Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]

were granted by the King to Thomas, Lord Cromwell, afterwards Earl of Essex, in fee; the Hostelry, (which is there described as in Gutter Lane) being valued at eight pounds yearly.

After the attainder of Cromwell, the Hostelry appears to have been divided, for in the 24th of Queen Elizabeth, Cuthbert Beeston, citizen and girdler of London, died seized of the Walnut Tree Inn, (which occupied the east side of the Hostelry), together with its garden and fifteen messuages in the adjoining lane, held of the Queen in chief, and worth yearly £5. 6s. 8d. ; but the west wing had been purchased by the parish for the use of the grammar school of St. Olave, which Elizabeth had founded in the thirteenth year of her reign.

when he came to London: it is now a common hostelry | the 16th of February following, these possessions for travellers, and hath to sign the Walnut Tree." The Priory of Lewis, in Sussex, which was dedicated to St. Pancras, was founded by William, first Earl Warren and Surrey, and his son William, the second Earl, who died in 1138, confirmed the grant of the church of St. Olave, in Southwark, to that foundation. There are sufficient grounds for believing that the Prior of Lewis had no lodgings in St. Olave's at that period; for in the time of the Countess Isabel, daughter and heir of the third Earl Warren and Surrey, Osbert, Prior of Lewis, "gave to John, son of Edmund, and his heirs, a tenement in London, belonging to the convent, viz. the dwelling and houses of Wibert de Araz, and lands holden of the monks of Westminster, and Robert the Chamberlain; to hold at a rent of fourteen shillings, and by this service, that as often as the Prior of Lewis, or his monks, or the monks of the cells belonging to St. Pancras, came to London, that John and his successors should give them fit lodging, suscipiat hospicio congruo et delib'ato,' and find them fire and water, and salt, and sufficient vessels for their use."

[ocr errors]

That the Priors of Lewis, however, had a lodging here at a remote period is certain," for in a release from William de Wyntringham, carpenter to the Prior of Lewis, in the 44th of Edw. III. anno 1370, it is specially set forth that the Prior and his predecessors, in right of their church of St. Pancras, were seized, from time immemorial, of a piece of ground nigh the gate of their hostelry, in Southwark,-and a building agreement between the same parties in the 47th Edward III. speaks of the ancient northeast gate of their hostelry, (which was standing in the time of the historian Stowe), ' Le dit William ad grauntee et se oblige de fayre en l'est partie deinz launciene porte norest de l'ostel de ditz Priour et Covent en Suthwark cynk schoppes."-It appears from Godwin, ("De Præsulibus,") that Peter, Bishop of Winchester, who governed that see in 1205, appropriated St. Olave's Church to the Prior and Convent of Lewis, for the purposes of hospitality, in usus et refectionem hospitum.'

6

[ocr errors]

In the 29th year of Henry the Eighth, anno 1531, in Michaelmas Term, Robert, late Prior of Lewis, "levied a fine to the King of all the possessions of the Priory, in which fine the Church of St. Olave, and messuages, gardens, lands, and rents in Southwark, Kater Lane (Carter Lane), comprehending the site of the Hostelry, are particularly specified." On

"Survey of London," 4to. 1598, pp. 340, 341.

Nearly the whole of the superstructure of this Hostelry was destroyed long ago; and the remaining parts of the sub-structure were demolished (about two years since) in forming the present approach from Tooley Street (St. Olave Street) to New London Bridge. In the direction of Carter Lane, where the site of the Walnut Tree Inn had been built on, in modern times, no vestige of the original building was discovered, but some ancient foundations were visible in the direction of Carter Lane. Of the Old Hall, which had been converted into the School Room, portions of the walls, to the height of ten or twelve feet, remained, and beneath it was a vaulted chamber or Crypt, as represented in the annexed wood-cut. This

[graphic][merged small]
[ocr errors]

have been omitted, and a few words of connexion occasionally introduced.

Caen stone had been used in the entrance door-way | begun at the City of Norwich and from thence into from the porch, which was crowned by an elliptical the North, on Monday, August 11th, 1634, and arch, and had been approached by a flight of steps. ending at the same Place. By a Captaine, a LieuThe vaultings were entirely chalk, nine inches thick; tenant, and an Ancient [Ensign]; all three of the the lower walls, which were three feet three inches in Military Company in Norwich."-No alteration has thickness, were of rubble. There were five semi-been made in the language, but the immaterial parts circular headed windows carried up close to the vault, within the Crypt, and there appeared to have been another door-way opposite to the entrance porch. The capitals were chiefly of the fluted character; but on one were three sculptured ornaments, resembling a reversed fleur-de-lis. Three strong semicircular arches, of squared stones, supported the roof of the porch, which was eleven feet nine inches in width, and nineteen feet in length, and had probably been longer. Some fragments of highly-finished sculpture, representing grotesque animals, with foliage, were found among the rubbish.

