[B] BERE REGIS is situated in the Blandford division of the _Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.

Stukeley and Coker conjecture that this place was the site of a Roman

station; an opinion which is confirmed by a large entrenchment upon

Woodbury Hill, about half a mile north-east of the parish. The area of

this place, which contains about ten acres, is surrounded by triple

ramparts, that in some places are high and deep. On the summit, which

commands a very extensive prospect, a fair is annually holden. This fair

begins on the Nativity of the Virgin, and continues through the five

following days: though of late years it has much decreased; it was once

the most considerable in the west of England. Queen Elfrida, to whom the

manor belonged, is said to have retired to her seat in this place, after

the murder of her son-in-law, Edward the Martyr. King John also appears

to have made it his residence. In the reign of Henry III. the manor was

bestowed on Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester; but, as a consequence

attending his rebellion, it was taken from him, and granted to the

King's brother, Edmund. Edmund gave a moiety of it to the Abbess of

Tarent, who, in the reign of Edward I. claimed for her manor of Bere a

fair, a market, a free-warren, and the whole forest of Bere. Her moiety

of these was granted her. At the dissolution, Henry VIII., for the sum

of L680. 16s. 8d. granted the manor to Robert Turberville, to whose

ancestors the other moiety had belonged for ages. The mansion of the

Turbervilles still remains: it is an ancient irregular structure, built

with stone, and its windows contain various quarterings of the

Turberville family and its alliances. Bere Regis, though it does not

appear ever to have been represented in parliament, was incorporated in

the time of Edward I. Its market is ancient, as appears from King John's

having confirmed it to the inhabitants. The church is a large and

handsome structure, and contains numerous monuments of the Turberville

and other families. The town of Bere Regis has suffered twice by fire:

once in 1634, and again in 1788. After the latter fire the inhabitants

found shelter in the booths erected for the fair. The most distinguished

natives of the place have been James Turberville, Bishop of Exeter, and

John Morton, Archbishop of Canterbury.

_Market_, Wednesday.--_Fair_, September 18.

[Sidenote: The residence of Queen Elfrida.]

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

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

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

|Dist.|

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

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

9|Bees, St.[A] to & pa|Buttermere 13| 296| 517|

24|Beesby pa|M. Raisin 12| 158| 99|

24|Beesby in the Marsh, pa|Louth 9| 144| 132|

3|Beeston to|Bedford 8| 48| 258|

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

[A] BEES, (ST.) This ancient village is situated in the Ward of

Allerdale, west by north from Egremont. It is understood to have derived

its name and origin from a religious house, which was founded here about

the year 650, by St. Bega, an Irish nun of great sanctity. On the death

of Bega, a church was erected in honour of her virtues; but both these

establishments having been destroyed by the Danes, William, son of

Ranulph de Meschines, replaced them by a new foundation of Benedictine

monks, and made it a cell to the Abbey of St. Mary at York: in the time

of Henry I. The manor was granted after the dissolution to Sir Thomas

Chaloner, by Edward VI. in the last year of his reign. It next became

the property of a family named Wyberg, from whom, under a fore-closed

mortgage, it passed to an ancestor of the Earl of Lonsdale, about the

year 1663. St. Bees church, which was erected about the time of Henry

I., had the form of a cross, and great part of it is yet standing. The

east-end is unroofed, and in ruins: the nave, however, is fitted up as

the parish church, and the cross aisle is used as a place of sepulchre.

