Hence, adds our author, the burgesses of Beverley pay no tol_Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11 Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.

in any port or town of England. The choir is paved with marble of four

colours. Over the altar is a magnificent wooden arch supported by eight

fluted Corinthian pillars. The east window now contains all the painted

glass which could be collected from the others. The screen, between the

choir and the nave, is Gothic, and is justly esteemed a principal

ornament of the edifice. At the lower end of the body of the church

stands a large font of agate stone. In 1664, a vault was discovered of

free-stone, in which was a sheet of lead, containing the relics of St.

John, with an inscription, dated 1197, which imported that, the church

having been destroyed by fire, the ashes had been for some time lost,

but that at length they had been found and there deposited. They were

contained in a small leaden box, and consisted of a few bones, six

beads, some large nails, and three brass pins. The whole was piously

replaced, with an appropriate inscription; and, in 1726, the spot was

adorned with an arch of brick-work.--The church of St. Mary is also a

large and handsome structure; and like the minster, was destroyed in

1528, by the fall of its steeple. It contains some monuments and

inscriptions; but none of note.--Beverley is a corporate town, and is

governed by a mayor, twelve aldermen, and thirteen of the principal

burgesses. The whole number of these last is about 1200; and many

persons are induced to purchase their freedom, by the privileges and

immunities which it confers: among these are extensive rights of pasture

on four commons, near the town; and, as we have observed, liberation

from all tolls throughout the kingdom. Besides its churches, Beverley

has the following public edifices and charitable institutions: the

Hallgarth, a beautiful and spacious hall, in which are held the

sessions, and a register-office for deeds and wills; an elegant market

cross, supported by eight columns; each one entire piece of free-stone;

a common gaol, which was rebuilt thirty-five years since, with due

attention to the suitable accommodation of its inmates; seven

alms-houses with funds, for the erection of two more; a work-house,

which cost L700; and finally, an excellent free-school, to the scholars

of which are appropriated two fellowships at St. John's Cambridge, six

scholarships, and three exhibitions. The trade of Beverley arises

chiefly from the making of malt, oat-meal, and leather: formerly it was

somewhat celebrated for clothing. The vicinity of the town, particularly

towards the west, is rather pleasing; and commands several interesting

prospects. At the distance of three miles, is the moated site of

Lekingfield House, which was demolished, probably, about the end of the

sixteenth century. The barbarous custom of baiting a bull on the day of

the mayor being sworn into office, to the disgrace of the town, still

continues. In the Grammar school were educated Bishops Allcock, Fisher,

and Green; and here was painted as early as 1509, the figure of a man on

horseback, by 'Hugh Goes.' Beverley is remarkable as being the

birth-place of the following eminent persons, viz.: Aluridus, an ancient

historian, who died in 1129. Dr. John Allcock, the founder of Jesus

College, Oxford, who was the most celebrated divine, scholar, and

architect of his time. In 1470, he was made a privy counsellor and

embassador to the King of Castile. He was successively Bishop of

Rochester, Worcester, and Ely, Lord High Chancellor of England, and lord

President of Wales. In his capacity of an architect, few, if any, ever

excelled him, and his correct judgment in this science procured him the

appointment of Comptroller of the Royal Works. He founded the Grammar

School of Kingston upon Hull, and built a chapel, on the south side of

the church, where his parents were buried. The beautiful hall of the

episcopal palace of Ely was erected from his design and at his expense.

He very elegantly enlarged the parish church of Westbury, and built that

sumptuous and beautiful chapel in the Presbytery of Ely Cathedral, where

he was buried, and which remains at the present day, a monument of his

correct judgment; but all these fall into shadow, when compared with

that gorgeous and exquisite mass of enrichment, Henry the Seventh's

Chapel at Westminster; of which, if he was not the immediate designer,

he was at least the able manager and superintendant of its erection--a

monument of pious munificence that will be endeared to every lover of

art, when the living temple of its projector is forgotten. He died at

his castle of Wisbeach, October 1, 1500.--John Fisher, Bishop of

Rochester, was born here in 1459. His father was so eminent a scholar

and divine, that Margaret, Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII.,

although unknown to him, sent for him, and appointed him her domestic

chaplain; and to his councils posterity are mainly indebted for those

magnificent foundations, St. John's and Christ's College at Cambridge.