"Three Southerne Commanders, in their Places, and of themselves and their purses, a Captaine, a Lieutennt., and an Ancient, all voluntary members of the noble Military Company in Norwich, agreed at an opportune and vacant leysure, to take a view of the Cities, Castles, and chiefe Scytuations in the Northerne and other Counties of England: To that end and purpose, all businesse and excuses set apart, they had a parley, and met on Monday, the 11th of August, 1634; and mustering up their triple force from Norwich, with souldiers' journeying ammunition they marcht that Night to the Maritime Towne of Lyn.

"The next morning they consulted, and thought it not soe fit to passe the Washes, being neither firme, nor safe for Travellers, especially now of late, by reason of the new-made sluces and devises for turning of the naturall course of the waters neere adjoining, and therefore they rather chose to goe by Wisbich, where we spent the best part of an houre, in viewing a little army of artificers, venting, contriving, and acting

There was a striking resemblance in the general features of this part of the Hostelry to those of the Manor-house at Boothby Pagnel, Moyses Hall at St. Edmundsbury, and Pythagoras' School at Cambridge; a building of two stories, the lower vaulted; no fire-place in the lower, a fire-place in the upper; an external staircase to the upper, with the addition of a porch to the lower chamber. The plain unmixed character of the circular style in these remains would lead to the conclusion that this part of the Hostelry was built before the time of Prior Osbert, (who pre-outlandish devises about the same. Longer, (though sided at Lewis from 1170 to 1186,) were it not difficult to reconcile that date with his grant, as mentioned above; if, as we may presume, the building was erected by the monks of St. Pancras.*

willingly wee would,) wee durst not stay, for that Sol's fleet Coursers would have out-run our jades, and loth we were to dishearten them, or puzzle ourselves at our first setting out: away therefore we posted over Tid-Sluce, the parting of the shires of Norfolke and Lincolneshire; and soe over a rich flat levell of ground for Spalding, and made it night before we

A TOPOGRAPHICAL EXCURSION IN THE came there, where we were strongly lodg'd at the

YEAR 1634.

Castle. Wee fear'd somewhat as wee entered the towne, seeing the bridge pull'd downe, that we could THE following extracts from a tour made through a not have pass'd the river, but when wee came to it great part of England, nearly two hundred years ago, that feare was soon past, for the river had not soe are derived from a Manuscript in the Lansdowne col-much water in it as would drowne a mouse. lection, in the British Museum (viz. No. 213, pp. 317348†) intituled, “A Relation of a Short Survey of Twenty-six Counties, briefly describing the Cities and their Scytuations, and the Corporate Townes and Castles therein: observ'd in a Seven Weekes Journey

Vide“ Archæologia," vol. xxiii, from a Communication by John Gage, Esq. F.R.S., in which the late remains of the Hostelry are delineated, in five engravings. From that paper the above account is derived, but the accompanying wood-cut is from an original drawing by Mr. Whittock.

+ Lansd. MSS. No. 213, pp. 319-348.

"At this we perceiv'd that the towne and country thereabouts much murmur'd, but let them content themselves, since the ffen drayners have undertaken to make their River navigable 40 foot broad and 6 foot deepe, from ffrosdick slough to Deeping, wh they need not long be about, having 600 men dayly at worke in't: early the next mornin we heard the drum beat, wch caused us to inquire the reason thereof, and rous'd us from our Castle, and it was told us, that it was for a second army of Water-Ingineers."

[ocr errors]

From Deeping the travellers proceeded to Sleford, | and satisfy ourselves of the observables we met with "where," says the writer, wee dyn'd, and spent in our Travell: but marke, this little satisfy'd the about an houre in viewing the fayre Church and Or- deep-reaching conceit of this jealous curious cocksnaments there, chiefely 3, viz. Sir Robert Carr's, combe, for truly, reply'd he, I tooke you twaine and his Grandfather's, and Mr. Walpoole's. Of the (meaning the Captain and Ancient) for Clerkes of Towne I can say but little, onely this, that as our last the Greene Cloth, and that you came about the Monight's towne was, soe is this furnished with a market, nopolies; his chiefest reason so to induce him being, and graced with a sessions, and also wth two knights' for that they two were clad like young fforesters. habitations." [Sir Robert Carr's and Sir Ham. Whitch- His company gave us small content, and retarded our cote's.] speed, therefore we hastned, gave him what we promis'd, and so sent him to the place from whence he came, indeed the fittest place for him." (To be continued.)

