A neat tablet, at the east end of the church, commemorates T_Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.

who was long a distinguished member of the Society of Antiquaries,

Keeper of the Records in the Tower, a Trustee of the British Museum, and

author of Treatise "on the Origin and Progress of Writing." He died in

1802, and left a valuable collection of manuscripts. Here are also

interred, Arthur Collins, Esq., known as the author of an "Historical

Account of the Peers and Baronets of England;" William Curtis, author of

the "Flora Londinensis," and the Rev. Joseph Gardner, author of "Views

on the Rhine," and otherwise distinguished by his attachment to the

arts. Bolingbroke House was a spacious edifice, said to have contained

fifty rooms on a floor, of which a few only remain; among which is the

favourite apartment of Lord Bolingbroke, wainscotted with cedar. A

horizontal air-mill now occupies the site of this mansion, and in the

gardens have been erected bullock-houses. Sherwood Lodge, near the

Thames, is the residence of James Wolf, Esq. whose valuable collection

of plaster-casts, from antique statues, are deposited in a gallery of

Doric architecture, remarkable for the purity of its style. A wooden

bridge was built over the Thames at this place, in 1771.

[Sidenote: Sir E. Wynter's exploits.]

[Sidenote: Bolingbroke house.]

Map| Names of Places. |County.| Number of Miles From |

+--+-------------------+-------+-------------+-------------+

+--+-------------------+-------+-------------+-------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. |Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+-------------------+---------------------+-----+-------+

38|Battle[A] m.t. & pa|Bexhill 6| 56| 2999|

48|Battle[B] pa|Builth 15| 174| 192|

+--+-------------------+--------------------+------+-------+

[A] BATTLE, anciently called Epiton, derived its present denomination

from the conflict between William the Norman, and Harold Harefoot, which

decided the fate of these realms, and gave to the former the surname of

Conqueror. This engagement happened on the 14th of October, 1066, and

continued from morning until sunset, when the Normans had sustained a

loss of 15000 men, and the English four times that number, among whom

was their king. The Conqueror, grateful for his victory, and in

performance of a vow, commenced the foundation of an abbey on that part

of the field where the battle had raged most fiercely, causing the high

altar to be raised on the spot where the body of his valiant antagonist;

or, as others say, his standard had been found. This abbey was dedicated

to St. Martin, and the privileges enjoyed by the superiors within its

precincts were almost regal; an exclusive right of inquest in cases of

murder--the property of all treasure discovered there--free warren and

exemption, even for their tenants, from all ecclesiastical

jurisdiction--right of sanctuary for their church in cases of

homicide--and the power of pardoning any condemned thief whom they

should meet going to execution. From the foundation of this abbey, till

its dissolution, it was governed by thirty-one abbots. Sometime after

the latter period, it was the property of the Montagues, who sold it to

Sir Thomas Webster, and that gentleman made it his residence. Sir

Godfrey Webster, Bart., is the present owner. In its present state,

Battle Abbey bears ample testimony to its ancient magnificence, the

ruins being extensive, and exhibiting a mixture of the light Norman with

the solid Saxon architecture. These remains occupy two sides of a

quadrangle, of which one is an ancient gateway. Nine elegant arches, now

filled up, are all that remain of the church. Two detached buildings,

supposed to have been refectories, are now converted into offices. The

town of Battle consists of one street, and has a handsome church, the

windows of which are embellished with stained glass. The chancel

contains a fine altar-monument to the memory of Sir Anthony Browne,

armour-bearer to Henry VIII. This place is celebrated for a manufacture

of gunpowder, inferior only to that at Dartford.

_Market_, Thursday.--_Fairs_, Whit-Monday; Nov. 22, cattle and

pedlary; second Tuesday in every month, cattle.--_Bankers_, Smith,

Gill, and Co., draw on Spooner and Co.--_Mail_ arrives 4.20 morning;

departs 9.40 afternoon.--_Inn_, George.