The ancient chancel has narrow lancet windows, ornamented with double

mouldings, and pilasters, with rich capitals. At the east end are

niches, of a singular form, with pointed arches, supported on well

proportioned pillars, having capitals adorned with rich engravings. The

whole edifice is of red free-stone. A free grammar school was founded in

the village of St. Bees by Archbishop Girandal, under a charter from

Queen Elizabeth, towards the close of the sixteenth century. This

prelate was born in the neighbouring village of Helsingham, in the year

1519. He was educated at Cambridge, where he obtained a fellowship at

Pembroke Hall. Being attached to the principles of the Reformation,

Bishop Ridley made him his chaplain, and precentor of St. Pauls. He was

also appointed chaplain to the King, and prebendary of Westminster; but

on the accession of Mary he retired to Germany, and settled at

Strasburgh. When Elizabeth ascended the throne he returned home, and was

employed in revising the Litany. In 1559 he was chosen master of

Pembroke Hall, and the same year preferred to the see of London, from

whence, in 1570 he was translated to York, and in 1575 to Canterbury.

Two years afterwards he was suspended from his archiepiscopal functions,

for refusing to obey the Queen's order to suppress prophecyings, or the

associations of the clergy to expound the Scriptures. His sequestration

was taken off, though he never completely recovered the royal favour. He

died at Croydon, 1583. He contributed to Fox's acts and monuments. James

I. afterwards increased the endowments, which have been since augmented

by divers benefactors. Several scholars of great eminence have received

the rudiments of education in this seminary. It is remarkable, however,

that, till a few years ago, the school had not undergone any material

change since its foundation. Occasional repairs were indeed found

absolutely necessary for the support of the buildings, but no

improvement seems ever to have been attempted. Through the munificence

of the Earl of Lonsdale this long respected seminary has been put into

complete order, and made more suitable to the purpose intended by the

pious founder than it had been at any time since its erection. Exclusive

of what has been done at the spacious school-room, the library is

rendered more commodious. The master's house, which adjoins the school,

has been enlarged, some parts of it rebuilt, a good garden well walled

round, and the whole made a very comfortable and eligible residence.

[Sidenote: Early history.]

[Sidenote: Archbishop Girandal.]

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

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

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

| |Dist.|

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

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

7|Beeston[A] to|Whitchurch 14| 171| 434|

27|Beeston pa|Castle Acre 5| 100| 702|

30|Beeston pa|Ashby 16| 124| 2530|

45|Beeston chap|Huddersfield 9| 190| 2128|

27|Beeston, St. Andrew p|Acle 9| 113| 49|

27|Beeston, St. Lawren. p|Norwich 11| 120| 52|

27|Beeston Regis pa|Cley 8| 126| 246|

40|Beethom[B] pa & to|Kendal 10| 252| 1639|

27|Beetley pa|Fakenham 9| 104| 381|

31|Begbrook pa|Islip 5| 60| 102|

34|Beggerielge ham|Beckington 6| 110| ...|

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

[A] BEESTON. Near this village are the remains of a castle, once deemed

impregnable; it is situated on a sandstone rock, 366 feet in

perpendicular height. So strong was this fortress considered, that it

became a proverb in the neighbourhood to say, "It is as strong as

Beeston Castle." The area contains five acres, and was rendered

unapproachable by means of a very wide ditch. In the reign of Charles I.

it underwent a lengthened siege, or rather blockade, for all

communications were cut off with the neighbourhood for a long term; at

last it was compelled to surrender, and the parliament ordered it to be

dismantled. During the period of the threatened invasion of the French,

in 1803, this castle was fixed upon by the lieutenancy of the county, as

the site for a signal station and beacon. The ancient and craggy walls

are beautifully mantled over with a luxuriant covering of ivy, and the

base of the hill abounds with several varieties of rare plants. The well

of the castle is nearly 300 feet deep, and the peasantry firmly believe

that it contains a vast store of riches, which have been thrown into it

during the civil wars. A mineral spring was discovered here a few years

ago. The inhabitants of Chester consider it a favourite holiday

indulgence to visit this castle in a pleasure excursion; and by

application to an old woman in the village, who may be considered the

female warden of the place, travellers can be conducted to the summit of

the building. The views from the ramparts are beautiful, extending over

the whole Vale Royal of Cheshire, to the estuaries of the rivers Mersey

and Dee: that side of the hill which forms a precipice rises

perpendicularly 160 feet from the base of the elevation, and upon

looking down from the high pinnacle of the castle wall, it is sufficient

to call to remembrance the sublime poetic effusion of our immortal

bard:--

"How fearful

And dizzy 'tis, to cast ones eyes so low,

The crows and choughs, that wing the mid-way air,

Shew scarce as gross as beetles.