Lincoln. "When we first espi'd the high towers of the Cathedrall, we thought it neere, but it prov'd to our paines and patience, a full Jury of Miles." Having arrived at Lincoln in the evening-" The next morning we got up early, and went out to behold the ruines and reliques of that once stately, famous, flourishing city: and in the first place that ancient castle, built by the Conqueror K. William, as much decay'd as any part of her, yet so much thereof standing, and strong enough to keep prisoners: where so soone as we were entred, forth came Mr. Jaylor, handing his staffe of authority; and saluting us, bad us welcome, and speedily endeavour'd to shew us the chiefe remarques there.

"Amongst the rest: Queene Lucie's Tower upon a high ascent, from the level of the Castle-yard, looking towards Trent, where she maintayn'd a long Seidge, and bravely defended her selfe. We clym'd many slyppery and decay'd stony steppings to that lofty mount. All within the Tower is now a Garden, wch invited us so much the longer there, because from thence we could view the whole country circumjacent, and informe ourselves the better where the Castles, chiefe Seates, and Places of Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen thereabout stood, though we had not time to visit them."

The travellers went to the Cathedral Church, and "ascended one of the 3 Steeples, where that great Admirale Bell hangs, and they all stood upright under it, upon the ring of the clapper, at ease."

They then returned to their inn to breakfast, "which," says the writer, "by this time stay'd for us. Notwithstanding as soone as we entred our chamber we durst not ceaze [seize] on it, for feare our memories should beguile us of our morning's sight, and therefore every one of us betooke ourselves to our travelling taske, and tooke notes thereof; and whilst we were all thus busy, our invited guest, Mr. Jaylor, entered, who diligently observing our earnestnes in our worke, began to be somewhat suspicious off, and inquisitive into the cause thereof. Our Captain modestly told him, 'twas for no other end but to informe

ALL-SAINTS CHURCH, PONTEFRACT,

YORKSHIRE.

THE Church of All-Saints, or All-Hallows, at Pontefract, is a rich though dilapidated specimen of an early stage of our pointed architecture. As this edifice was formerly the parish church, it seems probable that it occupies the site of the more ancient church which is mentioned in the Domesday Book, as existing at Kirkeby, the appellation of Pontefract in the Saxon times. During the memorable siege of Pontefract Castle, in the years 1648-49, All-Saints Church was greatly damaged; the roof was almost destroyed, the fine lantern surmounting the tower was battered down, and the interior was desecrated. Some partial repairs were afterwards effected, and the lantern was rebuilt in its present form, in consequence of a vote of Parliament, (which allotted £1000. for that purpose, out of the money accruing from the sale of materials belonging to the Castle,) yet the building never regained its original splendour. After the Restoration, a farther effort was made to preserve it from ruin, and £1500. was collected by brief, but the whole sum is said to have been embezzled by Dr. Nath. Johnston, a physician, to whom it had been consigned, as a trustee for the repairs. Since that period, a progressive deterioration, the result of neglect and wanton spoliation, has reduced this once magnificent edifice to a state of ruin.

It appears from Boothroyd's Pontefract," that All-Saints Church,-but this must have been a prior edifice to the one now standing,—was granted to the Benedictine Priory of St. John, at Pontefract, in

* Vide Boothroyd's "Hist. of Pontefract," p. 347. Dr. Johnston was the author of "The Kinges Visitatorial Power Asserted," &c., 1688, 4to. and other works.

for his residence. In 1533, an agreement was made between the town and the Prior and Convent, in consequence of which, the Archbishop of York ordained that the latter should find and sustain two chaplains, the one to celebrate the divine offices in this church, and the other to officiate in the Chapel of St. Giles, in Pontefract. When, from the increasing decay of AllSaints Church, it became dangerous to assemble in it, an Act of Parliament was obtained, viz., in the 29th of George III., to constitute St. Giles's the parish church.

1090, (temp. William Rufus,) by Robert de Lacy, | Balay, within Pontefract, was assigned to the vicar usually called Robert de Pontefract, the founder of that priory. For upwards of a century from that time, the brethren of St. John performed divine service, and enjoyed all the tithes, first-fruits, and oblations of this parish; but early in Edward the Third's reign, a vicar was appointed ;-and we find that, on November the 20th, 1361, it was ordained by John, Archbishop of York, that "the Prior and Convent of Pontefract, and their successors, should for ever receive all and singular the fruits, rents, profits, tithes, oblations, and emoluments of this church, on condition of paying to the Vicar thirty marks annually." About one hundred years afterwards, a house in the

The Church of All-Saints is cruciform in plan, and at the intersection of the nave and transept is a hand

[graphic]

some tower, crowned by an enriched octagonal spire, the statues of eight Apostles stood on pedestals at surmounted by pinnacles. The length of the church is fifty-three yards, and that of the transept twentythree yards. Four pointed arches, rising from octagonal columns, separate the nave from the side aisles, and the former has a clerestory. The large windows, both at the east and west ends, were furnished with light and elegant tracery, but the whole is now greatly mutilated.