[Sidenote: The Abbey.]

[B] BATTLE. The church is placed upon an eminence on the east side of

the Escir river. It is a low edifice surrounded by a cemetry, bounded by

a wall. A few straggling houses give this place the name of a village.

History has fixed this spot as the scene of action where the fate of

Brecknockshire was decided, upon its attack by Bernard Newmarch. The

vestiges which indicate such an event, are, a well called Ffynon Pen

Rhys; a lane called Heol y Cymri, and a long upright stone below the

church on the south side; no other vestiges remain to recall the event.

Half a mile eastward from Battle, appears the stately residence of the

vicar of Llandevalle. Upon the wall of an inner court is an inscription

in Latin. From the windows of this house are three most beautiful views;

on the east side through a small vista, are seen the village of

Llanddew, and in the back ground the black mountain beyond Talgarth.

From the library, in which is a capital picture of our Saviour bearing

the Cross, by Correggio, looking west, is the vale of Usk, with the

highly ornamented grounds above Penpont; beyond which, Abercamlais, and

the mountains in Llywel and Devynock close the scene. Nearly opposite is

the gradually rising knoll of Benni, covered to the top on all sides

with wood, beyond which appear the precipitous and majestic summits of

the Beacons. Merthyr Cynog, or Saint Cynog, lies about four miles north.

Cynog or Canoc, was the illegitimate son of Brychan Brecheinog. He was

slain or murdered in one of the early eruptions of the Saxons into

Wales, in the 5th century, on the summit of a hill in this parish,

nearly opposite Castlemadoc, called Vanoleu, and according to Owen, was

buried in Merthyr church. The edifice which remains, does not appear to

be of an earlier date than the Norman era; it is situated upon a lofty

ridge between the vales of Escir fawr and Escir fechan, in nearly the

centre of the parish. It resembles a large barn, in which are some

divisions, like pens for sheep, thrown in disorder to rot, when unfit

for use.

[Sidenote: Scene of a Welsh battle.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. |Number of Miles From |

+--+--------------------+----------+--------------+-------------+

29|Bavington, Little to|Northumb | ... 11| ... 12|

+--+--------------------+----------+--------------+-------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+--------------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+

25|Battle Bridge ham|Hoxton 2| 1| |

3|Battleden[A] pa|Leighton 4| 39| 145|

33|Battlefield[B] pa|Shawbury 4| 155| 70|

16|Baughurst pa|Newbury 11| 54| 434|

4|Baulking ham|Lambourne 7| 66| 185|

34|Baumber pa|Louth 12| 141| 356|

15|Baunton pa|Gloucester 17| 91| 144|

56|Bauseley to|Oswestry 11| 165| 365|

41|Baverstock pa|Shaftesbury 13| 292| 166|

29|Bavington, Great to|Newcastle 20| 88| 70|

29|Bavington, Little to| ... 2| 291| 72|

+--+--------------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BATTLEDEN lies between the two great north-western roads. The family

of Firmband, or Fremband, twice represented the county in parliament, as

early as the reign of Edward III. In the reign of Elizabeth it became

the property of the Duncombes; and it is to one of this family that we

are indebted for the accommodation of the now antiquated sedans, or

close chairs; and in the year 1634, Duncombe is said to have procured a

patent, which vested in him and his heirs the right of carrying persons

"up and down in them," for a certain term. "It is probable, (observes

Lysons,) that Sir Saunders, who was a great traveller, had seen them at

Sedan, where Dr. Johnson, supposes that they were first made; and it is

remarkable that Captain Bayley first introduced the use of Hackney

Coaches in the same year." In the year 1706, this manor was purchased by

Allen Bathurst, Esq., a distinguished political character during the

reigns of Queen Anne and George I. It was for many years the country

seat of Lord Bathurst, and the resort of a celebrated constellation of

wits, of whom he was the patron and friend.

[Sidenote: The invention of Sedan chairs.]