I'll look no more,

Lest my brain turn, and the deficient sight,

Topple down headlong."

[Sidenote: Castle on a rock.]

[Sidenote: A favourite place of resort.]

[B] BEETHOM. This mountainous and highly interesting parish is situated

in the Kendal Ward, at the south-western extremity of the county of

Westmoreland, on both sides of estuaries of the river Kent, which is

navigable for small craft as far as the hamlet of Storch, and comprises

the chapelries of Witherslack, and the townships of Beetham, Farleton,

Haverbrack, and Methop, with Ulpha. The parish church is dedicated to

St. Michael, the patron saint of mountainous and hilly parishes: it is a

neat building, situated in a fine vale, or holm ground, commanding the

richest variety of wood, water, and rocky scenery. Here are two fine old

monuments to the memory of Thomas de Beetham and his lady, who lived in

the reign of Richard III. Here was anciently a chapel, dedicated to St.

John, and near it, in a garden, a considerable number of human bones

were dug up; it was situated about forty yards from the present

school-house. Some few years since a mole cast up an amber bead, and

with it an oval piece of silver, about the size of a shilling; it was

perforated through the middle, and on one side was an impression of the

crucifixion, with the letters J.N.R.J.; on the right of which was a

crescent, and on the left a rising sun; at the bottom, the Virgin Mary,

in a weeping attitude: on the reverse, a lamb, with a standard, and St.

Andrews' cross. The parsonage, or rectory-house, which stood on the

north-east corner of the churchyard, was formerly called the college of

St. Mary's. The Hilton family had also a handsome house near this spot,

which was enlarged and improved by George Hilton, an eccentric squire,

and well known character in this neighbourhood about the commencement of

the last century. This George Hilton was a Roman Catholic, and joined

the Scotch rebels in 1715, upon whose defeat he made his escape, but was

pardoned by the act of grace the year following, and afterwards retired

to a house which he built at the south end of Beethom Park. Mr. Hutton,

the historian of this place, says, "that he discovered a diary, in an

old chest, which was kept by this gentleman, taken by himself every

night, but which was afterwards lost. 'On Sunday, (says he in one

place,) I vowed to abstain from three things during the ensuing week

(Lent), viz. women, eating of flesh, and drinking of wine; but, alas!

the frailty of good resolutions. I broke them all! Conversed with a

woman--was tempted to eat the wing of a fowl--and got drunk at

Milnthorp.'" Of this parish the Rev. William Hutton was vicar, who wrote

a folio book of collections for its history, which he deposited in the

vestry for the information of posterity, with blank pages to be filled

up as materials should occur. He was an amiable man, and an

indefatigable antiquarian. The old manor house, called the Hall of

Beethom, was a fine old castellated mansion, but now unfortunately in

ruins. One large apartment in this castle is still called the hall, and

according to the laudable practice of ancient hospitality, was devoted

to the purpose of entertaining the friends and dependants of the family:

and hence came the proverb--

"'Tis merry in the hall When beards wag all."

The remains of a room, formerly used as a chapel, still exist; and the

ruins of this fine mansion are of considerable extent. The ruins of

another hall in this parish are also to be seen in Cappleside Demesne,

consisting of a front and two wings, comprising an extent of 117 feet of

frontage. Also an ancient tower, now in ruins, called Helslack Tower:

and another tower, called Arnside Tower; equally neglected. These towers

seem to have been intended to guard the Bay of Morecambe, as similar

buildings are erected on the opposite side of the river. A grammar

school was founded here in 1663, and rebuilt in 1827. It has an

endowment of about L40. a year, arising out of lands bequeathed for the

instruction of fifty poor boys.

[Sidenote: George Hilton, an eccentric character.]

[Sidenote: The Hall.]

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

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

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

|Dist.|

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

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

57|Begelley pa|Pembroke 14| 257| 996|

58|Beggars' Bush |New Radnor 6| 153| |

31|Beggars' Bush |Wallingford 3| 44| |

58|Beguildy pa|Bettws 4| 171| 1043|

21|Beigham |Brenchley 5| 38| |

10|Beighton pa|Eckington 2| 155| 980|

27|Beighton pa|Norwich 9| 118| 262|

36|Beighton pa|Stow Market 8| 71| 238|

46|Beilby to & chap|York 13| 192| 239|

27|Belaugh pa|Coltishall 2| 116| 151|

9|Belbank to|Longtown 13| 321| 485|

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

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

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

14|Belchamp, St. Pauls p|Essex |... 6|... 6|

14|Belchamp Wallers[A] pa|Essex |... 6|... 3|

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

|Dist.|

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

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

9|Belbank to|Longtown 9| 318| 127|

42|Belbroughton pa|Kidderminst 7| 121| 1489|

46|Belby to|Hull 23| 181| 44|

12|Belchalwell pa|Shaftesbury 10| 110| 205|

14|Belchamp Oten pa|Clare 4| 53| 397|

14|Belchamp, St. Pauls p| ... 3| 54| 808|

14|Belchamp Wallers[A] pa| ... 5| 53| 670|

24|Belchford pa|Spilsby 10| 141| 490|

29|Belford[B] m.t. & pa|Berwich 15| 322| 2030|

30|Belgh ham|Mansfield 7| 143| |

23|Belgrave pa|Derby 26| 100| 2329|

29|Bellasis to|Blyth 8| 284| |

46|Bellasize to|Blacktoft 3| 185| 189|

18|Bell Bar |Hertford 8| 17| |

24|Belleau[C] pa|Saltfleet 12| 144| 107|

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

[A] BELCHAMP, or Belchamp Wallers, in the hundred of Hinckford, lies

north-east by north from Castle Headingham. The church, dedicated to the

Virgin Mary, is lofty and neat, and contains an orchestra, with a fine

toned organ. Here is a capacious vault which belongs to the Raymond

family; and an elegant marble monument dedicated to them in the chancel.

Mrs. Raymond has established in this village a Sunday school for fifty

children belonging to the poor. Belchamp Hall, in this parish, is the

residence of the Raymond's, one of whose ancestors came into England

with the Conqueror, and whose family have resided in this neighbourhood

upwards of two centuries. The house is a substantial and commodious

building, whose principal or south-eastern front is for the most part

composed of foreign bricks. It is situated on a pleasant lawn, sloping

gradually to a small river, within 200 yards of the front. A spacious

and extensive terrace, skirted with lofty trees, at the end of which is

an ancient building, ornamented with painted glass, lies to the south.

At the other end is a lofty mount, with another ornamental building on

its summit. This mansion contains an interesting collection of pictures

by some of the most esteemed masters; among them are the following:--The

Wise Men's Offering, an altar-piece; Albert Durer. This picture, with a

large gun, some pistols, and powder flasks, inlaid with gold and ivory,

were presented to the Raymonds, by Sir William Harris, a sea-officer,

who took them, with other property, on the defeat of the Spanish Armada,

in 1588. A three-quarter portrait of Sir Hugh Middleton, Bart., in whose

public spirit the New river originated, and another of his wife, are

both by Cornelius Jansen. Goldingham Hall, in the parish of Bulmer,

adjoining Belchamp, was the residence of Sir Hugh.

[Sidenote: Belchamp Hall.]

[B] BELFORD is a little market town pleasantly situated on the side of a

hill about two miles from the river Lear, and being a post-town, and on

the great north road, has several good inns. The buildings in general

are neat, and the church is a handsome structure, erected in 1700. Near

this place on a rising ground, are the ruins of an ancient chapel,

surrounded by several tall oaks; and at a little distance, are the

remains of a Danish camp, apparently of great strength, surrounded by a

deep ditch. The annual races formerly run at Beadnall, now take place at

this town.