Gent informs us, on the authority of other writers, that the "four outward corners of the belfry" were adorned with the figures of the Evangelists, and that

the angles of the octagon; but all these have been destroyed. There is a curious double stair-case leading to the belfry, and thence to the roof, which winds round the same centre, but has two entrances. Only one bell now remains, which, as appears from the inscriptions upon it, in black letter, was dedicated to the Trinity, and called the Trump of God, "Hæc est tuba Dei." The annexed wood-cut, executed from an original drawing, by Mr. N. Whittock, gives an accurate representation of the present state of this edifice.

SOME PARTICULARS OF THE LIFE OF

JANE SHORE.

had usurped the crown, he could not afterwards, when he had already stripped her of all her wealth, and degraded her before the eyes of the whole city of London. Jane's wrongs were more than her offences. She is an object more of compassion than reproach. Many

BY THE LATE REV. MARK NOBLE, F.S. A., AND VICAR have erred with her; few had so many palliative virOF BARMING, IN KENT.

[Now first printed from the Original Manuscript.]

PREFACE.

RECITING the words of Sir Thomas More, copied both by Stowe and Speed, will best plead apology for the following pages. "I doubt not some shall think this woman too slight a thing to be written of, and set among the remembrances of great matters." He then notices her present, with her once splendid estate, for she was then living, but since Sir Thomas More's time a few more particulars are gathered of her story, an eventful one; and, such as regards a part of our history, the most complicated and most disputed of any.

I must here remark, that I have given the extracts in the modern spelling-but I have taken no liberty with the language. The poems are in their original orthography.

My own study has furnished me with all the materials here used. Sir Thomas More's relation takes the lead; our chroniclers, Hall, Stowe, Holingshed, Speed, and others, follow him exactly, particularly as far as relates to the history of Richard III., previous to his usurping the crown; so do our earlier historians after that period.

The relation here given pretty generally notices my authorities. I hoped to have seen some notice of Jane Shore in the will of Edward IV., but the will is not given with those of our sovereigns, and other illustrious characters; it is certain that the monarch left a will, but where it is deposited is not known.

Let me add that these pages throw some light upon Richard's history, and destroy all that Lord Orford has written about Sir Thomas More's supposed error in mistaking William Hastings, Lord Hastings, for Thomas Grey, Marquis of Dorset. I do not intend to go into the merits, or demerits of Lord Orford's Historic doubts, at this time. I have already given my opinion publicly, upon one, the greatest stain upon Richard's character, the murder of his nephews, Edward V. and the Duke of York. As to the king's behaviour to Jane Shore, it was beneath the majesty of a monarch, for it was the meanest of revenge. If he feared the influence of her charms and wit before he

VOL. I.

tues; few underwent so many and such bitter reverses of fortune, and far fewer have borne them with so much humility and self-abasement.

Could Sir Thomas More, or any other very wise man have gained her confidence, and obtained from her mouth an insight to Edward IV.'s court, its parties and their intrigues, what a valuable morsel would have been bequeathed to posterity? He wrote in 1513, several years before Jane's death.

Strange as it may seem, these particulars are not given so much to draw out a life of a beautiful, frail, and unfortunate Fair, as to give a detail of some memorable circumstances of an historical nature, connected with the story of Jane.

Bav mins & Pacsonage.

March 26 H 1013.

marty/bode

THE LIFE OF JANE SHORE.

"What had I to do with Kings and Courts?"

Love is a passion, if properly directed, that leads to the greatest felicity which human nature can experience; but if wrongly diverted, to the extremest misery. Few instances, on record, more verify this than the fate of Jane Shore.

No one of our writers give us the name of this memorable woman's parents; they generally content themselves with copying each other. Biography was formerly little known, or regarded, especially what related to females, even of the highest rank. The wonder is, that we know so much of her story, for the names of her frail sisterhood, who shared the royal Edward's favour, except Elizabeth Lucy, a knight's wife, (mother by the King to Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle), have not reached us.

Sir Thomas More says, "What her father's name was, or where she was born, is not certainly known."

E

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »