, the Queen's judges, my Lord busshope, and others, in the behalfe and worshippe of this cittie, as by their boko didie examined dotlie and maye appeare, cxxxij//. xLv. id." In the 11th year of l^lizabeth occur the following entries : — *' For a banket made to my Lord Byshoppe and liis wife and Mr. Baylies (the higli and low bailiif), xxxiis. iijr^. " For fetching a buck from Mr. Recorder, and charges for baking the same, xviij.v. ij<^. " For a dyner made at the Trinity Hall* for my Lord Bishop at his departure, \Ui. ixs. ijJ. * Now part of Mrs. George's upholstery establishment, near St. Switliin*3 Cliurcli, FEASTINGS AND VISITS. 77 " Spent for wyiie at Mr. Dyghton's for eating of a bucke sent by M'tris Sandes, and for the bakinge thereof, xijs. xd. (In 1589) "Paid to the Lord Eyshopp at the kylling of a bucke unto the keper and syx officers, xvis." A detailed account of Queen Elizabeth's visit to this city has been published by Green, but one or two circumstances connected with that event have hitherto escaped all the local historians. For instance, " Edward Atkinson, yonian, purveyor of wines," was charged, preparatory to that visit, " to provide for us all nianer of wynes, porters, labourers, horses, geldings, drawing oxen, carts, wayns, ships, hoyes, botes, mariners, howseroome, or celloms, and all other necessaries mete and convenyente for the same office, with caryage sufiicicnte for convayance by see and lande or freshe water." The costs of that very expensive visit were defrayed by an assessment on the various wards, and it seems that Eobert Wyld, a wealthy clothier, disputed payment of the 20s. which fell to his share. The case was carried to the Court of the Marches — " Ed. Darnell, Town Clerk, v. Eobert Wyld," and the issue is thus recorded : — " Order from the Coiuicil in the Marches : 20s. demanded of Eobert Wyld towards the charges of the same cittie at the Queen's late beinge there, and the payment thereof denyed by defendant affirming hiniselfe to dwell in an exempt place out of the libertie of the said cittie. Alleged that defendant's father and himself had lived in the same house (Wyld's-lane probably), and had always paid scot and lot ; that it Avas situate within the perambidation of the liberties ; and that both had greatly advanced theyr substance in the said cittie by making of wollen cloths, and had served the office of bayliff. Ordered that he pay the amount and vi-i-. viijd towards plaintiff's costes." The receipt of this sum accordingly appears on the books. The reception of great men was a point of etiquette 78 OUR WORCESTER for6fathers. on wliicli mir ancient municipals spent mncli time and money. This "was specially noticeable with the President of the Marches of Wales, who usually passed through Worcester on his way to Bewdley, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, or other towns Avhere the GouncQ usually sat. As the representative of royalty, this important functionary stood nulli secundus in the estimation of the Worcester magnates, besides which the President and Coimcil looked for the utmost punctilio and preparation. In the 3rd year of Elizabeth an order was received here from the Council, then at Carmarthen, directing the authorities at "Wor- cester to niake provision for the Council's proposed visit to this city for six or seven days, according to a schedide sent by their steward, thus : — "Item, to prepare the fairest house and of most easement, ■which requireth to have one lodging for my lord, with two several rowmes for himself, one chamber for his gromes, and one chamber for his apparel if this may be. Item, my lord lodged, three of the council to be next placed at the lest. Item, the steward and gentleman usher or harbinger, the usher of the hale, the botler, celercr, panter, ewerer, with cooks, catorer. and porter, to be lodged within the house if it be possible. Item, thirty fcther bedds with all things bclong- ingc to the same for my lord, the council, and theyre men, at the lest. Item, ten large wayne loddes good fewcll wood, to be had and taken out of the Queen's Majesties woodc in places most necessarie ; and if there want of his Ilighness's wood then to make other provision as necessary as you may. Item, stables, hey, provender, and lytter, for twcntie horses, or more ; grass for sixty geldings and naggs for my lord and the council or more ; eight large tayble cloths, fowcr towells, and fower cupurde cloths ; six dozen napkins, thirtie candlesticks eyther pewter or latyn, as you may get them ; one greate pott or cawdron to boile beef in, fower lesser potts, and fower panns greate and small ; one grcdyron, one fryengepan, and one chafingdyshe ; one payer of racks, and fower broches ; xlviij platers, xlviij dyshcs, and xlviij sawcers ; one bryne tubbe or vessell to powdre beef in. Item, bucketts and tubbs, with other necessarie vcssells for water." Such visits as these, it will be considered, were '' no joke," but the Worcester authorities seem to have FEASTINGS AND VISITS. 79 always acquitted themselves to the satisfaction of their guests. In 1577, the rates for 14 horses, with the " furniture," to bruig the officers of the Council's household from Ludlow to Worcester, are detailed in the books, and the expense divided between the wards. The " rates for the furnyture of bedds against the Queene's Majesties Counsell coming amongst ye occu- pations " were thus allocated : the mercers had to provide three feather beds, three stock beds or mat- tresses, six pairs of sheets, six pillows, six pairs of pillow beres (cases), three good coverlets, three pairs of blankets, or " tlironi clothes ;" and the other trades were also to find their share of the bedding and other furniture. In 1578, Eichard Dawks and Eichard Hall, city chamberlains, sent in a bill of £5 for "beds, boards, formes, and chairs, delivered at ye pallace at Worcester during ye tyme of his (the President's) abode here, for the space of 20 weeks, at 6d. a week for each bed." On another occasion the sum of £6 " towards byeing of two fatt oxen for ye Lord Byshopp of Worcester " was divided between the trades, which are specified as follows : mercers, drapers and tailors, brewers, bakers, butchers and vintners, fislimongers, tallow chandlers, smiths and cutlers, tanners and saddlers, glovers, innholders and victuallers, and shoe- makers. The Earl of Pembroke, President of the Marches, arrived here in 1587, and was received at Sidbury gate by Eobert Steyner and Eaphe Bagnall, the bailiffs, with the aldermen and others, aU in scarlet, and the rest of the Corporation in their hvery gowns ; the Earl was presented with two fat oxen, and no doubt a grand feast ensued. At his departure the President gave 40s. to be distributed to the poor in bread. In 1602, Lord Zouche, President of the Council, was received at the Foregate by the bailiffs and aldermen in their scarlet gowns and afterwards lodged at the Bishop's Palace. 80 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Next morning the cliamheiiains presented his lordship ■with two fat oxen (which cost £13, a very high price indeed) in the name of the whole city, " which lie verie thankfully received." In one of the Dineley MSS., lately printed by the Duke of Beaufort, it is stated that in 1G84 the then Duke of Beaufort, Pre- sident of the Council, in his progress to "Wales, from Chelsea, via Chipping I^orton, AVorcester, and Ludlow, was nohly entertained at the Bishop's Palace in Wor- cester. The Mayor and Corporation attended him to the Cathedral and thence to the townhaU, " accom- panied with drums, trumpets, ye city waites, haut-bois, flutes, other wind music, harps Welsh and Irish, viols, violins, and other stringed instrimients." His lordsliip Avas then made a freeman of Worcester, and afterwards feasted at " a greate and noble collation by the city," who — " Infudere epulas auro quod terra quod aer, Quod pelagus, .Sei-e/7jquo dedit, quod luxus inani Ambitione furens toto quacsivit in orbe." Cheeses, lamprey jiies, capons, sugar-loaves, and wine, were the usual presents made to the Judges and other great men. In 1589 Avas the following : — " For syxe cheses sent to my lord his Grace of Canterburie and for caryage of them, for preferment of Mr. Abbotts, xvis. xr/. " Twelve cheses sent to Mr. Kerry and others, xxxvis. '* For certain cheses that were sent to London and impeired in the caryage, and there sold by them, viijs." The amenities of good neighbourship were mutually reciprocated between the Corjioration and the magnates living in the city and neighbourhood. Before the reformation, the Prior of Worcester would solicit the aid of the bailiffs and aldermen to keep Christmas in the most jovial of styles in the Guesten-hall ; succeeding Deans and Chapters fraternised with the ruling powers in a similar way ; the Bishoii would invite them to the PLAYS AND PAGEANTS. 81 liospitalities of Hartlelouiy, which, abundant as they no doubt were, never prevented these jolly old citizens from moistening themselves en route at Ombersley ; while the Coventry family (at one time connected with the Recordership of the city) gave them many a convlvium at Croome. Nineteenth century legislation and the altered habits of society have led the worthy corpora- tors to depend more on other sources of gustative enjoyment, PLAYS AND PAGEANTS. But little information has come do"\vn to us with reference to the mysteries, moralities, and pageants of the middle ages in Worcester, or the subsequent stage plays f oimded upon them. That little has already been published, and from it we learn that the " crafts," or trading companies, were in the 15th century " ordained " to have five pageants in the year — three on Corpus Christi day and two on the Simday foUowmg, " to the lawde and worship of God and for profit and encresse of the said cittie." Everybody now knows that representations of ScrijDtm^al and other subjects were in those days performed in our churches and on raised stages drawn through the streets. The religious mysteries were abolished at the reformation, but the secular plays, or moralities, survived some time longer, and formed the foimdation of the modern drama. Among the Worcester orders on a " laAv-day " in the time of Phdip and Mary is the following : — " The whole company of the common Council of the cytie to accompanie all processions, and the stewards of all those companies and fellowshipps shal likewyse be at the seyd pro- cessions and slial goe in decent ordre one aftur another, as lierafter shalbe apoynted by the bayliff, and not uppon heajDes as heretofore hath bin accustomed, upon payne of xxs., and all companies shal prepare theyr shows uppon Corpus Christi day as hath byn of old tyme accustomed." 82 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. The first English modern play (tragedy) was produced in 1561, and four years after that date in the "Worces- ter accounts an allowance of 20s. is made to Henry Hybbjnis " towards his greatc chardges concernyng the settyng furth of a plaie in September." Travcllmg companies of players Avere licensed by the Crown, and many of them assumed the name of some nobleman as their patron. They were always admitted to play, and . received their pay from the Corporations of the various towns through which they passed. In 1583 an order was made — "That no players cominge to this cittic shal phiie at the Guildehall by night, neither in summer nor winter, nor anie plaies played in the daye tyme in the said Guildehall except such as are plaied before Mr. Baylifl'es or theyr brethren." This was to ensure due order being kept, as it appeared that during the plays there was much tippling going on in the hall, and tlie Avindows were broken. Tobacco, wine, and lieer, were subsequently discussed at plays, for the audience (as also at chiu'ch !) some- times smoked in those days. Pageants, or open-air performances, were not discontinued on the introduc- tion of plays proper. In the iirst year of Elizabeth it Avas ordained — "That the pageants shal be dryven andplayed upon Corpus Christi daye this yere accordyng to the anciente custome of the cytie, and that everie one of the conion Council of this cittie shall goc in procession uppon Corpus Christi daye in theyr lyveries accordynge to theyr cawlinge and the aunciente custome of this citte, uppon paine of forlitting iijs, i\d. for everie defawte." In the 8th year of the same reign another order appears : — "That the pageants shalbe plaied this year upon Trinity Sondaye thre of them and other two pageants ujjon ye Sondaye foUowinge, with as good matter and order as before tyme they have bin played, or better, at the charge of ye occupations (trades) accustomed, uppon payne as in the Act of the veld is mencioned." , DOING PENANCE. 83 Tlie sum of 18d. is accounted for in 1584 as having been received of the weavers for half-a-year's rent of " a tenement where ye pageants were ; " and this " Pageant House," situate near the old Corn-market, was in the 17th and 18th centuries held under the Corporation hy the warden of the Clothiers' Company, but there is no trace of that name attached to any house now existing that I am aAvare of. In 1593 is an entry of £4 "bestowed upon ye Queue's trompeters and players," and Lord Dudley's and other noblemen's companies paid the city frequent visits. But their evil day was approaching ; they fell into great disre];>ute for their irregularities and licen- tiousness, and were among the first of the abuses at which the Puritan levelled his anathema, so that when the period of the Commonwealth arrived the poor player no longer strutted his brief hour uj)on the stage, but was glad to enter the ranks of the royalist army or subsequently to hide in remote places till the storm was over. The restoration of Charles XL brought the players from their holes and corners, gave them new Hfe, introduced women on the stage, and in every town either the large room of an inn or a commodious barn was fitted up for their reception. The Worcester Trinity- hall and a timber building in the King's Head Inn yard, opposite the Guildhall, were for many years applied to the purpose, tUl the present theatre was erected. DOmG PE:t^ANCE. On the 7th of May, in the seventh year of Edward 6th (1553), the minister of St. Helen's Church (sup- posed to be Richard Hall) was compelled to do penance in his own church, for having contumaciously adhered to the exploded superstitions of the Eomish Church in regard to the departed soul of a citizen. The document relating thereto is a curious one : — 84 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. •' The copye of the clerk's penance of Seynte Ellynes, comaunded by the Bishop of Worcester, •'Whereas the Kinge'sMajestie our Sovrayne Lord Edward ye Sixt by God's grace by all men's lawes and godlye autorytye by his most holsome and godlye ordinances hath comanded all false and papisticall doctrine and the suspicion ■whereof to be abolished and clearclye extincte out of this his most excellent and prosperous realme so that his Majestie intending the whole distruccion of false and papisticall doc- trine of everie parte yet I my selfe partlie for lack of know- ledge and partlie by thrcatninge of such as beare authority have not onlie usyd the belles of my parish church on Saynct Elins of Worcester superstitiou.sly at the dcathe of such as hatli of late departed but alsoe with such companie as I could geat to niayntain the popish superstition entered ijito the church of St. Elins and made fast the doors of the same church and so superstitiouslie ronge a long time all the bells for ye soule of Mr. Thomas P'ton cittyzen of this citie of AVorcester contrarie to the most hoUsome godlie laws of the Kinges Majestie that comandeth not onlie superstition but also all popish remembrance thereof to be expulsed by God's true word out of this his Highness realme and my satisfaccion is onlie this to praie to God and the Kinge to forgive me with most erncst entent never to offend in the like again. God save the King." This was no doubt the form of recantation said hy the priest in his church, before the congi-egation, he being bare-headed, barefoot, and wearing a sheet. A SKIRMISH AT THE FOEEGATE. That the general carrying of arms by all classes of citizens frequently led to bloocLshcd and the most tragi- cal termination of quarrels is abitndantly proved in the old records. Here is an instance, as seen in depositions taken before the high bailiff and high aldermen of the city of Worcester, on the 12th of March, in the 3rd year of Philip and Mary : — " Depositions of Wm. Carter, Rd. Gough, and Thos. Mowll. Rd. Gough, being of the age of fortie two, saith that uppon Wensday being ye tenth ^iarche aforesaide it chaunced that he about nine of the clocke before noone was in his shoj^p where he dwcUeth nigh to ye Eoregate of the saide cytie and A SKIRMISH AT THE FOREGATE. 85 then and there he saw in the lane before his shope a servant of Mr. Ashebeis standyng by certaine grehondes which Avere eatynge apon a dede carren horse there lyen and Mr. Ashebye hymselfe standen neare thereunto, to the which said Mr. Ashebie one Phelype Nycholas come byddj-nge hym take away his grehondes, to whom' he answerd and said it is as lefull for my dogs to eate of a dead carren lying in this place as anie other man's doggs, whereupon the saide Phelype sware and saide by God's woundes* his doggs should not eate of that carren for it was his masters and thereupon dyay, and were obliged to do so. At Wellington, Somersetshire, a few soldiers pressed in Devonshire, and on their way to the north, murdered their officer, dragged his body about 94 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. tliG streets, and disTjaudcil tlicmselves. Captain "VVolseley encouraged his soldiers to toss the Mayor of Scarborougli in a blanket, and said he Avonld make him know that the military was above the civil power. No wonder that Englishmen wished the wars were over. In the aforesaid muster order of 1577 instructions were also given to pay regard to the maintenance of archery in every parish, and that " other unlawful games be utterly barred." Henry VIII. passed an act that all persons under 60 years of age were to have bows and arrows, and in 1578 a local order was passed "That the butts be made in everie place where they have bin accustomed to be niade within the liberties of this cittie before the ascension of our Lord God next comynge, at the charges of theni who before tyme have bin charged therwith, uppon payne of xiij.'?. ivd. for everie paiere immade ; " but neither Act of Parliament nor local bye-laAV could prevent this weapon dying a natural death and giving place to gunpowder and the musket. Complaints were made that there was too much bowling and too little shootiiifj, so laws were passed to put a stop to the games with -which men recreated themselves (shove-groat, dice, cards, liowling alleys, "trowle madam," &c.), in the hope of driving men to archer}'- ; but all was of no use : bows and arrows very nearly died out with the 16th centmy. As a pleasant modern poet sings — The curtle-axe is out of date ! The good old cross-bow bends to Fate ; 'Tis gone the archer's craft ! No tough arm bends the springing ye-vv, And jolly draymen ride in lieu Of Death ujDon the shaft. Farewell, then, ancient men of might ! Crusader, errant-squire, and knight ! Our coats and customs soften ; To rise would only make you weep ! Sleep on, in rusty iron, sleep, As in a safety coffin ! MUSTERS OF SOLDIERS. 95 Great consideration was sliown, in the orders for musters, not to burden the poorer sort of householders, and also that the days for training should be chiefly on holidays ; likewise much precautioik was recommended in not wasting powder and bullets unnecessarily ; the pay allowed was 8d. a day. In the year last-named the following was issued, which will prove interesting to our modern riflemen : — " Orders howe ev'y p'son tliat shalbe trajoied shalbe towght to handell and use his peece : "Imp's, that eyerie such p'son be instructed how to handell and cary his piece, flaske, and toucheboxe, and also to mstruct him Avhat weighte of shotte and powder is meete for his peece. Then to teech him howe in handsom man'r he shall charge his peece, and after howe to laye it to his cheeke ; and being once acquainted howe to charge, then to teache him how to cary and shoote of his peece at randome, and afterwards to be towt to shoote at a marke certen, the same to be distante the iittermost levell of the peece. Item, after being at the two first meetings experienced how to handell and charge his peece and to shoote at a marke, at the laste meetinge they are to be trayned further howe uppon a small stay eyther in marche or skyrmishe they may most redely shote and spedely charge and discharge the said peece. Item, at everie daye appointed in instruccons for the tramming the gentleman apoynted to this charge shal give order that the private per- sons apoynted to be trayned shall not use except at such time and in such order as he shalbe comanded so to do, provided that at everie such time of meeting he shal not shoote above ten shottes of the common alowance of bullett and powder allotted unto him by the chardges of the countrie. Item, that the peces, before the trayning, be visited by the gentlemen, to be goode and meete for the purpose, and not such as are like to breake or doe any harme. Item, that good care be had and greate charge be given out in the tyme of the skyrmishe or exercise at theyr last meeting, no peece to be leden with bullett or otherwise, to be shott of whereby anie person may be harmed or put in hassard of lief or lyme. Twenty bolts for the calyver of the tower is just one pound weight, and one pound of powder will make xxv. shot, allowed f weight of powder to everie bolt, and the ov'plus after that rate is five shots more, Avhich is for touche powder, so that m the whole XX. bolts are to be made the pounde and xxx. shott to the pound of powdre, whereof five allowed for touche poudre." 96 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Then follow the names of 12 soldiers (out of 200 to be trained in the county), with an inventory of their accoutrements. The levies at this time were generally of men between 21. and 50 years of age. In 1578 the following odd jumble of household furniture and armour is called — " An inventorie of the armore and harnes belonging to the cittie in the tymc of E,d. Dawks and Ilic. Hall, chamberlaynes there : one brascn stryck, a pecke, a gallon, and one yarde ye p'mytts, all of brasse ; xi shevcs of arrows, Avhereof vij remaincth, and one bowe bought of Thos. Broke, x calyvers, whereof fyve were sent into Yerland (Ireland) ; x flasks and X tmche boxes, whereof fyve into Yerland ; ix head pecces and viij moulds, all sent into Yerland ; viij gorgetts of mayle ; vi black bylles, whereof iij remayneth ; one pottell potte, one quart pott, and one pinte of pewter, one payer of aundyers (fire-dogs), one payer of tonges, one paire of tables, one fyre forke, one payre of bellowes, one fyre showell, ij mettclothes, one masser (drinking bowl), bound at the tojjp with sylver, and a rose in the bothim, beinge parcel gylt ; one carpet of orrys worke and another Ycnyce carpett, sixe greatc quyssyons (cushions) and fyve siual qussions of sackcloth, ij vaynes of ireon (weathercocks ?) having uppon them the city's armes, whereof one is at the gras cross (the cross which stood nearly opposite the present Civet Cat), xi buckets of leather." A warrant or order from the Council of the Marches in Wales was received in \Yorcester in 1597 for 50 soldiers to be furnished at an hunr'tf notice to serve in Ireland; they were to be marched to Bristol. The towns of Evesham, Bengeworth, and Shipston, " by reason of the plague of thcyr povertic, not to be charged therewith." Charges are frequently made for mending armour ; and in 1595, " Frances Hewes, sorgin, for his cures don to pore souldicrs," was paid 30s. The two succeeding years involved a great demand for soldiers for Ireland, and on the records appears a letter from the Privy Council to the bailiffs of A\''orcester requiring " contributions towards setting forth of ships for Bris- towe for the defence of the countrie." liobert Warm- stry and Rowland Berkeley, two of the leading men of THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 97 the city, were entrusted to manage this matter, and the result Avas that the " contribution " of this city was commuted for £40, Avhich they agreed to pay, " at the same time praying not to be called on againe to subscribe towards Bristowe, from Avhich ye city of Worcester is very remote, and hath no connection by merchandyse or otherwise, nor anie vessells cominge up thence by the river but which are onlie our clothiers and other artificers." In the same reign a " commission for saltpetre " Avas issued (Avas this connected Avith the manufacture of gimpoAvder 1) authorising the local authorities to " dig and break grounde in barns, stables, and other places convenient for saltpetre, in our realme of England, as Avell in the late suppressed and dispossessed abbeys and houses of religion, oidd castles, as elscAvher, A\athin franchises and liberties as without." "\\1iat can lie the meaning of such curious localities being selected 1 At present, om- main supply of saltpetre is from Bengal, Avhere it exists in the soil, and from Avhich the rough nitre, or crude saltpetre, is obtained by Avashing, evaporation, and crystallization. In France, Germany, and other countries, the salt is jjroduced artificially, in Avhat is called nitrarias, or nitre beds. THE STEEETS AND HIGHWAYS. Anionf; the mutations Avhicli Worcester has under- gone, the names of its streets, higliAvaj^s, inns, &c., are prominent, and Avell deserve consideration ; and although to pursue the subject into all its ramifications Avould demand more time and research than the Avriter has at his disj)osal, he has endeavoured to note a feAV of the changes Avhich have come to his knowledge in a rather extensiA^e search of documentary records apper- taining to the city and neighbomdiood : — Angel-street : formerly called Anger-lane or Angel's- lane, also the horsefair before the time of Elizabeth. 98 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. I luivc hoai'il that iViigel-street took its name from an ancient hostelry called tlie Angel, at tlie top of the street, the back premises of which extended into Broad- street, by the side of Mr. Skarratt's present shoji ; but this rec|uires confirmation. At the bottom of Angel- street was formerly an orchard Ijelonging to the adjoming friary ; in 1624 it Avas piu'chased by an order of the Corpdi'ation and converted into a burying ground in consec^uence of the crowded condition of the Cathedral yard ; and when full of bodies, being closed for some time, the Corporation timied it into a sheep- market, which not being further required when the present cattle-market was constructed, it was left as an open space for the reception of carts, &c., on market diiys. In an old map this space is described as having then been All Saints' ]:)iu-ying ground. Smock or Smoke-alley, leading out of this street tow^artls Black- friars, has been of late dignified with the name of Angel-row ; and IVtorton S(|uare, in the same row, I am informed, was formerly known as the Friars' Mall, being part of the land behmgiug to the Black Friars. Barhourne : at least 500 years ago was called Bevcu'- burne and Bereburne, and in the time of Eichard II. Bcrbomuie and Berl>one. llalnngdon says: "The north gate, commonly called Foregate, and proi)erly Forest-gate, and thence to the north barrs of the city " (he probably means Bar-bourne). Boiu'ne means a brook, and Bever-bourne may have meant " the beaver- brook," and BeA^ere " the beaver island," as being anciently the haunts of beavers. Or Bar-l)ourne may have meant the l)ar, or gate, or boundary, at the brook. Bcdh-road : Avas called Tewkesbury-Avay. Biuik-drect : PoAvick-lane, Poytes-lanc (in 1010 map). The loAA'^er portion of this street is still calletl b}' the original name. Brichje-atreet : cut through some houses Avhich formerly connected NeAA^port-street Avitli Quay-street, THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 99 and passing tlu'ough the gardens behind them, ajjproaching the river, Avherc the new bridge was opened in 1781, and the old bridge at the bottom of Xewport-street, after an existence of 468 years, was destroyed. At the top of Bridge-street, and bottom of Broad-street, was the beast-market, from which an alley (called Rush-alley) ran down to the river in tlie same direction as the present Bridge-street. Here the poor rush-sellers held their little market from time immemo- rial, until the spring of 1876, when they were ruth- lessly driven away by the police. I agree witli my friend Mr. Haywood, Avho gave me these particulars, that probably this was one of the oldest market places in the city, as in the middle ages rushes were in con- stant use to strew the floors botli of our churches and private dwellings, before the application of Avood or stone to that purpose. Broadlieatli : (in an ancient lease) " St. Giles's, near Licldieath, commonly called Broadheath." Bromwlch-lane, St. John's : this lane, I am told, was once the Malvern-road and called Hardwick-road, and afterwards Swan-post lane. Swan-pool was called Hardwick-pool, and belonged to the court-house of Hardwick IManor, within the manor of St. John's, and belonging to the Dean and Chapter. One of the cottages now has a board on it with the name " Hard- wick's Spring Cottages." Bash-icalJi : leading out of the Bull-ring, St. John's, towards Henwick; on an old map is named Rosemary- lane. Probably that was before the opening of Henwick ]N"ew road. Birdport : the changes in this name have arisen more from the diversity of spelling in the olden time than from any other cause. It is spelt in two ways hi one deed — as far back as Edward I. — namely, Brydport, and Brudeport; subsequently it was denominated Byrdeportt, Bearport, Beerport, and Burport. 100 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Bull-enfnj : probaLly an inn at the top of this entry gave the iiaiuc to it, or some Mr. Biill had property there. The Butls : this nauie, wliich .shouhl properly have l)eeu confined to the road from the cattle-market up to the Five Ways Inn, and the Little Butts and Back lUitts to the back of the Star Hotel, has now been ap])lied to the whole of the highway from thence to Saltdane, tliereby supphuiting the proper name of the Back-walk. This is a small part of the mischief done a few years ago by the meddling of a very incourpetcnt ])arty then in the Town Council, as I shall hereafter show. What a])pears in old maps as the Little Butts is now called the IJutts Walk, and the Back Butts is now the Cherry Tree AVaik. Cross : in the map of 1610 is represented as opposite to where Mr. Birley's shop now is and facing Broad- street. This was the Grass-cross, a market for butter, cheese, and fruit, being held there ; labom-ers and servants standing there at set tunes to be liired (these al)()ininable m(i])s are very ancient in Worcester). A high cross of stone stood there, and probably grass gi'ew more or less about the site. There Avas an inn at the Cross, called " The Golden Cross Inn," stiU commemo- rated by the name of j\Lr. Allen's outfitting establish- ment ; also another inn called " The Talbot," celebrated for some of the venison feasts of the Corporation. C'oU'y '-street : taken out of the original cemi'tery of tlic Cathedral, or clmrchyard of 8t. Michael's, under the powers of Acts of Parliament Geo. 3, Avhei'el)y a new entrance was made to the city from London, instead of through Lich-street, and for the first time the sanctuary of the Cathedral was In'oken mto by taking down (a1)0ut 1795) the College-grates — agate- house with tenement over, forming the entrance into College-yard, and connecting the houses at the top of Licli-street with those across the way. From Edgar- THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 101 street across to Messrs. Eaton's was also previously closed lip vnth houses and gardens. As to the cemetery, the history of that will be found in my " Monastery and Cathedral of Worcester." It may however he stated that the ancient cemetery, or burial ground, con- tained old St. Michael's Church (opposite to its present site) ; and close to the church a great bell tower or clochium, with lofty spire, covered with lead ; a great number of houses (long since removed) irregularly ranging on the north side of the Cathedral ; a chapel over the charnel-house, or subterranean deposit of human bodies, a portion of the vaidt being still in exis- tence, between the north porch of the Cathedral and the present gateway to the Deanery (then the Bishop's Palace) ; a great cross, at which sermons were preached to the citizens before the Reformation; an avenue of trees and patliway leading from the porch to the gates, and other trees around the bmying gromid ; a pathway from the north porch to St. Michael's church, which then stood in the churchyard opposite to its present site ; a pathway from the College-grates to tlie back of the Talbot entry ; and a pathway from the lich-gate to St. Mary's Steps, near Edgar Tower (which pathway was called St. Mary's Alley). Mr. Woof has obligingly shown me a tracing of the original MS. plan of George Young (1794) for laying out and making College-street. The lich-gate, through which all fiuierals passed, is stiU in existence near the Punch-bowl. CJmrch-street : was called the Dish-market, near St. Swithin's church. Corn-market : formerly Corn-cheaping ; luit now its ancient occupation's gone, as there is such a rage for getting rid of good old names, will soon jirobably be turned into Victoria-place, or (in honour to its Music- hall) Apollo-square ! Castle-street : a very unnecessary and silly alteration of probably the most ancient name in the city, viz., 102 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Salt-Ian c, or Salt-way. This is supposed to have been the higliAvay of the salt traffic from DroitAvich to the Severn before the time of the Eomaii eonquest ; and that a junta of old ladies in the 19th century should pre- vail upon the ruling ])o\vers to set aside such landmarks as this, and substitute the totally unmeaning name of Castle-street (there never having been a castle near the spot) is a great pity, especially when Ave consider the difficulties such alterations of names occasion in the identilication and transfer of property, and also that the previous existence of a Castle-place, near Edgar Tower, is the source of much confusion in the delivery of post letters, d'c. The name of Salt-lane has been restored by the ruling poAvers, but many priA^ate parties, auctioneers and others, still persist in calling it by its absui'd and unnecessary ucav name. At the bottom of this lane, the site of the present inlirmary Avas formerly called Artichoke Field. Copenliagen-sireet : changed from Cooken-street a fcAv years ago, AA'hen humble and ancient names and landmarks began to be despised, and high-sounding titles substituted. Copenhagen, having a fancifid resemblance in sound to Cooken, Avas adoi)ted perhaps in compliment to our neighbours the Danes, or in memory of the bombardment of their city ; the silly godfathers of the new name having no respect for the associations attached to the ducking or cucking-stool Avliich formerly conveyed scolding Avomen doAvn this Avay to the SeA'ern, and so gave rise to the ancient name of the street. Several centuries ago it Avas spelt Cokyn, Koykn, Clicking (in map of 1610), Coken (EdAvard IA\), and in the last century Cookend and Cooken. In the palmy days of the clothing trade it was one of the most flourishing streets in the city ; and the Avoolsack, Avhich may still be seen carved on the liargeljoards of one of its old houses, AA'as the badge of that trade. In 1745. the corner house turning from Cooken-street inin THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 103 Birclport was occupied by James Higgius, clothier, who had for his neighboiTrs, east and north, John Eeynolds, a clothier, and one jNIence, a glover. In this same street, about 1667, lived John Jakeman, "barber, chinu'geon, and iimholder." Mr. Christopher Dighton (one of the bailiffs or mayors), who figured largely on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth's visit to Worcester, held leases of several houses at the top of the street; and at the bottom, near the " key or wharf," was " a common storehouse- and prison called Eridewell for the said city;" this was in 1694. Chesnut-street : Chesnut-Avalk, anciently adjoining or part of A^^liston fields. Church-icalk (St. Clement's) : Cold Comfort was its ancient name. Crotcn-east : improperly so termed of late. It was Cro-nest in the time of Elizabeth ; CroAvenyst in Philip and Mary ; John of CroAV-nest is mentioned temp. Henry 6th ; and the very earliest mention of it yet met with (about Edward 1st) is Crow-nest. [Although this place is at some distance from the city I make no ajDology for mtroducing it here, as I shall likewise do in other instances where modern errors may be corrected by old deeds. Xo doidit Crow-nest derived its name from an ancient rookery, as many names l)oth of families and places originated from natm-al objects.] Diglls : Duglies, Digiies, D'Eglise, Duydeley, Digley, and other variations. DohJay : Doldale, Dowldall (in a will of 1607). Is not this name and that of Merryvale significant of church fasts, charities, and festivals 1 Although the Black Friars were themselves sturdy beggars, probably they dispensed doles to the poor in Dolday, which was just outside their walls, and assisted at the periodical rejoicings in Merryvale opposite. This however is purely conjectiu-al. Would not the latter be more properly Miryvale 1 104 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Edgar-street and Toicer : Edgar Tower was called " St. Mary's gate," " the great tower," or " gatelioiLse to the monastery " of St. Mary, and the .steps leading down to the street near the tower are still called St. Mary's Steps. The name of Edgar Tower seems a modern application, as I have nowhere met with it till the last ctintury ; and the same may be said of Edgar- street, which was probably a name given at the same time, as complimentary to the memory of King Edgar. Every one now knows that this tower could not have been built by that monarch, but Avas probably erected in the time of King John, as appears by a portion of the architecture, and there being, indeed, a tradition to that effect mentioned hj Habingdon. With regard to Edgar-street, it was called " The Knoll," or " Knowle's- end," in allusion to the knoll or rising ground on which the gateway, castle, Sic, stood. In the most ancient records " Stodemaris' Knoll " is the name used. " The place or street called le knoll " (Ed. 2nd) ; " Ten. s'c'do ab hospicio de le trumpe v'sus angulum de le Knolle " (Hen. 6th). This means " the second tenement I'roni the hos])ice or inn called the Trumpet, towards the corner of the Knoll ; " this is curious. " In vico vocat KnoUes-end : " in the street called Knolles-end (Charles 2nd). Knowles-end is mentioned long ai'ler Edgar- street began, just as we still contin'ae (and rightly so) to use the names Salt-lane and Erog-lane instead of their absurd modern substitutes. Thomas, in his " Survey," says that Edgar-street was so called before 1736. In a map dated 1741 the name Edgar- street is iised, while Knowles-ond is applied to the bottom part or corner of the street. Foregate-street : anciently called Forest-street and JiTorthgate-street. These names did not precede or follow each other, but were used indiscriminately. As early as Edward 2nd it was called Forigate. The /ore gate Avas derived from its being the principal gate or THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 105 entrance to the city ; north gate alluded to its geogra- phical position ; and forest street to the fact that in former times the forest of Feckenham came nearly up to the city in that direction. Temjy. Henry 6th, a " tyle-'hou&Q in Foryatt " is mentioned, as though tiles were then a novelty ; and " a tenement in the same street in the holding of sissoris grinder " — a curious attempt to blend the Latin and the vernacular in the description of a humble calling which we should now designate by the name of " a razor grinder."* As late as the 17th century it was occasionally called Forest- street ; and at the same period, in a lease, is the des- cription of " a tenement nigh to Foregate or JsTorthgate, at the coiner leading towards Sansome's stUe." !N^orth- gate and Foregate are used indiscriminately till about a century ago. A very large portion of Foregate-street was destroyed by the cavaliers in the civil wars. Friar-street, or Grey Friars-street : has unaccountably remained without change in name, which it derived from the Grey Friars, who had a house on the site of the late city gaol. Habingdon informs us that there was a gate opening from the friary into the city ; and without the city Avail, which passed near there, was the church of St. Lawrence ; and within the wall was St. Lawrence-lane, which, between K^eedlers-street (Pump- street) and Lich-street, made a passage into High-street. That lane is not now in existence, nor any memory of its whereabouts, unless it was the present Grainger's- entry, which at the bottom is stopped up by some old- looking houses. Fish-street : has undergone many changes, such as St. Aiban-street, St. Mary-street, Cowell-street, and in an old lease I have found : " Fish-street, formerly called or known by the name of Corvers-street alias St. * About 1570, " Broke, the virginal maker," of High-street, is mentioned; and a broker (David Morgan) first appears about a century ago. 106 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Alban's-street."' It was Cornish-street in the time of Henry 6. Probably also Corviser's-lane, a street for shoemakers, most trades having then their o^ati sj)ecial habitats. As early as the time of Edward 2nd, Thomas de Dene, " corvisarins," is mentioned as having a shoj) in this street. What is now called Little Fish-street Avas Hnxter-street in the tune of Henry 5th, Hockstere-strete fenij). Eichard 2nd ; and in 1287 there is mention of "a hall called la Guyld- hallo in Hnxtaro-street." This could not have been the Townhall, but pvobablj^ a house for a guild, or fraternity, or trading club. A deed of the time of liichard 2nd mentions " Hockester-streete near Yeld- hall." Habingdon says this was once a market of hucksters. Within living recollection there were barracks on the west side of Little Fish-street, and a regiment was almost continually stationed there, and the offending soldiers were flogged either in Payne's INIeadows or at the Hiding-house in Frog-lane. West of St, Alban's Church was at one time called ]\Iardyko, where the jwrcelain factory was and JNlessrs. Dent's gloving is noAv carried on. I suppose Mardyke relates to the highway between the church and th(^ above establishment. Feanxil-hpjilli : called Vernal-heath (meaning {/reen heath) in 1697, and no doubt the correct name. Group-lane : im])roperly so called ; should be Grope- lane ; it was Grope-street in 1 600. Hylton-strccf : ITylton-street (Honry 7th) ; Hill-ton lane (1611); lluiton lane (1780). Was not this to denote the lane leading to the toicn on the lull (Henwick) % London-road .• called Oxford-road in a directory of 1793. Lich-street : altered to this from Leech-street a few years ago. Both modes of spelling prevailed in the olden tiuies. It meant the street of the dead, as THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 107 corpses were taken throxigh it, passing under the lich- gate, hy the Punch-boAvl Inn, to be buried in the Cathe- dral cemetery. This was the entrance from London before College-street Avas made, and was occupied by respect- able tradesmen, like any other street. In 1690, A. Hopkins, currier, F. Sogers, apothecary, and J. Ward, shoemaker, resided there; and in 1751, among its inhabitants were J. CalloAv, glover, J. Harris, barber, E. Barr, hair merchant, Jos. Yarnold, glazier, Wm. Davies, bricklayer, besides gunsmiths, tailors, &c., and several notable inns, one of Avhicli at least still exists by the same name, which I shall show Avhen I come to treat of inns in general. But when the fiat Avas passed for the College-street improvement, vested interests (as in the more recent case of the old Corn-market) had to give way, and not a Avord about compensation is said in the records, although poor Lich-street must rapidly have dwindled doAvn to Avhat it is noAV. Is^o more lumbering AA'aggons, heavily laden Avith goods and joas- sengers, turned its sharp angles en route for the metro- polis ; the ncAv road offered a much finer bit of galloping ground for the fast coaches Avhich then began to appear upon the scene, and so Lich-street soon jDut on the aspect of those little toAvns or A'illages Ave noAv" see unprovided Avith a raihvay. Mealcheapen-street : sometime knoAvn as Cheese- cheeping-street, and in the map of 1610 called Oytmeal market. All kinds of flour and meal were sold here, as the unmanufactured corn was in the square or open space below. Musewn-passage : formerly and still knoAvn as Cheshire-cheese-entry, but I knoAV not the origin of the name ; probably there Avas an inn of that name there, and a tradition remains that the first coach Avhich plied from Worcester to London was driven from the Cheshire Cheese yard (a large open space before the Museum Avas built on a part of the site.) This seems to confirm the idea of an inn haAdng been there. 108 OUR WORCEiSTER FOREFATHERS. New-street : called in the Cathedral records Glove- makcrs'-street (" in vico cyrothecariorum," as early as the 13th century; Olovare-strcet ft'jw^). Edward 2nd; subsequently Glover-street (perhaps the habitat of glovemakers. ) Tlie first date of its 7iew name I have met with in the Corporation records is 15G7, but it has been called New-street (iUks Glover-street until witliin the last century, llabingdon says it was rightly called New-street, " for I have not heard of any ancient houses there," (the old ones now standing being probably new erections in his time.) Newport-street : Habingdon says : " Newport, Eport, or Eyeport (eye signifies water) ; })erhaps the port or key where are the vessels which bring in and carry out commodities." In a deed some 200 years old, Ewjiort alias Newport-street is named, and " Maddock's-slip " as leading from that street (to Severn, perhaps through the water-gate.) As late as 1773, Eau})ort-street appears. At the bottom of the street you met with the city wall, parallel with the Severn ; in which wall was the water gate, and a little further to the ri^ ht St. Clement's Church. Looking to the left was the bridge, on the top of which Avas " a t'airc tower," and a passage over thQ water to " the Pinch," (still so called). The old waterworks were on an island in the river between the old and new bridges. About two centuries ago, an inn, called the Red Lion, was immediately at the west end of the bridge, and kept by a widow Chance ; and on the Worcester i^ide, AVm. Astley, a shoemaker, lived in a tenement described as being " six and a halfe taylors' yards wide and twelve and a halfe long." (Tailors' measures were used in public measurements until the present standard was fixed by statute, I think in 1824.) In 17-51, Henry Hill, tobacconist, occupied the house adjoining tlu; "Worcester side of the bridge. Houses were described as being " on the wall " near the bridge : perhaps they were built into the wall, as a part of St. Clement's Church seems to have been. THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 109 Newdlx-eourt : Newdick's-court derived its name from its founder. In some documents I have seen it called Newditch-court, but this is an error. Henry Newdick was a member of the Corporation in the 15th century, and his name appears among those who covenanted with the Prior and Convent for the terms on which Henwick water was to be conveyed to the Cathedral. He is mentioned (among other famous citizens, self-elevated) as having left his name to posterity in the erection of Newdick's- court, and this now Avretched place may then have contained his residence. Palace-yard : formerly Bishop's-street, leading from the College-gates to the old gates of the Palace (now the residence of the Very Eev. the Dean.) P amp-street : was originally Needlers-street or Nelder- street. Mention is made in an old document of needle makers living in St. Helen's parish. That portion of this street wliich is between the Shambles and Friar- street was called Eadam's Vine, or Ballam's Vine (origin or meaning not known.) There was a IN'adere-street temp. Edward 2nd, probably Pump-street. The modern name, I have heard, was given to this street as being the first in which a pump was erected. PoweU's-roiv, St. Juliu's : in the earliest records of the city Eotten-row is mentioned as a prominent member of the pendicle of St. John's. A very old inhabitant remembers about 70 or 80 years ago a builder living in St. John's named PoweU, who bought a row of houses which her mother, she thinks, called " Eotten-row ; " he built a few more houses at the end of the row and then called it Powell's-row ; his executors sold most of the property to Mr. Bevan, a maltster, who died and left it to his nephew, Mr. J. J. Morton, who, a few years ago, gave it up to his son, Mr. F. B. Morton. Pitchr.roft : Pursecroft in time of Hemy the 7th ; Prestcroft, and a great variety of other spellings at later periods. 110 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Qua ij-sf reef : Cayeii-street {Hen. 7tli) ; Keiiie-street, 1670; Keyen-street, 1724; and Cain or Key-street sub.sequently. " Woodstart- street, nigli unto ye key or water "wharf," is mentioned in the time of Elizabeth, and at a much earlier period it waa spelt " Woodstaff- street ; " in a document more tlian 300 years old it is called " "NVoodstath-street, alia.