_Market_, Tuesday--_Fairs_, Tuesday before Whit-Sunday, and August

23, for black cattle, sheep, and horses. The Edinburgh Mail arrives

7.49 morning; departs 3.36 afternoon.--_Inn_, Blue Bell.

[C] BELLEAU. At this place, which takes it name from the excellent

springs that issue from the chalk hills in the neighbourhood, are the

ruins of what is called the Abbey. These consist of part of a turret,

and two gateways, which convey an idea of its being a place of

considerable importance. The walls are covered with ivy, and overhung

with lofty ash trees. After the civil war, this place was granted to the

eccentric Sir Harry Vane, who used to amuse himself on Sundays in

assembling here his country neighbours, to whom he addressed his pious

discourses. The church of Belleau is said, by Gough, to have been

attached to the neighbouring monastery of Ailby; but neither Tanner nor

the Monasticon mention such a religious house.

[Sidenote: Abbey Ruins.]

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

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

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

|Dist.|

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

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

44|Bellerby chap|Middleham 4| 236| 417|

29|Bellingham[A] m.t. & pa|Wark 4| 294| 1460|

29|Bellister to|Haltwhistle 2| 281| 120|

7|Bell-on-the-Hill |Malpas 3| 166| |

32|Belmsthorpe ham|Essendine 2| 92| |

10|Belper[B] ham|Ashbourn 12| 134| 7890|

29|Belsey to|Corbridge 11| 289| 334|

18|Belswains ham|Ivinghoe 12| 22| |

36|Belstead pa|Stratford 7| 66| 248|

11|Belstone pa|Bow 10| 194| 206|

24|Beltoft ham|Crowle 5| 162| |

23|Belton pa|Loughboro 7| 116| 735|

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

[A] BELLINGHAM, lies N. N W. from Hexham. It gave name to an ancient

family, who were seated here in 1378. Some ruins of their castle still

remain. The chapel, dedicated to St. Cuthbert, is roofed with stone

arches in rib-work: there are many gravestones in its floor, sculptured

with swords, and other warlike emblems. Nearly opposite, on the south

side of the North Tyne, is Heslieside, the seat of the Charlton family,

since the time of Edward the Sixth. The old mansion-house, built after

the manner of Lowther Hall, in Westmoreland, was burnt down about eighty

years ago, and then rebuilt. The present edifice stands on a gentle

eminence: the grounds are well wooded, and diversified with fine

sheep-walks; and the gardens and fruit walls are very productive. Five

miles above this place is Falstone chapel; and about seven miles further

up is Keelder Castle, formerly the residence of a famous border

chieftain, but at present a shooting-box of the Duke of Northumberland.

The moors here are scattered over with cairns, tumuli, and Druidical

monuments. Of Tarset Hall, about two miles above Heslieside, only some

slight remains are visible. Of Chipchase Castle, the old tower still

remains. Its roof is built on corbels, and it has openings through which

to throw down stones or scalding water upon an enemy. The tattered

fragments of Gothic painting on the walls, are exceedingly curious. Soon

after it came to the family, (its present owners,) the mansion was

thoroughly repaired, and much improved; the chapel on the lawn was

rebuilt, the gardens made, and the grounds covered with extensive

plantations. This delightful residence is surrounded with scenery of the

richest and most enchanting kind. The rooms in it are fitted up in a

splendid style, and ornamented with several excellent paintings. A

bridge was erected over the Burn at the east end of the town in 1826.

_Market_, Tuesday.--_Fair_, Saturday after September 15, for cattle,

sheep, linen and woollen cloth.

[Sidenote: Chipchase Castle.]

Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set. · 第 26 / 31 段

[B] BERE REGIS is situated in the Blandford division of the county. Drs.