[B] BATTLEFIELD is a parish in the liberties of Shrewsbury, and derives

its name from a sanguinary battle which was fought there on Saturday the

21st of July, 1403, between Henry the Fourth and the Rebels, under

Percy, Earl of Nothumberland, and in which Lord Henry Percy, well known

as the valiant Hotspur, was slain, together with nearly 2300 gentlemen

and others, and upwards of 600 common soldiers fell on that memorable

occasion. After this signal victory, Henry the fourth caused a

collegiate church to be erected on the spot for secular canons, which

was dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, the battle having been fought on

the anniversary of that day. This college was dissolved in the general

wreck of establishments of this kind, when its revenues amounted to L54

10s. 4d. per annum; it is now the parish church. At the east end, over

the altar window, is a figure of Henry the Fourth, much defaced by the

corroding hand of time. In a niche in the south wall, is a rude carving

in wood of the Virgin and child; and in the east window are still to be

traced some mutilated remains of stained glass; but the most interesting

object in this church, is a splendid gothic monument, recently erected

to the memory of the late John Corbet, Esq. of Sundorne. This beautiful

specimen of architecture is called the Tudor gothic; the interior

represents the miniature aisle of a cathedral or cloister, with its

elaborately groined roof, and the front is adorned by the heraldic

blazonings of the family. This fine and highly prized piece of art was

executed by Messrs. Carline of that town, in a warmly tinted fine

grained stone, from the Grinshill quarries in the neighbourhood.

[Sidenote: Battle between Henry the Fourth and Percy of Northumberland.]

[Sidenote: Splendid monument.]

Map|Names of Places.| County. | Number of Miles From |

+--+----------------+---------+-------------+--------------+

+--+----------------+---------+-------------+--------------+

|Dist.|

Map|Names of Places.|Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

27|Bawburgh pa|E. Dereham 12| 105| 440|

27|Bawdeswell pa| 7| 107| 587|

34|Bawdrip pa|Stowey 12| 136| 373|

36|Bawdsey pa|Ipswich 13| 80| 454|

27|Bawsey pa|Middleton 3| 99| 39|

46|Bawtry[A] m.t.|Gainsboro' 13| 153| 1149|

39|Baxterly pa|Coleshill 7| 111| 189|

41|Baydon pa|Swindon 10| 69| 358|

27|Bayfield pa|Wells 10| 122| 17|

18|Bayford pa|Hoddesdon 5| 21| 332|

34|Bayford pa|Mere 6| 107| |

36|Bayleham pa|Bildeston 9| 72| 238|

22|Bayley to|Preston 12| 219| |

25|Bayswater[B] ham|Southall 8| 1| |

+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

[A] BAWTRY is a small town situated on the edge of Yorkshire, adjoining

Nottinghamshire. It is handsome and well built; and the high street,

through which lies the great North Road from London to Edinburgh, is

very broad, and contains some elegant houses. At the upper part of this

street is the market-place, in which are some excellent shambles. The

town stands on a gentle but pleasant eminence, which slopes from the

north and east down to the river Idle, which river is navigable to this

place for small craft. On the western side of the town the ground is

high and exceedingly pleasant, but the eastern, or marshy side, is

subject to frequent winter inundations. The object which most travellers

consider more especially worthy of attention, is the elegant mansion of

the Viscountess Galway. The edifice is built of brick and is pleasantly

situated at the southern extremity of the town; it has an extensive and

handsome front, but a high brick wall secludes it from public view. The

pleasure grounds which are kept in excellent condition, are stocked with

Chinese pheasants, and other rare and curious birds. Near this place the

Archbishops of York had a palace; and at this mansion, Archbishop

Savage, in the time of Henry VII. delighted to take his pleasure in

hunting; and in the next reign it was the residence of Cardinal Wolsey.

The palace stood in a very low and damp situation, close to the

confluence of the small river Ryton with the Idle. The great gateway,

and the porter's lodge, were taken down towards the end of the last

century, and what remains of the palace has been converted into a farm

house.