->- Iveyue-street," so that it probably liad rGceivcd its new jiame early in the 15th century. St. Maiiirt^s-gate : formerly Clap-gate, and Avhich ought to have been allowed to remain, as indicating that at this spot the citizens obtained access to the fields beyond the city wall by means of a little gate which on being opened clapped on one side and tire other, as we still see in many places. SI. NtrhulaH-street : Avas the garden market or Gaol- lane. The lane led to the old city gaol, situate on the site of the gardens and property now belonging to Avemic House and cottages adjacent in Trinity Gardens. The entrance to the old gaol was near the premises till recently occupied as a Savings-bank. At the back of this, according to an advertisement in a Gloucester paper in tho-year 1712, was a large piece of void ground, " whereon might be built a handsome street or square ; which, being near the heart of the city, it is presumed, might turn out to great advantage. The like quantity of land lying altogi'tlier iu the heart of a city is scarcely to be seen in England." And the house in the Avenue, at the Cross, now occui)ied by ]\Iessrs. Corbett, solicitors, was described as "A new large Sash'd House, built after the modern Fashion, and well- vaulted, a Garden containing an Acre of Land, with a large Court before th(! House, Coach-House and Stables, fit for a Gentle- man or a "Wholesale Tradesman.'' St. ^Xicholas-street was at that time no street, or rather thoroughfare, there being no outlet to Lowesnioor except for foot passengers, who had to go through a narrow entj'y with turnstile. THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS, 111 A public-house called the Dolphiu stretched across the street to where the old depot, or police-station was ; aud the entry Avas at the left of that public-house. The last house which then stood in the lane is still in exist- ence close to the same spot ; and its old doorway and timber speak for themselves. The jDremises adjoining were then a workshop and timber-yard belonging to a Mr. Powell. Opposite are tenements, some of which were used as a parish Avorkhouse before the building of the present house of industry. The cattle-market was once held in Gaol-lane, and the garden and butter markets close to St. ^Nicholas Church. St. Swithin-sfreet : Gosethrotelane (Hen. 6th), Grass- cross-lane (Ed. 4th), Gosethorne-lane early in the 16th century, Gosse-lane in map of 1610, and in a later document " Goosethi'ottle-lane, corruptly called Goose- lane." Probably these are but corruptions of Grass- cross-lane, or the lane leading to Grass-cross ; or it may have been the market for the sale of poultry and geese. It has also been termed Little Mealcheapen-street. Sansome-street : went by the name of the Town-ditch, Avhich ran along outside the city wall into Watercourse- alley (still so called from its ancient connection witli the ditch) and so on round the east of the city to Sid- bury and the Severn. Sampson's-street was the name used in the time of Elizabeth, and probably some gentle- man of the name of Sampson had built some houses on the bank of tlae town ditch, and so it was called after his name. " Sansome's stile " at the bottom of the street led into the fields. In a deed of 17-12, the corner house of this street and Eoregate-street was described as " lying and being without but near unto the Eoregate or ^orthgate of the said city, at the corner of a lane or street leading towards Sansome stile, and hath on the north part thereof a messuage or tenement now in the tenure of Thos. Lilly, snuff-maker ; and on the east part thereof a messuage or tenement now in 112 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. the possession of Robert NichoUs, innholder ; and on the west part the street called Foregate-street ; and on the south part the said lane leading towards Sansome stile." Severn-street : formerly Frog-lane, and afterwards Diglis-street, a portion near the upper part being then called High Timber-street. Frog-lane was furnished with a gate-house called Frog-gate, and Frog-miU, near the river. For what reason was this characteristic old name suppressed 1 Shaw-street : altered from Gardeners'-lane, in com- pliment to Mr. Shaw, who gave some property for the purpose of widening the lane — a much better reason than usually prevails in making such changes, but still a very inadequate one. Shambles: probably first so called in 1600, when shambles were erected there, on the butchers migrating thither from the Cross, of Avhich previous mention has been made. A Corporation deed names it Shamble- street in 1658. It had previously been known as Backe- street, Baxter-street, Bakester-street ; and in a deed of 1687, "the Shambles or Baxter-street." Was it a street of bakers (when every trade had its special locality) or merely a h((cJc street, parallel with High-street ] " The Sun Entry," leading from Baxter-street, is alluded to some centuries ago. Sidhiirij : in 13th century was written Suddeburie, and at various ]ieriods subsequently Sodeburi, Sitche- bime, Sowthbury, Sutheburi, &c. In a deed temp. Henry 7th there is siDCcified " a tenement called Mylk- sopp in Sudburio : " was this a shop for the sale of milk 1 Hal)ingdon says : " Sudbury, or south bound of the city, with an ancient gate-way, and the King's statue — I think King John." The gate and tower extended across Sidbury near the King's Head Inn, and so as to include the street wliich leads to St. Peter's Chui'ch. THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 113 St. Peter' s-street : formerly Chiu-ch-street, leading to St. Peter's Churcli, Sidbury. Talloio-hill : called Tolly's Hill in Grundy's Directory for 1797. A Mr. Tolly was probably the' owner of property there. Cannot the right name be restored % Tyehridge-street : the same remorseless dauber who a few years ago consigned Salt-lane and other ancient names to oblivion had the audacity to sweep away here a trio at once — namely, Turkey (Torquay or Tower-quay, as its original name was said to be), Tyebridge, or the Causeway, and Cripplegate, all of which, being one continuous highway, was altered to St. Clement' s-street, but recently a part of the old name has been restored, and the whole thoroughfare from the river to the Bull- ring in St. John's is now called Tybridge-street. As to Cripplegate, Habingdon says this was inore properly called Bar-gate, because it was the bar or western bound of the city. It is said (though I know not on what authority) that it was a place for the relief of cripples and others. " Dole " tenement, at Tyebridge-end, is mentioned several centuries ago, which would seem to favour the tradition of charity. In one document Bar- gate is described as a bank or ditch opposite Severn. Some repairs done to the stone Avail at the bar-gate is mentioned temp. Henry 8th, In 1788, "John Dent, of St. Peter's, glover," had the lease of a tenement and garden at Cripplegate. Many houses in Cripplegate were burnt by the Cavaliers in the civil wars. Wamistrij-sUp : so called from the Warmstry family residing at the ancient mansion Avhich was subsequently converted into a china manufactory, and now Dent and Co.'s glove warehouse. Previously it was called St. Mary's-street, or CoweU's-lode. Wick : Wick, m St. Jolm's, was called Wick Sapy, alias Golden Wick, alias Overwick ; and Wick Epis- copi was also called Bishop's Wick. WykVs-lane : acquired this name from the great 8 ll-i OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. family of ^Vyld, furmerly liviaig at the Coinmandery ; it was previously called Coinmander's-way, and Unioii- lane. There was, if there is not still, a residence there, called Union Farm. A few years ago the authorities opened a new road from the London-road to the upper part of Wyld's-lane, and the whole is now called by the latter name, hut im])roperly so. The same kind of clever- ness was shown in the extension of the Lutts. The following lanes, streets, and places, are missing, or at least I have failed to identify them by their modern names, thus showing the folly of such changes : — Dog-lane. Coale-lane. Phj-marhet. Harp Furt. St. Clememf s-lane. Winiwll or WijiiHchall-drcet : was at the west end of the old bridge, and Avas probably that part now called Eridge-place, or the Pinch. When wme Avas imported via Bristol to Worcester and the midland counties, there might have been a warehouse or hall for .storing it in this street, and hence the name. Bethlehem ; " The highway leading from Barboiu-ne bridge to Bethlehem " occm's in an old deed. Where was Bethlehem, and why its name '?, Bridle-dreet : " In vico Agwialiorum " is also men- tioned in old deeds. It was in the parish of St. Helen, and the tenement of Simon Lodif is mentioned as paying rent in Bridelwhrte-street, /. c. A(jiciaUoram viciiti. In the former part of this Latinised name we trace the remains of Geweald (lether), a bridle, Avith a substitution of "liorum" for "lether." The streets of Worcester bemg named by the trades carried on in them is an indication of extensive manufactiure. HainjiiKui'a Acre : probably in the south-Avest part of Pitchcroft, near the raihvay bridge oA-er the Severn. In Green's view of the bridge, the spectator, looking THE STREETS AND HIGHWAYS. 115 thi'ougli one of the arches, observes a gallows in the distance on the side of Pitchcroft close to the river. My only remaining notes on the streets and public places are — 1. In the latter part of the last century the post-office was in Mealcheapen-street, as in a directory for 1793 Messrs. Morgan and Spilsbury are described as occupying the post-office, Xo. 17, Mealcheapen- street; and about 1795 Jane Morgan had a lease of premises, ha^nng St. Martin's parsonage house on the north and the post-office on the south, the latter being also in her occupation, probably as postmistress ; yet about seven years previously the same Jane Morgan, postmistress, lived in High-street, near the corner of Cooken-street. 2. Nearly five acres of glebe belonging to the said parsonage of St. Llartin's were sold for £64:9. 17s. to the trustees for the wardens of the poor of the city when the present workhouse was built, and were described as meadow or pastiu'e, in the tenui'e of W. Dowding, hop merchant, having a piece of land belonging to W. Eussell, in the occupation of ?Irs. Hickman, widow, on the south ; the tmnpike irom Worcester to l!^eAvtown and Crowle on the north; a piece of land belonging to W. EusseU, in the occupa- tion of H. Elcox, brazier, on the east ; and a piece of land belonging to the Corporation, in the occupation of John Tymbs, printer, on the west. 3. Mr. Jas. Taylor, the Mayor, in 1648 9, lived in a house near the Black- friars, Broad-street, described as worth £5 a year! It had 9 1 yards frontage to the street, and went back 31|- yards. "It consisteth of a little cant-room at the entrance, a parler part wainscot, a cellar under it, a kitchen, a little buttery, a wash-house below, two chambers over ye parler, tAvo other chambers, and two top-lofts over them. " So modest were the -requirements of Mayors in those days. 4. In 1733, the Corporation granted a lease to John Garway, merchant, of a tene- ment on the south side of the Guildhall, the vaidt 116 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. TUiderneatli the hall, also the kitchen belonging to the same when not rcquu'ed for Mayors' feasts, at a rental of £40 per annum, with the stipulation that the said Garway was to lodge the Judges at assize times, and "find tliem with sheets, table linen, and all other utensils, usually provided by Master Tliomas Beetenson, late tenant of the said premises," and to be allowed £24 a year for the said care of the Judges. Were these tenants the keepers of the Guildhall Coffee-house'? 5. In the 17th century the Avaterworks which suiiplied the city were erected on a small island then existing in the river near the present bridge. In 1689 the Corporation granted a lease of these works to John Hadlc}', of West Bromwich, conferring on him the necessary powers for breaking up the streets to lay pipes, " and to erect over the Cross, or Marke1>-place, called the Grass Cross, a cistern of the cajmcity of 200 hogsheads of water, in order to the inhabitants being supplied with Severn water, also to use all iron, lead, stone, timber, and other materials of the same Cross or Market-place, and also all or any of the materials of the decayed Avaterworks as he may see fit for the building and setting up of the said cisterne at the Cross, so that there shall cassano Atkinson, ltd. Kettle, Edwd. Gil- ford, Jos. Harper, Henry Lindsay, Thos. Blackmore, sen., Francis Blackmore, sen., Chas. Hanford, Thos» Blackmore, jun., Hugh Buckstone, Ed. Leynall, Chas, Conisby, Henry Fairfax, John Hopcott, and Thos. Eoberts, sen. These were summoned to take the oaths of William and IMary, and Avhoever refused were ordered to pay double land-tax, besides their share towards special taxes, sucii as were laid on in 1723, namely, £100,000 on the lands of Papists, over and above the double taxes, towards reimbursing the pubHc charges occasioned by the conspiracy ; so much was chargeable on every county and leviable by the com- missioners of land-tax. By the 1st of Geo. I., Papists were to register their estates or forfeit them, and in 1717 I find a registration of the following: — Thos. Abbington, of Hindlip, one house in Foregate-street at the yearly rental of £6, a little tenement adjoining at 40s., and a clay -pit in St. Clement's, 19s. ; Thos. Berk- ley, of Clytha (Mou.) ; Anthony Hornyhold, of Hanley Castle; Ed. Kettle, clothier, Worcester; Josejih Harper, victualler, Worcester; and George Attwood, late of Beverly (Bevere), in the parish of Claines, his property being in St. Nicholas' parish ; one of his houses was let on lease to Wm. Cother, a baker, at £12, and a yearly bun or cake of the value of 5s. In the year 1723, Ann Trimnell, of Worcester, widow, registered her name ; and in 17-40, Frank Haines, and Thomas Attwood of All Saints, gent. Lastly, in 1767, jSTathl. Chinn, flour merchant, and his wife, of Strensham, are described as having their estate in tlie Star and 134 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. Garter Hotel, Worcester, wliich hotel "was then in pos- session bf Thos. Ash ton, by lease of 21 years, from 1752, the lease having been assigned over to him from Wm. Dyer, to "whom it "was originally granted at the yearly rental of jt27. 10s. There is another document connected "with Eliza- bethan times, and the difficnlties "with "whicli her Majesty had to contend, which document (still existing among the city records) has been heretofore alluded to by the local and other newspapers, as showing that the Queen borrowed money of the Worcester Corporation without repaying it. The promise to repay was clearly made, but there is no record of her Majesty havmg '' met her liabilities." The sum in question may have been loyally sent up as a " benevolence " or gift, or it may have been repaid, and no accoimt of that part of the transaction preserved to the present day. Here is the royal letter : — "By the Queene." — Trustie and welbelovccl we grecte you well. Tlie contiuuall grcato chardgcs wch we have for the necessarie defence and prservacon of or Demonions and subiects arc so notorious as neede not to be otherwise declared then may iustly be eonceaved by all or loving subiects being but of comon understanding. And thearefore at this p'nte fynding cause of encrease and continuance of such chardges exceeding all other ordinarie means, and not mynding to presse o'r subjects wth anie p'nte free guyft of money but onlie to be supplied wth some reasonable porcon by way of loane for one yearcs sjjace, we have made speciall choise of o'r loving subjects as are knowne to be of habillitie amongst Avhome we accompt you one, and therefore we recjuire you loy these p'ntcs to lend vs the some of two hundred poundcs for the space of one yeare, and the same to paie unto Sir Henry Uromley Knight by vs appointed Collector thearcof, wch we p'mise to repaie to you or yor assignes at the end of one yeare in the Ilcceipt of o'r Exchequer vppon the shewing of this privie scale subscribed by the said Collector testifying the receipt theareof. Gyven luider o'r privie scale at o'r Pailace of Westmr the fourth day of Aprillinthe xxxixth yeare of o'r liaigne." " Tho. Kery. " Receavcd bv me Sir HcnrV Bromley Knight the first day HISTORICAL ITEMS. 135 of August 1597 of tlie Bayliffs of the Cyttie of „ „ „ ,, ,, upon this privie seale to the use of Her Ma'tie the somme of two hiuidred pounds, By niee Henry Bromley." Indorsed. " To our Trustye and welbeloved the Baylifs Aldermen Cittizens and Chamb'lames of the Citie of Worcester." " The some wthin menconed you must paie into my hands the first dale of August 1597 at the hous of Walter Walker in yor said Citty of Worcester where myself, as I am comanded, will be readie to subscribe yor privie seale for the receipte therof."' " Worcetr CC. "Henry Bromley." Among the tmces and results of tlie civil wars I find in a rongh book of Chamber orders that in 1G56 it Avas ordered that the " key-head, Severn bridge, and other hrenrJiefi in the dreefs, should be repaired, the town ditch cleansed and the water made passable at the charge of the city, and that the sum of four score pounds shalbe raised to effect the work." And in August, IGGO, when Charles II. had returned to the throne, and the whole nation was frantic with joy at the restored monarchy, the following order appears : — " Whereas there was an act made Aug. 28, 1646, that Ed. Soley, Aldn., was removed from the office and place of Com- mon Councillor and Alderman of this city, for that the said Mr. Soley had been in actual arms against the Parliament and seducing others to do the like, it is by the Common Council now present ordered that the said order be from henceforth null and void, and the said Mr. Soley is forthwith restored to his place accordingly." This was passed by a majority of 31 against 13. In the same book may be found the names of those of the Corporation who were ejected from the Council by order of the King, also the names of those reinstated who had been removed during the Commonwealth. An order for the restoration of the walls and gates likewise was made. 136 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. THE CORPORATIOX BELL OF ST. AXDEEW'S. In the first year of Queen Mary — "Item, that the cytie do owe to the jiarish of St. Andrew xvi.y. nnpayed for the roodelofte." This was in the temporary revival of Ivomanism imder Queen Mary : does the entry refer to a subscription by the corporate body towards the appointments of the aforesaid church 1 St. AndreAv's church was in some degree connected with the Corpora- tion from the fact of its bell being used for their purposes, as the following document testifies : — " Examination of A\-itnesses as to Saj-nt Andrew's bell. The 28th dayc of Aprill in the sixt yere of the rayne of King Edward ye Sixt by the grace of God, &c., Edmund Tedyng- ton, of the age of 80 yeres or thereabout, being swome and examined before John Wallesgrove and John Rowland, bailiffs of "Worcester, and in the face of all the whoU Counsell at a common Counsell holden the daye and yere above seyd, sayth that he knew one Mr. Whcley who made the shorte and battlement of St. Andrew's steple and bought the greate belle there of his costes and charges and did hang him upp in the steeple and gave the same bell to the parish for that intent to be knoUed and ronge at all times when need should require as the Counsell's bell for the calling together of the Counsell of this cj'tie withoute denyall or contradiction of anie man, and so used as the Counsell's bell in Wheley's time hitherto and he never knew to the contrarie but the bell was given for that intente as the Coimsell bell, and this he hath justified on his oathe." It appeared that the Corporation also paid for the repair of the said bell, thus — " The amendyng of Saynte Androes bell his clapper, xxrf." THE POST-HOESE. There seems to have been no regular system of carrpng letters through the country except by special messenger till about three centuries ago, when a loot post and a horse post were established generally in every parish ; Corporations took care that jiost horses were always in readiness to go to the next stage, when THE POST-HORSE. 137 required, and to be brought back by the guide. Early in Elizabeth's reign there is an entry in the Worcester books " For dressing the post horse, xijd. ; " and shortly afterwards, " Mr. Walsgrove, the high bailiff, bought a post horse of the cittie, which died soon after, and did hym no service, xiij*'. ivd." The next item Ave come upon is this : — " Our verie good Lord Edward Seymer is presentlie addressed into the realme of Yreland, there to be imployed in the Queen's Majesties service." Every one is therefore charged to see him not only furnished in all places en route with " eight liable and sufficiente post horses for himselfe and his companic, but also provided of a convenient vessell for his transportation at prices ordinary accustomed." Twopence a mile and sixpence to the guide was usually the price fixed. Hackney horses were settled at Is. the first day and 8d. a day afterwards till redelivery. A proclamation was issued that no one should take up post-horses unless he was duly licensed. There is another entry, of Dr. Giflford going into Herefordshire on the Queen's business, and requiring three horses, one for himself, one for his servant, and one for the guide. In the early part of the 1 7th century the germ of the present system of postage was initiated, postmasters being appointed in the time of Charles I., who were to have horses ready for special messengers who rode through the whole of their journey " with horn and guide," or to forward on packets of letters to the next stage immediately on their arrival, and to enter the transaction in a book kept for the purpose. Mr. l^oberts, in his " Southern Counties," says that as late as the middle of last century the London letters were forwarded from Lyme to Ax- minster upon a mide so remarkably obstinate that the beast that bore " news from all nations " was urged on with the greatest difficulty, having taken a decided predilection for the street in which the post-office was 138 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. situated. Strange that a penny post for the city of •London should have "been suggested so early as 1656, and that too by a reformer named Hill ; but the porters, who feared a diminution of employment, tore down the advertisements of the project, and Dr. Titus Gates declaring that -the new scheme was a plot of the Papists, it was postponed for 20 years. The coaching system in connection with postage, and lastly the rail, belong to the modern history of this great department. CITY STATISTICS, CHAETEE, &c. In 1.561 the sum of all the rents of Corporation property was £56. 8s. 3d. for the year (equal to £600 of the present money.) The rent-roll of the Corpora- tion in the time of Elizabeth included the following among other items : — " Of tlie tenement wherein Lytleton, the Town Clerk, dwelleth, which Mr. Aclyes gave to the cittie, xiijs. ivd. " Of the tenement at Severn bridge end where Humphrey Toms now dwelleth, for makinge of a scaffold ujDon the wall to draw his water, iijs. " Of John Clare, for the ground under the town wall at Sidhurj- gate, xxf^. " The wardens of the mercers for their hall, xijf^. "Of Jas. Pytcher for the Cardynall llatte (now the Coventry Arms) and other conveiances through the town wall, iijs. viijrf." In the year 1561 — " Paid to Mr. High Bayliffe for the losse of certaine money in the stamping thereof, vijs. vie/." Also^ — "Received of Wm. Langley for money left or remaining of the sum of £10 which was delivered unto him and to John May for theyr charges in the sute to the Queen's Counsell fur avoyding of the charge of coyning." There was a mint in Worcester from Saxon times down to the 17th century, when the coinage was so tampered with, especially by tradesmen issuing their CITY STATISTICS, CHARTER, ETC. 139 tokens, that in 1G70 the King suspended the charters of many towns for having usurped his prerogative, and the "Worcester Cor]3oration had to petition for pardon for " putting out farthings." A curious affair in connection with the charter of the city had occurred before this. 1554-5 a letter was sent (but to whom does not appear on the record) " to the right worsliipfuU and our singidar good master, our bounden duties to you and to yoiu' good ladye your bedfellow," setting forth that " being forced to answer to a quo warranto touching the liberties of our cytie, the charter has been conveyed away, and it is not to be had under seale, although we have a faire copie of it, so that we feare we are not so well armed in the said sute," and requesting " your lovinge favour to be extended in obtayning a new grante from her Majesty." A letter was sent to Mr. Yowle, the Member for the city, " to further the sute of the cittie to have its charter confirmed, but to be made a coimtie of itselfe, and to have mayors and shreves. We thinke ourselves verie weake to overcome so greate a burden and charge, and therefore have determined to have our Corporation to continew as it is, by the name of bailies, than other- wise to alter the same." (It was not till the renewal of the charter by James I. that mayors took the place of bailiffs in this city.) The accounts of EdAvard Bragdon of sums disbursed by him in London for obtaining the new grants and charter of Philip and IMary were as follows : — A sum of nearly £65 had been entrusted to him for managing this business, and Air. Bragdon accordingly jots down very minutely every breakfast and dinner consumed during Ms absence from Worcester, charging 2s. a-day for his OAvn services (this was also the charge made by Members of Parlia- ment) ; he purchased four pairs of shoes, 4s. 8d. ; " for Avashing of my shurts, 2s. ; for my chamber during the time I was in London, 6s, 8d. ; to the keeper of the 140 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. records in the tower for opening of the dore everie day for three days, £1 (worth more than £10 now — a decided swindle, but unavoidable) ; for a salte of Jolm IMabb, Avhich was given to my Lady AVHiit to furtlier our dutie, £4: (a piece of plate Avortli £40 now — an egregious bit of bribery, very usual at that time, even on the judicial bench) ; my own charges and his that rid witli me into Hampshire for four dayes with our horses only, 15s. ; for the walkinge of our horses at Court, and for a drinking there, 4d. ; hire of my horse down, 6s. 8d." The first and only gaol return of which there is any appearance on the books is one (probably in the time of Elizabeth, but without date) requesting the gaoler of Worcester to send to the Government a statement of the number of prisoners in his custody ; for what crimes ; for what cairses their executions were respited ; "and advertise us of what qualitie, yeres, and abiiitie of bodie, everie prisoner is ; and if anie of the con- demned be putt in hope of pardon ; what friends tliey have, or by whom the same is mediated for." In IGSG it w\as ordered " That the xxli. paid by Mr. Walton shall go towards the erecting of a common gaol at the Foregate ; " also, " That a pumpt (pump) be made in the prison for the benefit of the prisoners." The Foregate gaol was the common jirison in which criminals not belonging to the city were confined, while the citizen oft'enders had the privilege of being incarcerated beneath the Guildhall. There is a curious case recorded of the Worcester school-master being " abroad." The King's receiver (probably femj). Ed. 6) of the county of Worcester writes from his house in Fleet-street that John Oliver, wild had had granted to him by the King's letters latent £6 a year for teaching the Grammar School of Worcester, " besides a reasonable augmentation of his livinge, which the inhabitants of the cytie of tlieir good MISCELLANEOUS. 14:1 Av^ill dotli give him, is not onlie gone from tlience, and left the sayd towne voyd of a schoolmaster, to the greate hyndrance of the youth there, but alsoe sayth that hee will have and enjoy e his sayd stipende : ordered that the sayd stipende be stayde till we are advertised by the inhabitants that he doth his dutye." MISCELLANEOUS. About 1580 is this entry — " Paid Thos. Brooke vs. iijf?. which he laid oute by the apoyntmente of Mr. James and Mr. Dighton for keepinge of stone in his house in the plague time." (What is the meaning of this ?) 1584 — "Thos. Eidley, for riding to Evesham assizes." About 1588 — "Paid to Peter Humphrey vij.s. for keeping a court at "Whyston's at Mr. Baylies request for the ordering of my Lord Bishop's tenants of Claynes concerninge the enclosure of Prytchecroft." Also at another period — " Ordered, that some perfect order be taken for the use of Prytchcroft." 1589 — " Paid Edward the carpenter towards the charges for the seats in the college iijli. To Moseley the joyner for worke belonging to the same seats, xh." One year later : " Paid sextons of the Cathedral Church for seats, vis. viijVi." And two years afterwards : " Por the new settles for the xlviij (Corporation) in the College." 1598 — •' For charges of the picture of Sir Thos. White and other pictures." (This was the worthy Knight who left £100 a year to 24 cities and towns in succession, Worcester being one). 1599 — "For makinge ye gome stoole" appears on the accounts for this year. It meant the ducking or cucking stool, though I have noAvhere found the term "gome" or "gimi" apjiHed to this instrmnent of female punishment in other towns or places. 112 OUK WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. THE CITY RECORDS. From tlic foregoing pages it "will be seen that the interest Avhich attaches to the civic records still remain- ing in our Guildhall is very great, and that they cast a strong and truthful light upon the manners, customs, and hahits of our forefathers. It is Avith much pleasure I here notice the valual)lo catalogue published in 1874 by Mr, AVoof, the late ToA\ni Clerk, of aU the MSS. and printed books, with the trade and other tokens and money pieces in the Corporation collection, also an apjDendix of local records not in the custody of the Corporation. This little Avork is a proof of the author's affection for the study of antiquities and of his good-will and loyalty to the city which had so long enjoyed his valuable services ; and it will, I trust, be the means of keeping together and preserving a collection of useful historical memorials of the city Avhich may form the nucleus of much more extensive accumulations hereafter. Succeeding ToAvn Clerks, too, may I express a hope, Avill be imbued with so much of Mr. AVoof's enterprise and fostering spirit as to be induced to protect Avith care Avhat has been so lovingly gathered together, to " take stock" occa- sionally to see that nothing is lost, and to embrace every opportunity of adding thereto whatever can be acquired respecting the history, the literature, and antiquities of the city. It may not be considered out of place if at this point I quote some remarks by an excellent authority (Mr. Burtt, one of the keepers of the Pul)lic Records in London) Avhen lie exhibited to the Arclueological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland the " Book of Ordinances " of the city of Worcester, Avhich had been entrusted to him by Mr. A\'^oof for the purpose of obtaining a translation of a curious transcript of charters Avhich is bound up Avith the book. The CITY RECORDS. 143 foUo-\ving extract from tlie comments of Mr. Eurtt, as published in tlie Archieological Joimial, will attest the great interest of the A^'orcester records, and the value of the work wMch was accomplished in their arrangement : — " This interesting volume is lettered ' Ordinances, Edward IV. ; ' ttie contents are more comprehensive than its title. Be- sides the ' Ordinances ' of the time of Edward IV. it contains similar regulations in the 12th Henry VII., and transcripts of charters of privileges granted to the city. The later set of ' Ordinances,' embodying in effect the earlier series, is printed in Green's History of Worcester, and a few extracts have there been printed from those of Edward IV., but without any com- ments or notes. I may therefore be justified in drawing atten- tion to such of the principal enactments as appear to have general interest. " These ' Ordinances ' are said to have been made ' by the Kynges comaunedment, and by hole consent of the Citesens inhabitantes in the Cyte of Worcester, at their yeld marchaunt holden the Sonday in the feste of the Exaltacon of the Holy Crosse,' in the 12th year of Edward IV, (a.d. 1466—67) ; and they relate to the administration of the whole of the affairs of the city, especial regard being had to the corporate property. By the" 3rd Ordinance there was to be pro\ided ' a stronge comyn cofur, wt ^j. keyes, to kepe jn ther tresour, oon key thereof to be delyvered to the High Baillye, and another to oon of the Aldermen, and the iijd. to the Chamb'leyn chosyn by the grete clothynge, and the other iij. keyes to be delivered oon to the Chamb'leyn by the comyns chosen, and ij oth^er keyes to ij thriftye corayners trewe, sufhciant, and feithfull men.' By the Sth Ordinance the 'Acts' of the Guilds Avere to be engrossed on parchment, and put into a box called « a Casket,' which was to be kept by the high bailiff. Ordinance 15 is as follows : — ' Also that the bitters be redy withhur horses andbittestobrtnge water rmto every citizen when he ys required by eny man or child, Avhen any parell of fuyre ys wtin the Cite, m peyne of lesynge of 40d., to the baill' half, and the other half to the comyn tre- sour.' The word ' bittes * is probably a corruption of ' buts,' for carrying water. Compare the ordinances 12 Hen. VII., regarding ' all persons having bytts.' While on the subject of precautions against fire— always a most serious matter m medieval times — I will bring together the other regulations which deal with it. At No. 25 we find ' Also that ther be v. 14-1 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. fuyre hokes, to drawe at evey tliynj^e whcr paryle of fuyre ys in eiiy ixirte of the Cite, and they to be sctte in iij. parties of the Cite, and grete helpe and nede be that God defende, and the same hokes to be made by the Chambcrleyns.' No. 2(5 : * Also that no chymneys of tymber be suffred, ne thacchyd houses wtyn the Cyte, but that the owners do hem awey, and make them chymneys of stone or bryke by Alydsomer day next comynge, and tyle the thacched houses by the seid day, in peync of Icsynge of a noble, and after that day, every half yere a noble, tyll it be done, to be payde to the coiiiyn tresour.' '"The 'Assize ' or Ordinance of the City of London, in reference to disputes arising out of the buiUUiig of stone houses instead of wood, was passed in the year 1189. By that assize the aldermen were directed to have hooks and cords for pulling down houses endangered by fire. It is notorious, however, that wooden houses thatched with reeds and rushes were com- mon for a period long subsequent in Londo)i, and in the Wor- cester Ordinances we have evidence of the general construction of houses there at the Hfteenth century. " By another Ordinance it was to be ' a substanciall rule that V. pagentes amonge the craftes be holden yerly,' and ' more certenly kept then they have be bifore this tyme." The 78th Ordinance is also in support of the pageants of the crafts of the city. It is too long for quotation, and is full of directions for the encouragement and extension of these shows of the citizens. " Tlie Council of the city of AVorcester appears to have been governed by two bodies, called respectively ' the Twenty- four' and ' the Forty-eight,' and they are directed by these Ordinances to be ready to attend the Council House ' as often as they shall here the grete bell of the Parishe of Seint Andrewc to be knolled by many ad divers tymes, and after that rongen out for the same.' The same Ordinance directs — ' Also the Bow-bell accustomed in the seid Cite to be rongen at ix. of the bell, to be contynewed yerly for grete ease of the said Cite ; the payrish clerk there to have his fees accustomed therefore.' I am enabled to say that there are payments annually ' for ringing Day-bell and Bow-bell ' in the Corpo- ration accounts from a very early date. It appears to have been an almost immemorial custom. The 'Day-bell' is said to have been the fourth bell of St. Helen's Church, and to have been rung for a quarter of an hour every morning at four o'clock. Tlie ringing of the 'Day-bell' ceased about 17J0. The ' Bow-bcU ' is doubtless the same as the Curfew, and at the present time is rung at eight o'clock instead of nine, as at the time of the Ordinances. There seems to be no local CITY RECORDS, 145 explanation of the name ' Bow-bell,' but Mr. "Woof suggests a very probable one, viz. , that as the Curfew-bell of London was rung at Bow Church, the name of that church may have been adopted in other places, and applied to the bell. In the ' Liber Albus,' editetl by Mr. Riley for the series of Chronicles and Memorials published under direction of the Master of the Rolls, we find, amongst the Ordinances of the City of London, ' Qe nul voise wakeraunt apres Curfeu sone at Bowe ;' also that no ' Braceour ' should keep ' huis overt apres Curfeu sone at Bowe.' " Ordinance 29 is directed against persons using ' eny wyndows, dorres, or holes of new made in the yeld hall, wher thorough eny persons may se, here, or have knowleth what ys done in the seid halle.' " I will now conclude my remarks, as the remainder relates entirely to regulations for the trade and other affairs of the city, interesting only in a local sense. At the end of the second set of ' Ordinances ' is an account of fees, followed by transcripts of charters to the city. The first of these charters is by Edgar, dated Dec. 28, a.d. 964. It is preceded by a brief narrative respecting the foundation of the city by "Wolfarius, King of the Mercians, a.d. 679, and by reference to a charter of King Offa granti:ig the hundred of Oswalds- lowe to the Bishop of Worcester and his family, as the secular clerks were called. The confirmation of the grant is the subject of the charter of Edgar, together Avith the reform of the Cathedral establishment which had been made at the instigation of Bishop Oswald. Upon the date of this transaction some question exists, and doubt has also been thrown upon this charter of Edgar by Green, the local historian, who says that he is supported by Burnett, It is printed in Dugdale's Monasticon (Caley's ed.) from the Charter Roll 9 Edward III., which records a confirmation by that sovereign of a previous confirmation by Edward II. of Edgar's charter. Dugdale's second reference to the Charter Roll 4 Edward IV. is not correct, but as the Inspeximus by Edward III. gives a complete recital of the charter I have not attempted to trace the second reference. Edgar's charter is also printed in Spelman's ' Concilia ' and Kemble's ' Codex Diplomaticus,' but apparently from some other copy, as a page of that in the MS. sent by Mr. Woof is omitted. It does not appear that the Inspeximus of Edward III. or the copy in the Bpok of Ordinances was known to Green. There are many verbal variations between the copy in the Book of Ordinances and that on the Charter Roll, and it is evident that the transcriber of the former was not master of the MS. 10 H6 OUlt WollOESTEU FuKEFATHERS. i'lom which he copied, or that it -was very corrupt. The other charters are those of Henry II., of which I believe that the original no longer exists, of Richard I., and Henry III." TEADIXG AND OTHER GUILDS. I am now enabled to jorescnt a few local illu.strations of those remarkable trading combinations among our forefathers which, having their origin in a remote period of our history, continued greatly to influence the national character and institutions even down to our own times. Man, as a gregarious animal, cannot exist without his club. In barbarous periods, when the laws were weak, association was absolutely necessary for the piu"- pose of self-protection ; and although civilization has almost set aside this motive for cond)ination, Ave still tinil tlie same principle in active existence in many branches of our social system. The origin of trading companies is lost in the mist of antirptity. The earliest allusion to them is probably that which Plutarch tells us of Numa, the king and laAvgiver of Rome : " But among all his political institutions (says the historian) that which is most admired is his distrilnition of the l^eople into companies, according ,to their several arts and professions, as of musicians, goldsmiths, masons, dyers, shoemakers, tanners, braziers, and potters; and so of other artificers, Avho were all reduced into com- panies, to each of which were appointed their respective halls, courts, and ceremonies of religion, proper to theu' several societies." And no doubt this was a highly ])olitic arrangement, such a distribution being the means of mixing and iniiting the discordant elements of which ancient Roman society Avas composed ; tlicjugh Plutarch does not tell us that the idea of trading companies Avas a ne.Av one. Our Teutonic fathers, at their festivals and driidving bouts, filled their horns to the honour of their gods and to those heroes Avho had fallen bravely in GUILDS. 147 battle, at the same time pledging themselves to defend and protect each other. The medinsval guilds and modern clubs, if not directly descended from these ancient practices, are no doubt the product of the same idiosyncracy of mind which, first perceiving that union was strength, acquired potency in drink, in friendship, in mutual protection, in influence on society, in religion, in charity, and in trading j)urposes, by the formation of brotherhoods, bandships, or guilds. As society slowly emerged from its semi-barbarous condition, the objects for which these fraternities were banded together liecame more comprehensive. The doctrine of a purgatorial state of existence led to the endowment of chantries and priests, to ensure perpetual prayer for the dead ; but these extensive endowments becoming at length obnoxious to the temporal interests of the sovereign, great difficulties and expenses were tliro^vn in the way of procuring licences to put lands in mortmain for such purpose, and arrangements were frequently made with religious houses to secure masses for deceased persons. Only the wealthy, however, could command such a provision as this : the great body of the people had not sufficient means of securing such religious observances for the repose of their souls, and from hence arose the fraternities or guilds of the reli- gious kind. These became very general, not only in cities and towns, but scarcely a village was with- out one. Sometimes they were in connection with and sometimes independent of tradmg companies. Sharon Tm-ner tells us that in Saxon times there was a guild at Exeter, the members of which paid a pemiy at Easter and the same amount at the death of any one of their brethren, and this was called " the soul's scot," the amoimt being paid to the clergy of the cathedral to ensiu'o the performance of the necessary rites at death and burial. Another guild was " for God's love and their souls' need," to see that masses for the dead were 148 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. iluly ])crfonin.'cl ; also to avenge the death of any mem- ber wlio was killed ; or if one of their nund)er slew another, tlie rest of tlie bretliren sul)scrih(Ml to pay what they railed '•' the shot " for him — Avitli this reservation, that if it was a Welshman Avho was slain, only //r;//the usual amount A\^as to he paid ! Tliis depreciation of Welshmen was undoubtedly occasioned by a vivid recollection of the border wars carried on between the two nations — ^just as at Durham, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and other places in the north, subject to the frecpient raids of iScotchmen, no man from north of the Tweed was permitted to sell articles in tlieir towns, nor Avas any trading company allowed to take a Scotch boy apprentice ; and yet it has been tlie opinion of Dr. Johnson and others that much might be made of a Scotchman if caught young. The same feeling against Scotchmen prevailed as far south as AV^orcester, Avhere two centuries ago there was a groat outcry as to theii- selling cloth at our fairs, and taking the opportunity of committing what was called " pettite larceny "' liero. The Worcester constables Avere therefore empowered to take the names and addresses of all such Scotclnnen — a measure that Avould be scarcely comprehensive enough for the thieves and vagrants of tin; 19th century ! The clergy, too, had guilds among themselves, for re- ligious and other purposes. At Ludlow there existed a remarkable fraternity — namely, a Guild of Palmers, or pilgrims, who undcrtook\a journey to the Holy Land, and afterwards bore ]ialm-liranches as an eml)l('m or trophy of having performed that distant and i)erilous voyage. I believe the Merchant Tailors' Comi)any of London annually elected a })ilgrim, whose duty it Avas to " travel " for them ; and it is possilile that the LudloAV juild may have combined trading pursuits Avitli their pilgrimages, Init there is no record Avliich says so. That guild Avas incorporated in 1284, but may haA^e existed at an earlier period. It possessed considerable o GUILDS. 149 property in Ludlow, and among its objects were to assist the religious services of the church and to provide education for the children of the townsmen. The guild was dissolved at the Keformation, but their school, being remodelled, is still in existence, and may thus be considered one of the most ancient grammar schools in England. In Worcester there was a Trinity Guild, founded by Ei chard N'orton, temp. Ed. III., - being a brotherhood of three jH-iests, to sing mass per- petually for the soul of the founder, and to help the parson and curate of the parish (St. Nicholas) in time of need, " because it doth abound of houseling people." At the Dissolution, the Trinity Hall passed through various hands till it liecame the property of the Clothiers' Company. In mercantile toAvns and seaports (as Sharon Turner informs us) there Avere also guilds or frateriuties of men constituted for the piu'pose of carrying on more success- ful enterprises in commerce, even in Saxon times, as appears by Domesday mentioning the guildhall of the burghers of Dover. Some hoAvever have asserted that trade guilds Avere unknoAvn to the Saxons, though they are alloAved to have had ecclesiastical guilds; frith guilds, originating in frank-pledge ; the knighten guild, composed of eminent knights or soldiers, Avhich Avas dissolved in 111.5 ; and the easterling guild, composed of Ilanseatic merchants, called " the steelyard mer- chants." On the Avhole, these guilds seem to have been friendly associations for mutual aid and contribu- tion to meet the pecuniary exigencies perpetually arising from burials, legal exactions, and penal mulcts, as Avell as for religious, charitable, and trading objects. That much good felloAvship Avas connected Avith them can be doidjted by no one, their rules and fines imply- ing that the materials of couAdviality Avere not forgotten. In my restricted limits I cannot attempt to foUoAV the changes Avhicli took place in these protective guilds 1,50 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. till they became traiggs, Henry Baldwin, John Snead, John Morris, liichard Manderfield, liice Preece, Ivichard Jackson, John IJeo. The high master GUILDS. 157 was to take the oath of office before the mayor, while the wardens and assistants took their oath before the high master. This book likewise contains copies of the bye-laws made at Widow Savage's and Bullock's, as in the vellum book. The charter of this conijoany, with royal seal, was given to Mr. Woof by Mr. F. James, nephew of the last surviving member of the guild, and is now in the possession of the Corporation. The Cordwainers (as before stated) were incorporated in 1 504, but their ordinances seem to have iDeen estab- lished or confirmed in the reign of Elizabeth (July 15, 1558), and their book is thus prefaced : — "The booke of ordinances to be observed bi the fellowship of corde- winers or shewmakers, copied oute bie Thomas Grin- sill the 14th daye of March, 1576, in thetyme of John Brodshow, higlie master, Thomas Tollie and Richard Con, wardens of the sayd feloshij?." Four times a year the " byddell " had to " summon and admonish all the masters to the hall, to trial of all causes touching the commonAvealth of the said fellowship." An oath Avas taken on admission to the craft "to be loyal to the Queen, her heirs, and successors, obedient to the masters and wardens, and to keep all secrets duly." Masters were not allowed to have work done by candle- light on Saturdays after four o'clock, nor to keep more than one shop, nor to make goods in the country or in any house but their own ; Avardens were empowered to inspect their leather to see that it was lawfully tanned and " for the profit of the wearer." If any master or warden was found guilty of favour, affection, partiality, or not carrying out the rules, on conviction before the bailiffs and aldermen he was to forfeit 6s. 8d. An appeal was allowed to justices of assize. It seems that the master and wardens possessed the power of inflicting imprisonment as well as fines, the latter being spent on the poor belonging to the craft and on the ordinary expenses of the company. In the year 1688 it was 158 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. agreed that "not more than I3s. 4:(l. should be spent at any quarterly meeting, and the stewards not to spend more than 6x. Sd. at the vewhig of ye meate at yc stewards feast," This " vewing of the meat " meant probably the piu'veying of the A'iands for the feast. Among the Corporation of the city it was customary for the Mayor and Aldermen to spend considerable svmis in performing this office, until an order to the contrary was made by the body. Some of the Cordwainers' rides were directed against the use of " malicious words or taunts " at the meetings, and the meudjers of the craft were ordered to refrain from calling each other " villain or knave " on pain of being fined 3*'. id. Eegidations were likewise made to prevent laAvsuits and other litigious quarrels, to the following effect ; " Whereas divers discords, contrivances, and debates, before this time have been moved, stirred, and de])end- ing between the occu})ation or society of shewmakers, corvisers, or cordears, "within this cytie, on the one l)artie, and certain persons usmg and occupying the trade or practice of coblinge or clowtinge of showes or bootes, commonly called coblers, for the appeasinge and pacitienge of Avliich discord and debates, we, John Eollanil (dia.s Steynor, and Thomas Heywood, bailiffs, called Ixjth partyes before tliem, and adjudicated, admyt- tinge Thonuis Hill, AVilliam Byrde, William Usherwood, Grylfytli Ap John, David Gough, and John Parker, to exercise coblinge witlun the said cytie, and none other ; and that none shall be admytted to such craft here in future but by the admyssion of the bailiffs and alder- uien." An ajiprentice's indenture — date 1679 — between George Ivemmtt and Henry Hope, specifies that at the end of th(! term of seven years the master was to give the youth two suits of apparel — " one for holy dales, and anotlier for Avorking daies." The roll of members admitted from the year 1741 to the winding up of the fraternity is signed by all the masters during that GUILDS. 159 period, and contains directions for the body to meet five times in the year at the common hall, the line for non- attendance being twelve-pence ; all penalties could be levied by distress. A special stipulation was also made (1741) that the members should "not go by any other clock than St. Swithin's, (/* going ; but if otherwise, by St. Martin's, if going." Also to employ no workman Avithout going to his previous master for a character, in default of which a fine of 6*-. Sc?. was to be paid. Butchers were restricted in the sphere of their avoca- tions to two places — from the Guildhall door to St. Helen's church, and from St. iSTicholas' churchyard to the Cross. Indeed, as abeady shown, it was the custom to locate almost every trade or profession in some one street or place, as may be still seen indicated in old maps by tlie names Cheese-cheaping, Meal-cheapen, Bakers- street, Glovers-street, I^eedlers-street, Huxter-street, Goosethrottle-lane, &c., aU of which have changed their denominations through so-called "refinement" and the rage for change in the present age. Foreign — i. e. country liutchers — were admitted into the city by sufferance, and then remained only till a certain hoiu". Prices were fixed on tallow and other commodities, which were not to be conveyed out of the city on pain of severe penalties. The severity dealt out to butchers seems to have been sanctioned by the experience not only of the English people but also of our Spanish neighbours, if we recoUect the advice given by the immortal Don Quixote to his everliving Sancho : " Be a terror to the butchers (says he), that they may be fair in their Aveights ; and keep hucksters and fraudulent dealers in awe for the same reason." It is a curious fact that butchers and shoemakers who had served the office of bailiff (or mayor) were not permitted ever after to carry on their trades in their OAvn name in Worcester. Tliis restriction does not seem to have been applied to any other trade. 160 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS, Glovers Avere prohibited from making " gloves, half- gloves, or cut fingered gloves, of lynnen, cloth, or fus- tian " — the object being, of course, to encourage the leather trade. Slieepskins, likewise, Avere not to be used for saddles and shoes, probably on accomit of their scarcity. Curriers were ordered to keep within doors and not carry on their craft in the streets. The stewards of the Bakers' craft received from the Corporation every Saturday the assize and weight of bread for the follo^nng week, regidated according to the i>vicQ of corn. The Mayor and Aldermen con- descended at intervals to Aveigh bread, butter, and other articles, at the Tolsey, and ran up a pretty bill every now and then for ale, meat, and tobacco, con- sumed in the performance of their important func- tions. Not only Avas the price of bread fixed by the ruling poAvers, but in 1641 it Avas constituted an offence for tlic Worcester bakers to make " spiced bread or short cakes," inasmuch as it " enhaunced the price of butter." Again, no breAving Avas to be luidertaken in the city until the Corporation tasters — descriljed as "saddc and discreet persons " — had sat in judgjuent on a sample of it, and " disposed it to sale after the good- ness of it." In the reign of EdAvard VI. the best ale Avas sold at one penny per gallon, and " the other sorte " at three gallons for a penn3\ In the time of Charles I. Avomen attended public-houses Avith the men, and drank and smoked as Avell as they did. With regard to the Tailors' craft, no master Avas permitted to finish Avork that another master had cut out, and if any one should spoil a garment or purloin the cloth tlu^ steAvards AA'cre to hold a kind of inquest over the mutilated remains of the material, and award such satisfaction as they might deem equivalent to the damage. Fish Avere not to be liaAvked about, but sold only at " the King's boards " in Fish-street (wlicre, on one of the barge-boards of the roof of an ancient house GUILDS. 161 may still he seen the carving of a salmon.) When any fish were brought to the city to he sold, the Aldermen took with them two fishmongers, who were duly SAvorn to " see that all such vitells be able and sweete for man's body," with the alternative of heavy penalties, but the " corrupt and defecty ve vittell " was given to prisoners and poor men ! While on the subject of restrictions, I have some- where read that the Bishop of Lincoln in 1422 re- strained the barbers of that city from shaving the parishioners in the churchyard on high festivals. If this were a general custom I find no trace of it in relation to Worcester; but it is clear, from one fact which has been handed doAvn to us, that at an early period of our history a very considerable interest was taken by Worcester ecclesiastics in the subject of shaving and cutting hair. Long hair was so common in the reign of Edward the Confessor that it is recorded of our good Bishop Wulstan that he not only boldly inveighed against the custom and severely reproached the people for their efieminacy, but when any hirsute individual bowed down his head to receive the episco- pal blessing, before the Bishop gave it he cut off a lock of the man's hair with a httle sharp knife that he carried about him, and commanded by way of penance that he should cut the rest of his hah in the same manner, denouncing dreadful judgments against such as disobeyed the mj unction. Craving pardon for this digression, it will be seen from the instances I have given that selfishness and a short-sighted policy were conspicuous throughout the trading and social regulations of the middle ages. ISTothing was to be sold or purchased but through the particular channel cut out by the Corporation ; and even that commonest necessary of life — water-— was only to be had of the water baiHff". It has however been truly said that by throwing dirt on the beards of 11 162 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. our ancestors we shall not abundautly anoint our own, and therefore let us not unduly censure the past for tliose defects which were rather the consequence of limited light and a lack of experience than the product of wilful misgovernment. There was much of good even in tlie exclusive system of the trading guilds, and a great deal which might be learnt with advantage by those pernicious associations, the trades unions of the l^resent day. Besides that feeling of mutual protection Avhich strengthened the good government of a city, and gave a noble instance of self-rule, consolidating our liberties, and preser^-ing our time-tried institutions, the supervision which an associated body exercised over every individual member had a most beneficial effect on character ; justice between masters and men was equally an object of the companies, and an admii\able nile existed whicli prevented any craftsman going to law with another, the masters and wardens deciding aU disputes. Perjured persons and felons were turned out of feUo^vship, as also were workmen who left their employ without leave, and any apprentice who left his master " in his need " was not to be employed again till the feast of the Nativity. All " deceitful and imtrue work " was condemned ; no malicious words or taunts to each other were permitted, nor any inveigling of persons from their employ ; nor was any apprentice taken who was a known thief, or of evil conversation, or disloyal to authority. Eut jierhaps the best result of these associations was the fraternal feeling engen- dered by them — the interest mutually taken by cmiiloyers and their men in each other's welfare — the warm and genial consciousness in every workman, however humble, that he was not a useless or -de- spised thing in society, but a necessary and welcome member of the great family of man. In illness or distress he was provided for by subscription; when married, he and liis fair one were escorted to the GUILDS. 163 hymeneal altar by his loving bretliren and " the masters of the fellowship " ; and when stricken doAvn by the hand of death, a heavy fine was inflicted on his surviving associates if they did not one and all attend him to Ms last long home. Only think of the kindli- ness of heart which suggested the following rule of the "Worcester Cordwamers' Company : — " If it fortune any of the said feUowshii? to be maryed or desceased, the bedell to summon all the masters to accompany him to church, on paine of 12d." Or of that genial and praiseworthy bye-law made by the barbers of Dm'ham, that at each dinner of the craft " every man cmd his wife shall sett together as they're agreed, and that none shall be Avantinge, upon paine of 2s. 6cl to be given to the box." If therefore a test of civilization is the amount of consideration paid to the fair sex, our ancestors were certainly not much behind their descendants of the present day in this particular. Theh convivial meetings, too, were held in company witli^and under the salutary check of their superiors — an excellent custom which has gradually given way to the false pride, cant, and squeamishness of later times. Lastly, a custom formerly observed by the Clothiers may weU be recommended for adoption in the present day, namely, the cessation of work during harvest, to admit of their people assisting in gathering ui the crops. Such an arrangement Avould seem to be desirable now, when the tyranny of labom^ers' unions over the farmer, and the spirit of idleness, malice, and disaffec- tion, engendered by them, are exercising a most disas- trous effect on the best interests of this country ! The subject of pageants, as connected with guilds, has been treated of at page 81, but it may here be added that the custom was for each trade, or company of trades, to perform its own play and move on through the streets, to be followed by other companies rein-e- senting each its distinct pageant or mystery ; so that 164 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. the collection of a dense crowd at any one spot was prevented, and good order preserved. Chester has been celebrated for its miracle plays ; and as these perform- ances were most fre(|uent in Cathedral cities, of course Worcester had its share of this popular means of enjoy- ment. The subjects of these exhibitions, it has been ascertauied, were rude representations of scenes and incidents in Scriptm-e history, such as " The creation of Adam," "The birth, Tjaptising, and burial of Christ," " The descent into hell," " The three Kings of Coleyn," " Gog and Magog," " The judgment day," &c. Besides these were mysteries and moralities, not confined to Scripture. Every craft having a pageant was to find one cressett (a large lanthorn fixed at the end of a jiole) to "be born before the badlies of the said citie in the vigil of Seynt Jolin Baptist, at the comon watche of the said citie, and the wardens or stewards of the said crafte, and all the hool crafte in ther due ordre and corse, after ther going in ther pageants on Corpus Christi day, shaU waite upon the said baillies yn the said vigil at the said w^atche, in ther best arraye," U23on pain of 4:0(1. This custom of watching was usual in large cities on the eve of St. John's Day, or Mid- summer Eve. It was performed with great pageantry, a large armed band marching through the streets, with the mayor or bailiff on horseback, preceded by the waits, or city minstrels, with morris dancers, cresset lights, and in some places figm-es of giants, devils, and dragons. These monsters were great favourites with the people. The Cordwainers' pageant was given on the day of |;he i)atron saint of the trade (St. Crispin) — the cordwainers having enacted " That the sayd master and wardens, at the coniandment of the bailives of the sayd citie, shal orda}aie for the furniture and setting foi'ward of tlie pageant of the sayd fellowship, and of the players unto ye same belonging, and for the watch and lightes, according as it hath been accustomed tyme GUILDS. 165 out of myncle." The " watch and lights " is explained by the ancient custom of setting the Midsummer watch, as stated above. The Worcester tradmg companies lingered on — as the relics of a system fast disappearing before the edu- cation and altered habits of a new era — until the close of the last and beginning of the present century. The Ironmongers' account books go no further than 1822 ; the Tailors' ate their last dinner at the Bull's Head on AprH 20th, 1837; and although the Clothiers still remain — let us hope, to delectate themselves and dis- tribute charitable funds for many years to come — it must be remembered that they have no more to do with " draperinge," and perhaps still less with " yarn," than the humble individual who writes these pages. Let us then, in conclusion, just take a glance at the relics of these incorjDorations. Mr. Burhngham possesses the Judge's confirmation of the Glovers' bye-laws in 1561, some later documents, and a book of members' names from 1570 to 1662. There is an ancient flag belonging to the Tailors, ^Yiih. their bye-laws, minute books, and deeds. One of the minute books belonging to the Smiths is still in existence, commencing 1753. Mr. Minchall possesses the relics of the Cordwainers' Com- pany, consisting of a book of ordinances or regulations made in 1558 (copied in 1576) ; various apprentices' indentiu-es; a roll of members from 1741 to the close; a silver cup ; and the company's silver seal. The latter bears the badge of the goat's head, supposed to have originated in the fact of the leather used by the Cord- wainers (Cordovan leather) being made of goats' skins. The cup bears the arms of the company— a chevron, between three goats' heads ; crest, a goat's head, with three stars. And the inscription sets forth that the cup is " The gift of Jas. "Wynns, high master for the year 1722, instead of a treat." But by far the most interesting remains are those of the Clothiers' Company. They 166 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. consist of— 1. The cliarter of Elizabeth, on velluin, iDeaiitifiilly emblazoned, A^dth the great seal of England attached hy a twisted silken cord, and enclosed in a box of eqnal antiquity. 2. Two green silk flags, hearing date 1540 and 1541, and inscribed: — "Henry VIII., by the grace of God King of Ingland and of France, Lorde of Ireland, Defender of the Faythe, and imme- diately under God supreme Hed of the Chiu'ch of Ing- land." 3. A silver double seal, dated 1655, with a ring attached for a string to \n\t round the neck of the high master wdien he gives his toasts ; at one end of the seal are the arms of the citj, and at the other the Weavers impaling the Clothiers. 4. Two very ancient yard measiu'cs (one much shorter than the other, by the by), borne bj' the beadles when in procession. 5. A parchment document — " The original By-laAvs by Act of Henry VI. legalised by two judges of assize," its border most splendidly emblazoned. 6. Another curious document, being a receii^t from the Herald College for fees paid for registering the armorial ensigns of the company at the visitation in 1 682. 7. Two processional sliields, one coA^ered with a hide. On one are painted the Weavers' arms, granted in 1487, and the motto, "Weave truth -with trust." On the other the Cloth- workers' anns, and motto, " My trust is in God alone." 8. A paD, formerly nsed at the funerals of deceased members. It is composed of alternate stripes of em- broidered velvet and tapestry. The end^roidering on the velvet consists of Jleurs-de-lis ; eagles, double- headed, displayed ; pine apjiles (or perhaps teazels, used in the cloth trade) ; and angels with expanded "wings, standing on wheels (usually emblematical of St. Catha- rine's martyrdom), and St. Catharine was a jjatron of spinners or spinsters. The tapestry consists of saints and passages from Scrii)ture history ; at the sides are four shields of arms or devices, relative to the manu- facture of cloth. An ancient altar cloth found some GUILDS. 167 years ago in Winclicomb chiircli bears a close resem- blance to this pall. It was suggested by the late Miss Agnes Strickland, during her visit to Worcester a fcAV years ago (when I had the pleasure of showing that lady some of the antiquities of the city) that this pall might be a mortuary cloth used at Prince Arthur's f mieral ; that the embroidery is Spanish ; that the pine-apple or teazle is a pomegranate ; the pmple, the imperial colour ; and that the wheels are Catharine wheels, introduced into the arms tlirough Prince Arthur's marriage with Catharine of Aragon. This idea was refuted by the Eev. Mr. Hartshorne, in a jiaper before the Archseological Institute at Cambridge, by a document which he produced from the Polls Court. Moreover Leland, in his " Collectanea," tells us that the noblemen present at that funeral in Worcester Cathedral each presented a rich pall, and that when the corpse was taken to the grave a minister of the church took away the paUs (no doubt as a perquisite), and no mention whatever is made of anything done by the Clothiers' Company on that occasion. Mr. Harts- horne stated that the Clothiers' funeral pall consists of two copes sewed together ; the angels represented on it have no relation to St. Catharme, but in his opinion they refer to the vision of Ezekiel. The work is clearly of the date of the early part of Henry 7tli's reign, 9, Bye-laws made under authority of Queen Elizabeth's charter, to enable assessments to be made on members of tlie Corporation towards raising money for the management of the trade. 10. Deed of covenant in 1686, by Mr. Joseph Darling on being appointed a factor for the sale of Worcester cloths in Worcester Hall, Blackwell Hall. 11. Agreements in 1692, 1695, and 1699, made by the Master Clothiers, as to the allowance to be made to hired Master Weavers for the ends and thrums and knots from the cloth when woven. 12, Leases in 1659 and 1682 of the Pageant House 168 OUR WORCESTER FOREFATHERS. in the Corn-market. (From entries in the account book of the Walker Clothiers it appears that rent was received for the Pageant House up to 1738, andcliief- rent paitl for it to the Corporation of the city of Worcester.) 13. Book containing list of the Weaver apprentices inrolled from 1587 to 1635. 14. Another book containing list of the Walker apprentices, 1632-1770. 15. Agreement, made m 1750, on parch- ment, as to the payment of forfeits on non-attendance at meetmgs. (This bears the signature of all the members of the Clothiers' Company to the present time.) 16. A wooden block on which are engraved the Weavers' arms. 17. Two new banners or flags (with poles), purchased by subscription in 1849. 18. A silver two-handled flagon, presented to the company by Mr. J. C. Dent, of Sudeley Castle, as a meuiorial of his uncles, John Dent and William Dent. [The pall and flags above-mentioned are kept in an ancient chest with three locks, on which is a brass plate engraved with the Weavers' arms impaling those of the Cloth- workers.] The Corporation also possesses some of the charters and books of orders and bye-laws, ordinances, and proceedings of the Tailors and Drapers' Company, the Clothiers' Company, and the Carpenters and Joiuers' Company (for which see Mr. Woof's catalogue, before mentioned). ^.iicitiit Jforests, Mmh, itnir ^arb or WOECESTEESHIEE. "Not thus the land appeared in ages past — A dreary desert and a gloomy waste, To savage beasts and savage laws a i^rey, And kings more furious and severe than they, Who claimed the skies, and dispeopled air and floods, The lonely lords of empty wilds and woods." % ^^ HE history of "Worcestershire in the middle ages would be incomplete — not to say wortliless — without a full consideration of its forests and their laws as affecting the physical and moral condition of the people then inhabiting this district ; and the truth of the assertion will be obvious -when we recollect that from the earhest times, of which there is any record, Worcestershire was for the most part covered with dense forests, the " boundless contiguity of whose shade " (as the poet beautifully describes it) gave shelter from perhaps primaeval times to at least the wolf, the stag, the wild boar, and many varieties of the meaner beasts of venery. We read that the ancients adored their forests, and imagined many of their gods to reside in them. Temples were frecpiently raised in the thickest woods, the gloom and silence whereof naturally inspu'ed sentiments of devo- tion and turned men's thoughts within themselves ; for Avhich reason the Druids chose forests for their resi- dence, and there instructed the youth, proclaimed laws, and performed their mystic rites. Tlie original settlers, and those who succeeded them, gradually cleared away 170 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. portions of these forests to establish their villages ; and as population increased and civilization advanced, the expenditure of wood for fuel, for building purposes, for the use of the iron works in the north of the county, and the salt-works at Droitwich, still further thinned the forests, until they became broken up into woods of varying size, and at unequal distances. At the time of the concpiest tlie wood at Bromsgrove was seven miles long and four wide ; that at Beoley, six miles long and three wide. In general, however, they were of much less extent, dwindling down in some places to one or two furlongs only. It would seem that these woods were not usually fenced in, for in Domesday special mention is made of one (at Shell) as being protected w4th a fence. In the majority of cases each manor had a wood of its own ; or if two or three adjoining manors belonged to the same proprietor, one wood of propor- tionate size niiglit be retained for the requirements of the whole. Chaddesley had two woods. It was abso- lutely necessary, before the introduction of coal, that every town and village should have the means of sup- plying itself with fuel, and hence the necessity for woods to be near at hand, not only to furnish material for firing, but timber for building and repairs ; and as our Saxon ancestors were famous for curing their own bacon, thousands of hogs found shelter and food in the recesses of these woods. At Crowle, a wood, half a mile in extent, was assigned to a hundred hogs. The privilege or right of so feeding them from Michael- mas to Martinmas (November 11th) was called " pannage." One great product of the woodland was honey — an article much more in request than it has been since the introduction of sugar. But another and still greater necessary of life was salt ; and in those manors which were accessible to Droitwich a fixed number of loads of wood were every summer set apart in each manor for FORESTS, WOODS, AND PARKS. 171 consumption in the salt-works of that town ; the waggons which conveyed the fuel thither returning loaded with a regidar apportionment of salt to every manor from which the wood had been sent. It was then prohahly sold to the various householders according to their respective requirements ; and no doubt the lord of the manor, by himself or bailiff, secured a lucrative market in this way, by selling salt to the residents in the manor, or to purchasers from a distance. At all events, the exchange of wood and salt was one of mutual benefit. Thus we find that at Bromsgrove, in the King's demesne, thirteen salt-works were appended to the manor, and three salinarii (i.e.) wallers or boilers of the salt, w^ho rendered three hinidred mitts or measures of that article, for wdiich, in the time of Eang Edward, three hundred cart loads of wood were given by the managers of the timber in the manor. If the wood was not furnished the king could not receive his rent. At Fladbury there was a wood two miles long and half a mile wide, of which the Bishop of Worcester received all the proceeds arising from huntmg, from honey, and the supply of wood to the salt-works at Droitwich. In ministering to the pleasures of the chase these woods were, of corn-se, essential for harbouring the animals which, in. the middle ages, afforded sport to kings, bishops, lords, and other important personages. Royalty was pecidiary selfish and brutal in this matter of hiuiting, not only covetously appropriating to itself so large a share of the sport as it was physically incapable of enjoying, but most cruelly and barbarously trea'ting the profane vulgar who gave way to that sporting instinct which is more or less natural to most men, and which was certainly not intended to be a monopoly for princes and the great men of the land. It will thus be seen that the forests were an impor- tant institution of medieeval life, and a source of con- 172 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. siderablo profit to those who enjoyed theu* products. Yet it was not always that a favonrahle balance sheet conld he jiresentcd, as in the case of Astley, where there was a wood a mile long, and half a mile Avide, which is returned in Domesday as being absolutely Avorth nothing, though the reason for this is not mentioned. The definition of a royal forest was a territory of woody grounds and fertile pastures, privileged for wild beasts and fowls of forest, chase, and warren, to rest and abide in under the protection of the king, for his princely recreation and delight, and having great coA^erts for the succour of the said beasts ; and a forest could only be in the hands of the king, except by special grant, as he alone had the power to constitute such commissions as were necessary to the existence of a forest, particidarly in appointing a lord justice in eyre of the forests, and also the various courts held therein. From what has now been said it Avill be understood that the term " forest " did not mean a complete con- tinuation of wood, but included or extended over, besides the Avoods, much open country for the chase, fruitful jDastures, toAvns, villages, gardens, a scattered population, and here and there a baronial castle, with its park en- closure. The laAvs of the forest prevailed over the Avhole district included in the boundary of a given forest, except to such Avoods, parks, or warrens, as were private proi)erty, or Averc excluded from the forest by royal grant or license. Thus at iVlvcchurch there Avere three or four miles of Avood, of Avhich AVniiam the Conqueror transferred one-half only to his royal forest ; and that many woods Averc not included in the forest is proved by special mention in Domesday of aU such as Avere thus included. The first appearance of forest laws in a tangible shape Avas under Canute. Originally they were bar- barously severe, vesting uncontrolled poAver in the hands FORESTS, WOODS, AND PAEKS, 173 of the king, and mucli misery was occasioned by tlie tyraiiuy of the iSTorman monarchs. For lapng out the Xew Forest, in Hampshire, it is said that twenty-two parish churches and all the towns and villages for thirty miles were destroyed. But this has heen ridicided, as improbable, or higlily exaggerated. Within a few years after the conquest there were sixty-eight forests enclosed, and the monastic chronicles inform us that " William the Conqueror made large forests, and whoever killed a hart or a hind was to be blinded. He forbad killing the deer and the boars, and he loved the tall stags as if he were their father." Eufus made it a hanging matter, and some offenders were made to purge themselves by the ordeal of fire. Henry I. made no distinction between him who killed a man and the destroyer of a buck ; and there was sometime the abominable punishment of gelding and gouging, afterwards substituted by expa- triation. Henry II. not only maintained the rigour of these laws, but enlarged the boundaries of many forests, to the great damage of the holders and the increased misery of the luckless population. The forest law was entirely distinct from the common law of the nation, the Icing executing his own arbitrary will in the scene of his exclusive pleasures. Heavy fines were levied for the most trifling offences, and sureties were to be pro- duced, varying in number, according to the offence, up to twelve, and after that a further offence consigned the miserable M'retch to a noisome prison durmg the plea- sure of the king (in many cases tantamount to death). Moreover the oppression and tyranny of the officers of the forest was great, bribery and favouritism being much exercised, and the ser\'ile inhabitants were fain to pur- chase exemption from absolute ruin by timely fees to the foresters, or their under-keepers, who sometimes kej)t alehouses, and compelled the people to come and drink at a high price on pain of thek displeasure. The passion of the Court and aristocracy for hunting was a 174 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. bane to tlie rural population. IS'ot only did tliey ride over the cultivated lands, and destroy the crops, but wherever they went they lived at free quarter on the unfortunate population, ill-treating the men and even outraging the feuiales at will. John of Salisbury com- plains bitterly of the cruelty witli which the country people were treated if they happened to be short of provisions when the hunters went to their houses. " If one of these hunters comes across your land," he says, *' immediately and humbly lay before him everything you have in your house, and go and buy of your neigh- bours whatever you are deficient of, or you may bo plundered and thrown into prison for your disrespect to your betters." At length the nation would bear this oppression no longer, and King John was compelled to promise (but died before he redeemed his word) what his son, Henry III., performed, in granting the Carta de Forcsta. This was the first authentic mention of a separate charter of the forest, and was granted in 1217. Probably, however, this would not have been conceded had it not been for the royal necessities, and to enable the king to carry on a war with France, to do Avhich the peoi^le agreed to the payment of a 15th penny in value of all theii" movable goods. Many of our best charters and i)rivileges have been wrested from royalty in a similar manner — not offered voluntarily, nor even conceded without heavy payment in hard cash. Indeed this Henry III. proved to be as unprincipled as a Stuart, for having obtained the supply of his necessities, he, in 1227, revoked the charter, as being granted when he had no power over himself. Again the yoke of the forest laws became as oppressive as ever, till, in 1236, the nation demanded redress before another supply were conceded to the King and the Government. Then the charter once more become law, and was confirmed in 1253 and 1300, in which latter year both Magna FOKESTS, WOODS, AND PAKKS. 175 Charta and the Carta de Foresta were finally and completely established, after having been frequently endangered, and subjected to various mutations for nearly a centiuy. "Succeeding monarchs heard the subjects' cries, Nor saw displeased the peaceful cottage rise." Much, of the rigour of the forest laws was now relaxed, and those large tracts of land which had been recently afforested (as I shall have occasion to show with regard to portions of the forest of Feckenham) were ordered to be disafforested, so that the forests should be reduced to their original extent ; and perambulations to ascertain and fix that extent were everywhere made. Such lands so restored were called ''pouralleys " (still called " piuieys " in some j)laces, as at Sherborne, Dorset- sliire, and there is a " PurHeu-lane " leading to Mathon). Notwithstanding these concessions the laws were still absurdly severe. If a forester killed a resisting offender in the forest it was not felony, but tvithout the boundary he would have been amenable to the common law for such an offence, and to the mercy of a jury who woidd no doubt have deemed the murder as nothing in the scale against that kingly wrath wliich would have been evoked by an honest discharge of theu' duty. Killing the king's deer was no longer a capital offence, but was punishable by fine, imprisonment, or abjiu-ation of the realm. Offenders taken in the act, or " mth the manner " as it was termed, were seized, and generally imprisoned during the king's pleasure. This term " with the manner " had four parts, each of which was a distinct offence : 1st, "stable stand," or when a man was found standing with his bow bent ready to shoot ; 2nd, " dog-draw," where the beast had been struck, and the dog Avas drawing after it ; 3rd, " backbear," bearing the game away ; and 4th, " bloody hand," when a person was foimd in the forest Avith hands imbrued in blood. All persons not assisting in the hue and cry 176 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. after offenders were heavily pimislied. Hawking and hunting were not to be jjractised by any common person, but only by kings, earls, Ijarons, noblemen of the realm, or high ecclesiastics, nor could even the owners of freehold lands in the forest " do as they liked Avith their own " in tlie slightest way without grant or charter of the king or his justice in eyre. To cut down his own woods without such license rendered him liable to be proceeded against for " waste " and damage. If a man built a house on his own land without license it was considered a " purpresture," or encroachment. iN'o hunting was to be allowed for forty days before and after the king's hunt, so that " the wild beasts may not by any means be disquieted of their rest and peace." A dweller in a forest might keep a mastiff (a word corrupted froin 'maze thief, or thief frightcner) for his own defence, provided the dog was lawfully expeditated — i.e., three claws of its fore- feet cut off. An executioner was appointed at the Court of Attacliments to expeditate all dogs found unlaAvfully in the enjoyment of their claws, Avhich were by him struck off with a niaUet and chisel, on a block of wood. " Foot-geld " was a fine for not cutting the feet of dogs kept in a forest to prevent their running after the king's deer. And there was a cutting or laming of dogs' hams — " hanibling " or " boxing " as it was termed. Geese, goats, sheep, and swine, were not allowed to have common in the forest, as it would be " ad magnum nocumen- tunr ferarum forestse." And great jealousy was shown in preventing commoners ])utting in more beasts than they were entitled to, which was called " surcharging the forest," and punishable by forfeiting their cattle, &c. Occasionally there were " drifts," or driving of all cattle by the forest officers into one place, and those persons who failed to come and claim their cattle then and there forfeited them to the king. Swine FORESTS, WOODS, AND PARKS. 177 and hogs were admitted to the forests from Holyrood day (fifteen days heforc Michaohnas) till forty days after Micliaelmas, or about the feast of St. Martin. In pannage time swine were to be ringed, to prevent their routing and turning up the king's soil, " which is the cause of the exilation of the king's deere." The allocation of cattle and swine to certain parts of the forest at the proper season was called "agistment." Tlie time for cattle to have common of herbage was from fifteen days before Midsummer tiU Holyrood day. 'No one was allowed to keep greyhounds unless he had £10 a-year in land or tenements (worth perhaps £300 now), or was possessed of goods and chattels to the value of £200, or was the son of a knight or baron, or heir apparent of a 'squire, on pain of three months' imprisonment. Whitawers were not allowed to dwell in a forest, " for they are the dressers of skins of stolen deer." ISTor were bakers or brewers permitted to carry on their trades therein. The comfort and peace of the beasts was the greatest object, compared with which the lives and liberties of the people were held in very slight estimation. Game Avas described as " dainty meat for the king and the best sort of men in the realm." If a deer was found killed, an inquest as to the cause of death was held. The flesh was afterwards given to the nearest hospital, or to the poor and lame of the neighbourhood, and the head and skin to the freemen of the next toAvn ; but—" This is meant of those deere that are not meete, nor meete to be eaten of tliG hest mvt of the people ; for if a beast be found dead, and newly killed, it is not meant by this statute to be given to a hospital." A nice gauge of charity, truly, to give away only what they rejected for their own eating. An archbishoj-), bishop, earl, or baron, in going to or returning from court (but only at the invitation of the king) was allowed to kill one or two deer in passing through the king's forests, but it must 12 178 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. be in the presence of the forester, or, if lie could not be found, then a horn was to be blown for liini, " no that he (the earl or bishop) seein not to steal our deere." There was a fence month for fawning, which was fifteen days before and after ]\lidsuinnier, and very vigilant watch Avas then kept against all aggressors, and dire was the punishment if they were caught. Tlie officers of a forest were numerou.s : besides the lord chief justice, who had a resident lieutenant, there were the chief warden, or Avarder, and his lieutenant, a steward, verdercrs, regarders, foresters, agisters, walkers, parkers, warreners, rangers, woodwards, &c. The warder, or keeper, had the chief government of a royal forest, and when the lord chief justices in eyre were to hold a court he sent summonses to the keepers forty days previously, to warn all under officers to appear before him. A verderer was usually a squire or gentleman of good account, chosen in the same manner as a coroner, by the king's Avrit sent to the sheriff", and the votes of the county freeholders. His duty Avas to see the A'ert maintained. Yert Avas anything that greAV or bore a green leaf in the forest. There Avas "over vert" and '' under A'ert," the former being the great Avoods (hault- bois) and the latter under Avoods (sul)-bois), bushes^, t'lorns, gor.s(;, fern, cVc. He viewed and held inquests on the bodies of beasts found slain, and enrolled the attachments and presentments of all manner of offences relating to vert and venison. The regarder every year upon oath made a regard or A'icAV of the forest limits, and enquired into all offences or defaults of the officers, also for the survey of dogs. lie Avas usually a]>p(»inted by letters i)atent of the king, and generally there Avere twelve regarders in every forest. Some members of the ancient family of Egiock, residing at a place of that name in the parish of InkberroAv, Avere for many years regarders of the forest of Feckenham. A forester was appointed to Avalk the forest and Avatch vert and FORESTS, WOODS, AND PARKS. 179 venison, also to attach, and present all trespasses Avithin his walk. A ranger was a sworn officer, whose duty it was to walk daily through his charge, to drive hack the deer out of the purlieus, or disafforested places, into the forest lands, and to present all trespasses done in his bailiwick at the next court. He was paid yearly out of the Exchequer, and had fee deer besides. Walkers were underkeepers, who walked regular rounds, and they were sworn " to he of good hehavioar toioards his Majesty's wild heasts," to conceal no offences, and not to oppress the people or use extortion. The best proof of the prevalence of this extortion was the fact of a special enactment to remedy it. Agisters were officers who took in and fed the cattle of strangers in the king's forest and collected the money due for their pannage and herbage. This was usually fifteen days before and fifteen days after Michaelmas, when the running of the cattle could not prejudice the game. Woodwards had the care of special woods ; parkers of parks. Bailiff's directed the husbandry, felled trees, &c. A beadle was an officer or messenger of the court, Not only aU officers but all residents in a forest were compelled to take an oath to be true to the king and his game. The following was the oath taken by residents above twelve years of age : — "You shall true liegeman be unto the kmg's majesty. You shall no hurt do unto the beasts of the forest, Nor unto anything that cloth belong thereto. The offences of other you shall not conceal, But to the uttermost of your power you shall them reveal Unto the officers of the forest, Or to them that may see the same redressed. All these things you shall see done. So help you God at's holie doome." With all these precautions, however, depredations were made in the king's forests. There is an old verse as to good manners in eating venison : — 180 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. '• It is not to be enquired ft-oin whence venison conieth, For if bj- cliance it t^tolcn be, A good belief sufHeeth thee." And the (juaiiiL dfliglitful old Fidler says : — " And as it is no manners for liini that hath good venison before liini to ask -whence it came, but rather fairly to fall to it ; 8o hearing an excehcnt sermon, iic never enqniros wlience tlie ])reaclier had it, or whether it "was not before in i)rint, but falls aboard to practice it." Three courts "were held in forests : 1, the Court of Attachments, held every ibrty days, which only deter- mined ofl'ences when the value of the trespass or damage did inot exceed 4d., and received the attach- ments of the foresters in readiness oi- ])r(!paratory to ^'o. 2, the Court of Swanimole, held thrice a year. Tlie name is from " Swain-mote," meeting of swains, or court of freeholders, owing suit and service within the forest, as " folk-mote " was a meeting of folk or people generally. The indictments and convictions of the Court of Swanimotc were kept for and delivered to the lord chief .justice at his court called the Justice Seat, and l)y him conhrmed or reversed. These courts were jiroclaimed at fairs and markets a certain number of days before holding them. 'I'he hart, hind, hare, boar, and Avolf, were at first considered to be the five forest beasts, or beasts of venery. Subsequently the buck, doe, Ibx, marten, and roe, were the beasts of chase ; while the hare, rabbit, ])heMsant, and partridge, weie accounted beasts and I'owl of warren. T>easts of chase Avere those which stayed in the fields by day and retired to their coverts by night; while the wild beasts of the forest hid llicmsilves by day and came out at night to feed. The hail, wliirli Avas said to be the nolilest beast of the i'orest, was calle(l in his first year a hind calf; in his second a broket ; third, a sj^ayard ; fourth, a staggard ; fifth, a stag ; and sixth, a hart. The hind was called FORESTS, WOODS, AND PARKS. 181 in its first year a calf ; second, a broket's sister ; third, a hind. A buck, first year, was a fawn ; second, a l^ricket ; third, a sorrell ; fourth, a sore ; fifth, a buck of the first head ; sixth, a great buck. Doe, first year, a fawn ; second a pricket's sister ; third, a doe. Eoe, first, a kid ; second, a gyrle ; third, a hemuse ; fourth, a roebuck of the first head ; fifth, a fair roebuck. A hare, first, a leveret ; second, a hare. Eabbit, first, a rabbit ; second, an old coney. Wild boar, first, a j)ig of the sounder ; second, a hog ; third, a hogsteare ; fourth, a boar. A fox was not considered a beast of the forest nor of venery, and the killing of it was not IDunished, except as being a trespass on the king's land. As early as the time of Canute foxes and wolves were held in great contempt by the people for the damage they occasioned ; and it Avas customary, even down to the last century, for parish officers to make frequent entries in their books of sums paid for the destruction of foxes as a dangerous nuisance. In the parish chest at Claines will be found records of Sir John Pakington's men of that day being paid Is. a head for foxes. Worcestershire was almost entii-ely included in four great forests, viz. : — Fbckenham (including Pyperode forest), Ombersley, HoREWELL, and Malverx. Besides which portions of the forests of Wyre, Kinver, Arden, and Corse, belonging to the adjoining counties of Salop, Stafford, Warwick, and Gloucester, impinged more or less on various parts of the margin of Worcestershire. Nearly all the country between the rivers Avon and Severn was a thick and wild wood- land. Arden forest joined to that of Feckenham, which, with the forest of fjmliersley, included all tlie northern part of the county between the Stour and Severn, quite down to Worcester. The forest of Horewell 182 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. extended soutlnvard from AVorccster to within a mile of Tewkesbury, Avliile tluit of j\falvern stretclied from Teme in tlie north to Corse forest in the soutli, and from Severn to the top of Malvern hill. FECKENHAM FOEEST. First let ns take a survey of the forest of Feckenhara. The ancient town of that name is believed to have given its name to tlie forest. The toAvn Avas a place of note when the forest was enlarged by Henry II., and AVrts part of the king's demesne, Avhere the lords justices of the king's forests on this side Trent, either by themselves or their deputies, kept their courts to determine causes concerning the breach of the forest laws. They liad, of course, a prison there, Avhich stood on a piece of ground, about four acres, near the church, liaving a strong ditch round it ; and on the north side of the prison Avas the dungeon, Avhere many a Avretched offender has come to a lingering death. In the time of Charles II., after the disafforesting, the site Avas planted Avith tobacco, Avhich grcAV A'ery Avell till prohibited by Act of Parliament in the same reign. The toAvn of Fcckenhani is situate on the furthest limit of the ancient forest. The boundaries of this forest Avere ascertained and defined by an exact survey taken and delivered in upon oath to the king's justices in the 28th year of EdAA^ard I. (1.300), as already mentioned. The king appointed his justices to cause this peramlndation to 1)0 made, and at that time the principal officers of the forest Avere John de Schevelstrede, keeper of the forest ; Pti chard IMoniroun, forester in fee ; Eobert l^ippard, Richard de Cromeli, "William de Lench, Thos. dc Bottely, Stephen Wood, and AValter Writlieluag, vcrderers. The jurors on the occasion Avere all gentlemen of the county, many of them taking their names from their respectiA'e parishes, namelj^, William le SenesciiU (stcAvard), liobert de Eracy, Adam de FECKENHAM FOREST. 183 Elnibrugge, Simon tie Cronibe, Henry de Pendoc, John do Intebery, Osbern d'Abetot, Alexander d'Abetot de Hyndelepe, Walter de Budley, Simon le Bruin, Eobert de Someri, Alexander de Besford, William Gaul, and John de Kent. After a perambulation of the whole forest had been effected, the jury decided tliat the boundary commenced at the Fore-gate of the city of Worcester, the long street or suburb outside that gate of the city, now called Foregate-street and the Tything, and anciently known as " Forest-street," being bounded on its east side by the forest of Feckenham, and on tlie west by that of Ombersley, although the actual woods of the forests might not have extended to the gates of the city, except in very early times. Let us now endeavour to follow the award of the jury in drawing the outline of this large forest from its commencement at the Foregate to its termination at Sidbury gate, so far as the change of names in various localities will permit us to identify tliem. Passing by ]]everbourne (Barbourne) it went along the king's highway to Uroitwich, down the middle of Runynstreet, or Euine- street (since called St. Andrew's-lane), thence to Gase- ford, and along the road to Latterne-brugge (corruptly called Leathern-bridge), so to Wychband (Wichbold), and by the mill of the nuns of Westwood to Kinges- lond, thence to PurshuU, along Godhyne-way, Avhich U'oes throuo-h the middle of Eushucke to Bradeford- brugge, and along the same way to the river Stour, avoiding Hartlebury and Kidderminster, and so up the river to Belmo-Avay, to Brocton (Belbroughton), and going still up the water to a wood called Maydeneleye (INIaidley Farmi) and thence along the road to the river Salewarp, and up the same to Chadeleswick (Chadwick Hall 1) to the head of the river Arrow, near the Lickey hill, down that river to Bordesley, tkence across a country which is still thickly wooded, and passing probably not above two or three miles from 184: WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Feckenhani, -wliich Avas said to be tlic furtlicst eastern limit of tlie forest, and so on l)y Inklx'rrow and tlie Lcnclies, to the rivx^r Avon. Down the bank of the Avon tlie forest extended to the ancient tow^n of Evesham ; tlience, returning towards Worcester, the boundary included Crauconibe (Craycoin)]^ 1), Throck- morton, Aston-juxta-AVigorn (White Ladies Aston), vSpetchley, and along the king's highw^ay to Sidbury or Southbury gate. This extensive circuit was the enlarged area of the forest, as increased by Henry II., prior to whose time the boundary was much less, for we are told by the same authority, in Nash, that this Nimrod of a king added to the ancient forest many manors, villages, and hamlets, namely, the manor of Pirie (of which Perry Wood, near Wf)rcpster, was a part), Everio, i)art of the manor of Xorthwick, the manor of Li])pard, the villages of llindlip, Warndon, Tibberton, Oddingley, Dunhampstead, llimbleton, hamlets at Droitwich, Had/.or, Inipney, Ilanbury, Astwood, part of Wyche- Ijande, the villages of 8cirrive, Upton, and Grafton (Upton Warren and Grafton, near Bromsgrove) ; the hamlet of Tiudiorhanglc, jiart of Kokesey (Cooksey), the hamlets of Cuthaldeseye, and AVorugge ; the site of the priory of Doddeforde,* parts of Purshull, liushucke, and Hertleburc, \i/.., Thorouthon (Tortoni), the village of Stone, the manor of (Tiaddesley Corbctt, pai't of the manor of Forfeld, part of the village of IJeolne, part of the manor of Stoke, part of Cofton, part of Alvechurch, the granges of Sjalenhale, de la Leye, and Hawele (Hewell ]), the site of Bordesley Abbey, part of Tardel- l)rugg (Tardebigg), and the liandet of liedditch, the villages of Hcrforton (llarvington), Lenchwyke, Eves- ham, Scirrivo-lcnrh, the hamlets of Atche-lench and Kucebivinton, the villages of Church-lench and llabbe- * The lands of this priory, two miles N.W. of Bromsgrove, were disaflbrested by Henry II. FECKENHAM FOREST. 185 lench, part of the manor of Fladbury, the villages of Bissampton, Aldhryton (Abberton), Lench Eondulph, Morton Alibots, the site of the grange of Holeweye, the villages of Dormerston (Dormstone), Kington, i'lavel, Haddington, Upton Snodsbury, Kewnton, Piddel, Grafton, Broiighton Hacket, Crowle, Churcliill, Bredi- cot, and i:)art of vSpetchley, — all which places were said to have been added to the forest by Henry II., *' to the great damasre of the lords thereof ; " but soon after the above-mentioned i^erambulation the forest was reduced to its ancient limits, and the manors and villages of which a list has just been given were disafforested, which, it will now be understood, does not mean cleared of wood, but rendered free of the forest laws. Bromsgrove, a part of Chaddesley, and other places whose names are not now clearly identified, continued however within the forest, as being a part of the king's demesne. iS^o doubt the perambulators held a court of enquiry at each place on the line of the forest boundary, and having received evidence, made a return, as in the case of Cofton and Alvechurch, wherein their award has been handed down to us in hash's history, thus : — " Illam partem de Cofton quae est in forresta, cum vasto quam Eobertiis de Leycester tenet, et illam partem de Alvechurch (pire est in forresta c[uam episcopus Wigorn tenet, hoe terrte predictse fuerint afforestatfe per Henricum regem, proavum d'ni regis qui nunc est, ad damnum omnium tenentium." It is stated that Bouse Lench was disafforested in the year after the coronation of Henry II. The smaller forest of Pyperode, included in that of Feckenham, embraced the manors of Chaddesley, Rushock, Elmley Lovett, Belbroughton, and parts of Alvechurch and Bromsgrove. The name of this forest of P3q:)erode does not occur, so far as I know, in any public or private records relating to lands in this county beyond what is mentioned in l^ash, nor is it known 186 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. why or wlieii this inner "wuiuUaml circle was described, nor what occasioned the adoption of the name ; but I bolicA'o the name is still retained in certain woods within the man(jr of Chaddesley or lielln-oughton, called Pepper Woods. Materials for the history of the forest of Feckenham are scanty antl incoherent, yet such as remain I will endeavoiu' to present in as connected a manner as possible. Chaddesley was one of the i)laces which had tlie misfortune to be added to the forest by Henry II., and the Corbetts, who in Xorman days gave their name as an affix to that of tlie parish, became the chief land- owners tliere. Peter Corbett, a member of that familj', was said to have been a keen sportsman in the time of Edward I., and feceived the royal mandate, that in all forests, jiarks, and other places, in the counties of AVorcester, Clloucester, Hereford, Salop, and Stailord, in which he might find wolves, he was to hunt the same with men, dogs, and engines, to destroy them. Whether this Corbett was chief warder or keeper of Feckeidiam forest, or merely received a special commission to hunt wolves only, does not ajjpear. The hunter of wolves Avas in the king's pay. In the 13th of Henry II., 3s. was ordered to be paid to the hunter in AN^treestershire Avho caught the wolves in the forest. The same sum Avas paid in succeeding reigns, but only seldom mention seems to have been made of the hunter after the time of Henry III., Avhcn the Charter of the Forest was granted, and disafl'oresting commenced. In the church of Chaddesley, besides interesting monuments to these Corbetts, is one of a man and his wife. At the man's head is an escutcheon, witli two barbed arrows in sal tire, and over that of the woman a hunter's horn, strhiged j with the inscription : " Orate pro animabus Thomse P^)ryst, parcarii de Dunelent Park, et ^Fargarcta' uxoris ejus, et omniiuupuerorum suorum " (of whom they had five boys and six girls, ranged in a straight line beneath o FECKENHAM FOREST. 187 their parents' feet, and on whose souls they pray the Lord to have mercy). No date is given, but it is probably late loth century work, and the man is described as the park keeper or forester of Dunclent. The horn and arrows show his calling : the latter, forked or bifurcated, were the hunting aiTOWs of that period. These monuments of himters are rare. In Pershore church is the effigy of a knight, armed, with his right hand grasping a horn, which has been thought to denote a forest ranger, but Mr. Bloxani believes that it signifies in this case a knight who held lands by cornage tenure or horngeld. We are indebted to ecclesiastical records for some . account of this forest, for it seems that even the clergy, all powerful as they were in most matters, were obliged to look sharply after their rights when they came into collision with the royal prerogative of the chase. It appears that the bishops of Worcester, who had lands in Feckenham forest, and certain privileges to take and carry away out of their own woods, without supervision or control of the king's foresters or verderers, were frequently distiu'bed in their rights ; but generally the mitre prevailed against the crown, as must always be the case Avhen the former is backed by influences deriving their force and efficacy from considerations relating to ^ another world. Henry III. granted to the Prior and Convent of Worcester that they shoidd keep their woods and enjoy their privileges in the forests of Feckenham and Kinver, provided the foresters ai~ipointed by the prior and monks took an oath to the king not to destroy his game. ISTone of the king's foresters or bailiff's were to meddle with the rights of the monastery — hunting in the said woods alone excepted — and no waste was to be committed, but the trial of such waste to be determined by the justices of the forest and by a jury of twelve freemen, knights as well as others. This agreement was dated at Woodstock, Aug. 16, 1256, 188 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. But it wa^ in tlie nature of tiling.^ that frequent disputes and conflicts sliould occur between these opposing interests, Avhen day by tlay the rival officers of the forest met and exchanged rough courtesies, wrangled, and quarrelled. The merest trifle would be sufficient to occasion a scene of violence — the escape of a bit of venison through a defective fence, the falling of a tree over a boundary line, or any other little matter magnified into a great one by the mutual jealousies of clerical and lay agency brought into juxta-p.osition disagreeably close. Dr. Thomas informs us that on the eve of Lady- day, 1289-90, there was a court held by the king at Feckenham, and an enquiry made throughout the whole county as to who hail transgressed in hunting in that forest, and many were imprisoned, and others that were indicted for the same found six sureties for their appearance T)efore the king at Woodstock on the nones of April, to hear his sentence of mercy or judgment ; and because there was no other equity but the king's will, the bishop's redem})tiou Avas taxed at 500 marks and the prior's at 200. In the following autumn the king's foresters, probably emboldened by the punishment awarded to these dignitaries, insulted the jirior of Worcester as he was travelling along the road at Harvington, near Evesham, roljbed his servants of their bows and arrows, and somided their horns on all sides against him. In case of tresi:)ass by hunting or })order liDstility, the foresters and others iised to shout and blow their horns, to bring in the coimtry to their aid ; hence the northern border tenure of coinage, before alluded to. It has been already stated that the justices of the king's forests on this side Trent held their courts at Feckenham, to determine causes concerning the breach of the forest laws. It is recorded, hoAvever, that in INlay, 1300, Hugh le Despencer, then chief justice of the forest, afterwards the favourite and principal FECKENHAM FOREST. 189 minister of Edward II., attended by all the foresters of Feckeiihani, held his court at the hospital of St. Widstaii in Worcester — now called " The Coniniandery," in Sidbury — to impose tines on the destroyers of the king's game ; but the reason for this change of tlie seat of forest justice is not specified ; it was probably merely a temporary arrangement, for the accommodation of the parties concerned. About the same time we hear of one Eichard Pontfrait lying imprisoned above three years for fishing in the king's pond at Feckenliam, and being fined 20s. (worth more than as many pounds of the present coinage). It is also recorded that Edward I., who frec^uently visited the tomb of St. Wulstan, at Worcester Cathedral, on one of these occasions slept at Feckenham on his return. Another disturbance of the rights of the Bishop of Worcester was occasioned by the servants of Margaret, cpieen mother of Edward II., but those rights Avere coniirmed by deed, dated Feb. 12, 1315. After the death of Bishop Cobham (1327), two cows were seized for a heriot due for the bishop's Ian is withm the forest, but this was stated to have been an injustice, as no heriot had been paid for those lands by any of the bishop's predecessors ; whereupon his executors petitioned Queen Isabel that right should be done them ; and the petitioners were successful. In 1346, the bishop (Wiilstan of Bransford) was once more distiu'bed in his forest rights, upon which a writ of en([uiry was issued, and the following jury summoned and sworn, viz., John de Sodington, Andrew Foliot, Eoger de Bishopesdon (Bishopton), John Coleman, Richard Lench, John Ending, Eichard Toky, Eichard Alisandre, William de Disford, Philip de Spechesley, Eichard Sompnor, and Osbert Spelly, who upon oath returned that the Bishops of Worcester had from time im- memorial enjoyed the aforesaid privileges. Upon which Tliomas de Berkeley, keeper of the king's forests I'JO WORCESiTEKSUlRE KELICS. on this side Trent, wrote to Giles Beaucliamp, keeper of the forest of Fcclcenhain, charging him to h't tlie hishop enjoy the same without molestation from him or his servants. This order was dated at Berkeley, May 7, 1348, and was confirmed by Eicliard IT., in 1393. In 1371, the king sent a writ to John Foyle, keeper of the forest of Feekenham, commanding that the prior and monks of "Worcester shoidd, for themselves and their tenants of Stoke Prior, have common of pasture for all cattle in the prior's woods and elsewhere within the said forest, as they were accustomed to have time out of mind. Another decision in favour of the monks of Worcester was made in l-lO-l, when an inquisition was taken before John King, lieutenant of the Duke of York, chief justice of the forests, to ascertain if tlie manor of Shurnake, in the parish of Feekenham, was privileged with charter warren ; and after due enquiry the jury discharged the said manor of the laws of the forest, declaring that the foresters of Feekenham ought to have no repast in the manor of the Chiu-ch of Wor- cester, called Shurnake. This award was made by John AVybbe, Ed. Beaumont, Koger Chaterle, verderers ; Wm. Spechesley, Ed. Haml)ury, Va\. Eggok, Ed. Eudging, Henry Mottolow, John Ilawy, Thos. Lyde, Thos. Podwale, John Eudying, Thomas Ilawkeslow, Thomas Eudying, and John Colemore, regarders, who upon oath said : — "Quod forestadc Feekenham nidlum repastum habere ilebet in manerio ecclesiie sanctiC beatai IMariiB Wygorn de Shernack, nee liabuit a tempore quo non extant memoria de jure. Et ideo dicti forestarii sunt de dicto repasto quieti." It is thus evident that much vigilance and energy were exhibited by the bishops and priors of Worcester in maintaining their rights in the forest. Ecclesiastics affected the sports of the lield Avith as keen a zest as any other class ; and although a bishop was not per- mitted by the canon law to hunt for the sake of FBCKENHAM FuRKST. 191 pleasure (volaptatls causa), he aniglit Jo so for recrea- tion, or for liealtli and the necessity of the body, — a tine distinction tridy, but just as in our own day some people take spirits medicinally, strongly objecting, hoAvever, to the inference that so base a motive as pleasure has anything to do with it. I might introduce the reader into Worcester monastery to prove that the shaven ecclesiastics of those days were no better nor worse than the fox-luuiting parsons of the last century, for the prior of Worcester was a liberal subscriber to the chase, and it woidd seem kept homids himself. Hoands were necessary and useful in turning into profit the wild stock upon the manors, and to them was (jwing the venison which formed such savory meals, and which was salted for winter consumption. Prior Moore's accounts (early in the sixteenth century) contain the following items : — s. d. Payd for a great home for ye hunt 3 4 Rewards to ye Kyng's hunt 1 8 To our hunter and hys companie, for hunting at Bredon hylls 7 To ye hunt on Cristmays daye 1 To Jas. Badger his wife for my kennell hounds .... 6 8 Rewards to Mr. Wm. Skull for hunting otters 3 4 For coat to the otter taker 6 8 The monks of Finchale in the 14th century were reproved for keeping a |)ack of hounds. lieginald Brian, Bishop of Worcester in 1352, in a letter to the Bishop of St. David's (from which see Brian had just been translated), reminds his brother j^relate of a promise he had made to send him six brace of excellent hunting dogs — " the best he had ever seen," and that he had been in daily expectation, so that his " heart languished for then- arrival." " Let them come (says he), reverend father, without delay. Let my woods re-echo with the music of their cry and the cheerful notes of the horn, and let the walls of my palace be 192 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. decorated Avith llie tropliies of tlie chase." Bishop Whitgift, it is said, hunted often in Ilartlehury park, and many other places, particidarly Lord Cohham's park in Kent, where he killed twenty bucks in one joimiey, using greyhounds or his how at pleasure, though he never shot well. The. same is credibly reported of Archbishop !Sandys. It is Avritten of Cramner, in his life : " Permiserat ei pater aucupiuui, venationeni, equitationem, &c. C^uibus quideni, cum jam archicpisco]Mis, relaxare aninium, et abducere se a rebus gravioribus vfUet, ita utebatur, ut in famulatu suo non fuerit quispiam ([ui in generosiini eqvuim salire, ac tractare elegantius, aut aves, feras(pie aucu})io aut venatione insecjui commodius intelligentiusque potuisset. Sajpe etiani, etsi oculis intirmis esset, arcum tendens, sagitta percussit feram." It was not a century ago that a charge was rcgidarly made in the audit accounts of the Dean and Chapter of Worcester for sums given " for the city huntsman." In Abingdon's MSS. (now in Somerset House) mention is made of a Mr. Lyttelton 300 years ago, who invited the Jiishop of Worcester to hunt Avith him at Frankley ; for (says the writer) bishops were then keen sportsmen, and so continued to be till the very unlia])py accident Avhich befel the good Archbishop Al)bot in the next reign, by shooting and killing the keeper at Branzill Park, Hants. But to return fiom this digression to the forest of l^eckenham, I lind further evidence of the frecpient adjustment of lay and clerical interests within that wide arena of feudal desjiotism. In June, 1408, Henry IV. granteil Bishop I'everell license to cut down and sell out of his own Avoods within the forest of Feckenham as many oaks as would amount to 200 marks, to enable him to rejiair the manor-houses of his bishopric, Avhieh he had found in many places ruinous. This proves that the OAvners of property Avithin the PARKS. 193 limits of a forest had no power but that which was borrowed from royalty for the disposition of that property, No subject coiild enclose his own wood, or lay out a park, or even cut doAvn a tree for necessary repairs, without a license from the king or the chief justice. The vicar of Feckenham had the privilege of summering and wintering a certain number of cattle within the forest ; and among the lands which were exempt from the laws of this forest were those of the abbot of Bordesley ; viz., the grange of Sydenhale, the grange de la Ley, the neAV grange of HaAvley (Hewell 1) the abbey of Bordesley and its grounds, part of Tarde- l)igg with the woods thereof, and the hamlet of Kedditch. PAEKS. Another kind of j)rivileged enclosures were the parks. There Avere two parks in this county at the time of Domesday, viz., Sahvarp, belonging to Earl Roger, and Avhich we do not hear of again ; and the other at Wadberge (Wadborough), the property of Pershoro monastery, which seems to have been disparked in the seventeenth cent my. Besides these parks, " hayes " are also noticed in Domesday at Holt and Kington, held respectively by Urso and Roger de Laci. These hayes Avere enclosures — hedged or paled Avoods— into which game was driven and then slain, in a kind of l^attue, Avhen a large stock of food Avas required. They Avere the prototypes of modern coverts. Parks Avere entered by deer-leaps or hedges, and a deer-leap Avas a pitfall, an old contrivance for taking deer generally on the edge of a forest or chase. Om' neighbouring parish of Hindlip (hind-leap) received its name in this A\'ay ; it was on the Avestern edge of the forest of Feckenham, near the king's higliAvay from Worcester to DroitAvich. At Offenham, Avhere once Avas a park, its boundary is still clearly defined by a fosse and bank knoAvn as 13 19i WORCESTKRSIITRE RELICS. •' Till! Deer's-leap." . The liglit uf taking deer liy this ineau.s was often grantetl liy charter, and fre([ncntly used by deer-steahn's without any right. An example of a chartered deer-leap still (ixercising its privileges is at Wolseley in Staflbrdshire, on the edge of Cannock Chase. The fences and ditches of jtarks were for the l)urpose of preventing the royal l)easts from entering and the deer from going out. All other enclosui'es were most strictly regulated as to the depth of the foss or ditch, and the height of the pale or hedge Avith which the gi'ouud was to be fenced, in order to allow free ingress to the royal deer ; and rigitl stipulations were drawn up as to the manner in which a ])ark or enclosure might be e:itered in jnu'suit of game which had been struck outside. Mr. Shirley, in his execllent work on "English Deer Parks," shows lis that hunting Avas a matter of great deliberation and importance ; deeds Avcre drawn up and sealed, and most searching in([uiries made as to the state of the game in every forest and chase ; warrants for the due delivery of venison Avere Avritten and signed Avith legal accuracy. An old Avriter describes our parks as lieing " maintained only fur the i)leasur(> of the oAvner, to the no small decay of husbamby, and the diminution of mankind." It appears there Averc more jiarks in England than in all Europe beside; and they Avcre strongly fenced around, not only Avitb Avails and palings, l)ut by an Act of Parlianieait Avhich aAvarded three months' imprisonment to any one breaking into them. Parks Avere gradually (liniiuisliing in number for some time before the Com- monwealth, but at that period the royal jn-eserves Avere almost Avholly tlestroyed, as also those of the loyalist party; pales Avere broken doAvn, and the deer and timber soM. T>ut am])le retribution Avas visited on the ]J()undheads at the Kestoration. Since then, neverthe- less, the number of parks has greatly diminished. I am indclitcd to Mr. Shirley's Avork for an account of PARKS. 195 the parks in this county ; and this will probably be the best place to introduce them to the reader, if he avlU excuse this temporary digression from the affairs of the forest proper. Feckenham park was a very ancient royal one, and was sold by the Crown to Lord Keeper Coventry in the 17th century. I have no account of its dis- appearance. Tickenhill (royal) Park, at Bewdley, comprised about 400 acres in the time of James I., and contained 3,500 old trees, with nearly one hundred head of deer ; it was disparked. at the " rebellion." The Bishops of Worcester possessed three parks in tlie county — Hartlebury, Alvechurch, and Blockley. Hartlebury (the ejnscopal seat) contained eighty-six acres at one time, but was disparked in 1841, when the late bishop declined any longer to keep deer there. Alvechurch park, where the bishop had a manor-house, was converted into farms long before Nash's time. At Blockley, where was another episcopal manor-house, the ancient park is still indicated by the name Park-lands Farm, on a hill opposite the vicar's garden. The present J^orthAvick Park, at Blockley, was probably enclosed early in the last centiuy ; it contains 290 acres, with a large herd of fallow deer. Hallow Park belonged to the priory of "Worcester, and afterwards to the see. Queen Elizabeth himted in it on the 18th August, 1575. Her Majesty rode to the park (then belonging to Mr. Abyngton) on her palfrey, and with her 1)0W killed one buck and struck another, when she called for Mr. Abyngton, asking him hoAV many bucks were killed, and when he replied " Two," her Majesty ordered that one sliould be sent to each of the two bailiffs' (mayors') liouses in the city. The maiden queen was not so successful at Battenhall, where Avas a park belonging to the prior of Worcester (still conmieniorated on its city side by the name of 196 WORCESTKRSHIRE RELICS. Park-street, &c.). Her Majesty rude thither intend- ing to liunt, hut findiiig game very scarce, she returned without hunting at all. It is amusing to note what kind of sport royalty was satisfied with in those days. It is on record that Elizabeth honoured Viscount Montague with a visit in 1.591, at Cowdray, Sussex, and riding in the park there at eir/]if o'dofk in the moniiiKj (.') had a cross-bow put into her royal hand " to shoot at above thirty deer which were put into a paddock," her ]\Iajesty being stationed in a bower erected for the occasion, just opposite the poor victims ! The abbots of Evesham ])ossessed several parks in the county. Shrevell Park, Bengeworth, atos enclosed by Abbot Chiriton early in the fourteenth century ; after the dissolution it was granted to Sir P. Iloby, but has long disappeared. In 1376 Abbot John de Onibresley obtained a patent from the king to impark liis wood of Lineholt (300 acres) within the manor of (_)nd)ersley, which remained witli the abbey till the dissolution. At Offenham a manor-house and park also belonged to this al)bey, for Abbot Xorton, in 1483, provided that on the day of his anniversary the brethren shouhl have one doe f)'iim the deer park of on'cnham, with wine from the cellar of the abbot. The ]iark is still clearly defined by a broad fosse and bank, Icnown as the "deer's leaj)," before mentioned. The abbots of Pershore had also their park atGoldicotc, in tlie parish of Aldermaston, but no jiark is believed to have existed there since tlie PeformatioJi. Within the limits of Malvern Chase were formerly Ifanley and P.Iackmore Parks. Ilanley was disjiarked long ago, and at lUackmore there is no recollection of any deer having been kept. At Severn-end, the seat of ilic Lechmeres, Avas a small park in the last century, disparki'd about 1790, and the deer sent to Ludford iu Herefordshire. PARKS. 197 There was a park at Mathon, which belonged to the Beauchami^s and Lygons. Croonie Park and grounds, enclosed early in tlie last century, contain about 1,200 acres, and a herd of 400 fallow deer. Strensham, the ancient park of tlie Eussells, long ago disparked. Bushley, a large park liere belonged to the Clares, Earls of Gloucester, the Despencers, tlie Earls of Warwick, and the Bishops of London. There was a manor in the parish attached to the Abbey of Tewkes- bmy, which Avas also exempt from the forest laws. At Eedmarley a park belonged to the Beauchamps, and afterwards to the see of London. The Park Farm House still indicates the former existence of the park. A free warren was granted to Eobert de Staunton 17th Ed. III., and a license for^his park of Hawke- shm-ne in Hawgrove. Elniley Castle park still remains, containing 105 acres and from sixty to seventy fallow deer. It is probably an ancient park, and contains the site antl moats once belonging to a Norman castle. Hanbury Park, enclosed late in the seventeentli century, contains 1.30 acres, with a herd of 184 fallow deer. Of this place Abingdon reports — " Neyther wanted theare for recreation of our kynges a ftiyre park, though in thys parishe is styled Feckenliam Parke, sortinge in name with the kynges A^ast forrest reachinge in former ages far and wyde. A large walks for savage beastes, but nowe more comodyously changed to the civil habitations of many gentellmen, the freehouldes of wealthy yeomen, and dwellinges of industryous husbandmen. The Bishop of Worcester was heere lord and patron, but had not, as far as I can yet see, charter warren, because beeinge in the myddest of the kynge's forrest it might have byn prejudiciall to hys game." 198 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. In 37 Ilcnry III. a license was granted to Simon de AVanton for a parlc at Bradell or Bradele (Stock and Bradley 1) witliin the forest of Feckenhani, Init nothing more is known of it. 20 Ed. I. '^^'illiam de Valence had a license to impark a certain preserve and eighty acres on either side to increase his park at Inkl)erge (Tnkherrow), also in the same forest. Tliere is mention still made of Knighton park, in this parish ; and at Egiock, or Eggeoke, dwelt a family of repute, known by that name, who were regarders of the forest of Feckenham. Beoley Park belonged to the Sheldons, and Avas ^trobably disparked in the civil wars, when tlie house was destroyed. It still goes bv the name of " The Park." Bordesley Park, near Eedditch, and still so called, was said not to have been ancient. There is also tlie fine park at Hewell Grange, near the same locality, but with its antiquity I am not acquainted. Grafton Park, near Bromsgrove, belonged to tlie Staffords and Talbots, Eavls of Shrewsbury. Westwood Park is about 200 acres, Avith 100 head of deer. It does not occur in the ancient surveys, but is believed to have been long established. There was a park at ITagley as early as Edward III., but it was for ages disparked, and restored l)y Sir C. Lyttelton about the year 1694; it contains 220 acres and about seventy falloAV deer. Great Witley Park was in existence in the sixteenth century ; it contains 400 acres, and tlio late Lord Foley's father planted the young w^oods Avhich sur- roimd the ]iark, about 200 acres more. There are several hundrL-d fallow deer in the park. At Abljerley was an ancient park, long ago dis- parked. Stanford Park was formed early in the last century, and disparked al)Out 1790. There Avere also parks at FECKENHAM FOREST. 199 Ham Castle and Eastliam, the former belonging to the Jeffreys fiimily, and disparked at tlie close of tlie last century ; at the latter a farm called Park Farm still exists. Ivyre Park, enclosed by John Wyard iernp. Edward II., tlie royal charter for which is still in the possession of the Childe family, is said to have contained 500 acres, but in Nash's time only 180. Abingdon mentions the tall and mighty oaks therein as scarcely any park in England could surpass, and some of them believed to ha coeval with tlie formation of the park. It was disparked a few years ago. Button Park, near Tenbury, was the seat of tlie Actons temp. Henry IV., and afterwards passed to the Lucys. Spetchley Park contains 130 acres, and 170 fallow and some red deer ; it was enclosed in the time of Charles I. Of the parks now enumerated throughout W orcester- shire about a dozen were in the area of the forest of Feckenham, but several of these were not in existence till after the cessation of the forest laws ; the park enclosures therefore bore but a small proportion to the extent of district over which the forest law despotically ruled ; and so far as the public were concerned it mattered little whether forest or park — the land was not theirs, and the jSTorman took care that, whether for profit or amusement, it should be all his own. In Saxon times the king had only reserved to himself the right of hunting in the royal forests, permitting his subjects to enjoy the sport on their own grounds ; but the Norman Conqueror assumed to himself the exclusive right of hunting, and very sparingly granted the privilege to some of his greatest nobles, both lay and clerical. For ages tlie right of hunting in the royal forests was guarded with the utmost care, and the privilege of taking game was the subject of royal grants. 200 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. It was not till the time of Queen I^lizabeth and the subsequent reigns that the ancient Saxon privilege of hunting on their own grounds was restored to the people, and even tlien the sovereign seems always to have claimed and exercised the right of hunting and shooting in the subjects' parks during the royal itineraries. The keepership of a royal park, with its herbage and pannage, its sports, and the power of patronage thereto belonging, was a prize eagerly sought after, and many younger brothers became keepers of the family park, and lived at the lodge. It has been already stated that men of position and good family became wardens of forests and park-keepers, and I find it recorded that in the year 1574 Henry Lygon was keeper to Lord Berkeley. Beside the park enclosures, privileges and immuni- ties were from time to time acquired by the Church and her monastic establishments ; and what was gained by these out of spiritual considerations, working on the religious or superstitious feelings of the monarch, were sometimes purchased by other parties for the more tangible equivalent of good hard coin, or by some other service. " To be acquit of escapes " meant that the owner w^as privileged not to be fined if his cattle strayed nnlawfidly. To be '! quit of footgeld " av;is not to be fined for having dogs unexpeditated. To be "quit of chiminage " was a discharge from chiminage silver, paid for passing through a forest, with the carriage of anything on horseback. Worcester, Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Evesham, and reckenham, were the principal towns within the forest whose history Ave are now considering, and no doubt the rougher portion of their respective populaiions frecj[uently fell under the lash of the forest laws, admin- istered perhaps, as in the case of "William Shakspeare, by some Justice Shallow or other. The records of all such events were no doubt duly entered in tlie Swani- FECKENHAM FOREST, 201 mote books, but it never has been the good fortune of myself or any one else to discover one of these precious relics of the feudal ages ; nor has anything been handed down to us in reference to forest lore generally. The late Mr. Allies raised an argument from the fact of E^bin Hood's name being applied to some trees and other objects, in one part of the forest, that the great outlaw must have been at one time a resident therein. But there is no tangible evidence to support the conjecture, as the name of Robin Hood, like that of the Duke of Wellington or Lord Xelson, may probably be met with on signboards or otherwise in every county in England. A legend still preserved in the neighbourhood of Bromsgrove takes us back to the middle ages in con- nection with the forest of Feckenham ; and the old ballad relating tliereto, which the late INIr. Allies pro- duced in })rint, is entitled " The Jovial Hunter." One account says that Sir Humphrey Stafford, who was slain whilst fighting against Jack Cade, in the fifteenth century, and whose monument is in Bromsgrove Church, killed a Avonderful wild boar that lived in an enchanted castle, and destroyed all that passed that way ; that he released the lady, whose effigy lies by him, from enchantment and the power of the boar ; and that he, as an act of piet}^, built the church in which he lies, and an abbey near it. The ballad gives another version, and celebrates the wondrous achievements of a " Sir Ryalas " (son of Sir Eobert Bolton), as the " jovial hunter." It seems that the district was covered with Avoods, some of which could not be approached for fear of a frightful wild boar, until Sir Ryalas, inspired by the promise of a fair lady's hand, undertook the destruction of this sanguinary animal. The knight blew four blasts to the cardinal points, which of course the boar understood as a challenge, and having prepared for the encounter by Avhetting his tusks betweenhis forefeet: 202 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. "Then the wiUl boar, being so stout and so strong — ^ViIul well thy horn, good hunter — He thnisli'd down the trees as he came along To Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter." After a five hours' deadly conflict — he must liave thought it a hare — the knight gave liis opponent a quietus. " Oh then he cut his head clean off — Well -vvind thy horn, good hunter — Then there came an old lady running out of the wood, Saying, you'\e killed my pretty spotted pig, As thou art the jovial hunter. Then at him this old lady she did go — Well wind tliy horn, good hunter — And he clove her from the top of her head to lier toe, As he -was the jovial hunter. In Bromsgrove churchyard this old lady lies — Well \vind thy horn, good hunter — There the wild boar's head is pictur'd by Sir Ryalas, the jovial liunter." From this circumstance, it was alleged, Bromsgrove was formerly called Boar's Grove ; but the name appears to have been a fiction to suit the legend, for the town was called Bremesgrave in Domesday Jiook ; but about two miles to the cast of Bromsgrove there is a place called Burcot, or Boarscot, which, while also forming a part of Feckenham forest, was said to have been much frecpiented by wild boars ; and an old legend has been handed down in the district that the devil ke])t his hounds at Halesowen (r/ijr/o Hell's Own), and that he and his huntsman, Ilari'y-ca-Nab, riding on wild bulls, used to hunt the boars on Bromsgrove Lickey, It has been already stated that the consumption of wood in the salt-works of Droitwich Avas the principal cause of the destruction of Feckenham forest ; it was at least coincident Avith two other causes, viz., the decline of the feudal svstem and the introduction of FBCKENHAM FOREST. 203 coal, which rendered unnecessary the preservation of such immense woods. Leland (in the time of Henry VIII.) says — " The lacke of wood is now perceived in places near the Wyche (Droitwich) ; for whereas in places neere about they used to buy and take their wood, the wonted places are now so sore decayed in wood that they be forced to seek wood as farre as Worcester, and all the partes about Bromsgrove, Aulcluirch, and Aulcester. I asked a saulter how much wood he supposed yearly to be spent at the furnaces, and he answered that by estimation there was spent G,000 loads yearly ; that is yonge pole wood, easy to be cloven." Such a consumption as this, going on for centuries, must have been an immense drain upon the resources of the forest, but we see that in the time of Henry VIII. there were still some weU wooded portions left in the neighbourhoods of Worcester and Alve- church. At the last-named place Leland saw some good crops of corn growing while the woods were standing ; in the last century the woods there were mostly stocked up, and the land turned into tillage. Many parishes Avitliin the forest were no doubt scarcely cultivated at all. For instance, we read in Domesday that the parish of OldberroAv belonged to the Church of Evesham, and that it had but twelve acres of land, whereas there are 1,185 acres in that parish. We must, therefore, consider that these twelve acres consisted of meadow or pasture, as that sort of land was generally counted by acres ; and if so there was no ploughed land there, but the remainder consisted of a wood, which is said to have been a mile long, and probably a waste or wilderness. Perhaps a great deal of oak or beech furnished food for immense numbers of swine. N"ot long after Leland's time the scarcity of wood aroirnd Droitwich was so much increased as to elicit the following poetical lament from Drayton in his " Polyolbion" :— 204 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. " Fond nymph, thy twisted curls, on which were all my care, Thoii let' St tiie furnace waste, that miserable bare I hope to see thee left, who so dost me despise, Whose beauties many a morn have blest my longing eyes, And till the weary sun sunk down into the west Thou still my object wast — thou once my only boast. The time shall quickly come thy groves and pleasant springs. Where to the mirthful merle the warbling mavis sings, The painfid labourer's hand shall stock the roots to burn — The branch and body spent, yet could not serve his turn." Drayton, however lover-like lie addressed his verses to the forest as his mistress, nevertheless encouraged a little coquetting between his lady-love and the far- famed Clent hills, from the summit of which the northern margin of Feckenham forest might he seen in the distance. His lines are — "Now back again I turn, the land with me to take From the Staftbrdian heath as Stourher course doth make, AVhieh Clent from his proud top contentedly dotli view, But yet the aged hill immoderately doth rew His loved Feckenham's fall, and doth her state bemoan. To please his amorous eye whose like the world had none ; For from her very youth he (then an aged hill) Had to that forest nymph a special liking still. The least regard of him who never seems to take, I3ut suffers in herself for Salwarpe's* only sake." Manwood, in his book on the forest laws, to which I am indebted for much information, complains of the general neglect of the said laws at the time he wrote (about 1615). lie says that tliey were broken with impunity and the courts held but rarely, fines were not enforced, encroachments Avinked at, &c. " How lamentable (says he) a thing is it to see two great huge stags in one morning to be huntcnl out of the ])i)undley8 in the heart of the forest, and there killed, spoyld, and caryed away, % meane inen of no accom.pt, without any punishment for the same, and even when * Probably tlie river so named, supposed to be a successful rival. FECKEXHAM FOREST. 205 these wikl beasts were unseasonable and nought worth ; whereas if they had been suffered to live until the time of their season they had been nieete to have sliowed a prince pastime and also nieate for a pi'itK'n's dish." It is difficult to say whether the lachrymose author laments the desecration of the forest rights more on account of the pleasm^e it gave to the profanum valgus or the injustice thereby done to the great men of the land, Avhose sole right it Avas to sport with the beasts of the earth. But the system was now rapidly drawmg to an end, and after dAvindling through the reign of the Stuarts it expired. The last " Court of Justice Seat," of any note, was held in the reign of Charles I., and after the revolution of 1688 the forest laws fell into total disuse, to the great advantage of the subject. Feckenham forest, however, was disafforested as early as 1629. A commission was appointed to enquire what part of it belonged to the king and what to his subjects, and to allot accordingly. His Majesty (Charles I.) was pleased to say that this disafforesting Avas for the benefit and ease of his loving sulDJects, at the same time admitting that it was for the improvement of his own revenue and diminish- ing his charges. Sir Miles Fleetwood, receiver general of the Court of Wards and Liveries, was empowered to make siu'veys of the forest, and to treat with all parties interested in any part of the said forest, or Avho could claim a right of common, or Avho Avere OAViiers of the soil or Avoods. He accordingly treated Avith EdAvard Leighton, lord of the manor of Fecken- ham and Hanbury, to release to the king all his right of common, and to agree to the disafforesting. He Avas to have in return 80 acres of land in MonkAvood, to him and his heu's for ever, to be freed from the . king's deer and all other manner of common AvhateA^er ; and he Avas to have in Feckenham the Queen's Coppice, 206 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. the Eanger's Coppice, the Timl)er Coppice, Fearful Coppice, and Ecd Slough Coppice, hciiig 360 acres, to him and his lieirs for ever ; and he was to release to the freeholders and commoners in Hanbury and Feckcnham all the forest laml or waste or use of common in both parishes. There are hut feAv traces left of the ancient forest. At Feckenham, where the prison stood on a four-acre ])iccc of groimd near the church, the ditch that surrounded it is still plainly perceptible, and other memorials of the forest are likewise in existence in various parts of the parish, such as " The Forest Farm" and "The Forest Lane." There are many l^arts of the district which, like the Lenches, are still distinguished by their woodland features, affording fine natural covers for game, and some of these are no doubt successors if not genuine relics of a system which, like our monasteries, our castles, and oiu- wooden na'S'y, is for ever departed. FOEEST OF OMBEESLEY. The l^oundary of this forest also commenced at the Foregate of Worcester, and passed along the western side of the king's highway to St. Mary's, Droitwich, It is probable that the forests of Feckenham and Ombersley were separated only by this highway for a considerable jiortion of their outline, but Mdiether the la"\vs of the forest or the common law prevailed on this line of separation, on which our forefathers passed to and fro daily, no record saith. From Droitwich, the boundary of Ombersley forest passed many places the names of some of which are now so obscured l)y the lapse of time and change of language that 1 doubt Avhcther they can be identified. First, it passed down Eunestrete, or Euine-street, which was afterwards called St. Andrew's-lane, thence to Lichbrugge, along the great road to Lechenebrugge, and from thence OMBERSLEY FOREST. 207 along the same road to tlie way called Godinesway as as far as Piikenudu, and from tlience directly along the same road to Tuffethorn, Howard's AYell, Brun- stane's Pytt, Wythstanes Pyrie, Fulford, Ptushock Broadford,Torelinton, north of Hartlebury, and all along the same road to Saleweiesmuln, and the water of the Stom-, and so down the Stour to the river Severn, and along its eastern hank to the starting point at Wor- cester. Omhersley, the village from which the forest took its name, is said by some fanciful author to have first derived it from Ambrosius, as being the site of some camp or scene of action in which that victorious prince defeated the Saxons ; he having marched from York (through "Worcestershire, as is supposed) to Win Chester. HoAvever that may be, it is recorded that in ancient times Ombersley belonged to the abbey of Evesham. Ethelward gave twelve cassats of land here to the church, free from all tribute, unless when there should be a great year of acorns, when one herd of the king's swine'should have feeding in an island belonging to the said lands. Besides Ombersley (where no doubt the foresters held their courts and imprisoned offenders either there or sent them to Worcester), and the numerous hamlets of Ombersley, the principal parishes and places in this forest were Claines, Martin Husshig- tree, Salwarpe, Westwood, parts of Droitwich, Doverdale, Hartlebury, Eushock, and Stourport (the last-named town not then in existence). The boundaries of the two forests, as respects Pushock, Hartlebury, Hampton Lovett, Elmbridge, and Elmley Lovett, are not clearly defined. It Avill be observed that the population which flourished within the area of Ombersley forest lived only in villages, not one ancient town existing in the district, and but two or perhaps three parks — Lineholt, Hartlebury, and West- wood — included therein. Saving the presence of the Lord P,ishop at Hartlebury, the country lying within 208 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Ombersloy forest was tlie least important part of Wor- cestershire, inhaljitcd hy thinly scattered families, singly or groui)e(l in widely distant villages, chiefly de})endent on the simplest of agricultural pursuits on the hanks of the Severn or Stour, or engaged in the woods, eitlier as servants to the foresters or in rearing and feeding of swine. There is not a scrap of history extant, that I know of, relating to the proceedings in the courts of this forest, nor of the life and doings of its iidiahitants ; which perhaps may be accounted for from the fact tliat the forest came to a somewhat untimely end. It seems to have been swej)t away soon after the granting of the Carta de Foresta by Henry III., as early as 1229 ; but as this was a little subse(pient to the time when that vacillating monarch had revoked the charter, it would be a matter of surprise as to how the Worcestershire people residing in the Ombersley district succeeded in disafforesting it, only that a clue is afforded by the r(;corded fact that the Bishop of Worcester (William d(; Dlois) and other owners of land in the forest or residents therein, in order to do away with the great nuisance of the forest laws, subscribed an aggregate sum of four hundred marks, which they presented to the king in return for a deed or charter, signed by him at Portsmouth on the 18th of October' in the above year. Another proof is thus afforded that good things were not voluntarily conceded by our monarchs, but were usually wrested from them (jnly when their necessities compelled the surrender. J>y the above-named charter liberty was given to enclose any part of the forest, to make jiarks, to sell woods and lands, to give free liberty and right of way, to abolisli the liability to inspection or control of all officers or to be suuniioned to forest courts, freedom from lawing of dogs and all other restrictions and obligatidus of a forest. As this disafforesting was likewise granted at the same period for other forests in Worcestershire, which will OMBERSLEY FOUEST. 209 hereafter have to be described, we can easily picture to ourselves the delight occasioned to a largo portion of the inhabitants of the county by the sudden cessation THE DEVIL'S OAK, NEAR SHERARD's GREEN, MALVERN. of those barbarous laws which had for ages pierced into their very bones and marrow, and at the restoration of liberties and privileges which we in the present day 210 WORCESTKRSIIIRE RELICS. esteem far too liglitly, fur the simple reason that we Lave never l)een deprived of them. And it will, I think, be considered an interesting circumstance in connection with the prelate (De ])lois) whose remains were discovered a few years ago in the Lady Chapel of onr Cathedral, that mainly throngh him Avere accom- plished two great works, for which he deserved the praise of all posterity — namely, the addition of that beautiful limb which still forms the eastern end of the Cathedral, and the restoration of two large districts of the county to the enjoyment of their ancient rights and liberties. FOEEST OF HOEEWELL. This forest began at the south gate, or Sidbury gate, of Worcester, to which point we have already traced the boundary of Feckenham forest ; the king's highway only, it is probable, separating the two forests for many miles. And here it may be as well again to remind the reader that the actual forests, or the woods Avhich com- posed their principal fi.'ature, may or may not have come up to the gates of the city. It is not improbable that at the first settlement of a population here they did so, but that in process of time large spaces around the city were cleared of timber for the re([uiremcnts of the iidiabitants. Along the high road to Spetchley the forest of Ilorewell passed, through the middle of the village of Spetchlcy, to Aston Epi.scopi (AMiite Ladies), and including that village, along the road to Evedeford bridge, and so to a ditch that fell into Pidele water, and down that rivulet to Tuwclsbruyg, and so along the vomI to Throckmorton, and through the middle of that village along the great road without the village to Hull (Hill and ]Moore), to the great road that goeth between Worcester and Evesham ; along that road to the ford in the river Avon, called Crauford, and down that river to IVine AVood, where, leaving the Avon, the boundary HOREWBLL FOREST. 211 passed by the side of that wood in a direct line to the Severn, at a point within two or three miles of Tewkes- hury, and so up the Severn to Worcester. Pershore was the only toAvn within this area, aU the rest being villages, and the population would probably be of a similar class to that in Ombersley forest, the meadows and fine pasturage afforded by the banks of the Severn and Avon encouraging the cultivation of a pastoral life and the breeding of cattle, as the woods gave shelter and pannage to swine. I know of but three ancient parks in this forest, namely, that of Elmley Castle (pre- suming that parish to have been within the forest boundary), Strensham, and the prior of Worcester's, at Battenhall, near this city. The records are quite as scanty of information as in the case of Ombersley forest. In the Augmentation Office Avas a composition between the abbot and convent of Pershore and the abbot and convent of Westminster, by which the former were to receive all the tithes arising from within the enclosures of Henry de Harley, where some lands had been lately cleared, but to renounce all claim to those arising from assarts, or grounds lately cleared without the said fence, being taken from the wood of the abbot and convent of Westminster. This probably referred to some place in Horewell forest, but the name is not mentioned. The name of the forest was perpe- tuated in Harewell or Horewell Wood, in which the parish of Earl's Croome had formerly the privilege of holding a fair annually on the feast of St. Lawrence. This was a spacious wood in which the priory of Malvern had lands. The same process which dis- afforested Ombersley also freed Horewell from the despotism and cruelty of the forest laws, and the district was handed over to the common law in that memorable year 1229. 212 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. JNIALVEKX FOKEST OR CHASE. " Cultured slopes, Wild tracts of forest ground, and scattered groves, And mountains bare, or clothed with ancient woods, Surrounded us ; and with the change of place, From kindred features, diversely combined, Producing change of beauty, ever new." Scarcely second in iui]K)rtance, thuuyli considerably smaller in extent, than the forest of Feclcenham, was the forest and chase of Malvern. As before stated, it extended from the river Tcme on the north to Corse forest on the south, and from Severn on the east to the top of i\Ialvern hill on the west. From the earliest historical periftd the jNIalvern district was so overrim with wood as to be called a wilderness by William of Malmesbury ; besides which, in the jilain between the hills and river, esjiecially about Longdon, Avas a wide expanse of marsh, a large portion of Avhich has only within our own time been enclosed and subjected to beneficial cultivation. Indeed so free was that part of the country from enclosure of any kind that it is said almost down to the close of the last centur}- a person could liave ridden on horseback from IMalvern to Eredon, and found no impediment — barring the river, which could be crossed at Upton l)ridge. It is with some ditticulty we can now realise the condition of the wild waste, the marshy, Avoody wilderness between the river and the hills, or jiroperly estimate the feelings and the courage of the liermit AVerstan, wdio in Saxon days, impelled by celesiical A'ision, fled from troubles and temptations, penetrated tlu' forest, and on the eastern slo}ie of Malvern liill con- structed an orator}-, which led to the sidisequent foundation of an important Cliristiaii institution, after the poor hermit had sealed his faith Avith his blood, shetl by heathen miscreants. The forest, of course, Avas a royal one : all forests necessarily belonged to the MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 213 sovereign, as he alone could appoint justices in eyre and the holding of courts which were necessary for the administration of forest law. When a royal forest was granted to a subject, it at once changed both name and character, became more under control of the common law, and had a different class of officers. In this Avay Malvern lost the name of a forest, having been presented, together with Corse forest, by Edward I., to Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, or, as he was otherwise denominated, the Eed Kniglit, on the occasion of his marriage with Joan D'Acres, the king's daughter. From thenceforth Malvern forest was called a chase, and Corse a lawn. A chase was something between a forest and a park, but it was not enclosed like a park, and was much larger in extent, had more variety of game, and more officers ; it also contained wild beasts of the chase as well as deer. Indeed there may have been Avolves in it, as we know the Corbetts were empowered to destroy those animals in the same reign when ^lalvern forest became a chase. Leland states that the chase of JNTalvern was " bigger than either Wyre or Feckenliam, and occupieth a great part of Malvern hills. Great and Little Malvern are also set in the chase, which is in length in some places twenty miles, but doth not occupy all the Malvern hills." This comparison with the forest of Feckenham of course refers to the period after the latter was reduced to its ancient dimensions. Soon after Gilbert de Clare had received this princely gift he apparently wished to enlarge its dimensions, and laid claim to the chase on the western slopes of the Malvern range, which had belonged to the Bishop of Hereford. In accordance with the custom of that day, the dispute could only be settled by combat, and as liishops then kept champions, the representative of the Bishop of Hereford was prepared to do battle in the lists if need were ; but a jury, composed of men drawn from the counties of 214 WORCESTEnSniRE RELICS. "Worcester and Ilerefonl, decided in favour of the Church, and a trench of separation between the two possessions was made along the ridge of the hiU, where it remains a memorial of tlie contest to the present day.* Dr. Thomas states that the trench was made by the Earl of Gloucester because the deer and other beasts frequently crossed the hills from this county into Herefordshire and did not return. This statement does not invalidate the former one, which seems to be authentic, as being obtained from Bishop Swinfield's roll, edited in 1853. By other authorities, however, it is called a " shire ditch," or rather a shire ditch is mentioned in connection with the chase ; and there was a regidation made by the "law-day" and court of Hanley in the year 1540, ordering that " none of the inhabitants of Colwall or INIathon do from henceforth staff-drive any kind of their cattle into the chase further than the shire-ditch, after the old custom, on pain of 20s., and that none of the said iidiabitants do cross any of the chase wood grow- ing on this side of the shire-ditch over the hill, upon pain of 20s." ISTo doubt De Clare's trench and the shire-ditch were one and the same thing. Another version of the same story is this, that the Bishop of Worcester had lands in this forest, in one portion of which, near the mill at Wenland (Welland 1), he had liberty granted him to assart, i.e., to clear away the wood for three hundred acres for the use of the church of St. Mary (the Cathedral) at Worcester ; and the said land was to be free from all exactions of foresters. Some of the bishop's lands, however, were encroached upon by the trench on the top of Malvern Hill made by the Earl of Gloucester, and a dispute arose, which, by the mediation of the Bishop of Bath and Wells, was ended by the earl consenting to pay * About tlie same time the Bishop of Worcester's champion vanquislied the chiimpion of Phihp de Stok in a contest for the bailiwick of Ilembury. MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 215 yearly to the bishop and his successors a brace of bucks and does at the bishop's manor house of Kempsey, or, if the see were vacant, the prior and convent of Wor- cester could legally demand the same acknowledgment by their attorney, at the castle of Hanley. On tliese conditions tlie bishop, with assent of the prior and cliapter, granted that the said fosse made by the earl should continue for ever. This appears quite as circumstantial an account as the former, and I am unable to say which is correct, or whether they do not refer to two events. It is however a fact that tJie deed executed by the bishop and the earl for payment of the bucks and does is still in the possession of 8ir E. H. Lechmere. Hanley Castle was what might be called tlie "capital" of the forest or chase of Malvern. Here lay part of the estate of the Earls of Warwick, the renowned " king makers," and not far from the Severn stood one of tlieir castles. It vras a large quadrangular structure, with a tower at each angle. It was long ago destroyed, and on the site is now a farm-house called " The Castle," some portions of the moats still remain- ing. In the reign of Edward I., Hanley Hall (now a farm-house) belonged to Gilbert de Hanley, as the forest keeper, but whether this was Gilbert de Clare, to whom the forest was presented, or a deputy of his, there is nothing to indicate. In another part of the same reis:n one Robert CalvestaU is said to have held six acres of land in Castlemorton, by serjeantcy, for keeping the forest of Malvern. There was a sessions room for the trial of all oft'ences committed in the forest, also a gaol and gallows ; and " Hangman's Lane " still perpetuates the memory of tliis very fine old British institution. The name of Gilbert de Hanley is commemorated to this day by the name of a road here called " Gilbert's End." In Lawson's " Records and Traditions of Upton-on- 216 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Severn" — a most interesting and valuable little work — it is stated tliat early in tlie IGth century tlie yeomen in the nciglibourliood of tliat town seem to have pur- chased or held on long leases jDortions of land on the borders of the chase. Old people tell us of a very ancient house in the field called Eavenhill, pulled down haK-a-century ago, and asserted by tradition to have been the dwelling of " the gentleman as governed the chase." Tlie chief ranger's abodes were at Easting- ton and Hanley ; but one of the verderers must have lived near the town, and his old house was in an excellent situation for his supervision of the forest. It is difficult to account for the name of " Palace" having been bestowed on another place in the same neiglibour- hood. Some suppose that it is on the site of a much older building, and others assert that it was partly formed from the materials of tlie verderer's lod^e. The name seems to indicate episcopal ownership ; but, though the Bishops of Worcester had land in Upton, they had none within the chase ; at one time they obtained permission to ''assart" — ?.^., to grub uj) the trees and bring into cultivation 300 acres near "Welland Mill, but it seems that this land was only leased or let, and not alienated altogether from the keeping of the lords of Ilanley Castle. A\''ith the exception of a "woodman's cottage here and there, and i)erhaps a small farm or two on the edge of the chase, this large country district Avas, in the time of the iS'evills, c^uite unin- habited, save by the beautiful wild creatures, the stags, the hares, the squirrels, and the myriads of birds which found shelter in the forest. There are pleasant and lovely -slews now on Hook Common and l]rutlieridge Green, and from the Ledbury road, — views of a far- stretching and undulating coiintry, rich with orchards and hedgerows, farms and handets, and liounded by the IMalverns, and Uredon, and the Cotswolds. Three centuries ago there was little of this beauty of cultiva- MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 217 tion, but the scenery was exceedingly beautiful with a wilder sort of loveliness. There were great mas.ses of foliage stretching for many miles, brightened here and there by lawns and commons of velvet-like turf ; there were avenues of noble trees, and little dells and valleys of greenery ; and round the forest pools, and by the margin of the brooks, ferns and wild flowers grew luxuriantly. There are oaks standing now which must have been saplings when the Eed Earl ruled the chase ; and there is one superb elm which may have over- shadowed " the king-maker" and his fair daughters as they rode by. For a long period the near neighbour- hood of the beautiful forest was only an evil for Upton. As some old writer says, " He who slew a man might be forgiven ; not so he who slew a deer." The laws of the chase were stern and cruel, and those who broke them, from irresistible love of adventure, or from the cravings ol hunger, were liable to death or mutilation. Many an Upton man must have stolen out in the moonlight nights to slay the deer in the recesses of the forest ; and not a few, detected in their poaching, may have been hurried to trial at the Rydd Green, and thence conveyed, with dismal procession, along Hangman's Lane, to the gibbet on the Malvern hills. By the time that the chase had again become royal property the forest laws were less strictly enforced, and certain privileges Avere allowed which materially bettered the condition of the poorer tenantry. The right of commoning enabled a labi.mrer to keep a herd of swine, or half-a-dozen sheep, with less outlay than is requisite for the one pig maintained by his descend- ants ; though the latter is a far more portly and eatable creature than the lean animals which had little food but Avhat they found for themselves. By the fortunate care of Dr. j^ash we have had handed down to us ample particulars as to the ancient liberties, royalty, and customs belonging to the lordship 218 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. and franchise of Hanloy and the chase of Malvern. The lord of that lordship appointed the constable of tlie castle, the park-keeper of Blackmore, the steward, bailiff, and master of the game, four foresters, and a ran;^er of the cha-o, and was to liave all snowfalls and tempest wood, wdiich means timber that either fell or was blown down. There was a " law-day," or sessions, once a year, and a court baron every three weeks, to determine all pleas of trespass, debt, or detinue, not exceeding 40s. ; and any tenant or inhabitant carrying his plea to any other court was fined 6s. 8d. The abbots of Pershore and Westminster, the priors of Great and Little Malvern, Lord ClilFord for Severn Stoke, and the lords of Madresfield, Bromsberrow, and Birtsinorton, were free siiitors at this court. These free suitors acted as arbiters, or an appeal court, and had power to refurm the decisions of the law-days and other courts in all such matters as were done wrongfidly to them or their tenants, " but this was to be done' according to law and reason ; and, if need required, these free suitors were to be of coimsel (to plead 1) at the law-day and other courts, and they and their tenants Avere to have the same freedon^ and liljerties with th(! tenants and inhabitants of the lordshi])." 'No vsherifF, escheator, or other officer, had power to meddle within the said lordship. Like a host of similar i)laces, it was an impcrlam in inqx'rio, whose laws were adnunistered by its own officers. The bailiff of Hanley was to execute and serve all precepts, and to return the same at his jeopardy. Xo warrant from a justice was to be obeyed or executed, but only the constables of the lordship were to sue and arrest and commit to ward. The foresters only had authority to arrest for felony and murder within the chase, and Avere to bring the accused before the chief forester, who had power to sit in .judgment, as also to execute the office of a corojier. If the accused were found guilty MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 219 by tlie verJict of twelve men from the four nearest townships to where the crime was committed, his head was struck oS with the forester's axe at a place called Sweet Oaks, in the said chase, where they always sat in judgment on such persons. Sometimes the body was carried to the top of Malvern hiU, to a place called Baldeyate, and hanged on a gaUows, there to remain till the chief forester gave a license for his removal. There was a limit over Avhich this judgment extended; but as far as the franchise of Hanley reached, this power of judgment belonged to the constable of the castle of Hanley, and the accused was brought before tlie steward at Hanley, and there indicted : if guilty he was executed at Rydd-green. The chief forester held of the lord in fee by rent of an axe and a horn, and found bondsmen (one horseman beside himself and two footmen) to constantly perambulate the chase. He was sworn " to be true to the vert and the venison " — that is, to take due care of aU trees and other green things growmg in the chase, as well as the deer, &c. He could follow a commoner who Avas carrying away wood until he got so near to the commoner's house that he could put the length of his bow between the foremost oxen, drawing the timljer, and the gate-post of the house. This meant that the forester could not arrest the offender after he had fairly landed the timber at his own door. If a man not a commoner felled or carried away wood the forester Avas to attach him and take him to the castle of Hanley, before the lord's officers ; and if he fomid any one hunting or standing suspi- ciously — that is, stable-standing, dog-drawing, back- bearing, or with bloody hand (all which terms have been before explained) — he could attach and bring him to the castle, to be confined in the Bandbury Chamber there until he found sureties in the sum of £5. The forester coidd seize straying cattle, Avhich, if not claimed in a twelvemonth and a day, Avere to be the perquisite 220 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. of the lord and tlic cliief forester — two-thinls to the first-naiiiod and one-third to tlie latter. The chief forester, as coroner, sat in all cases of felony and murder, and " ujion such as hy instigation or motion of the devil slayeth or drowneth themselves wilfully or he killed hy accident." Among the emoluments of the chief forester were those : he was to have "house-bote " and " hey-bote " (the right to take tindjer for the repair of fences and houses) ; he received the third jienny of all attachments made in the chase (the third of all fines paid 1), the croppings of all the oaks given hy the lord, " all roots of trees and all such wood as shall he reasonably fallen at his own cost for the sustentation of the deer in winter, and also all windfall wood, except such as is considered timber, whoie;)f the lord shall have 12ft. of the nether end ; and the right shoulder of every deer killed in the chase, and the third i)enny of all extrahures, felons' goods, and forfeitures within the chase ; " also the i)er(|uisite of certain hens at Christmas and eggs at Easter. Besides the foresters there Avere verderers, viewers, and riders, who, by their tenure and liolding of land, had power to riile and peraudjulate the ground soil and townships of every lord (of the manor) from Charmey's pool to Powick bridge and Bransford bridge, to oversee the highways and water-courses, and to take care that the hedges were properly made for the preservation of deer, for which purjiose the verderers carried a staff called a standard, 2i-ft. long. This staff the l)earer put over the hedge till it touched the ground on the other side, and if the highest part of the hedge was higher than his arm-pit the owner of the hedge was to 1)0 lined " according to the conscience of the said viewers " — a rather elastic gauge l)y all accounts. Also the aforesaid officers had the oversight and correction of the homl)ling of dogs (already ex})lained), and all dogs found to be uidawful — /. i'., which could not Ije MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 221 drawn through a certain measure (sterop) of 1 8-in. and a barley corn in length and breadth, their farther joints of the two middle claws were to be cut clean away, and the master and owner of the dogs was to be fined 3s. Id. If there was more mast than necessary for the tenants' and commoners' swine, the bailiff was to proclaim a "tack" in the nearest market towns, of which tack the lord was to have all the profits except the scoring penny of every one who brought his pigs, and which penny belonged to the bailiff. P^very year, between Michaelmas and Martinmas, the bailiff was to " drive the chase " (/. e. collect all the live stock together), and if any " foreign " swine (not belonging to tenants or commoners) were found there, or pigs "whole-eared," the same were to be forfeited — two- thirds to the lord and one-third to the chief forester. If any deer broke out of the chase to feed in the manor of Hanley the keepers were to force them back into the chase without being charged with trespass, but the inhabitants of Hanley were not to kill the deer. Only Elackmore Park (l)eing enclosed) was free from depasturing and feeding the said deer. Sometimes the said inhabitants were attached for fetching " windings " (/. e. windfalls of wood), or for killing deer which strayed from the chase into the manor of Hanley. The people of that manor had the right of depasturing their cattle in the chase during certain months, also common of eastovers — the right to gather fuel, but it appears that the windfalls belonged to the forester. (Is not this the origin of the saying, " He has had a good windfall," when a legacy or any good luck happens to a man 1) In the third year of Edward III. (1330), we read that William de Kerdif held the hamlet of Queenhill of the king by service of a " brach " yearly on the feast of St. John. " Brach " or " brachettus " was a little dog with a good nose for himting hares and foxes ; ooo WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. and perliaps this kind of rent might have been reserved hecause Kipple lay near the chase of Malvern. Gilbert, the only son of the Ited Earl of Gloucester, was killed at the battle of Bannockburn, under Edward II., and the chase then passed to Hugh le Despencer, who had married his sister. Despencer lost his life iu the troubles caused by the party Avho dethroned the feeble Edward ; and Roger ]\Iortimer, being a favourite with the queen, who had seized the government, may have had a brief possession of the Despencer estates, but the chase was restored to the lawf id heir by Edward III. It then passed by marriage, after three generations, to the Beauchamps, Earls of AVarwick, but returned to the Crown in the reign of Henry YIL, on the attainder and confiscation of the AVarwick property. With the chase, the manor and castle of Ilanley, the parks of Blackmore, Hanley, and ClilFey, and the town of Upton, returned to the Crown. Then the castle gradually became dilapidated, and in Leland's time (16th century) it was in ruins ; the chase also Avas overrun with s(|uatters, and the commoners made havoc with the timber. Certain gentlemen called Benchers were accustomed to sit at Hanley Church for the reformation of disorders iu the chase, but the palmy days of forests were drawing to a close, and the liarbarous rule over those vast enclosures was being relaxed, in obedience to the growing popular Avill. Home dispute as to the boundaries of the chase seems to have arisen in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, as in her Majesty's 32nd year, on the 18th of June, an enquiry took place at Hanley Hall, before Commissioners, Sir J. KusseU (at that time chief forester of the chase), F. Kettleby, and T. Willoughby, Esqs., and among the evidence tendered was the following : — H(>nry Dingley, one of the riders of the chase, deposed that the circuit of its l)Oundary was from the cross on !N"orthend Green, Hanley, to Cliffy Wood and Severn Side, to " Eighteen Holders " iu MALVEBN FOREST OR CHASE, 223 PoAvick, to Bransf Old bridge, and to the Link ; and the keeper of ClitFy Wood rode with him from Chfly's Gate to the Shewstoue, and from the Sweetoaks to Welland, to Castlemorton, Birtsmorton, Berrow, and Keysend (a corruption of Chase-end), then to Oxbrnmmel Pool, all which parishes and places Avere in the precincts of the chase. Ptichard Edge deposed that the precincts and liberties of the chase stretched from the " shire- ditch " on Malvern hill to the middle of the channel of the Severn. And Jolm Brown proved that the parishes of Hanley, part of Upton, Welland, part of Longdon, Castlemorton, Birtsmorton, Berrow, Bromsberrow, Great and Little Malvern, part of Leigh called Howsell, Mathon, and Colwall, were all Avithin the precincts of the chase. Another account states that the chase extended to Upton bridge. Why this enquiry was instituted is not stated, nor its result, and Ave hear no more of the chase until the reign of Charles I., by Avhich time much havoc had been done in the Avoods and among the royal deer. The kmg had intended to sell the chase as a means of replenishing his almost exhausted treasury when no supplies Avere to be obtained from his Parliament ; but those Avho lived Avithin the bomidary of the chase, and had enjoyed the privileges of commoning, Avere furiously indignant at the proposed enclosure of their hereditary pasture groiinds. Great riotings ensued, and many men of influence and ability advocated the cause of the malcontents. After some litigation and delay Charles consented to surrender tAvo- thirds of the chase to the commoners, retaining the other thii-d to himself, or to Sir E. Heath, his Attorney- General, and Sir C. Vernmyden (Avho is supposed to have purchased the king's part of the chase), his heirs and assigns ; but the division of the territory occasioned several riots and disorders, in which the Bishop of Hereford, Sir T. Eussell, of Strensham, Sir W. EusseU, of Witley, and J. Horniold, Esq., Avere concerned. 224 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. The coninioiicrs alleged that Sir C. Vernmyden had exercised more than his rights ; Avhereas he declared that the coiumonors had refused to allow him those rights which he had purchased of the king. In the seventh year of the king's reign a decree was made for disafforesting the chase, hut some legal difficulties arising, the king's council (1632) ordered that "none of the lands of the said forest or chase heing parcel of the said waste or commonable land, either called by the name of Malvern Chase or the Bishop's Cliase, shall be taken in or enclosed, but only his Majesty's third part for the use of the said Sir Cornelius Vernmyden and his assigns, and that the other two third parts shall be left o]ien and free for the freeholders and tenants and commoners to take theii' common of pasture and common of estovers therein, as heretofore they have ])een accustomed, with this express restriction and declaration, that no )iiesne lords of fees or manors whatsoever shall T}e permitted to enclose any of the two third parts of the said chase, or to fall the woods or trees growing or to be growing thereon, Avhereby the commoners may be hindered of their estovers." No new cottage Avas to be erected on the jDart allotted to his Majesty, nor any sort of liouse t(j Avhich less than twenty acres of land were allotted, nor any ncAV cottage on tlie two-thirds l)ortion given to tlic cf)mmoners, Itut such as should be "warranted by laws and statutes for the maintenance and provision of the poor. Great jealousy and apjireliension at that time existed everywhere as to incurring liabili- ties on account of pauperism, and every precaution was taken to prevent the settlement of poor people in any locality, so that new cottages were scarcely ever erected, and the poor were frequently driven to herd together like beasts. Sir Cornelius Vernmyden, men- tioned aboAa% was a Dutchman, whose first connection with this country Avas a project for draining the fens of Cambridgeshire in the reign of James I. This plan MALVERN FOREST AND CHxVSE. 225 •was not carried into effect, but he afterwards was completely successful in draining the level of the royal chase of Hatfield, near Doncaster. He was knighted in -lUUMi'j/.' GREAT BUR OAK, BETWEEN POWICK AND BRANSFORP. 1629. About 1631, he took a lease for thirty years of the Dovegang lead-mine, near WirksAvorth, and cut a drain from it to a river, to let the water off the mine, 15 22G WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. whereupon it was said of liiiu that he liad given his " mother " (earth) the best and most natural physic in the workl, for tliat which others liad always attempted by violent and strong vonnts (pumping u}) the water with engines) he had now effected with a gentle purge." Thus two-thirds of the chase having been siu'rendered for the benefit of the parishes in which it lay, the adjoining town of Upton gained, as free land, nearly the whole of its present country district. There must have been a great downfall of the forest trees, a laying bare of lovely sylvan recesses, and a great store of hrewood and timber for Upton hearths and biiildings. The majority of the farmers' and country labourers' houses Avere erected at this time, and so it seems to have been throughout the tract of country wliich used to be the chase. EveryAvhere the dwellmgs are com- paratively modern, or of the form and material Avhich betoken the earlier half of the 17th century.* The above decree Avas afterwards confirmed Ijy Act of Parliament. Encroachments from time to time and Enclosure Acts have nullified much of this decree, and disputes have recently arisen as to certam rights, with which it is no part of my plan to meddle. It appears, however, that the rights of the commoners still remain as settled by the decree, and it is tlieir OAvn fault if they permit such enclosures to be made as we have recently seen on and about the hills. When the AVor- cester and Hereford railway Avas laid doAvn some years ago the commoners obtainetl compensation for the land occupied Ijy the line, and the money Avas deposited in the Worcester Old Bank. AVith regard to the relics of the forest of ]\falvern, there are still remaining many Avoods and thickets, secluded pools in dingles, and other solitary places aroimd and upon the hills, and grand old oaks and other trees, — * Lawson's " Eecords of Upton." MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 227 " Old patrician trees And plebeian underwood," in Cohvall, Berrow Wood, around the Hollybusli, the Eidgeway leading to Eastnor, Brockhill Wood, Cow- leigh Park, Old Storage, and other localities, " Where the Druid oak Stood, like Caractacus, in act to rally His host with broad arms 'gainst the thunder stroke." My veteran friend Mr. Lees — whose affection for natural ohjects will terminate only with his life — recently contributed an interesting paper to the " Transactions of the Naturalists' Field Club " on " The Forest and Chase of Malvern," with notices of the most remarkable old trees remaining within its confines. He says that at the present time but few extensive commons or wastes are left within it, and fewer still the vestiges of real forest ground. Little, if any, of the original forest, as imderstood by the term, now remains ; for the woods that have been suffered to exist are com- posed either of bushy underwood that is felled every seven years, or of trees that are permitted to run up into thin lanky trunks for the supply of hop-poles. 'Near a fish pool in the middle of a pasture, that centiu"ies ago formed part of a park belonging to the Bishop of Hereford, in the parish of Colwall, are two of the oldest oak trees anywhere about the Malvern hills, and known as the Colwall oaks. The largest of these trees has been much shattered, and has lost some of its finest branches. The extreme base of the trunk bulges out so remarkably as to measure rather more than 60 feet in circumference, imparting to the tree the appearance of being embedded in a great round cushion or moimd of earth, but the trimk diminishes so rapidly, that, at a yard from the ground, it measures only 27 feet in circumference. The companion tree to this measures 45 feet round its swollen base. Mr. Lees considers it not at all improbable that these trees 228 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. are 800 or 900 years old. " Yet," he says, " 900 years will not carry ris Lack into Druidical times, and pro- bably no tree now exists in the precincts of Malvern Chase that stood in its leafy amplitude at the invasion of Julius Caesar." A peculiar form of pollard oak lie mentions as standing in a field near the Severn, and is a characteristic specimen of what is called a bur oak. These oaks, it is said, may be occasionally seen in old hedgerows. Another tree, called the " Devil's Oak," near Sherard's Green, Malvern (of which he has kindly lent me the sketch which appears on jjage 209) shows a peculiar swelling of the lower parts of the branches, which, decaying, produces some grotesque appearances. The name of Devil's Oak, however, is said to have been derived " from some sweeps having been seen to emerge in the mist of an autumnal morning from its cavity, where they had been sheltermg, and, as they disappeared in the fog, looked very much like young devils." Several other singidar forms of oaks are mentioned, as for instance, that shoAvn on page 225, which is a great bur oak between PoAvick and Brans- ford. In this case, after the tree has been frccpiently lopped, a crowd of young branches have groAvn on the upper parts. A variegated oak, having its leaves blotched with white, now stands in Cowleigh Park. Many instances of gigantic and spreading yew trees are kn()A\'n, and there is a singidar looking one standing on Conygree Hill, P)romsberroAV. The base of the truidc is gnarled and twisted, and the branches are so numerous and thick that it is not easy to tell which is the main stem. Tt measures about 2.5 feet in girth, and its age is estimated at about 1000 years. AVith regard to the lime, Mr. Lees says — •' Some difference of opinion has been expressed by botanists and historians of forest trees as to the claims of the lime or linden to nativity in Britain, but in the shape MALVERN FOREST OR CHASE. 229 of Tilia parvifolia it occurs in so many woods and coppices in the jNIalvern country eastward of tlie hills that its claims as a native tree appear to l^e indisputable, though none of any great size can be noted in woods. But the lime is there mostly cut down as coppice wood, and few trees of any great age are suffered to stand. I have observed the lime abundantly in woods at the Berrow, in a wood at the eastern base of the Hereford- shire Beacon, in High Grove, Mathon, in a wood on the Little Storrage, at Eoseberry Eoclc, &c. By the side of Leigh Brook it forms bushes to some extent, and in woods and coppices about Leigh the lime appears with the character of Tilia Europai^a. Li the parish of Bromsberrow is a fine specimen of T. Parvifolia, standing where some roads meet near the Brownsend, and this is called the Brownsend Lime, but it has been planted evidently. Some very fine trees of Tilia Europaia now stand in a field about half a mile south of BromsberroAV Church, and by the side of the road leading from Ledbiuy towards Gloucester. Two of these, growing near each other, have become conjoined, both by the amalgamation of their arms and by a lateral junction at the root. The largest of these trees is 27 feet in circumference at 3 feet from the ground, and is 36 feet round the base ; the other is 1 1 feet 3 inches in girth at a yard from the ground, and 1 9 feet in circumference at the base. The Avhole mass, if measured as one tree (and the interval between the boles where the comiecting root joins them is only 19 inches), is fidl 48 feet in circumference. In a field on the Priory Farm, Little Malvern, are several large trees of Tilia grandifolia, but these do not belong exactly to forest times, having certainly been planted either by one of the priors of Little Malvern or some of his lay successors to the priory lands. The floAvers of this species are larger and sweeter in scent than the common kind, and the pallid bracts are more evident. The leaves are not larger than 230 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. those of T. Eiiropjea, but they are downy beneath, and the tree better deserves the trivial name of grandiflora, from its larger and more odorous flowers." A singular form of maple (Acer campestre) is mentioned as standing in a field at Powick, " "which exhibits a very old, decayed, and hollow bole, from which a younger one proceeds, itself of considerable size, and spreading much beyond its parent. The girth of the combined boles near the base exceeds 1 4 feet, wliich is greater than has been before recorded of any English maple. It is estimated that the oldest portion of this tree is about 700 years." Some of the Service trees (Pyrus torminalis) situated in the parish of Powick have indications of such a great age that it is said they may not unreasonably be referred to the period of the reign of Edward I. The ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is a very widely- distributed tree, and some fine specimens exist in the neighl)ourhood of IMalvern. One is mentioned which measured 36 feet round, and at 3 feet from the base the bole was 22 feet 2 inches in girth, the radius of the longest arm was 36 feet, and its height Avas 91 feet. In the cliurchyard at Eldersfield, also, some very large pollard ashes exist. Mr. Lees also informs me that many years ago he was shown on the road Ijetween Droitwich and Eeckenham a " blasted oak," being a most venerable specimen of the tree, probably 600 or 700 years old, and so hollow that for many years it was said to have formed a receptacle in which poachers, thieves, and robbers concealed their stolen booty. I am not aware if this tree is still in existence, but probalily it was a relic of the forest of Feckenham, and I have no doubt that many other specimens remain in the districts once covered by the great forests of Worcestershire. KINPARE OR KINVER FOREST. 231 KINFAEE OE Kli^VER FOEEST Was mainly in Staffordshire, taking its name from a small town there ; it also included, in Worcestershire, parts of Pedmore, Hagley, Oldswinford, Chaddesley, Wolverley, Churchill, Broome, and Kidderminster. Part of Hagley manor seems to have been annexed by Henry II. to Kinver forest, as a perambulation took place in the reign of Edward I., and the jurors made a jjresentment to that effect, adding, that by King John's great charter these encroachments (the addition of Hagley to the forest) should have been redressed, but it is certain they were not so here, whatever was done in other places, till the 29th of Edward I. (1.301), when the perambulators above-mentioned made their roll, for in the 1 4th year of that king the inhabitants of Hagley, Broome, Churchill, Old Swinford, Amblecote, &c, were fined for non-attendance at the regarders' court at Kinver. Kidderminster, being the king's property, was added to the forest in the same manner. A part of Ai'ley manor Avas likewise for some time reckoned within the bounds of this forest, as appears by a perambulation roll temp. King John, and confirmed by the great forest roll of Edward I., by which we learn that it was afforested by Henry II. and disafforested by Edward I. by virtue of the Charta de Forestis granted by Henry III. It is stated in the roll : " The jury say that the town of Arley, together with the woods and the waste, were included within the forest since the coronation of King Henry, great grandfather to our Lord the King who now is. Another part of Arley, viz., Seckley Wood, was in 1270 allowed to be within the chase or forest of Wyre, as appears by a grant from Sir E. Mortimer to the Dean and Chapter of Lichfield, at that time proprietors of this wood, in right of the church of Arley, then appropriated to them. By this grant they were empowered to hedge in the said coppice 232 WOnCESTERBHIRE RELICS. during the space of seven years, and to deprive the hogs of pannage therein. Agreeably to the custom Avhich at this day prevails in several neighbouring manors, of enclosing woods lately fallen for a certain number of years to prevent the cattle of the freeholders from destroying the spring wood, the freeholders in general claiming a right of common in most woods throughout this country after the trees are of a cert;iin growth." The inhabitants of Arley, time out of mind, enjoyed the right of paniiage for their swine in Eymore Wood, in the parish of Kidderminster. In the latter part of the 16th century there was a great contest between Mr. Lyttelton and Lord Dudley respecting Prestwood Estate, in which the woods were cut and spoiled by Lord Dudley, who engaged large bands of men for the purpose. Mr. Lyttelton was a Papist, yet he lived in great friendship with his neighbours, and occasionally invited the bishop to hunt with him at Frankley. Those were days of lawless violence and episcopal wordly-mindedness. Kinver was disalforested soon after Omberslcy and Horewell. WYRE EOEEST. Of tins Shropshire forest the portioii which extended into Worcestershire was from Bewdley to Lymj) Brook, four and a-quarter miles, and northward from Dowles Brook to Abberley on the south. It was remarkable for its great quantity of timber and large spreading oaks, and at i)resont there are about 1,300 acres so covered with wood. The railway from Bewdley to Tenbury passes through the remains of this ancient forest, and aftbrds to the traveller magnificent views of one of the finest pieces of woodland in the country. As the line is mainly on a level with the highest parts of the forest the eye frequently ranges over large portions of it, and occasionally you have peeps down into lovely glens, where the ground is clear of trees, WTRB FOREST. 233 and Dowles Brook (Avhich divides the two counties) runs prattling amid beautiful green oases. The sylvan picture is sometimes heightened by a heathy border when the gorse is refulgent with its golden flowers, and the autumnal tints are varying richly over immense masses of tree-tops, and here and there spotted by the darker foliage of the yew, while broad spaces are sobered by the broAvn and withered fronds of the eagle brake. Then you pass through ciittings, of umbrageous beauty and flickering shadow, overlooked by fine old members of the forest, peering down upon the railway travellers, as though desirous of ascertaining who and what they are who thus dare to intrude into the ancient solitudes of prima?val Pan, sacred to the wood nymphs and the interesting male deities who usually consorted with them. At length you find yourself " pulled up " at some neat little station, with an inn hard by, and roads diving in various directions into the heart of the forest, with perhaps here and there a villa newly erected on some charming 'vantage ground, affording lovely views of wood and glen. I cannot imagine anything more pleasing than for a party of three or four naturalists to spend a few days at one of these places, and daily to explore different portions of this interesting district. In former years the Far Forest was a nursery for thieves and ruffians, and used to furnish more victims for the gallows than all the county beside. The late Rev. J. Cawood had much to do with civilizing the scattered population, and bringing them within the happier influences of religious ministrations. In medipeval times, Avhen Bewdley was a sanctuary town, and the neighbouring forest was a hot-bed for highway- men and murderers, this must indeed have been a neighbourhood most undesirable for residence, notwith- standing its great natural beauties. Until lately much of the forest belonged to the Crown, but now it has all fallen into private hands, except the mines and minerals, 234 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Avliicli still belong to the Crown. The manor and manoiial rights have been purchased by "VV. N. Marcy, Esq., and much of the land was bought by capitalists with the view of working the coal mines, but as these are reserved by the Crown there seems but little probability of such a result. With regard to the coal (lei)osits hereabout — the ]n-oduct of former forests — I am informed that from the Clee-hills to the Severn there is a vast coal-field, now only pierced by a few pits, l)ut which will probably be worked hereafter. No doubt the whole forest of AVyre has been at some distant period a vast upheaval of bog and morass, and is even now in some places, and in dry summers, little else than bog. How wonderful these mutations — forests upon forests — sea and dry land alternately, as the depressions and elevations of the earth are accom- plished by agencies imperfectly known to us, but which arc ever actively engaged in working the will of Him who luitli made all things well. Should these mines liereafter be worked, and the cleared spaces of the forest built upon, the aspect of the country will be wonderfully changed. In this forest, till recently, stood the unique " Sorb tree " (Pz/rus domesticu), the only tree of the species believed to be wild in Great Ik'itain. It was formerly the object of nnich super- stition, and was used as a protection against witchcraft. The tree Avas Avantonly burned down in 1862, and the only one of the kind now in this country is a specimen at Arley Castle, which was propagated from a shoot of the above tree. I 1^.0 t^s 011; paglfjr. NE of the best and most serviceable measures ever adopted in this country for the promotion of literature and the elucidation of our national and social history was undoubtedly the appomt- ment in 1869 of a Commission "to make enquiry into the places in which documents illustrative of history or general public interest, belonging to private persons, are deposited ; and to consider whether, with the consent of the owners, means might not be taken to render such documents available for public reference." This Com- mission has published voluminous reports, containing descriptive lists of the treasures brought to light by its labours in many parts of the country. Amongst those in Worcestershire the collection of MSS. at Hagley are among the most important and interesting ; they consist of — 1. Charters and grants from the time of King John, some relating to the abbey and church of Halesowen, with a cartulary (Ed. III.) and bailiffs' accounts for the abbey ; and others to private property and individuals ; a hundred roll of the borough of Halesowen (6 Ed. I.) ; and a roll of the taxation of the temporalities of the archdeaconry of Worcester (29 Ed. III.) 2. Letters and copies of letters of the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, including those of Queen Elizabeth, Queen Anne (wife of James I.), Charles I., Charles II., King Stanislaus of Poland, Frederick Prince of Wales, the Duke of Monmouth, the Duke and Duchess of Marlborougli, Lords Clarendon, Chesterfield, Chatham, Walpole, Monboddo, and many other lords ; Swift, Warburton, Pope, Thompson, Fielding, Garrick, Voltaire, Phelps, and Dr. Johnson ; and those of several 236 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. generations of the Lyttelton family to their friends and contemporaries, with numerous love letters, both by- ladies and gentlemen. Some of the letters of the 17th century illustrate the civil wars, Avhile those of the 18th century are peculiarly interesting, a great number being addressed to George Lord Lyttelton, Avell known as the historian of King Henry II. of England. Some of these letters have been printed in Sir li. rhillimore's " Life of Lord Lyttelton," and other use has been made of them by Dr. Nash, the county historian ; yet much remains that has never yet been ])ublished ; and as the Lyttelton family have for centuries past been intimatrly associated with the public events in the history of this countrj^ we shall find abundant materials to reward our research. For the careful transcript of many of these letters and other MSS. we are indebted to Bishop Lyttelton (president of the Society of Antiquaries), Avho, about the middle of the last century, took the trouble to copy them fairly in handy little books, strongly bound. 3. A volume of extracts from the Tower records, from the original letters of visitors to the monasteries at the time of their dissolution, from BotUeian, Ashmolean, and Harleian MSS., and from the Close, Patent, and Liberate rolls. 4. A MS. volume on the reign and character of Queen Elizabeth, by George Lord Lyttelton ; assuming the foDu of a conversation between Sir F. Bacon and Sir H. Wotton. 5. Miscellaneous books and papers ; records of suits in the Star Chamber ; log books and voyages ; poems by George Lord Lyttelton ; papers respecting the death of Thomas Lord Lyttelton in 1779, and relation of Miles Peter Andrews, formerly INI. P. for Bewdley, about Lord Lyttelton's ghost appearing to him ; and books, letters, papers, and reports, relative to South Carolina, Jamaica, and other of our colonies. t LORD Dudley's riots. 237 6. A thick MS. volume, supposed to be the first rough draft of Habingdon's collections for the history of this comity (afterAvards used by Dr. Nash). From this multifarious collection of materials I have made such selections as are most likely to interest the general reader, dividing the subjects into — 1. Lord Dudley's Eiots. 2. Family Differences. 3. The 'Earl of Essex's Plot. 4. A Model Lady. 5. The Civil Wars. 6. Love Letters, &c. 7. Hagley Park and Estates. 8. Monkish Tricks and Holy Relics. 9. Queen's Letters. 10. King Charles's State Jewels. 11. Ancient Customs. 12. The Duchess of Marlborough on Worcester Election. 13. Miscellaneous. LORD DUDLEY'S RIOTS. An instance of the lawlessness which prevailed in the country in the " good old times " is fidly detailed in " articles of complaint " exhibited in the Court of Star Chamber, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, against Lord Dudley, on behalf of Gilbert Lyttelton. ISTash has printed some of the papers, but that need not prevent a brief statement of the case here. It seems that Prestwood House, near Stourbridge (now the mansion of Mr. Foley), had been purchased of Lord Dudley by Sir John Lyttelton, the father of Gilbert, and some dispute arising concerning the property, on October 12th, 1.592, Lord Dudley, in the night time, raised about 140 persons, who were armed with bows and arrows, forest bills, and staves, went to Prestwood and Ashwood, drove away a large number of sheep, 238 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. chased fourteen cows, one bull, and eight fat oxen ; took them to Dudley Castle, and kejjt them within the walls of that fortress. Three or four days after- Avards ]Mr. Lyttelton sued replevins from the Sheriff of Staff onLsliire, but Lord Dudley's servants threatening to cut to pieces the bailiff named in the replevins, he refused to surrender the cattle, but killed and eat some of them, and sent others to Coventry to be sold, escorted by sixty men, strongly armed. The state- ment proceeds, in a manner not very intelligible, to the effect that when the cattle W'ere gone about eight miles, Lord Dudley suddenly, in the night-time, raised the inhabitants of Dudley, Sedgley, Kingswinford, and Rowley, to the number of 600 or 700 persons, went after the cattle, and brought tham back to Dudley Castle, " where they wasted them all." Moreover, this armed mob cut down some of the woods at Prest- Avood, and behaved in a most disorderly and lawless manner. i\[r. Lyttelton communicated Avith the Lords of the PriA^y Council, Avho Avrote to Lord Dudley, requesting him to return the said cattle or the value of them ; but his lordship still refused to do so. Then " a bill of mistlemeanour Avas draAvn against him and eighty of his folloAvers," some of Avhom immediately " ran out of the coimtry," and others confessed their offences. When the matter was fiHh Judice Gilbert Lyttelton's son John, Avho was in London, A\Tote a letter to liis father in tlie country, Avhich is full of judicious and shrcAvd obscrA'ations on men and things, informing his fatlier, specially, that if he meant to obtain extraordinary favoiirs in regard to the said laAvsuit he must pay an extraordinary price for them, " the friendships and favours of these times, and of great men, being proportioned to the rcAvard, and measured by the commodity themselves receive." Lord Dudley Avas charged by Mr. Lyttelton Avith being a most imscrupidous man, and that, amongst other FAMILY DIFFEEENCES. 239 tilings, he got the subsidy money in his hands, counter- feited the names of some of the justices on the commission, and without their knowledge retiu'ned the bonds taken to the Exchequer ; that he suffered Thomas Homes, his father's old servant, to die in the common jail of Worcester for his lordship's debts ; that he pawned to one Eedman, a draper, of London, a copper chain, called " Sir Martin," and under his own hand warranted the same to be of the value of .£60 ; and " that he left that virtuous lady his wife in London, without provision of sustenance, and took to his home a lewd and infamous woman, a base collier's daughter," It is stated that Lord Dudley, " by colour of borromng Prestwood House, continued in wrongful and forcible possession for a long space, until removed by order of Privy Council." The con- test for the possession of Prestwood lasted from 1590 to L595, when "articles of accommodation" were drawn up and agreed to, from which, however, it is evident that Lord Dudley's claim to Prestwood was without just foimdation. FAMILY DIFFEEENCES. We now approach one of the most interesting episodes in the history of the Lyttelton family namely, the character and incidents in the career of John Lyttelton and Meriel his wife (daughter of Sir T. Bromley, Lord Chancellor tevq). Eliz.) Bishop Lyttelton, who copied many of the Hagley letters and papers in the middle of the last century, speaks m glowing terms of this John Lyttelton, observing that his letters claim the first place in importance, and that " however unfortimate he was by his connection with the Earl of Essex, his superior abilities were such as to make one wish to be acquainted with all the circum- stances of his life ; and surely nothing can give us, at this distance of time, so strong an idea, both of his 240 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. lively parts, Ins solid judgment of men and things, his exalted virtues as -well as his unhai)py failings, as his familiar epistolary correspondence." It has already l;)cen mentioned that in his letter to his father Gilbert, respecting the Dudley claim, John Lyttelton evinced much judgment and knowledge of the world. These talents were soon after called into play by the extraordinary conduct of his father. A bill of complaint was exhibited in the Star Chamber by Gilbert Lyttelton against his son John and his other sons, alleging that on the Otli of April, 1596, his said son and heir apparent, with other persons (including Humphrey and Gilbert, natural sons of complainant), being armed with swords, bills, axes, &c., went to his liouse at Prestwood, and, after making fearful tlireats, swore they would cut down the doors and do great destruction unless certain grievances were redressed. On the 3rd of May following, Humphrey and Stephen Lyttelton, Avith seven otlier persons armed, went there agam in a most riotous manner, drove nails and stones into all the locks that the doors might not be fastened ; and on the same day the party was increased to tifty, when they compelled complainant to agree to certain articles they had drawn up ; but still they kept watch, and for twenty days they prevented any access to complainant from his friends or servants, except such as they would allow of ; and when Lord Dudley was coming to comfort complainant, and to advise the rioters to desist (nu^rk how singularly the tables were turned !) Stephen Lyttelton, Humphrey Perrot, and Edward Marrow, went out armed against his lordship in hostile manner, reviled him, and called him " base and paltry lord," and threatened that when they had ended their Imsiness at Prestwootl they woidd be revenged on Lord Dudley ; and swore that if com- plainant set one foot on the stairs to meet Lord Dudley they would thrust their swords to his heart ; by reason FAMILY DIFFERENCES. 241 of wliicli Lord Dudley departed. A session was held on May lltli, at Wolverhampton, for the reformation of these great disorders, and many of the rioters were indicted there ; hut Humphrey and Gilhert, sons of the complainant, Stephen Lyttelton, Ed. Marrow, Humphrey Perrot, Wm. Barkly, and others, fearing they should he removed from Prestwood by course of law, provided muskets, calivers, and other guns, hows and arrows, &c., with intent to withstand the sheriff and justices, and took an oath to each other that if either of them were hurt in withstanding the sheriff they would presently kill the complainant. They also stripped and scourged some of complainant's servants, whom they suspected of delivering letters to him, and kept complainant prisoner in his own chambers from the 3rd to the 24th May, and at last compelled him to subscribe certain articles. Then they departed, and since that time the said John Lyttelton had entered into most of complainant's lands, taken away his goods and chattels, kept courts, and compelled his tenants to pay their rents to him. So far Gilbert's story. Audi et alteram partem. The reply of John Lyttelton, H. Perrot,* W. Barkly, and J. Maynard, gentlemen, fidly proved that the com- plainant was a bad and unnatural father. It was shoAvn that John's grandfather had left his son Gill:)ert a great estate, which, however, he so mismanaged that defendant was compelled to interfere. Defendant, in the time of his grandfather, was engaged to marry Meriel, the daughter of Lord Chancellor Bromley, upon condition that some part of the Lyttelton estates should be assigned to him upon his marriage, and the necessary deeds for that purpose were prepared and signed by all parties. The marriage did not immediately take jilace, and meanwhile l)oth Sir T. Bromley and * Ancestor to the Perrots of Bell Hall, and steward to Joha Lyttelton. IG 2-i2 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. tlie defendant's grandfather died. Afterwards tlie marriage Avas solemnised, hut for some reason or other, not explained, his father took a dislike to him, and reported that he woidd give away or spend all he could to divert the property from the defendant. He also evinced his displcasiu'c towards his own wife (defendant's mother) and two of his brothers, and woidd not admit any of them into his house or make them any allowance, whereby they became dependant on defendant's hospitality at a time Avhen he was unable to sujiport them in a projier mamier. Frequently the father was entreated, but refused to maintain the honour of the family, and he launclied out into a most extravagant exjjenditure, much diniiuishing the family estate. At length the defendant and others Avent to Gilbert's house to procure a reformation of the matters aforesaid, but made no use of the threats attributed to them ; on the contrary, in the most dutiful manner they Avould have conferred Avith their father as to some proA'ision he ought to make for his yvife and children, Avith ])a}^nent of his debts, and moderation of his expenditure. They declared that no force or A'iolence was ofl'ered to any one, but on their father promismg reformation the defendant re([uestcd his lirethren to depart, Avhich they did. Ilis father, hoAvever, i)erformed none of his promises, and subsequently, Avhen defendant Avas in London, another family deputation paid a Adsit to the Avorthless man at PrestAvood, but he refused to see them and AvithdrcAv into a priA^ate room. Xo riot, hoAvever, took place, nor Avas any violence done to defendant's father or to Lord Dudley (whose presence, nevertheless, they much dishkcd on account of the claim Avhich his lordship had made to jiart of the estates). 1 )efendant afterwards Avent to his father, and in the presence of Sir Edward Lyttelton and E. NeAV- l^ort, Esq., of Kinver, Avho acted as mediators, his father consented to certain terms, Avhereby defendant FAMILY DIFFERENCES. 243 was to pay him £500 a year for life, also to pay defendant's mother <£80 a year, make suitahle allowances to his brothers, pay his father's debts, and then take possession of all the family estates, except PrestAvood, which complainant reserved to himself for life, also Frankley House, "with the park adjoiniiig, the tithe of Wolverley, and a few other considerable items. Accordingly, ever since that agreement defendant had received the rents, and dealt justly, lawfully, and dutifidly by his father, and had even refrained from exercising his fuM rights, nor had he taken extreme advantage of the power he possessed. He had also visited his father at Prestwood on good terms, and nothing had been said or done contradictory to the agree- ment. The rents had been received by defendant without remonstrance or olijection from his father ; he had likewise paid some of his father's debts, and was ready to jDerform all that he had agreed to. Defendant therefore expressed his belief that his father had been influenced by George Lyttelton and other " very lewd persons of base condition," Avho sought indirectly to obtain some part of the family property. Defendant denied that his father had been compelled by terror or diu"ess to execute the articles of agreement, nor was there any riot or foid speeches. And these allegations were corroborated by other witnesses. The decree in this case has not been found among the Star Chamber records, those papers having been all destroyed, as is supposed, during the Civil Wars ; but it ajjpears that the Queen interposed to settle this family dispute in an amicable way — a proof, one woidd think, that the defendant John had not sought to over-reach or dis- honour his father. Indeed there is room to suspect that Gilbert was both a weak and a liad man, and probably jealous of his son's sujierior merit, whom Camden alloAVS to have been much respected for his wit and valour. John Lyttelton was in high estimation 2iJ: WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. in this coimty, and Avas not only elected a Knight of the shire without opposition, hut the nomination of the other Knight was left solely in his hands. His friend AVilliam Savage, however, declining to come forward, John L;yi,telton woidd not nomuiate any one else. Although John was a zealous Papist he lived in amity with his neighboiu's, and even invited the Bishop to hunt on his estate at Frankley. His brother Humphrey acted ns his bailiff at Hagley and superintended the affairs of the est^ and family, but was afterwards executed, for harbouring Stephen Lyttelton ami Mr. "Winter, tAvo of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators. A letter from John to liis brother Humphrey gives judicious advice how the latter was to act with regard to a quarrel which had occurred between Stephen Lyttelton and some persons named Eock, at Stourbridge; and in a letter to the said Stephen at another time he remonstrates with huu against the habit of "resorting to market towns to haunt the fellowshi]) and conversation of lewd base fellows, and accomj)anying them in theh disorders, as being inconsistent with the reputation of a gentleman." Stephen was hanged in St. Paul's Chiu'chyard for his share m the i)lot. John Lyttelton's life was distinguished by troubles and dilHculties ; it commenced in a cheerless manner and ended tragically. iSIany of his letters iviv.v to the family squabbles and lawsuits, especially a claim made by his sister Cornwayl to a considerable part of the estates, which claim was founded on a pretended deed or will of their father CJilbert, but which deed coidd never be proved authentic. The matter was litigated for many years, even after the decease of John Lyttelton ; and at last his widow Meriel compounded matters by paying to Sir T. Cornwayl £2,600, after she had expended .£1,000 in defending the suit. THE EARL OF ESSEX's PLOT. 245 THE EAEL OF ESSEX'S PLOT. The next tiling to be investigated is that part of the career of John Lyttelton which was the principal, if not the only, blot on his fair fame — nameh^, his unfor- tunate connection with the treasonable conspiracy of the Earl of Essex, in the month of February, in the year 1600. Essex, once a favourite of the Queen, having been mortified by some disappointments, and jealous of the ascendency of others, raslily attempted by force of arms to remove Cecil, Cobham, and Ealeigh, from the Queen's Councils ; but being unsuccessful, was taken, tried, condemned, and executed. John Lyttelton was in the Earl's retinue which accompanied him from Essex House in a tumultuous manner into the city, and he was also proved to have had a number of horses and arms at his inn at the time of the insurrection. In his defence it was declared that he had no design against the Queen or Government, but merely a personal feeling against certain members of the Council. Lyttelton's estate, however, was so tempting a bait to a covetous Queen and to Sir Walter Raleigh, who was Lyttelton's worst enemy, that all advantages were to be taken against him ; and although he Avas then dangerously sick, yet lest he should die before conviction the Queen commanded that he should be brought to his trial, at the same time pardoning others who were equally guilty but whose fortunes were not so considerable. Lyttelton bore his fall like a hero. In one of his letters he says that " to appease Sir "Walter Raleigh by any base coiu-se I must not, and to bring him about by any such offer as my estate may conveniently perform is not probable, for where the Avhole is thirsted after a part will not satisfy." " But since it is not now to be disputed what was but what is to be done, and that hares must have horns if lions will have it so, I for my part must resolve to take such a 246 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. game as my fortune lialli dealt imto mo, and endeavour iiOAV to play the best of it. You will also ask opinion touching the point of standing mute upon trial, and what the law is in that case, and how it is to be handled."* His letter to Ealeigh has been quoted as carrying in every line the strongest marks of a great mind, firm and unshaken under the deepest state of distress, for sad and hopeless as his situation then was he disdained to supplicate for his life or estate in terms unbecoming a gentleman. In this respect he contrasts favourably with his enemy, Kaleigh, who, Avhen after- wards in a similar condition, ])cgged for his life in a very abject strain. Here is Lyttelton's letter : — " To Sir Walter Raleigh, Knt. " Sir, — It is not worthye the vertue and honor you professe to persecute persons fallen into misfortune. Yf hertoforc you have borne nie cawslesse displeasure nowe of all others is ye time Icste seasonable to shewe it. llemember ijr what it is to be truly noble, and how it agreeth not with gcncroxis hartes to delite to trample upon dejected fortunes. It is nowe in your power to doe me good or ill oihces ; yf you doe me ill you shall wronge your own rejjutation ; yf you doe me good you will give me cawse to be thankful. There is allready between your son and me one tye in blood and nature ; I cookie be contente you did nowe doble ye knottc with offices of love and friendship. To bcggc your favor (in ye state I stand) were too muchc baseness, to refuse it were arrogancye and indiscre- tion, but to require you to doe me no harme is but justice, and that evercy gentleman oweth of right one to another. What construction you will make of this, and what is nowe meete to be don, I must refer to your own judgmcntc, and so I end. " John Lyttelton." This letter is almost equalled by his valedictory letter to his Avife, directing her to be mindful of the interest of certain of his faithful followers and friends, particularly Humphrey Perrott, "my honest, faithful * The "standing mute upon trial" at that time subjected the prisoner to be pressed to death, and in cases of felony prevented the attainder in blood and the forfeiture of estate, but not so in cases of treason. I A MODEL LADY. 247 friend," and Gilbert ConingsLy, and commending the education of lier cliildren to her loving care. He also alludes to a little painted casket " which contains certain letters not meet to be seen, biit rather to be biu'ned, that no dishonom* or disgrace come to any person whom the same doth concern ; for as my frailty hath been the occasion thereof, so woidd the publishing of these follies leave a spot and blemish on my reputation." Then he takes leave of liis dear wife in these affecting terms : — ' ' Yf ever you did offend me I freely forgive it you ; yf ever I did offend you with som fraylties, for of other falte towards you I am not guiltye, I praye you for God's sake forgive it me. I have ever reputed you a vertuous wife and I protest have regarded and loved you accordingly. Farewell, my dear wife, love my brothers, love my antiente and tryed friends, and be advised by them. Almighty God blesse you and all yours ; kisse them all from me, even the unborne, and the same God for his Son Jesus Christ his sake give us all a joyfull meetinge in heaven. Amen, amen, amen, for Jesus' sake amen. "J. LiTTELTON." The prisoner was condemned, and bemg attainted, his estate was confiscated. This Avas in 1601. He died in the King's Bench, whither he was removed from I^ewgate. And here I appended a fcAv notes with regard to his Avidow. A MODEL LADY. In the Hagley collection there are several letters from Meriel Lyttelton, a lady of exemplary life and excellent judgment, remarkable for piety and submis- sion under heavy afflictions. She evinced great pru- dence in the training of her children, and l)y her sole interest Avith the Crown, she, in 1603, obtained of James I. a grant of restitution of the lands which had been confiscated. Her letters also indicate Avarm sym- pathy for the sorroAvs of others in the midst of 248 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. harassing cares in tlie manageniont of her family and estates, and tlie litigation which beset it, likewise expressing her firm determination at all risks to obey the last requests of her condemned husband. Meriel Lyttelton has not inaptly been called the second founder of tlie family, and Avhen she had obtained the restitution of the estates she sequestered herself from the public pleasures of the world and led a retired though not inhospitable life at Ilagley for nearly thirty years after her husband's death, paying from time to time large debts incurred by him and his predecessors ; and (as Bishop Lyttelton ol)serves) to crown all her good works she brouglit up her children in the Protestant religion and thereby rescued them from that heavy yoke of error and superstition which from the Keformation to that time had maintained its ground in the Lyttelton family. At her decease she was buried at her own request in the centre of Hagley churchyard, among the poor people (obiit 1630). The portrait of this estimable lady is given in IS^ash's history of the county. THE CrV^IL WAE. It appears that on the outbreak of the civil war in this country in 1642, the King, Ijeing at York on the 22nd of June in that year, the folloAving instructions were sent to the Commissioners of Array for Worces- tershire : — "Instructions for our dearest sonn Prince Charles, for our right trusty & wellbcloved Edward Lord Dudley, Thomas Lord Coventree, & for the rest of the Commissioners in our Commission of Array for our county of Worcester. " ClIAULES R. " Whereas we have named you Commissioners in our Com- mission of Array for the county of Worcester, & thereby given you severall powers for the arrayinge, traininge, armingc, leadingc, & conductinge of the inhabitants of our said county, as by our said commission which wee herewith send you appeareth. THE CIVIL WAR. 249 " Our will & pleasure is & wee charge & require you that vou or three or more of you doe forthwith send out yoiir warrants to the Sheriffe of our saide county for summoninge of the inhabitants of our saide county according to the said commission. Nevertheless being unwilling in our princely care of our people to bring any increase of charge uppon them, we hope for the present it will be sufficient if only the antient trained & freehold bands of the county be summoned & trained, you talunge speciall care that they be well arrayed & the number supplyed with sufficient & able persons, & under the conduct of such captains as are persons of quality, haying considerable estates & interest in the country, & not strangers, imlesse you find it shall be well pleasinge to our people, & for the necessary defence of the country, to make an augmentation of their armes. " And you are to take notice that recusants being disabled in lawe to beare armes are to be asseased to finde armes for other men, & if their tennants that are Protestants beare armes you are to receive them. " For the better knowledg of your perticuler dutyes herein, you are all to take coppies of these instructions, & to take transcripts of our said commission, the originall to reivaine with one of those of the quorum ; & of your procee-^lings herein wee expect speedy & jjleanary account. " Given at our Court at Yorke the 22nd day of June, in the 18th yeare of our raigne." On the 25tli day of the same month (June, 1642) the King sent his commands " to our trusty e & Avel- beloved Sir Thomas Littleton, of Frankly, in our county of Worcester, Knt. & Baronet," enjoining him to fail not to attend his Majesty personally forthwith whenever required, and upon his allegiance not to absent himself out of Worcestershire, or to suffer himself to he engaged, detained, or kept from giving his ready attendance on his Majesty upon any pretence Avhatever, or by virtue of any order or warrant of either House of Parliament, without special leave and licence of the King. Sir Thomas's answer to this missive does not appear, but no doubt he had already offered his services to the King, through Lord Falkland. His letters, applying 250 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. for a commission to raise a regiment in Worcestershire, are addressed to tw(j noblemen (not named) thus : — " My Lord, — lam to this place confined for his Majesty's service by his command for ye peace of his subjects in this county, and confirmation of them in their (hityand obedience; and when I look into ye condition wherein thanks be to God ■we are in these parts I cannot but think I might if it so please his Majesty be a little more profitably employed for his service here than 1 find that I now am, there being nothing that I see for me to doe but to assist in ye execution of ye Commission of Array, which by ye precipitate diligence of some and great negligence and slackness of others had at first ill successe. At Worcester the Commissioners meet to- morrow, and I hope we shall so dispose of ourselves and business as that it shall receive a new birthe, and become ye more eminent for ye former opposition, which may make my services appeare with ye clearer light. And now, my Lord, because I heare of so little likelyhood of a good end of these troubles, but what shall be made by force, and that therefore ye king hath given many commissions for ye raising volun- teers in divers parts of the kingdom, I do renew my desires to your Lordship that you would move his Majesty that I may have a commission for raising a regiment of foot and a troop of horse out of ye counties of Worcester, Salop, and Stafford. I am very confident that I could raise here such as are very especial good men, and if it should happen that these troubles suddenly cease (which I heartily pray God if it be his will may be) then would they lye very conveniently for transporta- tion into Ireland, where I could be well content to end my days in reducing those barbarous rebclls. I have kept Captain I^ayton Avith me to his prejudice, hoping I should have imployment for him with me to do ye King service. I I beseech you credit him in what he shall say to you on my part, being one I may ingage my reputation for to be a man of truth & lionour. !My Lord, I desire if you please that you imjiart this letter to my Lord of Falkland, to whom I have now wrote, and in whose favour I presume that he will join Nvitli you in recommending of my desires & offers of service to his Majesty." The other letter was i)roljably to Lord Falkland : — " My Lord, I shall expect a commissary with Captain Leyton to bring moneys for levying and paying of the soldiers and present entertainment of myself and officers, and that there be some convenient place assigned where I may receive 1 THE CIVIL WAB. 251 arms and munition for the regiment, ■without which my men ■will be of no use, the King's money lost, and my honour suffer. My Lord, I am put in good hope that I shall raise such men as -^ill do the King good service, therefore I beseech you take it a little in your care that they may be supplied with those necessaries without which they cannot subsist. My cousin. Sir Harry Herbert, will do me the honour to be my Lieut. -Colonel, and this bearer is to be my Major, whom I request your Lordship to credit, and to give a speedy d spatch, which is the life of the business. I came this day from Wor- cester, where I have been in the execution of the Commission of Array. This bearer, who was with me, can inlbrm you of our success, and we have sent his Majesty an account thereof by letter to my Lord of Falkland." A letter to Sir Thomas Lyttelton from Lord Falkland ■was received in July of the above year, stating that he (Lord F.) had acquainted his Majesty with Sir Thomas's letter, and found liim very confident that by the industry and union of the well-atFected to his service in Worcestershire, by the justice of the cause, and by the good example of other parts, his business would be very well restored ; " in which he no way doubts but you will be very careful and active to encourage the Avell-affected, and unite them so that no little pique among themselves may be any prejudice to his service. And his Majesty desires that my Lord Dudley, my Lord Coventry, yourself, Sir H. Herbert (both whose -readiness in it his Majesty believes, and is very well pleased Avith), and the principal of that commission would confer and lay things so before hand by way of discourse among yourselves, that you might with more certainty expect success when it is put in execution." Next appears a letter from Sir Thomas Lyttelton, Avritten to some other mend^er of the Commission of Array— probably Lord Coventry — stating that Lord Dudley's ill health prevented his taking active measures for putting the said commission in force. In the instructions under which the commissioners were to act it was said they were to send their OAvn warrants to the 252 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Sheriff for summoning the inhabitants of the county according to tlic commission. liut if tlie Sheriff was gone to London in obedience to tlie warrant of Parlia- ment, to attend their commands, the Avriter puts the question Avhether the Under Sheriff has power to pro- ceed in the business of liis superior. He also states that his ^Majesty's service in Worcestershire had received some prejudice by the false doctrines Serjeant "Wild and ]\[r. Solway had with much eagerness preached, and "which therefore required more industry and caution on the part of the commissioners. Lastly, requesting his Lordship to fix tlie following Thursday or Friday evening for a meeting of the commissioners at "Wor- cester. The result of the meeting alluded to in Sir Thomas Lyttelton's last letter appears to have been the adoption of the following resolutions: — 1. "That Sir Thomas Littelton be colonell of the trayned bands & of the volunteers now to be raysed. 2. That the whole trayned bands bo sum'oned to appeare before the Com'isioners at Droitwich upon Thursday next, being the 15th of this month. 3. That a letter be sent to the High Sheriffe to desire him to send out his warrants as formerly to the high constable for the trayned bands appearance to bringe in supplies, & to amend all defaults of their armes, & to intimate who is to com'and them in chief (1) Sr. Tho. Littleton. 4. That the voluntiers be allowed 5s. the weeke as longe as they remayne in the county, & afterwards such pay if they be drawno forth of the county as the King gives. 5. All officers to have tlie same pay as the King gives. 6. The Colonells company 200 men. Lieutenant Colonell & Serjant Major companies 150 each company. 7. The pay for tho voluntiers to be for a month. 8. How to get amunition & powder, and that 'Mv. Lilly of Bromsgrove be com'andi'd to attend the Com'issioners concerning the account of a tun & half of leade. 9. That a II THE CIVIL WAR, 253 tresorer be appoynted for the regiment, to issue forth the monies according to the Colonell's directions." The sum of £704 18s. was assessed on the comity monthly to satisfy mihtary requu-ements, and among the county parishes Hagley and Frankley complained of being unfairly assessed for their share ; but the county assessment seems to have been soon increased to £3,000 monthly, as will aj)pear from the following document : — " Wee of ye grand inquest representing ye body of this countie do as far as in us lietli resolve & agree unto these propositions following. First, as an humble testimony of our ready and faithfull hearts for ye preservation of his Majesty's person and our countries security we do condescend & agree to continue if necessitie require ye contribution for seven months more at £3,000 per mensem to his Highness. Pr, Kupert's orders, desiring that we may have ye benefit thereof granted unto us, that is to be discharged from all free quarters and receive satisfaction from ye treasurer of ye countie for all our lands, goods, & provision, that shall be taken from us & imployed towards ye maintenance of ye forces raised for ye defence of this countie. And we desire that a considerable number of soldiers may be raised & mustered for ye safe guarding of ye countie. And if it shall happen that ye forces be drawne from ye counties servise, then ye countie contri- bution to be dimmished. And if any excise shall be laide upon our countie then to cease. And concerning raising of newe forces, we desire you would be pleased to appoint a time for ye gentry of ye whole county and three or more of ye chie'fest men of every parish to meete and consult for ye present preservation of the countie, & that warrants may issue forth by ye Gierke of ye Peace to ye High Constab. for ye purpose forthwith. And that ye £3,000 per mensem shall he imployed towards ye maintenance of ye soldiers and ammunition & no other use. We do lilcewise hiimbly desire that such officers and receivers of moneys that belong to these new fortifications may be called to an exact account what moneys they have received & likewise what work is done & by what divisions of ye county it hath been per- formed. And we further desire that every day's work with a teeme and two followers may excuse six labourers. We do likewise desire that ye garrisons may be seated upon ye frontiers of ye county and in such places where ye enemy does most infest us, & to be removed as necessity shall require, 254 AVORCESTERSniRE RELICS, ■whereby contribution in these parts may be collected, & the adjacent i)arts unto yc enemy be preserved from spoile & plunder. That Sir W. Vavasour and all commanders & officers may give satisfaction for their free quarters & for hay and other provisions which they & their soldiers have had in several parts of ye countie." On the ITtli of Auf,n;st, 1042, Lord Diinsniore writes from Warwick to Sir Tliomas Lyttelton, acknow- ledging the assistance offered by Worcestershire, " which, with tlie forces of Warwickshire and Leices- tershire, besides 14 troops of the King's regular army, 200 firelocks, and 300 dragoners, we fear not the enemy," which were daily expected to arrive, under the command of Hal. Hamden and Lord Brooke, " Moreover the King is to be with us to-morrow at Killingworth (Kenilworth ?) to countenance his own business." Four days later, Ed. Nicholas (Secretary of vState) writes from " Stonley Abbey " to the Commis- sioners of Array for Worcestershire, thanking them for their good services, and requesting them to send with all diligence certain troo})s to Warwick. The city of Worcester was fortified by the Ifoyalists about the same time (September, 1642), and a rate producing £180 per month was levied in the city for the cost of fortifications and soldiers. Lord Falkland writes from Stafford, Sep. 19, summoning Sir Thos. Lyttelton to repair to the King at Shrewsbury, and stating that eight troops of horse and ten of dragoons were coming to Worcester, and tliat ordnance should be sent from Shrewsbury by watei-. Then follo-wed the action on Pitchcroft, in which the Parliamentary troops, under Lord Say, Col. Sandys, and others, defeated the lioyalists, who were commanded by the Princes Eupert and Maurice, Lord Coventry, Sir W. Kussell, and Sir John Biron. The Earl of Essex took possession of Worcester, hung some of the townsmen, pillaged the city, and levied heavy sums thereon. THE CIVIL WAR. 255 In the following year (1643) the Eoyalist cause appeared occasionally more hopeful, and Worcester remained semper fidelis, the details of which, having been abeady frequently published, need not be repeated here. In the Puleston MSS. at Worthenbury, county Flint, is a printed protestation or oath, to be tendered to the inhabitants of the counties of Worcester, Salop, and Chester, and the six counties of ISTorth Wales, according to an Act of a Council of War, July 28, 1643, " to protect the King and resist the Parlia- mentary forces under the Earl of Essex, Sir W. Brereton, and Sir T. Middleton ; to oppose these three persons ; to disown those who have taken the detest- able vow or covenant ; to communicate nothing to those three to the prejudice of the King." Signed by Arthur Capell and twelve others. On the back are the signatures of six persons as having taken the oath. The family of Lyttelton suffered its fidl share of the penalty which fell upon those who attached them- selves to the Eoyal cause. Sir Thomas is mentioned as one of the gentlemen taken prisoners by the Parlia- mentary forces, and as having been incarcerated in the Tow^er for two years. In Dugdale's Diary is a memo- randum relative to this business : — " May 3, 1644. — Sr. Tho. Littleton, of Fraiikley, com. "Wigorn", taken prisoner by a p'ty of horse (sent by Fox, the tinker from Edgbaston) to Ticluiall Manner near Beaudley." John Fox, " the tinker," as he was contemptuously called, had been just appointed Colonel of a regiment, and was a very active officer. In the following month (June, 1644), according to Manley's "Iter Carolinum," the King went from the Bishop's palace at Worcester, on the 11th of that month, to Sir T. Lyttelton's, via Bewdley, where his Majesty stayed three nights, and returned to Worcester on the 15th. 256 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Sir Edward Lyttelton was among the noblemen and gentlemen wdio marched out of AN'orcester when the city surrendered to the Parliamentary forces under General Eeynesborough in 1G-4G. Sir Edward com- jiounded for his estate in the sum of £1,347 6s. 8d. The disastrous "battle of Worcester" in 1651 settled the fate of the Royalist cause, and we pass on to the protectorate of Cromwell. Here is a letter dated the search for arms in Worcester- shire. The writer received an order on the last day of December to take Sir Henry I.ytteltoii, who was then High Sheriff of Worcestershire, and Sir John Pakington. Both were taken and sent to London. Sir Henry was charged with having a quantity of arms hid in his house at Hagley ; and Henry Pose,* a. carrier, of Uromsgrove, deposed at the trial that certain heavy chests were left in his w^arehousc at London, directed for Sir Henry Lyttelton, and that he conveyed the same in his waggon to Hagley. Henry Cooke, another carrier of Jiromsgrove, also received some heavy consignments at his inn in London, from a Mr. Lloyd, who had been in the service of a former Lady Lyttelton, and conveyed the same to Hagley, delivering them there to Bowles the steward. Sir Henry being at home at the time. The defence Avas that the pistols and saddles had been purchased for Sir Henry, as High Sheriff, for tlic use of the men in his cavalcade. Forty pairs of i)istols had been purchased at Shelton'.s, of the Cross Guns, Covent Garden ; and twenty-nine saddles from a saddler named Cheval, living at the sign of the Angel. + The parcels were sent to an inn in St. Giles's, where the Bromsgrove carriers put up. Sir Henry was kept a i)risoncr in the Tower for ■* Descendants of the ancient family of Rose still remain at Bromsgrove. t All tradesmen, as well as publicans, used signs before their doors ia those days. THE CIVIL WAR. 257 nearly two years, and during that time he frequently petitioned Cromwell to grant him his liberty. In one of his letters he states that he had been fourteen months in durance, and that the prison was a very expensive one ; that he had suffered serious losses by sequestration and composition : that he was then burdened with a jointure of £1,500 per annum to his mother, annuities to his brothers and sisters, and was subject to his father's debts ; his health was also suffering, and he was desirous of visiting his family, if only for a short time. Meanwhile the following letter appears from Major-General Berry to Secretary Thurloe : — " Sir, — The gentlemen of this countie (Worcestershire) meet here this day to!putt his Highness' orders and instructions in execution, and have declared much forwardness in ye work, which I hope will be effectually carried on. They desire to know what his Highness' pleasure is shall be done concerning the estates of Sir Henrj^ Lyttelton & Major AVildman. If you expect wee should proceed to sequestration of them wee humbly beg you would acquaint us with ye testimonyes you have against them. Here hath been also this day many Cavaliers, who have given engagements according to order, & have promised to bring in to our next meeting a particular of their estates, that they may be assess' d, and they seem not at all to quarrel at it. " Your very real friend to serve you, " Ja. Berry. " I have inq\iired of those gent, nominated for Sheriffs in this county, andheare that Mr. Hazlewood is good for nothing, not like to doe you any service. Mr. Purvey is good for little — a rich clowne, that would be glad to be taken notice of, and perhaps might be ruled. Mr. Foley you all know, yet for his own sake I wish he might be spared, for ye saying is here that a man had as good be sequestred as made Sheriff. I hope my Lord will spare him. " J. B." I have met with no record of the time Avhen or the reason vrhj Sir Henry was released from the Tower, but here is a letter which he received from the exiled King (Charles II.) just before his restoration : — 258 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. "BruxcUcs, 8 Jan. 1660. — I am very ■well informed how much and how often you have suffered for nic, and how much I am beholding to all yoiir relations, and you may l>e very sure I have the sence of it that I ought to have, of which you shall one day have evidence. In the mean time cherish your health and prepare for better times, which we shall enjoye together. Commend me to all your friends and be confident you shall always finde me to be your affectionate friend, " Chaicles R." After his restoration the Iviiig ofFered Sir Henry a peerage, Avhich he decHned. Another member of the family, Sir Charles Lytteltou, was also very zealous in the cause of the Stuarts. He retired to France with Charles II., where he had a company of horse, but returned to England in 1659, a year before the restoration, and joined Sir G, Booth's insurrection in the north, but was made prisoner and carried to London. There is a letter at Hagley from Sir Ed. Hide (afterwards Lord Clarendon), dated from Brussel.*!, Oct., 25, 1659, encoui-aging him in the measures he was taking for restoring the monarchy. On being released he returned to the King, and appeared in his escort wdien his Majesty Avas brought back to the throne of his ancestors. In 1662 he was appointed Lieut.-Governor of Jamaica, and accompanied Lord Windsor thither; he remained in the island as sole governor, and built the town of Port Eoyal, Avhich was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1692. There are large quantities of papers, letters, and books at Hagley, relative to his governorship, and also an interesting little relic in the shape of a japanned box of Jamaica work ; tlie lid is Hat, of tortoiseshell curiously engraved Avitli a sharp metal point, like a dry-point etching. It is mounted with silver hinges and clamps. The chief ornament of the lid is a coat of arms, a cross charged with live pineapples ; crest, on a helm, an alligator ; supporters, two Indians, one on the dexter side holding a basket of fniit and a lance, that on the sinister side LOVE LETTBES, ETC. 259 a bow and arrow. Beneatli are two large pineapple plants ; above is the inscription, — port : royall : ix : lAMAicA : 1688. At the sides are compartments in which, appear "West Indian fruit-trees represented with considerable spirit. This curious box measui'es 9^-in, by 7f-in. It may be supposed that this box had been sent as a present to Sir Charles, after his return to England, by some resident in the island who had enjoyed his friendship, or had participated officially in his exertions for the benefit of the colony. A comb, of similar Jamaica work, formerly in the Bernal Collection, is now in the British Museum. On Sir Charles's return to England he was made Colonel to the Duke of York's regiment, in which Captain Churchill (afterwards the great Duke of Marlborough) served under him. At the revolution of "William III. Sir Charles retired from public service. There are several letters at Hagley written by Churchill to Sir Charles. LOVE LETTERS, &c. The connection of Stephen and Humplirey Lyttelton with the Gunpowder Plot, and the harbouring of the conspirators at Hagley, need only be mentioned en passant, as the particulars of those events have been frequently printed ; so we pass on to the letters of John and Meriel's son, their grandsons and their wives, especially those of two of the Lady Lytteltons, which are written m so elegant a style, and breathe such tender and delicate sentiments of love and affection, that I cannot do otherwise than select a specimen or two, beginning with some written by Katherine, daughter of Sir "William Fairfax, of Steeton in Yorkshire, and first wife of the Sir Charles Lyttelton before named. It need scarcely be premised that she was a woman of remarkable wit : — "My deer deer Charles. -This is ye soonest i coiild write to thee since my arrival at Steeton, but if you had been as 2 GO WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. carefull of your promis as I was I should have met the letter you said yon -would write upon the roade. I did write the Tuesday after you went, but perhaps it has miscarried as I beleeve yours has done that I should have had. I am resolved my Dear to think ye best of everything that we may not fall out at this distance. I am cxtreamly deceavcd if I shall ever have occation to doe soe with you. Noe my Dear I am too confident of your kindness to suspect that I shall want a reason to justify my haveing the greatest passion for you in the world, which truely I have ; if I thought you question'd this truth I would say more to confirme your faith, but I think it would injure the just opinion you have of my atfection to say a great deal as if I were yet to persuade you that I am as kind to you as you desire, though not as you deserve. I will proceed to the Relation of my Jorney. I thank God I am safe at home from any disaster, but never was there such company as I had, one man was deaf and dumb, yet hee was better company than the other two, one being sick all the while, & ye other very old & ugly. If I had not had Cyrus* I had been undon for I never had 3 siich wearisome days in my life. I was pretty well all the way, but I find I have the scurvy, for I have spots of it come in my face. I make noe doubt but to be cured here, for nothing brings it but being idle in Towne, the Country exercise is the best Medicine for mee that can bee. My Mother is very kind to mee & glad to see me, but shee never asked seriously if I were maried only told mee that every body said soe ; soe that yet I have not told her, only shce says shoe believes I will marry you and goe to Jamaica which I doe not deny ; that shce may have time to resolve to part with mee. I doubt it will bee very unwillingly when it comes to it, & truely soe it would on mj' part if I did not consider who I am to goe with, and then I can bee content to leave father & mother, but not only because you are my husband, but because it is my inclynatiou to prefer your company before all llie world. Eut Charles, shall I have noe more of it till wee meet at London ? Sure my Dear you will come hither. I leave it to your good nature to consider how I shall be content to live without you 2 Months when I think this week very tedious allready. God grant meiJaticiice & a great many letters from thcc, for that is ye way to make me contented. I'rethee bee carefull of yourself & continue to love thine most faithfully, " Aug. 26, 1G62. "K. L.'' " To ye same, at Point Cagway, Jamaica. fl " I know not my Dear Charles who it was nor what -wm * A famous French romance. LOVE LETTERS, ETC. 261 ye business that diverted thee from writing me a long Letter, but I curse them in my Heart, for noe body that is not so much in Love as I can imagine the satisfaction I have in Reading a letter from thee when I cannot see thee. I durst have sworn when I saw Matt that my Love had been commg, but this is a deceitful World, one is never happy but in appearances. Thank you my Dear Child for ye things you have sent me. I have got ye Chambers ready but it may be if I doe not know when you'll come j'ou may find a slight supper. I am soe well at this instant that if my Charles were here I could laugh & be very merry, but without him perfect Health and all things els will not make me content. Just as I had writ thus far came in ye Ensign & paid ye money. I am glad it came so seasonable to keep thee from trobling thyself about it. I were ye happiest Woman in ye World if I could live to please and delight thee and not to bring thee care, but Dearest, I cannot help my ill fortune & thou hast Love enough to excuse it all therefore I will make no Apology for it. I know I need not desire thee to come home quicklj^, for I am sure thou wilt if thou canst. Yet I can hardly keep this Pen from saymg Prethee make haste ! I will let that Sute alone and beg thee to love thy poor Girl wherever thou art ; this is as unnecessary a Request as ye other for I believe from my heart thou dost love me & Charles God knows Love was never more justly return'd and that all my Actions shall testify as long as my short Life lasts, which I wish may be longer for nothing soe much as to enjoy thy company ; O naughty Man who tempts me to desire to keep from heaven for his Company, this must not be owned amongst Divines but it will pass for good Religion in Love. 'tis my dear because thou art soe good makes me soe wicked, yet prethee be so still, and I will find some other way to mend than by thy growing worse. I have something of a good Christian in me still for I doe as I would be done by, Avhen I write to thee long Letters. Farewel my only Dear. "Thine most faithfully, " St. Jago, Thursday. " K. L." When the above letter Avas written, Sir Charles, who had been appomted Governor of Jamaica, was buil ding- Port Eoyal, and liis lady was at a house up in the country. This loving creature ailtl the babe to which she soon after gave bu^th died at Jamaica (about 1663 ?) One of her last letters to her husband was the following : — 262 WORCESTERSIIIRE RELICS. "My dear child, I was last night as good as my -word for I went to bed as soon as ye candles were lighted & I find it agrees very well with me, for I got a good deal of sleep & am pretty well this mornmg. If I could continue soe I should yet hope to lay my Bones in England. Our great Troope are going to meete. I will have ye Coach & see them & say God bless you my People. Your little Boy is very well, Ilee and I have had some discourse in bed this morning till hee made more noyse than I & soe we parted ; my dear Charles, it would be too much happynes for a mortal to have thee & thy boy & health to carry into Worcestershire together, yet I hope God will grant it niee though I lived never soe privatly I care not ; This House without thee looks soe dull that it inclines mee to ye spleen exceedingly, but at this instant I have it not, for I have a faint beleef now that I )»ai/ live, which I doe not use to think, yet this cunning disease shall not cozen me, for I will not trust a smiling Day too much ; but my Trust is in God that casts downe and raiseth up at his pleasure ; may hoe bles thee with all ye Blessings of Heaven and Earth. " Thine K.L." After the death of this affectionate woman, Sir Charle-s fell in love with jMistress Temple, who was maid of honour to the first landless of York, and seems to liavc had some apj)arent difficulty in securing the lady for liis second wife. Here are a couple of his letters to her : — " I beg your pardon my beautious Princessc but I must tell you I was never in my Life so ravished with delight as I was yesterday in ye enjoyment of your company because I did sometime flatter myself it was not altogether disagreeable to j-ou, & therefore if you could be sensible what a cruel & ill natuted thing it must needs be to undeceive mee, you would certainlj' think the pains you have taken to doe it was ill bestow'd by looking gravely & severely upon me ever since, & by spoyling ye best humour which you naturally have in ye "NVorld & by destroying ye hopes & jfelicity of one that values & loves you above every thing in it : for heavens sake let me see you this morning, because I have business iji ye city will so spightl'uUy engage me that I cannot be with j'ou till towards night, and then too I fear onlj' in ye Circle, & what is that for him who is so passionately desiroiis to have you entirely his own. " Your faithful Poore "Clearchus."* * A feigned name. LOVE LETTERS, ETC. 263 " To ye same. " Madam, You have render' d me so miserable by ye resolution you seem so seriously & considerately to have taken (which therefore makes me almost despair you should ever alter it) that it will be impossible I should support yoiir cruelty to me any longer, especially by living in ye Court & where I cannot avoyd nor choose but allways look upon you, as I can have pleasure in noe other object. hence it is, that I have consider'd with myself to find out ye most secret Retreat where I may hope, though I cannot forget you, at least to be forgotten by everybody else. Dearest Mrs. Temple, there is nothing in ye World but some greater return of that affection I have payd you can make mee endure it, and divert ye most serious design I have taken presently to retire out of it in ye no expectation of which, with a mind full of Trouble and Discontent I hate myself, yet cannot but love you beyond anything I can say to expresse it. " C. L." Considering that the writer was a widower, whose earliest and best love should have been more absorbed in the affectionate lady whom he first married, this warmth of passion was remarkable. Mistress Temple, although she made a show of defending her fortifications, coidd not hold out long against such red-hot shot as Sir Charles aimed at her, and we accordingly find that in 1673-4 the Duchess of York and Lord Clarendon were formally apprised of the proposed marriage, and as formally gave their consent, deeming it to be " a discreet choice on both sides." Ann, the daughter of Thos. Temple, Esq., of Frankton, in the county of Warwick, in becoming the second wife of Sir Charles Lyttelton, seems to have emulated if not exceeded her predecessor in the most extravagant expressions of love for her husband, who must indeed have been a charming man to please two ladies so thoroughly. Hear what she says, in Avriting to him at Bruges : — " I came now from taking a Turne in ye Parke whither I went for a little air & undrest me to go to Bed, but am so melancholly I can't, till I have by telling you soe, & crying a little eased my heavy Heart, which has with Patience a great while born this half-living, but now 'tis become very grevious 264 woRCESTERSiimi!: relics. to me, and worst at night when I am going to our Place of Meeting & miss of you there, that which should be my llest turns to my Torture when 1 think how long 'tis like to be e'er I come into those dear loved Arms ; Oh iJear Dear pity me a little for all I suffer. If you knew ye passion I am in 'twould move you to lament my hard Fate. O Let me hear you tell me you love me, & how many times you wish me with you. I can't endure to think you don't want me, yet I can't help fearing you don't miss me much, nay and thinkmg soe too, else you could not have help'd telling me it a thousand times, unless you doe as I have done oltcn, to write thus and ye next day burn it for fear of making you sad ; but now this shall goe, to ask you when you long'd indeed to see me, not with a cold wish, but with Transport and earnest Desire as I doe to see you my Life ; my Life indeed, for I have no life but to I-ove & Serve you & yours, and to pray for you and yours ; the rest is all a dull Drawing on, and yet you have ye Heart to say in your last that I never write but in haste, that never might have been left out, for I can trucly say I never began to write that ever I desisted till ye Paper would hold no more, or that yc Post was going. You'l say why did I begin so late ? 'tis true two or three short Inciters have escaped my hands by I'eople coming in whom I could not avoyd ; and hindring me writing, but for these how many have you had that I have been ashamed allmost (knowing my dullness) to send them for length, least you should be tired in ye perusal of them. I am sure when my last comes to your hands you wont think me in haste when 'tAvas writ, but I am glad (whatever I may here endeavour to make you think) that I have this good Pretence to fill a Sheet & 'twas to me ye most welcome thing you could say since it gives me that License ; but I had much rather you would give me ye Example & soe for this time I'll bid you Adieu. " Charles Street " Anne Lyttelton. "July 10, 1678." " To the same. " This morning as I waked thinking of Thee my Heart's joy, was brought me thy most welcome letter, which I could not reade without admiration and passion, equal to that kindness which induced you to write it, and tho' you have said all ye Subject can bear & said it soe as none else could, yet unless you had convey 'd with it your Prudence too, 'twill not be eflectual to extinguish my grief, not but I truely own all you alledge most reasonable and doe I hope wholly submit myself to (jod Almighty's pleasure, trusting alone in his infinite goodness to have you safe again, but while you, ye Life of my HAGLBY PxS-BK AND ESTATES. 265 Life, are in danger I can't be out of paine, paine beyond any- other Rack as much as Love is above all other Passious ; and when I can sigh and weepe (as I have plentifully since you went) it quiets and eases my heavy heart, which else must breake, therefore don't chide ine for it and I will endeavour all you would have me rather than give you one sad thought. Poor Carew I have not yet seene but they tell me she is very well for ye time ; when I have dispatch'd all your Business I will go to her and not leave her till it please God she is well. All my Divertion will be hearing from you my Dearest. Write to me every day a long letter of all your business, but as you Love me don't say one kind Word, I find I can't beare it, for notwithstanding my Promise to you and all my endeavours, when I reade your Letter, which I can't help doing as often in a day as I can get alone, I fall into a thousand several Passions, but I am worst at night when 1 find the want of those dear dear Arms, but no more of this I promise you, not such another Word till I see you, which I will endeavour to live for being ever ever ever yoru-s "A. Lyttelton. " Charles Street, April 26, 1678." Charles Lyttelton was knighted in 1662, and siibse(|uently succeeded his brother Henry at Hagley. He lived many years with his affectionate wife, and died in 1716, aged 83. Their son Henry joined the Prince of Orange soon after his landmg in this country, and there is a letter from Sir Charles to his lady, relating Avith what confusion he (Sir Charles) had been compelled to apologise to King James for the disloyalty of his son, and that the king said in reply " he could not wonder that my son had done so since his own children Avere so disobedient." HAGLEY PARK AND ESTATES. Sir Charles Lyttelton restored Hagley Park early in the last century, and the present mansion was hwlt over a century ago by the first Lord Lyttelton, who also greatly improved the park, and this work of im- provement was carried on by his Lordship's successor to the commencement of the present century. Among o 266 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. an account of certain repairs and alterations done is the following ; — " 1806. In September I had a new handsome bench placed behind the Kotuuda in my park, which those who sit upon will between the pillars command a very pleasing view of some of my j^ools and the bridge seat in front of the last. The new bench is painted green, except one part of it, on which are written the following lines, composed many years ago by my brother George Lord Lyttelton, and put on a seat since destroyed ; — " Here Pope has rested ; sacred be the shade ; Here hang your garlands* every sylvan maid ; Here sport, ye Muses, and this favourite grove Henceforth beyond your own Parnassus love." ToAvards the close of the last century efforts were made to obtain coal from certain parts of the estate, especially in the parish of Halesowen. Here are entries respecting it : — "Mem. that my father sank a coalpit in the wood called the Cooms, in the parish of Halesowen and got some loads of very good coals, but he told me that after he had exjiended upon it about £1000 he abandoned it because the vein failed and water broke in. He had a suspicion that his manager had been bribed by the owners of neighbouring coal works to misrepresent the matter to him. It is also believed that coal may be found in Uffmoor Wood, near St. Kenelm's Chapel, and Westcote, and in the Baland Wood in Frankley, and the Brickhill Piece, in Halesowen parish." " 1794, Nov. 1. I received from Messrs. Goodwin & Co. a present of a waggon load of coal as a sample of the first ])roduce of the colliery in my wood the Cooms, since ray father desisted from working it, — N.B. The coals upon trial proved very excellent." With regard to the above entries I was informed by Mr. W. MatheAv.s, steward to Lord Lyttelton, that the coal pit in Coombes Wood was worked to some extent in the time of Wm. Henry Lord Lyttelton, the present * Beneath this entry appears (apparently in the handwriting of the late Lord) tlie following curious mem. in reference to tlie word " garlands:" — " Abolished ctrm 1810 ; some one changed 'garlands' into ' garters ! ' " i MONKISH TRICKS AND HOLY RELICS. 267 Lord's great grandfatlier, and some coal from it taken to Hagiey, over Avliicli there was great rejoicing. In the year 1830, or thereabout, Mr. Mathews's late nncle Wm. MatheAvs, and his father, Jeremiah MatheAvs, sinik a pair of shafts at the Coombes, which they abandoned after having spent about £1500. Coombes Wood is traversed by a " fault " called Enssell's HaU Fault, and the shafts Avere sunk on the fault. The property has since been piu'chased by Mr. Henry Dawes, who has Avorked coal under it, Avhich he has gotten from his adjoining pits at a place called " The Tump." There is a seam of coal in Uffmoor Wood, from 4-in. to 6-in. thick, and a shaft was sunk to it about ten yards deep. I don't know that it has ever been Av^orked. There have been no workings to my knowledge in the other places named. Shafts have been simk liy Mr. John Samuel DaAves on Lord Lyttelton's property at a place near the Manor Abbey, Halesowen. One of these is 400, the other 300 yards deep. Coal was found at the latter depth, aboiit three feet m thickness, and a second seam some distance loAver, 2ft. 6in. thick. A gate- road 1000 yards long has been driven m the upper coal and is noAV being continued. MONKISH TEICKS AND HOLY EELICS. In these MSS. is much information concerning the monasteries just before their suppression, and extracts from reports and letters sent to Lord Cromwell by visitors in various districts. Abbots, priors, and monks are exposed, and their crimes and follies unmasked, especially their incontinence and riotous living, much of Avliich should of coiu'se be taken ami grano. Mention is made of " a hoUoAv image erected near St. Alban's shrine, Avherein one being placed to govern the Avyres, the eyes Avould move and head nod according as he liked or disliked the offering ; " also of the " grand processions through the toAvn Avhere the image of St. 268 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS, Albuu was carried ; it was usually borno by two monks, and after it had been set down awhile at ye market cross, and ye monks essaying to take it up again, they pretended they could not stir it, & then ye abbot coming and laying his crosier upon ye image, & saying these words, ' Arise, arise, St. Alban, and get thee home to thy sanctuary,' it then forthwith yielded to be borne by ye monks." Among the relics reported to have been found were " ye coles St. Lawrence was rosted withal ; ye paring of St. Edmund's nails ; St. Thomas of Canterbury's penknife and books ; dyvers sculls for ye headach ; relics for rain & for avoiding yo weeds growing in corn ; two flowers wrapp'd up in black sarcenet, that on Christmas Even will si)ring and bear flowers ; part of the rock where Jesus was burn ; God's coat ; our Lady's girdle of Bruton red silke, a solemn relick sent to women in travail ; INLxry JNIagdalcn's girdle, which Matilda the Empress founder of Farley gave, as sayeth ye Holy Father of Farley ; " concluding with : " The flimous blood of Hales in Glostershlre being tasted Ijy K. Hen. ye 8th & sundry of his nobles, was found to be, not as generally reported, ye lUood of a Duck, but a slimy Jelly made of clarifyed Honey mingled with Saffron, &c., set in a round Stone, which Avas made deceitfully hanging 1)etwe(!n two joints of Silver, wavering as ye Blood sliould have; waver'd." Here is a curious document combining religious ■\'ersitication with headings of legal phraseology : — " Novcr'mt presetiies etfuturi. " Weetes all that be heere, Or that shall be lief and deer, That I Jesus of Nazareth For Mankind have suffered death Upon the Cross with Woundes five Wliilst I was Man alive. Dedi et concessi. " I have given and do grant To all that aske in Faith repentant. t» i MONKISH TEICKS AND HOLY RELICS, 269 Heavens Blisse witliout ending So long as I am their king. Reddendo et solvendo. " Keep I no more for all my smarte But the true Love of thy Hearte, And that thou be in Charitee And love thy neighbour as I love thee. Warrmitizo. ' ' If any man dare say That I did not his debts pay Rather than man shall be forlorn Yet would I est be all to torn. Hiis Testibus. ' ' "Witness the day that turned to night And the clear Sun that lost his Light. Witness the Earth that then did quake And stones great that in simder brake. Witness ye Veil that then did rend, And Gravis wliich ther Tenants forth did send. Witness my Moder and Saint John And By Standers many a one. In cujus Rci Testimonium. " For further Witness who list to Appeal To my here imderhanged Seel, For the more stable Siu'enesse Thy Wound in my Hearte the Seale is. Datum. " Yeoven* at Mount Calvarie The first Daye of ye Great Mercie. C.H.S. LH.S. •' Seal'd & deliv'd Ita fidem feciunt in ye presence of Matthew \ Mary Moder of God, Marke f Notarii Mary Cleophioe, Luke j Publici. Mary Jacobi, John J John ye Disciple, Longinus ye Centurion. " In Greek above ye Seal ye Text of 2d. Tim. 2, 19. Under ye seal upon ye Label — " Cor Chartai appensum Rosei vice cerne sigUlum Spreta Morte tui solus id egit Amor." *Given. 270 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. QUEEN'S LETTERS. In one of the portfolios is a letter in Queen Eliza- beth's handwriting ; it is a letter of condolence to Lady Paget on the death of Lady Compton, thus endorsed : — ' ' A letter of Queen Elizabeth to my grandmother Pagett upon y« death of ray grandmother Crompton Lyttelton." "AMemoriall. Elizabeth 11. Cal to your mynde, Good Kate how hardly We Priucis Can broke* In Crossing of Our Commandes. IIow Yrefulf wyl the hiest Power be (may you be Sure) whan Murmurc siialbe made of hys Pleasingst "Wyl. Let Nature therfor not hurt your Selfe but Give plase to the Givar And thogh this lesson be from a Sely YikarJ yet is hit sent fro a Lovingc Souveraine.'' May the " Good Kate " to whom this very curious condolence was addressed have been Katharine, wife of Henry, second Lord Paget, in the reign of Elizabeth 1 She was daughter of Sir Henry Knivet, of Buckenham, and after her husband's decease, in L568, she mamed secondly Sir Edward Gary of Aldenhani. Dr. Xash, Hist. Wore, vol. ii., Addit. p. 33, has printed this letter as addressed " to Lady Paget on the death of her daughter Lady Grompton." It probably came into the possession of the Lyttelton family by the marriage of Sir Thos. Littleton the first Bart. (1618) with Catherine, d. and h. of Sir Thos. Grompton of Driflield, CO. York. There is likewise a letter from Queen Ann (wife of James I.) to the Uuke of Buckingham, tlius : — " My kind dogge,|| If I have any Power or Credit -^vith you I pray you Let me have a Trial of it at this tinae in dealing sincerely and earnestly with ye King that Sr Walter Raleigh's Life may not be called in question. If you do it so that ye success answer my Expectation assure your- self that I will take it extraordinarily kindly at your hands, and rest (on) one that wisheth you well & desires you to * Brook, or submit to. f IIow angry God will be with those who murmur. j Silly Vicar, or poor preacher. II " Dogge : " An affectionate term then fashionable. KixG Charles's state jewels. 271 continue still as you have been a true Servant to your Master." This appeal to the great Court favouiite may have been the cause why Ealeigh's penalty for alleged high treason was commuted from death to imprisonment, which he suffered for thirteen years in the Tower, hut was eventually beheaded (1618.) KmG CHAELES'S STATE JEWELS. The following is copied from a loose sheet in Aubrey's collections : — " Plate remaining -within the upper Jewel House in ye Tower and deliver' d over to ye Trustees of Parlt. for Sale of ye King's Goods. " The King's Crown valued. " In a Flower de Luce having ye Picture of ye Virgin Mary, two Saphirs valued at £65, eight Rubies ballaces valued £26. "In ye Cross next to ye Flower de Luce, four Saphirs valued at £86, six Rubies ballaces val. £18. " In another Flower de Luce & Cross, four Saphirs valued at £23, seven Rubies ballaces val. £42. " In another Flower de Luce & Cross, six Saphirs valued at £62, eight Rubies ballaces value £50. " In another Flower de Luce & Cross, four Saphirs valued at £18, eight Rubies ballaces val. £40. " Saphirs & Rubeys in toto £380. " Eight & Twenty Diamonds in ye Crown val. at Six Pounds each, £168. ' ' Two Emeralds, valued at £5 ; two hundred and thirty-two Pearls valued at fifteen shillings each, £174 ; one & twenty Rubies valued at £16 ; seven pound & six ounces of Gold val. at £40 p. pound with six ounces abated for Stones, £280. " Summe in Money is £1,023. "The Queen's Crown valued. £ s. d. ' Twenty Saphirs valued at 120 Two and twenty Rubies ballaces 40 Eighty & three Pearls at 10s. each 41 10 Three pound five ounces of gold, at £40, p. pd 137 6 8 £338 16 8 K I 272 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. " King Edward ye 6ths Crown. £ •' One Saphir valued at 60 One Diamond valued at 200 One Emerald valued at 12 Four Rubies val. at 43 Thirteen Diamonds val. at 32 Seventy Pearls at 2s. 6d. each 8 In Gold 73 s. d. 15 IG " Sum in Money .... £429 1 1 " The Globe poir. seventeen ounces & quarter 57 10 Two Sceptres eighteen ounces 60 The Bracelets valued at 36 "Summe is £153 10 " Sic transit gloria Mundi. " It is somewhat surprising to find by ye foregoing Valua- tion that ye Imperial Crown & other Regalia of the Kingdom Avcre of so little value as not to amount in ye whole to £2,000, for it appears by a Record printed in xviii Vol. of Rymer's Feed. p. 236 & seq. that in the 1st year of K. Ch. reign (anno 1625) the King's Jewell Office contained an immense quantity of Jewells, Gold Plate of divers forms, as Feathers, Flowers, Collars, decomposed of Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires, &c., also Basons & Ewers, Bolls, Cupps, Salt sellers, Dishes, all which were sent over privately to Holland by ye King's special Warrant to ye D. of Bucks. One would think that as 3'e Royal Treasury was so nobly furnished, that some of ye largest and finest Jewells would have graced the principal Regalia." ANCIENT CUSTOMS. From an Aslniu)lean MS. the following is taken, with the spelling modernized : — " There were very few free schools in England before the Reformation ; youth were generally taught Latin in the monasteries, and young women had their education not at Hackney as now (anno 1678), but in the nunneries, where they learnt needle work, confectionery, surgery, physick (apothe- caries and surgeons being at that time very rare), writing, drawing, &c. Old Jackquar, now living, has often seen from ANCIENT CUSTOMS, 273 his house the nuns of St. Mary Kington (in Wilts) coming forth into the Nymph Hay with their rocks and wheels to spin, sometimes to the nvimber of threescore and ten, all Avhom were not nuns, but young girls sent there for education. Anciently, before the Reformation, ordinary men's houses, as copyholders and the like, had no chimneys, but flues like louvre holes ; some of them were in being when I was a boy. In the halls and parlours of great houses were wrote texts of Scripture on the painted cloths. The lawyers say that before the time of Henry 8th one shall hardly find an action on the case, as for slander, &c., once in a year, quod nota. Before the last Civil Wars, in great houses at Christmas the first dish that was brought to the table was a boar's head, with a lemon in his mouth. At Queen's College in Oxford they still retain this custom, the bearer of it bringing it into the hall, singing to an old tune an old Latin rhyme, ' Caput Apri dejfero,' &c. The first dish that was brought up to the table on Easter day was a red herring riding away on horseback {i.e.) a herring ordered by the cook something after the likeness of a man on horseback, set in a corn sallad. The custom of eating a gammon of bacon at Easter (which is still kept up in many parts of England) was founded on this, viz., to show their abhorrence to Judaism at that solemn commemoration of our Lord's resurrection. The use of (the term) " Your humble servant " came first into England on the marriage of Queen Mary, daughter of Henry IV. of France, which is derived from " J'otre ires humhlc sirviteur." The usual salutation before that time was " God keep you ! " " God be with you !" and among the vulgar "How do'st do? "with a thump on the shoulder. Till this time the Court itself was unpolished and unmannered. King James's Court was so far from being civil to women that the ladies — nay, the Queen herself — could hardly pass by the King's apartment Avithout receiving some afiront. At the parish priests' houses in France, especially in Languedoc, the table-cloth is on the board all day long, and ready for what is in the house to be put thereon for strangers, travellers, friars, and pilgrims, — so 'twas, I have heard my grandfather say, in his grandfather's time. Heretofore noblemen and gentlemen of fair estates had their heralds, who wore their coat of arms at Christmas and other solemn times, and cried ' Largesse ' thrice. " A neat-built chapel and a spacious hall Were all the rooms of note, the rest were small." " At Tomarton in Gloucestershire, anciently the seat of the Rivers, is a dungeon thirteen or fourteen feet deep. About IS 27i WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. four feet high are iron rings fastened in the wall, Avhich was probably to tie offending villans to, as all lords of manors had this power over their villans (or soccage tenants), and had all of them, no doubt, such places for their punishment. It is well known all castles had dungeons, and so I believe had monasteries, for they had often within themselves power of life and death. Mr. Dugdale told me that about King Henry III.'s time the Pope gave a bull or patent to a company of Italian architects to travel up and down Europe to build churches. In days of yore lords and gentlemen lived in the country like petty kings — had jura regalia belonging to their seigniories — had their castles and boroughs — had gallows within their liberties, where they could try, condemn, and execute ;— never went to London but in Parlia- ment time or once a year to do their homage to the King. They always ate in their gothic halls at the high table or orci'Ue (which is a little room at the upper end of the hall where stands a table) with the folks at the side tables. The meat was served up by watchwords. Jacks are but of late invention ; the poor boys did turn the spits, and licked the dripping for their pains. The beds of the men servants and retainers were in the hall, as now in the guard and privy chamber. Here in the hall the mumming and loaf stealing and other Christmas sports were performed. The hearth was commonly in the middle, whence the saying ' Round about our coal fire.' Every baron and gentleman of estate kept great horses for men at arms ; some had their armouries sufficient to furnish out some hundreds of men. The halls of the Justices of the Peace were dreadful to behold : the screen was garnished with corslets and helmets gaping with open mouths, with coats of mail, lances, pikes, halberds, bro^^^l bills, battcrdastors, and bucklers. Public inns were rare. Travellers were entertained at religious houses for three days together if occasion served. The meetings of the gentry were not at taverns but in the fields or forests, with their hawks and hounds, and their bugle horns in silken bawderies. In the last age every gentlemanlike man kept a sparrow- hawk, and a priest kept a hobby, as Dame Julian Berners teaches us (who wrote a treatise on field sports tcmj). Henry VI.), it was a divcrtisement for yotmg gentlewomen to man sparrow-hawks and merlins. Before the Reformation there were no poor-rates ; the charitable doles given at the religious houses and the church ales in every parish did the business. In every parish there was a chtirch house, to which belonged spits, pots, crooks, &c., for ch-essing provision. Here the housekeepers met and were merry and gave their charity. ANCIENT CUSTOMS. 275 The young people came there too and had dancing, bowling, shooting at butts, &c. Mr. A. Wood assures me there were few or no almshouses before the time of Henry 8th, That at Oxford, opposite Christ Church, is one of the most ancient in England. In every church was a poor man's box, and the like at great inns. Before the wake or feast of the dedication of the church they sat up all night fastmg and praying, viz., on the eve of the wake. In the Easter holidays was the clerk's ale, for his private benefit, and the solace of the neighbourhood. In these times, besides the jollities above-mentioned, they had their pilgrimages to several shrines, as to Walsingham, Canterbury, Glastonbury, Bromholm, &c. Then the crusades to the holy wars were magnificent and splendid, and gave rise to the adventures of knights errant and romances. The solemnities attending processions in and about churches, and the perambulations in the fields, were great diversions also of these times. Glass windows, except in churches and gentlemen's houses, were rare before the time of Henry 8th In my own remembrance, before the civil wars, copy-holders and poor people had none. In Hereford- shire, Monmouthshire, and Salop, it is so still. About ninety years ago, noblemen's and gentlemen's coats were of the fashion of the beadles and yeomen of the Guards Ci-e.) gathered at the middle. The Benchers in the Inns of Court yet retain that fashion in the make of their gowns. Capt. Silas Taylor says that in days of yore, when a church was to be built, they watched and prayed on the vigil of the dedication, and took that point of the horizon where the sun arose for the east, which makes that variation, so that few (churches) stand true except those built between the two equinoxes. I have experimented some churches and foimd the line to point to that part of the horizon where the sun rises on the day of that saint to whom the church is dedicated. In Scotland, especially among the Highlanders, the women make a curtsey to the new moon, and our English women in this country have a touch of this, some of them sitting astride on a gate or stile the first evening the new moon appears and say ' A fine moon, God bless her ! ' The Britons received the knowledge of husbandry from the Romans. The foot and the acre, which we yet use, is the nearest to them. In our west country (and I believe so iu the north) they give no wagesto the shepherd, but he has the keeping of so many sheep with his master's flock. Plautus hints at this in his 'Asinaria,' act 3, sc. 1, ' Etiam opilio,' SiC. The Normans brought with them into England civility and building, which, though it was Gothic, yet magnificent. Upon any occasion of bustling in 276 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. those days great lords sounded their trumpets and summoned those that held under them. Old Sir Walter Long, of Draycot, kept a trumpeter, rode -with thirty servants and retainers ; hence the sheriffs' trumpets at this day. No younger brothers were then to betake themselves to trade, but were churchmen or retainers to great men. From the time of Erasmus till about twenty years last past the learning was downright pedantry. The conversation and habits of those times were as starched as their bands and square beards, and gravity was then taken for wisdom. Tlie doctors in those days were but old boys, when quibbles passed for wit even in their sermons. The gentry and citizens had little learning of any kind, and their way of breeding up their children was suitable to the rest. They were as severe to their children as their schoolmasters, and their schoolmasters as masters of the house of correction. The child perfectly loathed the sight of his parents, as the slave his torture. Gentlemen of thirty and forty years old were to stand like mutes and fools, bareheaded, before their parents ; and the daughters (well-grown women) were to stand at the cupboard side during the whole time of the proud mother's visit, imless (as the fashion was) leave was desired, forsooth, that a cushion should be given them to kneel upon, brought them by the serving-man after they had done sufficient penance in standing. The boys (I mean young fellows) had their foreheads turned up and stiffened with spittle ; they were to stand mannerly, forsooth, thus : the foretop ordered as before, with one hand at the bandstring, the other behind the breech or codi)iece. The gentlewomen then had prodigious fans, as is to be seen in old pictures, like that instrument which is used to drive feathers, and it had a handle at least half a yard long. With these the daughters were oftentimes corrected. Sir Edw. Coke, Lord Chief Justice, rode the circuit with such a fan. Sir Wm. Dugdale told me he was an ej-e witness of it. The Earl of Manchester also used such a fan. But the fathers and mothers slashed their daughters in the time of their besom discipline when they were perfect women. At Oxford (and I believe the like at Cambridge) the rod was frequently vised by the tutors and deans, and Ur. Potter, of Trinity College, I knew right well, whipped his pujjil with his sword by his side, when he came to take his leave of him to go to the Inns of Court." WORCESTERSHIRE ELECTION. 277 THE DUCHESS OF MAELBOEOUGH ON WOECESTEESHIEE ELECTION. A letter from this celebrated lady, dated from Tiin- bridge Wells, Aug. 26, 1733, and directed to Dr. Sandby, Prebendary of Worcester, is written in a strain of virtuous patriotism respecting the approaching election, which is someAvhat amusing. It states that Sir T. Lyttelton, Sir Herbert Pakington, and Mr. Lechmere, were the candidates for Worcestershire, and observes : — " I don't know the two latter, but Sir T. Lyttelton has always voted as he was directed, and it was for that reason, I imagine, he had an employment* he can know nothing of. He is my cousin, but ought not to take what I say ill because I solemnly j)rotest if I had a son that would from weakness or any bye end be influenced to act anything against the true national interest, if I had a thousand votes I would give them all against him." Dr. Josias Sandby, to whom this was written, was incumbent of Lindridge as well as Prebendary of Wor- cester. He had been chaplain of a regiment during Queen Anne's wars in Flanders and secretary to Clias, Churchill (brother to the great Duke of Marlborough), for some time governor of Brussels. It Avas through the interest of the Duke that he was appointed Pre- bendary of Worcester, nearly at the same time that Dr. Hare was presented with the Deanery of Worcester for having been chaplain to the army in Flanders under the Duke. Hence the dictatorial letter of the Duchess. In 1730 a complaint was made to the Dean and Chapter of Worcester by the vestry of Putney that the roof of their chancel was ruinous, and the rain coming through, owing to the neglect of this Duchess Dowager of Marlborough, and requesting them to look into the lease and either compel her Grace to repair or order an * Government office. 278 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. ejectment. Putney was probably one of the Dean and Chapter's manors and held by the Duchess. MISCELLANEOUS. Among, many other interestmg and valuable docu- ments at Ilagley are also the following, "which were exhibited in the temporary museum formed in this city on the occasion of the visit of the Archaeological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, in July, 1862 : — 1. Original patent, by writ of privy seal, creating Sir Edward Littleton, late Solicitor General and then Lord Keeper, Baron Littleton of Mounslow in the county of Salop, with remainder to the heirs male of his body. It is dated 18 Feb., 16 Charles L (1641-2.) The great seal has been detached, and the document, now preserved at Hagley, has been placed in a frame. The parchment measin'cs 30|-in. in breadth, l)y 24^-in. in height. The margins are elaborately emblazoned. In the initial letter is introduced an oval engraved portrait of the king, three-quarters to the right, affixed to the parchment, and coloured so as to appear at first sight like an illumination. In the upper margin is introduced an achievement of the royal arms beUveen the crest of England and that of Scotland ; in the dexter margin is the lion of England holding the banner of St. George ; and lower down is the triple plume within a garter, cnsigned with a crown, and with the initials C. P. In the sinister margin is the unicorn holding the banner of St. Andrew ; above and below are escutcheons, one being of the arms of France, the other of Ireland. The margins are ornamented throughout with roses, thistles, honeysuckles, lilies, and other flowers, in colors and gold. In the lower dexter corner there is an oval miniature of the newly created peer, three-quarters to the right, in black dress, falling band, and black skiUl-cap ; tlie purse in which the great seal MISCELLANEOUS. 279 was kept appears at his side. In the lower sinister corner is introduced an achievement of the arms of the lord keeiDer, with numerous quarterings ; of these "with other particulars regarding this remarkable document a detailed account was given by Mr. John Gougli JSTichols, in the " Herald and Genealogist," vol. i. Lord Littleton died without issue in 1645, when the barony became extinct. 2. Letter from Charles II. to Sir Henry Lyttelton, Bart., from Brussels, Jan. 8, 1660. 3. Letter from Sir Edward Hyde to Mr. Lyttelton, afterwards Sir Charles Lyttelton. 4. Note of acknowledgment from Lord Chesterfield to Lord Lyttelton, on receiving the two first volumes of his History. It is written on a large card, as foUows : — " Lord Chesterfield sends his Compliments to Lord Lyttelton, with many thanks for the pleasure that his History gave him and begs of him to finish immediately his third volume which he hungers after, the two former volumes having disgusted him of most other Historys." 5. A letter from the Duke of Monmouth to Lady Phil. Lyttelton, his niece, congratulating her on her marriage, is couched in language of such a character as to prove that in the 17th century, in the highest circles, the grossest verbal indecencies were considered but as com- mon-place and ordinary, even to ladies' ears. How could it have been otherwise with such a Court as Charles's and such a national poet as Dryden 1 But that the grave and reverend Dr. Nash should have thought proper to insert it in his county liistory almost in our own day is indeed surprising. 6. There is among the letters one from Phil. Cary addressed to Sir Henry Lyttelton, in which, among minor subjects, she mentions that the Protector (Cromwell) had been overturned in his coach, and so bruised in his beUy and thigh that he could not stir 280 WORCESTERSniRE RELICS. himself in bed, antl that his secretary's leg was broken, (Qy. : Was tliis John Milton 1) The accident arose from Cromwell driving his coach himself, and the horses running away he was thrown among them. The matter was to be kept " a great secret because of ye dishonour of it." 7. In 1662 Sir Henry Lyttelton received a letter from one Henry Harris, revealing his knowledge of a robbery of which Sir Henry had been the victim, and cautioning him that when he again brought his lady to London ho was not to bring her jewels, nor more money than would serve for the journey. He intimates that there were traitors among Sir Henry's servants, and promises to do what he can for the restitution of the property, professing himself scandalised in his conscience at even knomng such rogues, who, he said, were " great blades about ye towne, that robbed you and intend to againe." Sir Henry had been twice robbed in Becons- field Woods, on going to and returning from Arley, and once in his own house in Lincoln's Inn Fields, when confined to his bed with the gout. They bound and gagged him and cari'ied off a good booty, but missed his wife's jewels, which they had a design upon, she being fortunately gone to Court with the jewels upon her. Many years afterwards a man went to Su* Henry at Arley and owned that he had been one of the robbers, and gave uy a sum of money which he said was his share of the booty. So much for conscience. 8, Dr. Johnson's letters to Lord Lyttelton are dated from Bolt Court, July, 1780; one of them expresses thanks for offers regarding Lord Lyttelton's life (for the " Lives of the Poets "), but says he has no need. He however asks for information concerning West, about whom he is (piite at a loss. In anullier lett(>r he says that his desire is to avoid offence and to be wholly out of danger, and he proposes that the historical part should 1)0 written by a friend under Lord Lyttelton's MISCELLANEOUS, 281 direction, and that he (Johnson) will only examine the poetry. It is rather curious that, after this letter, Johnson's remarks on Lord Lyttelton should be so caustic. listorj} from Parilr. "^jl lAEIES and journals form one of the dis- '^r tingnishing features of the 17th century. ^1 Travellmg had then become the fashion with the higher classes, and no young gentleman's education was considered complete until he had com- passed " the grand tour." To note the novelties and strange things seen by them in other countries was natmal. Civil wars and the unsettled condition of affairs in England drove others abroad, while those who remained at home in the heat and turmoil, the civil and religious strife which then raged in these islands, frequently committed to paper the experiences they had acquired or the part they had taken in the physical or mental skirmishes of the day. That the addition thus made to English liistory was highly valuable, both as narratives of public events antl as elucidations of domestic habits and manners, is admitted on all hands. How iU could we afford to spare the book left by the immortal Pepys ! that gossiping, weak-minded, but funny creature ; or the diary of the more stately, loyal, and scientific Evelyn, not to mention a host of minor legacies, such as the diary of Richard Symonds, a cavalier in the army of Charles I., Sir Kenelm Digby's journal of a voyage to the ]\Iediterranean, &c. Moreover we are mdebted to many of these journalists who happened to be antiquaries for notes and drawings of ecclesiastical buildings and monuments met with in their travels ; which pen-and-ink sketches are now, after the lapse of so many years, of the utmost value and importance, whether to the historian, the herald, or the genealogist. Camden, Stowe, Weever, Symonds, Holies, Dugdale, and many others at later periods, i HISTORY FROM MARBLE. 283 have done good service in this way ; but perhaps not one of their productions nor any of the numerous publications issued through the agency of the Camden Society possesses a greater interest than that which bears the title of " Diugley's History from Marble," recently published by that society. For this the literary world is indebted to the kmdness of the late Sir T. Winnington, in whose ancient library at Stanford Court the MSS. from which this work has been printed were found. Thomas Dingley, the author, who lived about two centuries ago, has been long claimed as a "Worcestershire man, supposed to have been a member of the family residing at the old manor-house at Charlton in this county ; but the researches of that accomplished antiquary, the late J. Gough Nichols, who ably edited the work, proved him to have belonged to the Hampshire family, and that his home was at Dilwyn, Herefordshire. He travelled through England, Wales, Ireland, Holland, and France, making pen-and- ink sketches of cathedrals, churches, monmnents, arms, inscriptions, &c. ; and his MS. volumes, of which the Welsh one has been published by the Duke of Beaufort, and the English by the Camden Society, abound with interest, and prove the author to have been well versed in ecclesiastical antiquities, a classical scholar, acquainted with heraldry, and an accurate draftsman. The " History from Marble," which is now printed, is referred to by its author in another volume as his " English Joimiall," and in his Irish Journal as "my English Itinerary." It was probably in progress during many years, and its materials are gathered from various counties, but are more par- ticularly copious and curious for Herefordshire and Wiltshire, and for the cities of Bath, Oxford, Lichfield, and Worcester. They are chiefly of his own collection, but in the latter part he has not refrained from copying Weever, Dugdale's History of St. Paul's, and other 284 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. printed books. By the aid of plioto-lithograpliy these MSS. are now most successfully reproduced ; and the value of such a mode of representing MSS. which are enriched ^vitll drawhigs is so great, and the residt in this work so satisfactory, that the enterprising example set by the society cannot fail to be followed in its own future proceedings as well as by other cognate societies, A few extracts from this journal will show what objects were considered attractive to a gentleman of the 1 7th century, and what pains he took while on his travels to delineate and describe what he saw and heard. In his own parish (Dilwyn) he seems to have been struck with the virtues of cider in promoting longevity — "This parish (saith he) wherein syder is plentiful!, hath and doth afford many people that have and do enjoy this blessing of long life, neither are the aged here bedridden or decrepit as elsewhere, but for the nrost part lively and vigorous ; next to God, wee ascribe it to our flourishing orchards, which are not oncly the ornament but pride of our countrey, and that in a double respect, 1st, that the bloomed trees in spring do not onely sweeten but j^jurifye ye ambient air, as Mr. Eeal observes iu Ileretf. Orchards, p. 8. Next that they yeild us plenty of rich and winy liquors, Avhich long experience hath taught do conduce very much to the constant health and long lives of our inhabitants ; the cottagers, as well as ye wealthier, using for the most part little other liquors iu their families than restorative sider. Their ordinary course among their servants is to breakfast and sup with toast and cyder through the whole Lent, and the same dyet in the neighbourhood continues on fasting dayes all the yecr after, which heightens their appetites and creates in them durable strength to labour. Syder is their physick and our vessels their apothecaries shops." Then follows a copy of the Vicar of Dilwyn's encomium on cider and a list of extraordinary old men and women, Avith tlieir achievements, one of Avhich was the birth of a cliild to a woman of 60, whose husband was fourscore ; anotlier man would follow the hounds HISTORY FROM MARBLE. 285 till he was 90 ; and a third ploughed nearly all day m summer, with his head uncovered, when he was 105 ! All this, of course, due to cider drinkmg. But that longevity may not be altogether attributed to cider- drinking, he quotes this merry epitaph made by one Carew upon an ale-drinking Irish beggar named Bra-\vn, who lived to a great age : — ♦'Here Brawne the quondam beggar lyes, "VVh.0 counted by his tale Some sixscore winters and above, Such virtue is in ale. Ale was his meat, his drink, his cloath, Ale did his death reprieve, And could he still have drank his ale He had been still alive." Bathing was also a subject to which our traveller turned his special attention while visiting at Bath. He evidently thinks higlily of it as a sanitary agent, but first — "Ifbenifittby bathing thou expect, To seek God's blessing you must not neglect, And if for bodies health you carefull bee, Much more you should for soul's felicity. Then seek to Christ that bath'd thy soul may be, In his pure blood to cure its malady. Search out thy fruits, bewayle thy state thereby, Crave pardon, sue for grace, live holily." "The faculties of the baths are to heat, enliven, make light and molliffy dull heavy and cold parts, to rarify and dilate the passages, to send forth excrements shutt up betM'een the skins, to empty the circumference of the body, to digest and dis- solve the reliefs of the 3rd conconction which are but fume and sweat fastned to the skin, help digestion, cherish the naturall heat, facilitate the distribution of nourishment over all the body, making the blood to cii-culate whereby its thick- ness or by the lazines or negligence of the party it did not run freely before." "Jehovah's blessing let's admii-e, Here's constant heat and yet no fire Bethesda's pool by sacred hand Hither remov'd to heal the land. God and the King are here our free imparters : God gives the waters and ye King the charters." 286 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. While at Hereford, Mr. Dmgley noticed in the Guildhall the arms or devices of the various trading companies in that city, which are curious, vide : — *' The skinners have the representation in painting of Adam and Eve, and these words : ' Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins and clothed them.' " The tanners, this ; ' Send therefore to Joppa and call hither Simon whose surname is Peter ; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner.' " Butchers, the motto, ' Omnia subjecisti sub pedibus eves et boves.' " Glovers : ' They wandered about in sheepskins and goat- skins, being destitute.' " Bakers : ' Give us day by day our daily bread.' " Clothiers or cloth workers, whose arms are — sable a chevron ermine in chief, two crabets argent in base a beazel, or with supporters and crest, have this motto, ' My tr\ist is in God alone,' besides about the chamber these verses, I suppose set up by one John Lewis, once master of the company here, in old English character, such as it is — " Clothing doth other trades exccde as farr As splendid sol outshines the dullest starr, By it the poore doe gain their lively hood. Who otherwise might starve for want of food. Farmers by it make money and doe pay Their landlords duely on the very daye ; The clothiers they grow rich, shopkeepers thrive ; The winter's worsted, and man kept alive. Advance but clothing and wee need not sayle To Colchus, against dragons to prevayle. Or yoke wild bulls to gain the golden fleece As Jason did who stray' d so farr from Greece. Promote the staple trade with skill and art The fleece of gold Avill satisfye your heart. Concenter that the weevers may go on, John Lewis swears by Jove it shall be done. " The skinners were incorporated in the first ycre of Ed. III. and made a perfect fraternity in the IS of Rich, ye 2nd. By their arms they bear errayne on a chief gules, 3 ducall croA\-ns or, lin'd of the first. Their motto is the same with that of the goldsmiths, " To God onely be all glory.' " The mercers here for their arms have gules, a maydenhead flesh and blood coulour, or proper, cro^vned or, a wast or body HISTORY FROM MARBLE. 287 coat, puipure, issuing out of clouds proper, within a bordure nebulae or." The wisdom of " tlie English Solomon " has been jiroverbial for between two and three centiuies, and the following " Apothegms " were collected by Mr. Dingley as among the purer and brighter crystallizations of the royal wit of that solemn pedant, James I. : — " I love not one that will never be angry, for as he that is without sorrow is without gladness, so he that is without anger is without love. ' ' " We are departed no farther from the Church of Rome than they from Jesus." " In clothes I would have a flfashion should chuse a man and not a man ye ffashion." " 'Tis one of the miseries of man, yt when he is full of dayes andneer his end he should love his life most." " It hath little operacon to make woemen learned as to make foxes tame, which onely teacheth them to steal more cunningly ; the possibility is not equall, for where it doth one good it doth 20 harme." " Parents may forbid their children an unfitt match, but they may not force their consents to a fitt." " No man gains by warr but he that hath not to live in peace." " No man shall do ill that tlunks ere he undertakes what the end vdll be, not what his passion would have it to be. " " I should think it a signe God loves me not if I should kill a man by chance : I would most unwillingly do that ill which lies not in my power to amend." " I do not tliink the greatest clerks neerest Heaven, for Bellarmine makes 400 questions of fayth, not ten which touch of salvation." " The devil allwaies avoyds the mean and waites on the extremities, soe hath he sought to divide the world betwixt atheisme and superstition." " All extremities come round to one end, the simple obedience of the Papist and none of the Puritanes ; the one breeds confusion, the other ignorance and sedition." " The end of the law is to punish sin when it is comitted, but to keep it from being comitted it cannot, as the Pope w'ch thinks by allowing fornication to avoyd adulterie." " Tis likely that the people will imitate the King in good, but 'tis sure they will follow him in evill," " Vertue is easier than vice, for the essential difference 288 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. betwixt vice and virtue is truth and falshood, and 'tis easier and less paines to tell trueth than a lye, and for vices of the sences custonie is all in all, for to one that hath lived honestly 'tis as much paines to comitt sinne as for another to absteyne." " I wonder not so much that woemen paynt themselves as that when they are painted wee can love them." " Parsons erres in his resolucons in makeing the difference of our salvacon to be in the hardnes to find God's mercy, ■when indeed it consists onely in the right seeking of it, for then the other is sure." *' God hath distributed his benefitts so equally that theires no countrey w'ch excelleth not all others in some thing, so that as it borroweth so it lends ; so in men, there is noe one so excellent in one thing but hath need of another's witt in some other ; from these two proceeds all traffique and societie." " The devil, when he cannot have the whole, seeks ever to gett one part of the soule, cither the will or the under- standing, which he may come easiest bj', as in Protestants the will, in Papists the understanding ; a learned Papist and an ignorant Papist are of two religions." " The Pope's religion is like Homer's Iliads of the seige of Troy or Virgil's Aneads of the beginning of Home ; both of them had a foundacon of truth, so had the Popes the Bible, but they have all added so much that the first truth is almost lost. " " God never failcs of his word but where he threats ill to man, as in punishing Niniveh, but allways perfornies where he promiseth good, as to Abraham everlasting earthly bless- ings, and insted of that gave him heavenly." " Cowardice is the mother of crueltie ; 'twas ever fear that made tyrants put so many to death to secure themselves." " All God's miracles are above nature, but never against, for that were to destroy his own work, which he cannot do, but he may excel! it, therefore the miracle of the Pope's transubstantiation is against it self." " Types are the images of the mind, w'ch God allow'd the Jewcs to keep them fro' images of the sence and to teach them that his worship was to be in spirit and in truth." " The Church of Pome fell at first from her puritie into infirmities, then into corrupcons, then into errors, then into heresies, and lastly into abomination. God punisheth sinn with sinn. " "Men as often ftiU out about small things as great, because after the first contradiction they maintain themselves not the thing." HISTORY FROM MARBLE. 289 " No indifferent gesture is so seldome done without sin as laughing, for it is comonly raysed ujDon things to be pittyed and therefore man only can laugh and he onley can sinn." ' ' Much money makes the countrey poore for it setts a deepe price on every thing." " A lye of error is a fault of credulitie not of falsehood, but a presumptuous lye is that which a man makes as God made the world — of nothing." We noAv come to the monumental epitaphs which Mr. Dmgley collected in his journeyings. These are full of the inflated laudation and quaint conceit which marked the period from the Eeformation till long after our author's time. Here is a miracle of a lady : — " Sole issue of a matchless paire, Both of their state and virtues heire, In graces great, in stature small. As full of spirit as voyd of gall ; Cheerfully grave, bounteously close ; Holy without vain-glorious shows ; Happy and yett from envy free, Learned without pride, witty yett wise. Reader, this riddle read with me : Here the good Lady Waller lyes." And here Ave have a gentleman en suite (Mr. W. Hopton, in Berkeley Church) — " Where are thine accusers ? Thus once spake he That Avrote on dust to set the woman free. And where are thine accusers may we ask. Writing \ipon thy dust. 'Twoulcl be a task To find one that condemns thee. But Avhat then? This dothbut justifiein sight of men. Thrice happy thou when rising from this place. Standing in th' midst before thy Judge's face. Shall to thy endless comfort hear him cry, ' Hath no man yet condemned thee ? Nor do I.' " jSText I select a curious description of a fat young lady :— •' Here lyes bonny bouncing Gilian, Who in each buttock had a pillion. She was a daughter to Sir Harry, Whom a young man meant to marry, 19 290 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Eut that cruel death did long For a bitt -was tough and strong ; She -was fatt and some deal fulsome, And you knoAv that yoiuig men will some Times take I'att unto their lean, And -with bacon grease their bean." A merchant's epitaph — " Here a Chapman lies who left his trade on earth To merchandize in Heaven, his second birth, lielinquisht all to purchase that true gerame, His life's estate in new Jerusalem." There are some specimens of morahsing — varieties of those so well known from the ]\Ialvern tiles : — <' Remember thy life may not ever indure, That thou dost thiself thereof art thou sewre, But and thou leve thi will to other men is cure, And thou have it after, it is but a venture." Again, this idea being apparently taken from Shake- speare — " Reader, woiildst kuoAV w't is ye end of man, Look round about & thou may'st see it plain. This world's a stage, whereon ^all sorts of men Act parts a while and then go off agen." Lastly, a pleasant play npon the name of one Beeston, Avho hore on his arms a bend sable between six bees volant of the second : — " Tlie bee provideth honey for pleasure and wax for thrifte, and not only carefully preserve their own petty state but by 'their labors much sway all human states and policies, as the following ver^e speaketh : " The calfe, the goose, the bee, The world is ruled by these three." " Meaning yt wax, penns, and parchment, sway all men's estates." -.*-<^~ti3fi^"V«^-'- uiroiiial piill ill tjje litst Century. 'f' it J le recently of selling Leer without a licence on the ^ I three days of the fair held annually in that I ^ town in the month of June ; and the houses at which beer was sold on these occasions were distinguished by a bush being hung over each door. This custom prevailed for centm-ies, but at length it became a nuisance in collectmg and harbouring thieves and other bad characters ; and about fourteen years ago the Excise laid informations against the parties, Avhich were heard by the magistrates, and excited much interest, owing to the right claimed by the Excise to over-iide an ancient charter, or immemorial custom, hj the statute of 25 and 26 Victoria. Nash, the coimty historian, informs us that Hemy the Third, on the 4th of May, in the 11th year of his reign, " gave to God, our blessed Lady, and St. Edbiu'gh of Pershore, and to the abbot and monks there, a fair on the feast of St. Edbiu-gh and two days following ; now kept June 26, according to ancient custom." King EdAvard the Second recited the above charter, and conferred a fm-ther patent, which was rehearsed and renewed by Hem-y the Fifth and Henry the Sixth ; and imder that charter Pershore fair continues to be held. Meanwhile let us see what legislation has been doing during the five or six centuries that the Pershore charter has been in existence. The fu'st enactment by Avhich alehouses were regulated by Act of Parliament was the 11th of Hem-y the Seventh — an Act " against vacabonds and beggers," which empowered two Justices " to rejecte and put awey comen ale selling in to^wnes and places Avhere they shall think convenyent, and to take suertie 304 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. of the keepers of alehouses of tlieyr good behavyiig." In 1828, the 9th Geo. 4, c. 61, a general Act was passed, which repealed all former statutes on the subject, and regulated the granting of alehouse licenses. The 1st Wni. 4, c. 64, withdrew the authority of granting licenses to houses for the sale of ale, beer, and cider only, from the local Magistrates, in wdiose hands it had been vested for three centuries, and created a new class of alehouse keepers, distinct from those licensed by Magistrates, giving to the former facilities for obtaining licenses upon a small pecuniary papnent only. The 4th and 5th Wm. 4, c. 85, and 3 and 4 Vic, c. 61, amended and slightly modified former Acts ; and 25 and 26 Vic, cap. 22, which introduced the "occasional license" system, enacts (clause 12) — " So much of any Act as 2}er}nlfs the sale of beer, spirits, or wine, at fairs or races, without an excise license, shall be and the same is hereby repealed." The charter, then, by which Pershore fau" and its usual accessories are still held, having been considered as unaffected by any statute hitherto passed, it only remains to connect the " bush-houses " with the other privileges hitherto enjoyed under that charter. This brings lis to the origin of "bush-houses." The very use of a bush implies great anti(^uity,;for long before Henry the Seventh first legislated for alehouses by Act of Parliament the bush was hung out as a sign that something good was to be had within.* It is a question still Avhether bushes preceded signs proper. The proverb is Avell-known, "Good wane needs no bush" — that is, needs nothing to point out Avhere good stuff is on sale, as its merits soon becoming known in the vicinity, would be sufficient to attract customers without the invitation of a sign. The folloAving passage from " Good Newes * The Bush Inn, Worcester, is one of the earliest inns mentioned in the Corporation arcliives, nearly as far back as the Reformation, and may have existed much earlier. PEKSHORE BUSH HOUSES. 305 and Bad N'ewes, by S. E." (1622), seems to prove that anciently tavern keejDers had both a sign and a bush. A landlord (a " host," I ought to say) was speaking : — " I rather wiU take down my bush and sign, Than live by means of riotous expense." As does the following, that anciently putting up boughs upon anything was an indication that it was to be sold, which also may be the reason why an old besom — which is a sort of dried brush — is put up at the top- mast head of a ship or boat when she is to be sold. Brand, in his " Popidar Antiquities," quotes an author, who in 1598 wrote ''Good wyne needes no ivle bush." In "England's Parnassus" (1600) the first line of the address to the reader runs thus : "I hang no ivie out to sell my Avine." And in Braithwaite's " Strappado for the Divell" (1615), p. 1, there is a dedication to Bacchus, "sole soveraigne of the ivy bush." In Dekker's "Wonderful Yeare" (1603) Ave read: "Spied a bush at the ende of a pole, the aunciente badge of a countrey alehouse." At Pershore, instances have been known of a bough being suspended from a pole, but this does not appear to have formed part of the custom proper. In Vaughan's " Golden Grove " (1608) is the following passage : " Like as an ivy bush, j)ut forth at a vintrie, is not the cause of the Avine, but a signe that wine is to be sold there : so likcAvise if Ave see smoke appearing in a chimney Ave knoAV that fyre is there, albeit ye smoke is not ye cause of ye fyre." The following is from Harris's " Drunkard's Cup," p. 299 : " Nay, if the house be not Avorth an ivy-bush, let him have his tooles about hym ; nutmegs, rosemary, tobacco, with other apj)iu'tenances, and he knoAves hoAv of puddle ale to make a cup of English Avine." Coles, in his " Introduction to the Knowledge of Plants," p. 65, says : " Box and ivy last long green, and therefore vintners make their garlands thereof \ though perhaps 3UG WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. ivy is tlic rather used because of the antipathy between it and wine." The Pershore people generally used oak and elm boughs, though a cabljage has been known to be substituted. In a cmious poem entitled " Poor Eobin's Perambulation from Saffron Walden to Loudon, July, 1678," at p. 16, we read : " Some alehouses upon the road I saw, And some with bushes, showing they wine did draw." A note in the Lansd. MS. 226, f. 171, upon the " Tavern Bush," by Bishop Kennett, says : " The dressing the frame or Ijush with ivy leaves fresh from the plant was the custome forty years since, now generally left off for carved work." In Scotland a wisp of straw upon a pole was formerly the indication of an alehouse ; and in old times such as sold horses were wont to jjut flowers or boughs upon their heads, " to reveale that they were vendiljlc." Here, then, we have the bush in connection with wine vending carried back to a remote antic^uity ; and through that period, as well as the succeeding one, when ale became the more popidar liquor, the bush seems to have been used at Pershore in an luibroken succession. ,It is to be noted that the use of the "bush" at Pershore was not attempted on other occasions than fairs, but confined to them — a confirmation of the popidar tradition that the two privileges (the holding of fairs and selling by the bush) had in some way a common origin and descended to them together, as a twin legacy from remote anticpiity. Besides which, although Pershore fair faded away to two days, the custom Avas never to remove the bushes tUl the end of the thu'd day; thus further identifying it with the ancient three days' fair. A similar custom, I was told, prevailed at Gloucester, where it was confined to a particular street, and Avas for the fair-day and three successive Mondays. PERSHORE BUSH-HOUSES. 307 The informations laid by the excise at Pershore had the effect of putting a stop to the ancient custom there in 1863 ; but my friend, Mr. Allen, of Pershore, informs me that one spirited old dame still continues to carry it on, by calling upon her customers for the money, and procuring the beer from an inn close by, so that they may drink it upon her premises. Any visitor to Pershore fair in June would therefore probably still see a solitary bush himg out, as a relic of one of the most ancient customs of that town. Curious Sbrcusiirt-Crobc. EW mouths ago a brief account appeared in the local newspapers of some curiosities found in a hidden cavity of the cellar of a house in Broad- street, the residence of Mr, W. Davies, tobac- conist, Avhile making alterations and improvements in his premises. V>y the kindness of Mr. Davies I have been permitted to inspect this treasure-trove, and the following is a description of the articles. Early in the last century, it seems, the house belonged to Mr. Wyatt, the founder of certain almshouses iii Friar- street, and Avas taken under a lease by Mr. Samuel Smith, a brazier, in 1718, Avho was succeeded by Mr. Gorle, in the same trade, till towards the close of the century. One of the articles found was a little book, in Avhich the trading transactions of both parties were entered, and another was a file of bills, orders, letters, &c. By these we are admittetl " behind the counter " as to the mode of conducting business in this city ujiwards of a century ago ; and it Avas scarcely contem- plated by Mr. Smith or Mr. Gorle, any more than it could have been by Mr. Pepys, the author of the celebrated " Diary," that so long after their bodies were turned to dust these little records of their doings and frailties Avhilcj in the fiesh Avould be published as a source of amusement to the world at large. Worcester, it appears, Avas for many centuries not only a kuid of metropolis for a large district in this part of the marches betAveen England and Wales, but also a depot, or work- shop, for the supply of all kinds of goods Avhich coiild not otherAvise have been obtained except from London or some other considerable distance. IMore than 600 years ago, SAvinfield, Bishop of Hereford, sent liis cook CURIOUS TREASURE-TROVE. 309 to Worcester for a supply of cups, plates, and dishes for his Paschal entertaiument at Colwall ; so that the city was famous even then for its manufactme of tahle ware, though composed of a different material from that which has rendered its jjroducts celebrated in the present day. Here also the prelate sent for a bridle and saddle ; so that Worcester might then have been — what it certainly was in after times — more advanced than Hereford in the arts of life. Also I find that in the times of Mr. Smith and Mr. Gorle, the braziers of Broad-street, Worcester was much relied on for its hardware and other domestic articles, this one shop alone in Broad-street doing business with tradesmen at Bristol, Gloucester, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Tenbury, Bewdley, Campden, Winchcombe, Ledbury, Hay, l^ngton, Wolverhampton, &c. There is an entry on January 2, 1728, of the goods "packtup for Bristoll fayer " by Mr. Smith, consisting chiefly of tea-kettles, warnimg-pans, grates, coffee-pots, candlesticks, graters, &c. It woidd now seem a curious thurg for the great and important city of Bristol ever to have required such things from Worcester, or that the fairs at the former city should have presented any opportunity whatever for a Worcester tr^esman making a profit on goods of this kind after a long and expensive carriage. On tliis subject, my friend, Mr. Eea, Clerk of the Peace for the city of Worcester, Avrites to me as follows : — " I have heard my father say that Bristol fair was a great commercial mart, and lasted, I think, seven days. He visited it annually in his early days to buy skins for his trade as a glove manufacturer ; he used to ride there and back on horse- back, and I have heard him describe the stiffness he suffered from as an unpractised rider, after this journey of from four- teen to sixteen hours each Avay. I have no doubt that Bristol fair greatly resembles one I was present at in Lucerne in 1872. That was an industrial and commercial exhibition of nearly all the cantons, as Bristol used to be of the English counties. Bristol, at that time, held high rank in the West, and persons 310 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. from all parts of England frequented it, as also from Wales and Ireland. Carriage was heavy in those days, and the visit often tanght persons that they had traders within easy reach •who manufactured the commodities they dealt in, and to whom they were introduced." On the ahove occasion the merchandise was packed lip in three hogsheads, and was probably conveyed by the Severn, as I find entries of things returned to "Worcester " by Mr. Jackson's trow." Barges and wherries are also mentioned, but no allusion is made to a "ketch" — a description of vessel which gave the name to an ancient inn of good repute still existing near the Severn, about two miles from Worcester. " Owner Beard's vessel from Upton " conveyed 20 frjdng-pans on one occasion ; Owner Corker plied to and from BeAvdley ; and among the land carriers by waggon were Goulding fi'om Ledbury and Hereford, Tuder from Kington, and Gaskell from Tenbury, It seems that Mr. Gorle procured his raw material or goods mainly from Macclesfield, as there is a letter from Charles Eoe, of that place, in 1774, offering that if Mr. Gorle would send all his orders to him he (Mr. Roe) would not supply any other brazier in Worcester. Mr, Gorle obtained "iiis "soder" from Messrs. Birch and Villiers, of Birmingham. Bells and bell-metal he got from Gloucester, at the celebrated establishment of the Eudhalls, and there is an inte- resting letter from Thomas Rudhall, dated June 3, 1774, in which the writer says that he can get a bell of GOlbs. weight cast in three weeks, at 18d. per lb., and would allow 12d. a lb. for the old bell. Sanders, the bell-founder of Bromsgrove, charged 12d. per lb. for St. Helen's bells, at Worcester, but then he had more than sufficient metal from the old peal. Both the Worcester and Bromsgrove bell-foundries had ceased long before Mr. fJorle obtained his supplies from Gloucester ; and then the majority of the Wor- CURIOUS TREASURE-TROVE. 311 cestershire bells were cast by Rudhall and his successor Mears. Some of Mr. Gorle's customers directed their letters to him as a brass-founder, others as a brazier, and others as a tinman. Many of them were free and uncompromising in their comments on his mode of doing business, and on the quality of the goods he suppHed. One had ordered an article, which was sent to him at the end of six months ; but, having in the meantime supplied himself elsewhere, he returns it to Mr. Gorle. Other goods were sent back as being too bad for sale. One indignant customer says, " You don't deceive me no longer ;" and another remarks, " We are not so emty in Salop as you expect we are," thereby the writer (a Mr. Thomas Wright) wishing it to be understood that " the proud Salopians" were not in danger of being " taken in " by Mr. Gorle. Mr. C. Colloe, of Hereford, writes : — " Sii", — -I sent to yoii above a month ago for a cop'r hogs- head furnace which was wanting emediately, and as yon did not send him, I have sent else were for hun. I have two of your money scales returned back on my hands, being so very bad. Shall send them by ye post boy to you as being no use to me. This being all at present from your h'ble servant, <' Hereford, Nov. 15, 1773. " C. Colloe." Among Mr. Gorle's difficulties in trade was that which even in the present day is not miknown among us, namely, the inability of purchasers to " cash up*." A Tenbury man (D. Phillips) informs jNIr. Gorle that " it is all trust with us till the hops come." This mode of living " from hand to mouth," and being dependent on crops and weather and accidents of various kinds, was therefore not exclusively charac- teristic of the present day. A letter from the Mr. Colloe mentioned above, dated 1774, affords another proof that the city of Hereford was a long way behind its neighbours in the arts and comforts of civilization. He requests Mr. Gorle to inform him how much oil a 312 WOnCESTERSHIRE RELICS. lamp would burn in a night, and Avhat was the price of common lamp oil per gallon, adding, " as we are going to have lamps here." Prior to this, of course, as at other places, the citizens of Hereford individually hung at each door a candle and lantern. Lamps are men- tioned at AVorcester many years earher than at Hereford, namely, in 1 708, at which time, singularly enough, the responsibility of keeping them lighted and in repair was allotted to the churchwardens of each parish. A curious incident relating to electioneermg is brought to light in a letter from Mr. H. Hill, of Hereford, in 1773. He writes to Mr. Gorle thus : — " Thomas Bywater, your old apprentice, desired I would acquaint you that he is willing to come over to Worcester to vote for your interest if you admit him his freedom and for- give him all past grievances. Please to send me a line by return of post if you are agreeable to have him over." Bywater, no doubt, had misbehaved himself, and for- feited the good opinion of his master, who had it in his power to damage the lad's prospects in life by refusing to prove that due service which was requisite to his admission to the freedom of the city. But here was an opportunity in which the boy's services might atone for all past misdeeds. The master wished to seciu'e a vote for the forthcoming Parliamentary elec- tion, and By water's vote was no doubt turned to account for the advantage of both parties. My friend, Mr. E. AY. Binns, reminds me that a very exciting election took jilace in this city in 1773-4, the principal incidents of Avhich have been reported at length in " Oldflekl's Eepresentative History of Great Britain and Ireland." The contest was between Sir Watkin Lewes and Thomas Bates Eous, Esq. ; and it is evident that the votes of freemen Avcre nnich sought after, which fully accounts for the above transaction between Bywater and his master. CUEIOUS TREASURE-TROVE. 313 Mr. Eea also observes : — " I am old enough to remember the practice of making free- men, at the courts held for that purpose, in successive weeks before an election for this city. All that was then required was that a man should be on the freemen's roll and able to prove his identity if challenged ; he might reside anywhere, and retain his right to vote. I remember Mr. Henry Deighton and Mr. WoUons posting from Worcester to York to vote, and their picking up Mr. Deighton at Bridgnorth on their way. In fact, such a trip was always regarded as a cheap and dear journey, to visit the place of the voter's nativity or early friendship." To return to the contents of the old file of corres- pondence. Joseph Powell, of Leommster, sends to Mr. Gorle, apparently in payment of a bill, the sum of 20 guineas, and says, *' There are three or four of the guineys that will not make a fair turn at lOd., but will verey at Is." This probably refers to the varying value of guineas at that day, owing to their loss of Aveight by wear. Besides the above interesting documents there were found in Mr. Davies's cellar a number of short and broken tobacco pipes, similar in shape to those of the period of the Commonwealth ; a female's shoe, or slipper, high-heeled ; a pair of leather breeches, which had seen some service, and the pockets of which were quite worn out ; also an old printed calendar of the sentences of prisoners tried at Gloucester in the Lent Assizes, March 17, 1770, in which the heaviest penalties of the law (death and transportation for life) were inflicted for trifling thefts and other offences. The account of the above " find " is suggestive, and I hope wiU induce a little more interest in the search for hidden treasure. Some years since Mr. Binns had presented to him the oldest' "Worcester Du'ectory now known, which was found in the roof of a house in Lich-street, along with a sword blade and some other articles. No doubt many a relic of former times, and interesting if not valuable deposits, hastily stored away 3U WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. for safety dimng the civil wars or other periods of commotion and danger, may also yet be recovered from behind old wainscots, concealed cupboards, floors con- taining hidden trap-doors, -waUed-up recesses in cellars, and sj^aces underneath roofs, especially in the numerous old timber-framed houses which still remain in this city. ^^i^^ f;iinics ill SKarcester. % ^/^^TIE origin, etymology, and history of names is a pleasant and interesting study, almost amount- ing to a j)astime. It throws light not only on the histories of families, but on that of nations and peoples; discloses some of the great changes through which society has passed; reverts to a period incur history prior to the establishment of simiames ; shows some of the machinery at work for the creation of those names, and brings closer to our observation the simple habits and customs of our forefathers. Pick up any directory, and by a little attention you will soon become satisfied of the truth of what I advance. The followmg notes were made from a local dhectory j)ublished five or six years ago : — Perhaps the most numerous class of names has been derived from trades and occupations : thus we have Baker, Barber, Barker, Brewer, Butler, Butcher, Bailey, Carpenter, Chandler, Chamberlain, Cook, Cooper, Carter, Cartwright, Dyer, Digger, Farmer, Fletcher (a maker of bows and arrows), Fowler, Fisher, Gardener, Glover, Himter, Hawker, Hooper, Hayward, Joyner, Mason, Miller, Ostler, Purser, Painter, Pitman, Porter, Pack- man, Potter, Parker, Eoper, Spicer, Salter, Slater, Sadler,. Shepherd, Skinner, Smith, Spooner, Scriven (a writer), Turner, Tanner, Taylor, Tyler, Weaver, Walker, Wheeler, Woodward, Wainwiight. Perhaps there is not one of these who now follows the business or occupation wliich first gave the distinctive names to their ancestors : the Taylors noAV existing, to the best of my belief, never measured a yard of cloth, nor the Barbers shaved a single citizen, while the head of the Millers here (then Canon Miller) is doing much better as a member of our 316 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Capitular body ; a Eutler is driving a thriving trade as a clothier, and a Farmer contents himself not with producing but with selling agricultiu-al produce (cheese and bacon) ; there are Erewers more cajtable of training the youthful mtellect than of distinguishing malt from barley ; Parkers well versed in the laAv, Butchers famous for their style of cutting trousers, Cooks who can appreciate a good dinner without ever having a hand in its preparation, Fishers not distinguished for catching salmon. Carters Avho have never driven a team ; and lastly. Weavers, AValkers, Webbs, and AVoof, who have had no connection whatever with the clothing trade, once the mainstay of Worcester. Kanks and titles are well represented : we have an Emperor, a King, a Prince, a Eoyal, a Marcus, an Earl, a Lord, a IMarshall, and a Millard (my lord) ; the Church can produce a Dishop, a Deane, a Priest, a Fryer, a Cliaplin, Clarkes, Parsons, and a Siunnan ; the Army and the Ear have a Sergeant, and the mmiicipality a Sherriif ; there is a Squire and a Eich, a Burgess, a Bond, and a Freeman, Masters and a Page and Butler, but no Workman ; and, if you require a genuine specimen of the latter article, the nearest place that I know of is the neighbourhood of Evesham. Geographi(%al names are in great abundance, and in general indicate tlie original habitat of the founder of the family. In the Middle Ages monks were usually known by the names of their native places, as Florence of Worcester, William of Malmesbury, &c, Tliere are in Worcester these names among others : England, Essex, Cheshire, Leicester, Devonport, Stafford, Heading, Eaton, Osborne, Bedford, Hastings, Stratford, Wake- field, AVells, Weston, Bristow, Berwick, Burton, Boss, Broughton, Honeybourne, Bruton, Darby, I'ipton, Grimley, Yardleyj France, Frencli, Holland, Wales, and Welch. Besides those of the above names ending in ton (town), there arc Acton, Aston, Ashton, Bolton, NAMES IN WORCESTER. 317 Boiigliton, Bickerton, Brereton, Clapton, Clifton, Colston, Cotton, Crompton, Everton, Felton, Fitton, Frampton, Horton, Ho^vton, Linton, Littleton, Marston, Middleton, jMillington, Moreton, Newton, Overton, Pemberton, Pendleton, Eiishton, Stinton, Sefton, Shrimpton, Somerton, Sutton, Thornton, "Watton, Wootton, Worm- ington, "VYitlierington, and Worthington, And I may also add the following geographical, or, more j^roperly descriptive names : Appleyard, Atwood, Broadfield, Broadhouse, Bridges, Brooks, Birch, Burrow, Broomfield, Dingle, Dyke, Fenn, Field, Ford, Foss, Greenwood, Heath, Hill, Hillman, Harber, Holloway, Lane, Lang- "bridge, Langston, Langdon, Langford, Langridge, Langley, Littlebury, Lightwood, Moore, Poole, Street, To^vnsend, LTnderhill, Underwood, Winwood, Wells, and "Wood. The last batch of names being intimately connected with natiu'al objects, it should here be stated that a person who had raised his dwelling near some prominent landmark or other conspicuous feature in the country was frequently distinguished thereby, as John of the Tree, George of the Grove, William of the Oak, Giles of the Ash ; and the Worcestershu-e historian, Nash, says that the names Nash and Noake were originally Ash and Oak, but that the country j^eople vulgarly prefix an n to a great many words, such as nimde for uncle, noddy for oddity, &c. Hence Jolin of the Ash would soon become John o'Nash and then plain John Nash, &c. In speaking of natural objects, I must not forget the elements — Ayre, Airey, and Waters, Evans, and Starr ; the crust of the earth — Chalk, Stone, Hiron, Brass, Clay ; the seasons — Smnmers and Winters, Day and Knight : the vegetable and floral world — Gates, Flowers, Lilly, Eose, Moss, Budd, Plant, Tree, Onions, Pollard, Grove, Wood, Spray, Withey, Broom, Thorn, Berry, Barley, Eice, Hay, Hayes, Haycox, Hayivood, Garland ; animals, fowls, birds, and fish — Ogg, Hogg, 318 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Buck and Doc, Hart, Bull and BuUock, Veale, Lamb, Griffin, Badger, INlole, Swann, Duck and Drake, Mallard, Go.sling, Cock, Bird, Finch, Peacock, Crane, Crowe, Fowles, Partridge, Starling, Martin, Eaven, Kite, Pye, Swift, and Dickie, Salmon, Eales, and Herring ; and of the fruits of the earth — Plum, Peach, Beer, Salt, and Perry. The moral and physical qualities of our race are represented by Long and Little, Lusty and Stahvorth, Keen and Sharpe, Bright and Spark, Wright and Best, Smart and Hardy, Gabb and Stutter, Cross and Darling, Meek and Goodman, Godwin and Hope, Cant and Quarrell, Savage and Strange, Power and Witts, Merryman and Gailey, Eider and Coward, Goodyear and HopeweU, Lyes and AUies, EveriU and Eeacher, Hardman and Woodhead, Godfrey, Close, Crisp, Hale, Handy, Eayson, Quarterman, Carless, and Outlaw. Then there are Eld, Young, and Holden (Old'un), New and JSTewman, AbeUs many but no Cain ;" a Male, a Man, a Manwaring, and a INlanning ; and a number of names having two syllables although ail is in the first : Allchin, Allgood (deceased), Allcock, Allies, Allforth, Allsop, AUcroft, and Allcott. Antitheses there are, thus : a Laugher ami a Town Crier (excuse the introduction of a noun which is not a proper one) ; a Paine and a No-ake (ache) ; but then there are also coincidences, as Lucy and Virgo ; Guy and FaAvkes ; Kettle and Potts ; Cole and Collier ; Mee and Self ; Philpott, Pitcher, and Firkins ; Price, Sale, and Purchas ; a Pegg and Luies ; and one-sided con- ditions, as a Tenant without a Landlord, a Locke without a Key, a Link without a Chain, a Penn Ayithout Ink, a Pipe without Tobacco, a Cock Avithout a Hen, a Gosling without a Goose; a West, but no other cardinal point if we except a South-all ; Mills and a Millward without Water, a Wale without Blubber, and a Broom Avithout a Handle. NAMES IN WORCESTER. 319 Poetry, literature, and science have their representa- tives ill Milton, Spencer, Gray, Blair, Watts, Scott, Browning, Baxter, Dickins, Dodd, Hohbs, Hood, Pardoe, Hall, l!^e"\rton, Locke ; politics in a Pitt and a Peel ; music in Harper and Horniblow ; nationalities in ISTorman, Scott, and Welsh ; teetotalisni in Water- worth and Drinkwater. Not a few names have been obtained from the fact of the owners having had a known and recognised father or mother at the period of the first introduction of surnames; thus Jackson was the son of Jack, Johnson the son of John, and so generally with Benson, Copson, Corson, Dixon (son of Dick), Evanson, Eveson, Gibson, Grierson (shortened, I expect, from Gregor- son), Hobson, Hutchinson, Hodgson, Hewertson, Harrison (Harry's son), Hanson (Aim's son), Kitson (Kitty's son), Manison, Nicholson, Pearson, Eobertson, Richardson, Robinson, Simpson (Simon's son), Stephen- son, Thomasson, Thompson, Wilson, Williamson, Waterson, and Wilkinson. To account for some of the al)ove names it must be recollected that we are not acquamted with all the Christian or Pagan names to which the syllable son was appended. Welsh origins of names are frequently traceable in Worcester in the same manner as the last-mentioned : Aj) (meaning "the son of ") being prefixed to names, Ap Hugh speedily became Pugh, Ap Howell is now Powell, Ap Richard is Prichard, Ap Robert is Probert, Ap Reece is Preece, Ap Rice is Price, Ap Humphrey is Pumphrey, &c. The colours are not complete, but there are Brown, Green, White, Gray, Roan, Darke, Duiui, Browning, Greening, Greenway, Greenhap, Whiteman, Whiting, Whitely, Whitfield, Whitgrove, Whitmarsh, Whitwell. We are also reminded of buildings and premises, thus — Khk, Isles, Howse, HaU, Kitchen, Ovens, Garrett, Till, Stables, Thache, Wall, Bell, Woodhouse, Court, Dyke, Stiles, and Bowers. 320 WOROESTBRSHIRB RELICS. A few names end ivell : Coklwell, Capewell, Caswell, Foxwell, Fulwell, Hopewell, Oswell, and Shelswell. There is a Brokenbrow who probably has never been in a fight, a Brace who numbers but one, a Stewart not descended from royalty, a Vernal and Vernon who are anything but green, a Crook and Hook by no means deformed, a Baiuier seldom displayed, a Ball not to be played with, a Beard of decent growth, a Butt but no other cask, Armour for a Knight, a Hand and a Gold- ring for those who Needham, a Pointer and a l^artridge, a Stock and a Stone, a Peake not rugged nor inacces- sible, a Knott well twisted, a short Knapp, Miles of Cotton and other Ware, and a Burrow with several Wards. There are likewise Bibbs and Tuckers, Box and Cox, Sidebottom and Longbottom, Grubb and Bunn, Bridle and Saddler, a Palmer whose ancestor was a pilgrim to the Holy Land ; and the curious names (of which you may Eead a Eowe) of Cockbill, Larkworthy, Hurley, Jordan, Hartshorne, Knipe, Pidcock, IMace, Wagstatf, Mayfield, concluding with the inevitable and oft-repeated Brown, Jones, and Eobinson. " Still may they ring when struggles cease, Still may they ring for joy's increase, For progress in the arts of peace, And friendly trophies won. When rival nations join their hands, When plenty crowns the happy lands. When knowledge gives new blessings birth, And freedom reigns o'er all the earth- Hurrah ! the work is done.'' FEW historical notes relative to bolls in general, bells in Worcestershire, and the old bells of our Cathedral, may not be considered out of place in a work devoted to "relics." For nearly fourteen centuries bells have been em- ployed in the Christian church, and they were known to ancient nations for probably as many centuries before. In the book of Exodus we read of the use of small bells upon the skirts of Aaron's garment, and they were known to other nations of the ancient world, as appears from Martial, Pliny, Suetonius, &c. The earliest bells were probably mere sheets of metal curled into a circular shape and riveted together at their junction, the top being flattened in. These were struck on the outside by a hammer having no con- nection with the bell itself This, of course, produced no very exquisite tone ; but gradually they developed into shape and size, and Paulinus, Bishop of is^ola, in Campania, has the credit of enlarging and adapting tliem to the use of churches, about the year 400. The earliest name for bells — "nola" and " campana" — would seem to point to the above-named locality as their birth-place ; but a favourite and expressive mediteval name for a church bell was "signum," as SI 322 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. appears from one of the Record publications, wlierein it is stated that a certain Irish liishop, who Avas also suffragan to the see of Worcester, was sent to Tewkes- bury to consecrate two new bells for the Abbey Church in that town, and the legal term employed for them was " duo magna signa." There is no reason to doubt that bells formed a portion of the furniture of churches before the Korman conc[uest ; and judging from the vast size of Norman towers it is probable that church bells had at that time reached their largest dimensions in this country, and also attained a perfec- tion not since sui'passed. It is said that the Chancellor Turketul, in the reign of Edmund I., was the first who had bells cast in England, and that his successor, as vVbbot of Croyland, caused the lirst tuneable set to be put up in that abbey in the year 960. At the present day no bells of ascertained Xorman date remain, but it is exceedingly ditticult to guess the exact date of the oldest bells that have come down to our times. The oldest known bells bear the simple name of tlife saint to whom they -were dedicated, like that of St. Wulstan in the old peal of AVorcester Cathedral (" In honore S'ti Wolstani Epi"), and which has very unfortunately been now alienated and sold. Church bells were generally dedicati'd cither to itnc of the personages of the Holy Trinity, some saint, angel, or distinguished personage. Great Tom of Lincoln Avas dedicated to the Holy (Ihost. Pope John IV. (7th century) gave his name to the great bell of 8t. John Eateian ; and John XIII., in 9G8, first gave positive instruction for the benediction of a bell, the gift of the J'hiiperor Otho, and oil and chrism were \ised in its unction. Long previous to that time, how- ever, there had been a sujierstition prevailing in some places of immersing bells in water, as in bajitism, but this was pi'otested against by Charlemagne, and there seems to have been no authority for more than sj^rink- OLD BELLS. 323 ling a new bell with holy water. By some of the older canonists, churches were said to be baptised when the rite of dedication only Avas intended. Recently the Bishops of Oxford and Salisbury have dedicated bells, as in the parallel instances of former prelates consecrating altar plate, fonts, and other church furni- ture. Much superstition prevailed with regard to bells : their sound was supposed to drive away evil spirits from a soul just leaving the body, and hence the " passing bell," which also invited the prayers of aU Christians on behalf of the departing spirit ; they were believed to disperse tempestuous clouds, to extinguish fires, and even to ward off noxious epidemics and the plague. Their general uses were summed up in the following lines, frequently applied to bells, which it will be seen, further on, differed but slightly from an inscription on one of the ancient bells of Worcester Cathedral : — * ' Laudo Deum verum, plebem voco, congiego clerum, Defunctus ploro, pestem (nimbum) fugo, festa decoro ^or que honor o)." At Ledbury a legend relates that St. Katharine had a revelation that she was to travel about, and not rest at any place, till she heard the bells ringing of their own accord. This was done by the Ledbury beUs on her approaching that town, and hence the saint took up her abode there. Great ceremonial, as well as super- stition, was connected with the use of bells. The Council of Lateran imposed a fine of 100 ducats upon any church which rang its bells before the Cathedral on Easter Eve ; and at Bath, on Sundays, no parish church was allowed to ring before the Abbey had chimed for high mass. At the Reformation, bells were looked upon as one of the Romish superstitions, and among the other things said to have been " violated and overthrown " by Hooper, then Bishop of Wor- cester, were the bells of our Cathedral. We have, 324 WORCESTERSIimE RELICS. however, outlived that ohjectioii, and can afford to sanction and enjoy the rational and jtroper use of bells on all htting occasions. jN'ay, 1 have occasionally listened with much pleasure to the curfew of St. Helen's and the " plum-pudding beU " of St. Martin's,* as reminiscences of ancient customs, and times and generations long departed : — •• The bells themselves are the best of preachers, Their brazen lips are learned teachers, From their pulpits of stone in the upper air, Sounding aloft without crack or flaw, Shriller than trumpets \inder the law — Now a sermon and now a prayer." As my good old friend, the Eev. Mr. Ellacombe, justly observes, " The music of bells is so interwoven with the principal events of a Christian life that there is good reason for specially dedicathig them to holy purposes in a building set apart whoUy to God. They preach to all of death and judgment, of heaven and hell ; they invite the loiterer and absentee ; warn the neglecter of God's ordinances, and urge the Christian to pursue his course heavenward ; they preach to those who never hear another in-eaclie]-, and who seldom or never come within the Avails of God's sacred house of prayer." And lew there are who are not susceptible of the sweet and even sometimes saddening influences of a peal from a cluu'ch steeple when heard on a Christmas night in the stillness of the country, or across the water from sonic distance on a summer's eve — " In cadence sweet now dying all away, Now pealing loud again and louder still. Clear and sonorous, as the gale comes on." Ik'll foundries in the middle ages . were generally attached to monasteries. London, Salisbury, ami Gloucester, were then famous for this interesting branch * So called in allusion to the Cliristmas festivities, of which its ringing was a iirrcursor at one time. OLD BELLS. 325 of art. Ill the 16tli and 17th centuries there was scarcely a large to^yn in England without its fomidry, for the introduction of change-ringing had revolutionised the science of the ringer as well as the art of the founder, and rendered both higlily popidar. Pre- viously to that time there were hut small peals of three, four, or five bells in the largest churches, and these were chimed and tolled ; but changerinfrinf caused them to be reduced in Aveight and multiplied in number, forming peals of eight, ten, and t\\^elve. The first peal of twelve Avas hung at York in 1681. About that time the principal founders in this district were Jolm ^Martin, of Worcester, wlio carried on his trade in a yard in Silver-street, still known to old inliabitants as Bellfounders'-yard ; Eichard Sanders, of Bromsgrove ; Joseph Smith, of Birmingham ; and the great Gloucester foundry. The "Worcester foundry was not continued many years. Martin was employed in "casting and hanging the second bell" of St. Michael's, Worcester, in 1660 ; he also contributed to the peals at Bishampton, Himbleton, and Grafton Flyford. On the third bell of Himbleton church is the inscription — " John. Martm, of Worcester, he made wee, Be it known to all that do wee see. 1675.'' Richard Sanders, of Bromsgrove, had evidently greater fame than his Worcester competitor, judging from the extensive circulation of his work in this neighbour- hood. His name will be found in the steeples of St. Helen's (1706), St. John's (1710), and St. ^^icholas (1715), in this city; Dodderhill, Tanworth, &c. His famous octave in St. Helen's tower are distinguished for their curious inscriptions in honour of Queen Anne and Marlborough's victories over the French. These eight bells were cast by Mr. Sanders out of five previously existing ones, and Mr. Sanders was allowed the certainly not extravagant sum of .£70 for his 326 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. services, "whicli contrasts somcAvhat Lroadly A\itli the expense of similar work in our own day. Wlieii ]\Ir. Sanders was engaged on the bells of St. John's, Wor- cester, a levy of Gd. in the £ was made on that parish to defray tlie charge for casting, and a sum of £1. 4s. lid. was alloAved hy the vestry "for meat and drink for ye gentlemen who gave judgment on ye hells.'' These gentlemen Avere probably of the Cathedral choir, called in to give an opinion as to Avhether the new bells were in tune. Many years before the vestry of St. Andrew's parish had " I.aide out on ye singinge men of ye College for hearing ye tune of ye belles, in\." The Birmingham bell-iV)under (Smith, of Edgbaston) was noted for the peals of Northfield and Coleshill, both of which remain intact as they left the foundry in 1720 and 1721, and those of Halesowen, Alvechurch, Sedgley, St. Philip's, Birmingham, " and many others. After Smith's time bell -founding became extinct in Birmingham for wp- wards of a century and a quarter, till recently revived by the enterprising firm of Messrs. Blews, Kcav Bar- tholomew-street. In the last century most of the small foundries became absorbed in the two great establishments of Gloucester and "Whitechapel. The former had existed for many centuries, John of Gloucester having been a noted bell-founder there in the 13th century; but under the Rudhall family it came into great note in the last century, upon the decline of the Salisbury trade. The majority of the "Worcestershire bells Avere cast by the Budhalls and their successor, JNIears ; Chapman and Mears, of London, towards the close of the last centurj', and T. Mears, of London, in. the present, also have their names in some places, as at Kingsnorton, and the name will be found likewise on the bells of Dudley, Stourbridge, Fladbury, Longdon, Cookley, Abbeiiey, Stone, and St. John's, Worcester. OLD BELLS. 327 Tlie Clent bells are by Bagley, whose services were much called into requisition in Warwickshire. Lester and Peck, of London, founded some of the Halesowen hells a century ago. The Bretforton peal is hy West- cote, of Bristol (1823). AVhen the Gloucester foundry was amalgamated with that at Whitechapel, at the lieginning of the present century, the latter may have been said to be the foundry for all England ; but with the recent revival in all matters affecting churches, bells have not been forgotten, and there are now some half-dozen foundries in the kingdom, namely, Messrs. Taylor, of Loughborough (the founder of the new l>ells at Worcester Cathedral), and who are successors to the firm of Watts, Eayres, and Arnold, which for two centuries existed at Leicester and St. l!^eots ; Mears, of Whitechapel ; Warner, of Cripplegate ; Blews, of Birmingham ; Barwell, of Birmingham ; and Murphy, of Dublin. As with the art of glass painting, we have yet much to learn on the subject of bell-founding ere we can arrive at the perfection attained some three centuries ago, when the following inscription was honestly used : — " Me melior vere Noil est campana sub ere." Which may be liberally interpreted thus — " A better bell than I Is not under the sky." Quality of tone should be the great object aimed at, and this of course is affected by the proportions of metal used and the thickness and shape of the bells. It is a great error to go for cheapness in theu- manu- facture, as quality cannot be produced by a thmness of metal, and it is infinitely better to have our steeples altogether silent than to vex and annoy the ears of the Avhole neighbourhood Avith the horrid jangling of bells constructed on the " cheap and nasty " principle. 328 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Like -wine, good bells will improve by age, and year after year we become more charmed and delighted with them. I'he Eev. J. H. Sperling, a good authority, assures us that no bell, be it made ever so skilfully, sounds so well at first as after it has been hung some years. There is an atmospheric effect, a process of oxidation, though very gradual, which goes on im- proving and mellowing the quality of tone as years advance. The colour of a bell changes in a few months : a greenish tint and crust come upon it ; and after a long course of years the surface becomes slightly xmeven, just as we are accustomed to note the process of de-vitrification in ancient painted glass. It is probably to this process that the jjecidiarly c[uaint tone of the most ancient bells is attributable. From the inventories of church goods, ordered by Government in 15.53, and now deposited in Ihe Public Record Office, I find that the "Worcester churches were at that time supplied Avith bells as folloAvs : — All Saints, five bells, a sanctus bell, a clock, and chimes, A sanctus, or saunce-bell, or saint's bell, Avas rung in the bell-cot outnidp. a rhurcli at the singing of the " Ter Sanctus," in the High JNIass, in order that those who were absent from church, Avhether in tlie house, the field, or the highway, should bow tlieir knees at the sound. The sacring liell Avas rung Imide a church, as a Avarning of devotion AAdiile the elements Avere blessed, and the i:)eople knelt Avhile tlie liost Avas elevated ; the second sacring Avas tlio ci'ossing of the chalice Avith the bust. St. All)an's Church, tAVO little bells, a burial bell, and tAvo sacring bells ; St. AndrcAv's, three liells and sanctus bell ; St. Clement's, four Tjells in the steeple and a little sanctus bell ; St. Helen's, five great bells and a little sanctus bell ; St. John's, three bells and a sanctus ; St. Martin's, three little bells and a sanctus ; St. Michael's, in the bell-house,* * Was this the clochium, or lead steeple, which stood close to the OLD BELLS. 329 three bells, and one other bell called " a first mass bell ;" St. ISI^icholas, five small bells, with a sanctus and two little sacring bells ; St. Peter's, three bells, Avith sanctus ; St. Swithin's, four bells in the frame, and one for the clock, and one little bell. There was also " a i^air of organs" in almost every church. The fixst mention of "Worcester Cathedral bells in the local records is in connection with the clochium, or great bell-tower, which Avas an isolated building stand- ing a few yards from and on the north side of the Cathedral, close to the old church of St. Michael. There is no certain authority for the date or origin of this tower, but it is recorded that in the year 1220 " the great bells were cast by or in the time of W. de Bradewe, the sacristan, and were by Bishop de Blois consecrated in honoiu- of the Saviour and his Mother, and Hautclere in honour of St. Jolm the Evangelist, cum pari suo." These bell-towers, or campaniles, are an illustration of the influence which bells had on church architecture in a variety of ways ; and the campaniles of Ledbury, Bosbury, and Worcester, the two former of which are still standing, were the prin- cipal mediaeval specimens in this neighbourhood. Local historians say that the bells were taken out of the Worcester clochium, and transferred to the great tower of the Cathedral, when the latter was erected in 1-374 ; but in a manuscript " Chronologia," among the Cathedral records, under the same date, it is said that " the sacrist took the small bell of the three then hanging in tho clochium, and placed it in the ne^v tower as a clock bell," and it is certain that some bells were left in the clochium, as in a compotus roll of the date of 1424 this term occurs : — " Sol'm Egidio Smyth p' cl'vis ferranient. faciend. p' cam- panis in magno campanule pendend. xxxiii s." little church of St. Michael ? It is recorded that all bells were removed from the clochium in 1539. 330 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. Tliat is — " Paid to E. Smytli for iron^vork to the bolls hanging in tlie great campanile, 33s." Also, in Disliop Blandford's manuscript it is stated that at the Kefor- niation the four hells in the leaden stee})le (clochium) were taken down and carried away. And this ])roT)al)ly explains the petition afterwards sent to Queen INIary by the Dean and Chapter of "Worcester, praying for the restoration of (among other things) the bells which TJishop Hooper had " violated and (overthrown." That there were four bells in the clochium, besides the clock bell, is proved by an extract from f)ne of Prior Moore's books, in the early part of the 16t]i century : — " The scripture upon the iiii bells in the Icddon stepull. The furst bell — Campai\as dia serves has Yii-go Maria. The second bell — Cristus vincit, Cristus regnat, Cristus irapcrat, Cristus nos ab omni malo. The iii bell — Johannes Lyndesey, hoc opcre impleto, Christi virtnte fa veto. The iiii bell — Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. The clock bell — Thoiuu Mildcnani, i)riore. En ego campana, nunquam denuncio vana ; laudo Deuni cternuni. plebuni voco, congrego clerum. Funera plango, fulgura frango, sabbata pango, excito lentos, dissipo ventos, paco cruentos." Lyndsey, whose name is attached to the third bell in the above list, was sacrist in 1372, which gives us the date of that bell ; and jMildenham, who figures on the clock bell, was prior in ir)07. Tlie lirst and second bells were probably those before alluded to as having been cast in 1220 in honour of the Saviour and his mother. The bells in the clochium, however, were carried away at the Reformation (1539), and probably melted. There is no record of what bells were then in the Cathedral tower, but when Dr. 'I'liomas Avrote his " Survey " there were eight, having these ijiscrip- tions : 1. " God save the King ;" 2 (blank) ; 3 (blank) ; 4. "lloni Soit," kc. ; 5. "Richardo Kdes, Decano, 1G02;" G. " Hoc opus impleto, Jesu virtute faveto ;" OLD BELLS. 331 7. " Habeo nomen Gabrielis, niissi de celis ;" 8. " I sweetly touling, men do call, to taste on meat that feeds the soul." Of these, two (Nos. 6 and 7) seem by the style of their inscriptions to have been pre- Eeformation bells, and the others apparently of the 17th century. Although some of their number were good bells individually, they were irregidar and ineffective as a peal ; and, therefore, when the great and costly restoration of the Cathedral was taken in hand a few years ago, and above all, the admirable restoration of the tower by the munificence of the Earl of Dudley, it Avas considered that the renovation of the fabric necessitated an improvement or renewal of the bells. To achieve this heavy task was the special object voluntarily undertaken by the Rev. E. Cattley, whose success in the work is Avell knoA\ai. As, hoAvever, my book deals Avith " relics " only, a descrip- tion of the splendid peal of ncAv bells at the Cathedral woidd be here out of place, and I shall confine my attention to the old ones, as they Avere removed from the Cathedral toAver in the year 1868. They Avere then seA^en in number, the second in the peal of eight haA^ng been stolen Avhilst the Avork of restoration Avas going on in the Cathedral ! The first of the remain- ing seA'en bore the inscription " God save the King, 1640." Tavo of the seven Avere modern — dates, 1820 and 1830 — another bore no inscription ; the fifth and sixth Avere those Avhich are numbered six and seven in Dr. Thomas's account (see above) ; and one bore the in- scription " In honore S'ti Wolstani Epi." This was probably an ancient bell, and if so it is strange that no mention Avas made of it by Dr. Thomas or any of the historians. As St. Widstan Avas one of the patron saints of the Cathedral, and the establishment OAved a large portion of its reA'enues and almost its existence to him, those Avho cling to old associations Avill regret that the alienation of this ancient relic — or heir-loom 332 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. if we may so call it — Avas considered an iiidis])i'nsal)le part of the programme for the renewal of the (Jathedral peal. 80 it was, however, and St, Wulstan's bell now, as also the rest of the old peal, have been expatriated ; one is at Holy Trinity Church, 8hrtib-hill ; one is gone to Wolverliam2:)ton, another to Dewsbury, and the remainder were purchased by Mr, Tyssen Amherst, then High Sheriff of Norfolk, who has erected in his park a campanile for their reception. THE HISTOEIAN^ OF AVOECESTEESHIEE. NYTHIjSTG relating to that indefatigable and careful compiler of Worcestershire history, Dr. , iSTash, must he interesting to my readers. I ^ have therefore to state that the ancient mansion of that family — St. Peter's Manor-house, one of the most picturesque buildings of the olden time in the neighboiu'hood of Droitwich — was recently restored and enlarged. Tliis fine half-timbered and gabled structure, in its previously dilapidated state, was an object of some interest and curiosity to the antiquary, and much attention was paid to it on the occasion of a visit of the "Worcester Architectui'al Society a few years ago. Unfortunately no ghost story seems to have been ever connected with the building, and hence it does not possess all the characteristics necessary for the scene of a romance. To come to sober history : this manor was originally called Canon's-place, and belonged to the Priory of Studley ; after the dissolution it passed through a nmnber of private hands until, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, James Nash had one share in the manor and patronage. Sergeant Wild having two other shares ; and after the death of the Sergeant his share was purchased by Eichard N"ash, who transmitted the whole to his descendants. Branches of the K'ash family have been located in various parts of the comity. One portion was seated at Hanbury, fe-Jiq). Henry IV., and there was a meadow in that parish called " Nash's jNieadow." The name was of great antiquity in Kempsey, Eobertus de Fraxino (Latin for Eobert of the Ash, which in Worcestershire 334 WORCESTERSHIRE RELICS. vernaciilar was corrupted to Robert o' Nash,) being there at the time of Domesday, and living at a place called The Ash, or Xash. The Nashes of 8t. Peter's, Droitwich, were descended from those of Ombersley, where the family had resided before the Reformation, and were tenants to the Al)bey of Evesham. The earliest mention of them in the register of 8t. Peter's, Droitwich, is the death of John, eldest son of James Nash, in 1618. In that same year the mansion which was the family seat, and forming so pictures(|ue a neigh- bour to the old parish church, was erected. Al)out 1630, James Nash, divided his jiroperty, giving his estate at Hartley to his son by a second wife, named Pi chard, who was M.P. for Worcester, and John, also holding the same office, who commanded a troop of horse, and was an active J. P. in the time of Cromwell ; he (John) was also an eminent clothier and Alderman of "Worcester, where he founded an hospital, &c. He lil^cewise left to his family an estate at Clerkenleap, Kempsey, wliich seems to have been occupied for some time as one of the family seats. The Nashes, who owned the manor and patronage of St. Peter's, Droitwich, provided 'squires and incumbents for that parish for many gene rations, down to the conimonconieut of the ]iresent century, and resided in the hall wliich is the sid^ject of this notice. Dr. Nash, the historian, was born at Clerkenleap in 1725, and in 1761 presented himself to the vicarage of Hi. Peter's, Droitwicli, on the death of the Kev. 8alwey Nash. Soon after his marriage, in 1758, Dr. Nash purchased an estate at Bevere, where, to use his own words, he built " a strong and useful house," though perhaps imprudently so, on account of the tenure being copyhold under the Bishop of Worcester. Here he r(3sided till his death, in 1811, but seems to have performed the dutic>s pertaining to the vicarage of 8t. Peter's, as his signature constantly occuxs in the register; and in his history he describes DR. NASH. 335 himself as of St. Peter's and of Bevere. He Avas "buried in the family vanlt at St. Peter's, Droitwich, where he himself had, before his death, put up an inscription to his memorj'. The Eev. J. Ingram succeeded the Nashes as incumbents in 1810. By the marriage of Dr. ISTash's only child, Margaret, with Lord Somers, the estates fell to the latter family, and the old mansion and land at St. Peter's, Droitwich, was sold by the present Earl to the late Mr. Wilson, of Impney, whose father had occupied it as a farm for many years. For some 30 years the old house was afterwards tenanted by a labourer only, the principal rooms being used for hops and wool. Fortunately, it then fell into the right hands, for Mr. Wilson incurred great expense (under the management of Mr. Day, architect, of this city) not only in restoring the building, but in enlarging and materially adding to its accommo- dations. There is a dove-cot of apparently the same date as the house, and the surroundings are those of a good old manor-house of some distinction. The principal front, which faces the north, has tlixee gables, and there arc two gables in the west; the other sides being irregidar. There are three storeys, and a handsome new doorway or porch of the same style as the budding, with the dates in the spandrUs " B. 1618 "—" 11. 1867." These are the dates of the original building and the commencement of the recent restoration. The principal apartment is oak panelled, and has plaster ornamenta- tions of foliage and scroll-work over the mantelpiece. The wmdows have oak midlions and transoms, but plate-glass has superseded the old lozenge panes. Most of the interior of the T)uilding has been renovated and remodelled, and large additions are made on the south side for farm purposes. The work seems to have been admirably done, and with as much respect for antiquity as was consistent with modern requirements. Finis. fRINTED UY DEIGHTON AND SON, HIGH STREET, WORCESTER. J-.A.3SrXJ-A-I^"y 1877. ftEIERlI IIST OE WOEKS PUBLISHED BY Messrs. LONGMANS, GREEN, and CO, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON. -ooJOio History, Politics, Historical Memoirs, &c. 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AOTON'8 Modern Cookery ~ 27 AlRD'S Blackstone Economised S6 AiKY's Notes on the Hebrew Scriptures 19 Alpine Club Map of Switzerland 23 Alpine Guide (The) 23 Amos'S Jurisprudence 5 Primer of the Constitution 6 Anderson's Strength of Materials 13 ARMSTRONG'S Organic Chemistry 13 Arnold's (Dr.) Christian Life 19 . Lectures on Modern Uistory 2 Miscellaneous Works 9 Sermons 19 School Sermons 19 (T.) Manual of English Literature 8 Atelier du Lys (The) 23 Atherstone Priory 24 Autumn Holidays of a Country Parson 9 Ayre's Treasury of Bible Knowledge 20 Bacon's Essays, by Whately 7 Life and Letters, by Spedding 5 Works, edited by Speddinq 7 Bain's Emotions and Will 10 Logic, Deductive and Inductive 11 Mental and Moral Science 10 . on the Senses and Intellect 10 Baker's 2 works on Ceylon „ 22 Ball's Alpine Guide ■-. ,. 23 Bancroft's Native Races of the Pacific ... It Barry on Railway Appliances 18 Becker's Charicles and Gallus 23 Black's Treatise on Brewing 27 Blackley'S German-English Dictionary... 9 Blaise's Rural Sports 25 Bloxam's Metals 13 Boultbeb on 39 Articles 20 Bourne's Catechism of the Steam Engine . 18 Handbook of Steam Engine 18 Improvements In the Steam Engine 18 Treatise on the Steam Engine ... 18 Bowdler's Family SnAKSPEAKE 25 Bramley-Moore's Six Sisters of the Valleys 24 Brande's Dictionary of Science, Litera- ture, and Art 15 Bray's Philosophy of Necessity 11 Brinkley's Astronomy U Browne's Exposition of the 39 Articles 20 Buckle's History of Civilization Buckle's Miscellaneous Works 9 Buckton's Health in the nouse (Physio- logical Lectures) 6 Bull's Hints to Mothers 26 Maternal Management of Children 27 Burgomaster's Family (The) 24 Burke's Rise of Great Families 5 Vicissitudes of Families 5 Cabinet Lawyer —— ^^ Campbell's Norway — '^^ Cates'8 Biographical Dictionary 5 and Woodward's Encyclopsedia 3 Changed Aspects of Unchanged Truths 10 Chesney's Indian Polity 3 Jlodern Military Biography ... 4 Waterloo Campaign 2 CoLENSO (Bishop) on Pentateuch „. 21 on Moahite Stone, &c 21 Commonplace Philosopher, by A.K.H.B. ... 9 CojiTE's Positive Philosophy 6 CONGREVE'S Politics of Aristotle 6 CONINQTON'S Translation of the yEneid ... 24 Miscellaneous Writings 9 CONTASSEAU'S French Dictionaries 8 CONYBEARB and HOWSON'S St. Paul 20 COTTON'S (Bishop) Memoir 4 Coimsel and Comfort from a City Pulpit 10 Cox's Aryan Mythology 3 Crusades 4 History of Greece 2 General ditto 2 Greeks and Persians i Tale of the Great Persian War 2 Tales of Ancient Greece 3 Crawley's Thucydides 3 Creightos's Age of Elizabeth 4 Crbsy's Civil Engineering 18 Critical Essays of a Country Parson 9 Crookes's Chemical Analysis 16 Dyeing and Calico Printing 16 Culley's Handbook of Telegraphy „.„. 18 D'AUBIGNE'S Reformation 20 Davidson's Introduction to the New Testa- ment 21 Decaisne and Le Maout's Botany „. 11 Ds Mobgan's Budget of Paradoxes.. .„....„. 11 80 NEW WORKS PUBUSHED BY LONGMANS AND CO. Demosthenkr' Oration on the Crown, translated by Colli KU V" l Db TocQUEVillr's Democracy in America 7 DisaAELi'R Lord George Beiitinck 5 Novels and Tales *3 DOBSON on the Ox ^ DOVK on Storms J* DOWKLL's History of Taxes 2? DOYLK's Fairyland " Eastlake'b Hints on Household Taste 1' EDWABDS's Journey ot 1,000 Miles through Egypt and Nubia 22 Untrodden Peaks 22 Elements of Botany ; - J* Ellioott'8 Commentary on Ephesians 20 Galatians 20 Pastoral Epist. 20 ^Philippians.&C 20 Thessalonians 20 Lectures on the Life of Christ... 20 EvA>.-8' (A. J.) Bosnia 22 (J) Ancient Stone Implements 14 Elsa ; a Tale of the Tyrolean Alps 21 EWALD'8 Antiquities of Israel 20 ^ History of Israel « 20 FAlHUAias's Applications of Iron IS Information for Engineers ... 18 Life * Mills and Millwork 18 FABRAE'sChapters on Language 7 . Families of Speech 7 FiTZWYGRAM On Horses and Stables 25 FoRBEs's Two Years in Fiji 22 FaAJJOls'S Fishing Book 2.') Fukshfikld's Italian Alps 22 Fboddb'S English in Ireland 1 , History of England 1 ^—— Short Studies on Great Subjects 10 OAlRDNEn'.s nouses of Lancaster and York 4 Puritan Revolution 4 GanOT'8 Elementary Physics 13 Natural Pliilosophy 13 Gardineb'8 Buckingham and Charles 2 Thirty Years' War 4 Gefkjken on Church and State ■> German Home Life 9 OiBBH fc EDWAnns'8 New Code 27 Gib.son'k Religion and Science 19 Gilbert and Chuechill's Dolomites 23 GiRDLESTOSE's Bible Synonymes „. 20 GoODEVTJ's Mechanism 13 . Medianics 13 Grant's Ethics of Aristotle 6 Graver Thoughts of a Country Parson 9 Obevillb'8 Journal ....„ _ ». 1 Grifpin'8 Algebra and Trigonometry is Guohman's Tyrol and tlve Tyrolcse Grove on Correlation of Physical Forces .. 'H (F. C.) Frosty Caucasus 21 G wilt's Encyclopaodia of Architecture 17 I Hale's Fall of the Stuarts 4 Harrison's Order and Progress 7 Hartley on the Aii 12 Uartwig'8 Aerial World 15 Polar World 15 Sea and its Living Wonders ... 15 Subterranean World 15 Tropical World 15 Hauqhton'8 Animal Mechanics 14 HAYWARD'8 Essays & IIEATIIOOTE'S Reminiscences of Fen and Mere 19 Heine's Life, Works, and Opinions, by Stigakd 5 Hblmhotz on Tone 13 Popular Lectures 13 Hemsley's Handbook of Trees and Plants 15 Herschel's Outlines of Astronomy 11 HiNonLlFF's Over the Sea and Far Away 22 Holland'.^ Fragmentary Papers II Iloi.its on the Army 3 HULLAH'8 History of Modem Music 13 Transition Period 13 Hume's Essays " Treatise on Human Nature H Ihne's Roman History * Indian Alps (Thel, by a Lady Pioneer SI iKOBLOW's Poems « 2* Jameson's Saints and Martyrs ». 17 Legends of the Madonna 17 Monastic Orders 17 Jameson and Eastlake's Saviour 17 J elf on Confession in the English Church 21 Jenkjn'8 Electricity and Magnetism 13 jBRRAM'sLycidas of Milton 25 J krrold'8 Life of Napoleon 4 Johnston's Geographical Dictionary „. 12 JuKES's Types of Genesis 21 on Second Death ~ 21 Kalisch's Commentary on the Bible ~ 8 Keith on Fulfilment of Prophecy _....„. 20 Kerl's Metallurgy 1* KiNGSLKY's Lectures delivered in America 9 KiRBY and Spbnce's Entomology -. 15 KiuKMAN's;Pliilosophy 1" Knatchbdll-Huge8Sen'8 Higgledy-pig- gledy 23 Knatchbull-Huoessen's Whispersfrom Fairyland "3 NEW WORKS PUBLISHED BY LONGMANS AND CO. 31 Landscapes, ChurcheB, and Jloralitiei, by A.K.H. B ^ 10 liAUG'S Ballads and Lyrics 24 Latham's New English Dictionary 7 Johnson's Dictionary 8 Handbook of the English Lan- guage 7 Latjghton's Nautical Surveying 12 Lawrence on Rocks 14 Lkcky'8 History of European Morals 3 — — ^— ^— — ^ Rationalism 3 Leaders of Public Opinion 5 Lefeot'S Bermudas 22 Leisure Hours in Town, by A.K.H.B 9 Lessonsof Middle Age, by A.K.H.B 10 Lewbs' History of Philosophy 3 Lewis on the Influence of Authority in Matters of Opinion 6 LlDDBLL and Scott's Two Lexicons 8 LlNDLEY and Moore's Treasury of Botany 16 Lloyd's Magnetism 14 Wave-Theory of Light 14 London Series of French Classics 21 Longman's (W.) Edward the Third 2 Lectures on History of England 2 Old and New St. Paul's 17 Chess Openings 27 (F. W.) 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