_Market_, Saturday.--_Fairs_, Whit-Tuesday; and November 22, for

cattle and horses.--_Inn_, Crown--_Mail_ arrives 2.0 afternoon;

departs 11.30 morning.

[Sidenote: Seat of the Viscountess Galway.]

[B] BAYSWATER is situated on the Oxford Road, and is the first place

passed after leaving London; it has been much increased of late by the

building of new streets and genteel residences. A reservoir, under the

same management as the water works of Chelsea, is in the neighbourhood.

Bayswater Tea Gardens were formerly the Botanic gardens of Sir John

Hill, who cultivated there his medicinal plants, and prepared his Water

Dock, Essence, and Balsam of Honey. The reservoir before mentioned, was

intended for the supply of the palace at Kensington, and the bason

before the palace was to be kept constantly full by the proprietors;

and, it was upon this condition that the property was granted them. It

now supplies that part of the city estates situated in about

Bond-street, with water.

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |

+--+-----------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+

+--+-----------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+

|Dist.|

Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.

+--+-----------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+

14|Baythorne End |G. Yeldham 5| 55| |

42|Bayton pa|Mamble 2| 130| 445|

57|Bayvill pa|Fishguard 10| 248| 160|

4|Bayworth ham|Cumnor 5| 58| |

5|Beachampton[A] pa|Newport 9| 53| 254|

27|Beachamwell pa|Marham 5| 94| 263|

18|Beaches ham|Barkway 6| 32| |

15|Beachley[B] ham|Monmouth 18| 131| |

27|Beacon |Bacton 5| 135| |

5|Beaconsfield[C] to & pa|Amersham 6| 23| 1763|

+--+-----------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BEACHAMPTON. The remains of the mansion of the Bennetts have been

converted into a farm-house, but the great hall is still standing. In

the parish church are some monuments of this family; among which there

is one to the memory of Sir Simon Bennett, who was created a baronet in

1627, and is recorded in history as having been a great friend to the

poor, and to University College, Oxford. This monument, it appears, was

set up by the college 100 years after his death, and great blame is

imputed to them for having delayed it so long. Mr. William Elmer, by his

will, bearing date 1648, founded a free grammar school in this parish.

The school-house was finished in 1667. The master, by an express clause

in the founder's will, must be a single man, and is to reside in the

school-house. It is endowed with lands, which are charged with the

payment of a certain pension of L2. per annum, to eight poor men, and

L1. per annum to as many poor women; and it is further provided, that

three of each of these shall be inhabitants of this parish.

[Sidenote: Free grammar school.]

[B] BEACHLEY from its almost insulated situation, has always been of

great importance in a military point of view, for there are extensive

earthworks of British origin still remaining. Offa's-dyke, which

terminates here, is still to be traced. In the civil wars this place was

considered of much importance, for Prince Rupert despatched a body of

500 horse and foot to occupy and fortify it. But history relates, that

even before the fortifications were completed, the garrison was

dislodged with great loss, by Governor Massie. After this, a battle was

fought between the royalists and the parliamentary forces, under Sir

John Wyntor, when the latter was defeated with the loss of 220 men; and

it is currently reported that he himself was forced to leap from the

cliff into the river Severn, where a small boat lay ready to receive

him; it is certain the place still goes by the name of "Wyntor's leap."

The ferry over the river Severn has been before mentioned at page 63.

Here is an inn called Beachley Passage House Inn. The time of high water

is nearly the same as at Bristol Quay, and is always to be seen in the

Bristol Newspapers. If the wind be northerly, this passage may be

crossed for five hours before high-water; and if the wind be southerly

or westerly, it may be passed for seven hours after high-water.

[Sidenote: Once a place of great importance.]

[Sidenote: Waller, the poet.]

Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set. · 第 22 / 31 段

A neat tablet, at the east end of the church, commemorates Thomas Astle,