This amiable bishop, with all his virtues, could not preserve himself

from the malignity of "the worst of England's monarchs"--Henry VIII.;

and under the pretence of being inimical to the marriage of the king

with Ann Bolyen, he was thrown into prison, and most barbarously

treated; here he continued for nearly a year, and might have been left

to die of ill treatment and old age, had it not been for the

unseasonable mark of respect paid him by Pope Paul III., who created

him, May 15, 1535, Cardinal Priest of St. Vitalis. Henry forbade the hat

to be brought into England, and sent Lord Cromwell to examine the Bishop

about the affair. "My Lord of Rochester," (says Cromwell) "what would

you say if the Pope should send you a Cardinal's hat," upon which the

Bishop replied, "Sir, I know myself to be so far unworthy of such

dignity that I think of nothing less; but if any thing should happen

assure yourself that I should improve that favour to the best advantage

that I could, by assisting the Holy Catholic Church of Christ, and in

that respect I would receive it upon my knees." When the answer was

brought, the king said in a great passion, "yea! is he yet so

lusty--well, let the Pope send him a hat when he will--mother of God! he

shall wear it on his shoulders then, for I will leave him never a head

to set it on." His ruin being now determined, but hardly daring to take

his life upon such trivial grounds, the king sent that most fawning and

contemptible creature, Sir Richard Rich, Solicitor-General, to draw from

him something that might convict him. This wiley wretch gradually drew

from him a private opinion concerning the king's supremacy, telling the

Bishop at the same time, that it was a scruple of the King's conscience

that made him ask for it. Thus entrapped he was not allowed to make a

defence, but was tried by a bill of attainder for high treason, and

executed on the 22d of the same month, and his head placed on London

bridge. Thus perished this good, but ill-fated prelate, in the 77th year

of his age, which dreadful tragedy, as Bishop Burnet observes, "Has left

one of the greatest blots upon this kingdom's proceedings."--The Rev.

John Green was also a native of this place, he was born in 1706,

educated at the Grammar School here, and finished his university

education at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he became master of

arts; he afterwards engaged himself as usher of a school at Litchfield,

where he became acquainted with Dr. Johnson, and Mr. Garrick. In 1730,

he was elected a fellow of St. John's College, and soon afterwards the

Bishop procured for him the vicarage of Hingeston. In 1744, Charles,

Duke of Somerset, and Chancellor of the University, made him his

domestic chaplain. In June 1750, he was elected master of Bennet

College, and in 1756, Dean of Lincoln, then Vice-chancellor of the

University of Cambridge; and at last, through the influence of his

patron, the Duke of Newcastle, preferred to the See of Lincoln. He was

the friend and colleague of Archbishop Secker, who had always a just

esteem for his virtues and abilities. After the death of Lord

Willoughby, of Parham, in 1765, the literary meetings of the Royal

Society used to be held in his lordship's house, as one of its most

accomplished members. In June 1761, he exerted his problematical talents

in two letters "On the Principles and Practice of the Methodists," which

he addressed to the Rev. Mr. Berridge and Mr. Whitfield; and to the

honour of this prelate be it spoken, that when the Bill for the Relief

of the Dissenters, was brought before the House of Lords, in May 1772,

and lost upon a division of 102 to 27, he was the only member of the

clerical brotherhood, who voted in its favour. He died suddenly at Bath,

April 25, 1779. This elegant scholar was one of the writers of the

celebrated "Athenian Letters," published by the Earl of Hardwick, in

1798, 2 vols. 4to. Beverley returns two Members to Parliament. The L10

householders are about 507. The returning officer is the Mayor.

_Markets_, Wednesday and Saturday.--_Fairs_, Thursday before Old

Valentine; Holy Thursday; July 5; November 5, for horses and sheep;

and every alternate Wednesday for horned cattle.--_Bankers_, Machell

and Co.; draw on Glyn and Co.; Bower and Co., draw on Curries and

Co.--_Mail_ arrives 10.45 morning; departs 6.0 afternoon.--_Inn_,

Tiger.

[Sidenote: Its origin and early history.]

[Sidenote: Ancient superstitions.]

[Sidenote: Public edifices.]

[Sidenote: Dr. John Allcock born here.]

[Sidenote: Bishop Fisher born here.]

[Sidenote: His head placed on London-bridge.]

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

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

39|Bevington Wood ham|Warwick | ... 4| ... 5|

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

|Dist.|

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

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

46|Beverley Park to|Hornsea 12| 181| |

15|Beverstone pa|Dursley 8| 102| 174|

39|Bevington ham|Stratford 12| 106| |

39|Bevington Wood ham| ... 13| 107| |

9|Bewaldeth to|Wighton 10| 299| 172|

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

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

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

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

|Dist.|

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

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

9|Bewcastle[A] pa|Haltwhistle 15| 300| 1336|

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

[A] BEWCASTLE is supposed to have been a Roman station, and garrisoned

by part of the Legio Secunda Augusta, as a security to the workmen who

were employed in erecting the famous wall, it is situated in the midst

of a wild and unfrequented district, in the Ward of Eskdale. Some

vestiges of ancient buildings still remain, and numerous Roman coins and

inscriptions have been discovered here. The present name of the village

is reported to have been derived from Bueth, who was Lord of the Manor

at the time of the Conquest, and is said to have repaired a Roman castle

here, and called it after his own name. The castle was of a square form,

each front about twenty-nine yards in length: it is now in ruins: the

south side, of which there are most remains, is nearly fourteen yards

high. This structure was destroyed by the parliamentary forces in the

year 1641. It seems to have been a dark gloomy fortress. Gils Bueth, the

son of Bueth, mentioned above, was treacherously killed by Robert De

Vallibus, at a meeting which had been held for friendly purposes. His

possessions then fell to the crown, and were bestowed by Henry II. on

the last Hubert de Vallibus, whose daughter conveyed them to the family

of the Multons by marriage. The estates afterwards passed through

several hands. Bewcastle in the fifth of Charles I. was granted to Sir

Robert Graham, in whose family it remains. Upon one occasion the captain

of Bewcastle is said to have made an incursion into Scotland, in which

he was defeated and forced to fly. Watt Tinlinn, a celebrated retainer

of the Buccleuch family, who held for his border service a small tower

on the frontiers of Liddisdale, pursued him. Watt Tinlinn was, by

profession, a cobbler, but by inclination and practice an archer, and

warrior. He closely followed the fugitive through a dangerous morass:

the captain, however, gained the firm ground; and seeing Tinlinn

dismounted, and floundering in the bog, used these words of insult:

"Sutor Watt, ye cannot sew your boots: the heels _risp_, and the seams

_rive_." "If I cannot sew," retorted Tinlinn, discharging a shaft, which

nailed the captain's thigh to his saddle. "If I cannot sew, I can yerk."

Bewcastle Church is a small edifice, standing on a rising ground near

the castle, a fosse surrounding them both. In the churchyard is a

celebrated obelisk, which has for many years attracted the attention of

the curious. Its height is fourteen feet, two inches: its breadth, on

the bottom of the broadest side, is one foot ten: on the top was

originally a cross, which is supposed to have been abolished in some

ebullition of popular enthusiasm. Various sculptured ornaments appear on

its different sides, executed with much fancy, together with an

illegible Roman inscription, and some human figures. On the wastes of

Bewcastle parish, several thousands of sheep and black cattle are

annually fed. The inhabitants of the parish live chiefly in single and

scattered houses; their religious opinions are mostly conformable to the

doctrines of the church of England; but about thirty years ago a meeting

house was built for a small congregation of Presbyterians. In this

parish, a fine is paid of four years, ancient rent, on change of the

Lord of the Manor by death: or of the tenants either by death or

alienation: besides various customary works and carriages; and for a

heriot, the best beast of which the tenant may die possessed, except the

riding-horse kept for the lord's service. Bewcastle parish has two

schools supported by subscription, the masters of which have a salary of

about ten pounds a year, and the privilege of a whittle-gate. The custom

of whittle-gate was formerly much observed in this and the neighbouring

counties: it consists in the master going to all the abodes of his

scholars in rotation, and being supplied with victuals by the parents or

friends.

[Sidenote: Anecdote of Watt Tinlinn.]

[Sidenote: Ancient fine]

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

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

29|Bewick, Old to|Northumb | ... 8| ... 9|

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

|Dist.|

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

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

42|Bewdley[A] bo. & m.t.|Worcester 15| 129| 3908|

44|Bewerley to|Tanfield 6| 212| 1310|

29|Bewick, New to|Alnwick 12| 312| 106|

29|Bewick, Old to| ... 12| 313| 227|

46|Bewholm to|Bridlington 13| 195| |

38|Bexhill pa|Pevensey 7| 63| 1931|

12|Bexington, West |Dorchester 11| 131| |

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

[A] BEWDLEY is seated on the Severn, in the centre of a populous

manufacturing district; it was, in the reign of Edward I., a manor of

the Beauchamps, and received from Edward IV. its charter of

incorporation. Leland's description of the town, and his opinion of its

origin, possess some beauties, and great exactness.--"The towne selfe of

Beaudley is sett on the syde of a hill; soe comely a man cannot wish to

see a towne better. It riseth from Severne banke by east, upon the hill,

by west; soe that a man standing on the hill _trans pontem_ by east, may

discerne almost every house in the towne, and at the risinge of the

sunne from the east, the whole towne glittereth (being all of a new

building), as it were of gould. By the distance of the parish church (at

Ribbesford), I gather that Beaudley is a very new towne, and that of

ould time there was but some poore hamlett, and that upon the building

of a bridge there upon Severne, and resort of people unto it, and

commodity of the pleasant site, men began to inhabit there; and because

the plott of it seemed fayre to the lookers, it hath a French name,

Beaudley." The figure of the town is that of the letter Y: the foot

extending to the river; one of the horns, towards Ribbesford, the other

into the forest. The bridge, viewed from the loaded wharfs, appears a

handsome modern structure, possessing a lightness of feature, superior

even to that of the bridge at Worcester. The church, situated at the

junction of the three principal streets, is accounted a chapel of ease

to the mother church of Ribbesford; and was rebuilt in its present neat,

yet embellished style, about 1748. Here are also appropriate places of

public worship for the numerous dissenters; several institutions for

carrying on the useful work of education, mostly supported by voluntary

contributions, and a number of alms-houses for the poor and aged. The

town-hall is a handsome modern building of stone, with three arches in

front, six square pilasters, and a pediment, surmounted by the Littelton

arms, and a double row of arcades. The trade of Bewdley is considerable,

and the inhabitants boast, with reason, that their trows and their crews

are the best on the river. Among the sources of this profitable

commerce, are numerous tan-yards; manufactures of a kind of cap, much

worn before the introduction of felt hats, comb-making, and other works

in horn, and a manufacture of flannel; while the town is a sort of mart

for the wholesale grocery trade. The charter of incorporation of Bewdley

has been subject to some extraordinary changes: the original deed,

renewed by James I. was surrendered to Charles II., and replaced by

another from his successor, which last, on the accession of Anne, was

declared illegal, and became the cause of a contention, which produced a

long and expensive law-suit, ended by the confirmation of the original

charter. By virtue of this, the corporation of Bewdley consists of a

bailiff, a recorder, a high steward, and twelve capital burgesses, who

depute one member to parliament, the bailiff being the returning

officer. The borough comprises the parish of Ribbesford and the hamlets

of Ribbenhall, Hoarstone, Blackstone, Netherton, Lower Milton, and

Lickhill; the number of burgesses are 42, and L10. householders about

484. Lord Lyttelton is lord of the manor, high steward, and recorder. A

few years since, Dr. James Johnstone, of Worcester, made an important

discovery in this neighbourhood, of a mineral spring, whose qualities,

after an attentive analysis, he declared to resemble those of the

Harrowgate and Moffat waters. The most celebrated natives of this place

were John Tombes, born in 1612, a subtle disputant, and a learned man,

but a changeling sectary; and Richard Willis, who was the son of a

capper, and became remarkable for his extemporaneous preaching; the

latter was made chaplain to King William, and promoted to the see of

Winchester, in 1714. Near a pleasant hamlet on the side of the river

opposite to Bewdley, is Spring Grove, a large white building surrounded

by a park, late the seat of S. Skey, Esq. to whom the country is

indebted for the introduction of a breed of mules, both handsome and

useful. On a hill, half a mile from Bewdley, and on the eastern bank of

the Severn, is the elegant villa called Winterdyne. This agreeable

retreat, plain in its appearance, yet commodious, is seated on a high

and romantic cliff, embowdered in deep tufted slides, and surrounded by

ornamented walks, which are diversified with Gothic turrets, seats, and

hermitages. Advancing on the river, Blackstone rocks meet the eye; a

bold range of dusky cliffs feathered to the top, and made romantic by

the formation of a cell or hermitage, heretofore the abode of some holy

man, but now a repository for the potatoes, cheese, and farming

implements of a neighbouring agriculturist.

_Market_, Saturday.--_Fairs_, April 23, July 26, and December 11, for

cattle, horses, cheese, and linen and woollen cloth.--_Bankers_,

Skey, Son, and Co.; draw on Lubbock and Co.; and Pardoe and Co.; draw

on Hoare and Co.--_Mail_ arrives 12.27 afternoon; departs 1.30

afternoon.

[Sidenote: Leland's description of the town.]

[Sidenote: The charter disputed.]

[Sidenote: Spring Grove.]

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

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

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

|Dist.|

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

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

21|Bexley[A] pa|Eltham 6| 14| 3206|

7|Bexton to|Congleton 13| 176| 76|

27|Bexwell pa|Stoke Ferry 6| 85| 53|

21|Bibrook |Canterbury 14| 54| |

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

[A] BEXLEY was given by King Cenulph to the see of Canterbury. Edward

II. granted a weekly market to be held here, but this has long been

disused. Archbishop Cranmer alienated Bexley to Henry VIII. James I.

granted it to Sir John Spilman, who afterwards sold it to the celebrated

Camden, who made over his right to the University of Oxford, for the

purpose of founding an historical professorship; but covenanted that all

the revenues of the manor should be enjoyed for 99 years from his own

death, by Mr. William Heather, his heirs and successors, subject to the

payment of L140. annually. The University have since granted leases from

time to time, for 21 years, to the Leighs, of Hawley. The church, a

peculiar of the Archbishops of Canterbury, has a shingled tower and

small octangular spire. On the south side of the chancel is an ancient

confessional, consisting of three divisions of pointed arches, and a

recess for holy water; on the north side are seven ancient stalls of oak

with carved heads, and other figures. Here are several curious old

monuments High-street House, which adjoins the churchyard, was rebuilt

in 1701 by the late learned antiquary, John Thorpe, Esq., F.S.A., author

of the "Customale Roffense," who purchased this estate of the Austens,

of Hall Place, in 1750. On his death, his possessions devolved to his

two daughters, by Catharine, daughter of Dr. Lawrence Holker, of

Gravesend: High-street House, was allotted to the youngest, married to

Cuthbert Potts, Esq. This gentleman became owner also, in right of his

wife, of a contiguous villa, called Bourne Place, which was built about

fifty years ago, by Lawrence Holker, Esq. son of Dr. Holker. Hall Place,

formerly the seat of a family surnamed At-Hall, is an ancient and

spacious edifice, now occupied as a boarding-school. On August 12, 1822,

Robert, Marquis of Londonderry, sinking under the weight of a very heavy

session of Parliament, died by his own hand. Symptoms of mental

aberration had been observed in his Lordship by the Duke of Wellington,

who had required Dr. Blankhead to visit him; his Lordship severed the

carotid artery with a knife, and died almost instantly. He was an able

diplomatic character, and an acute and efficient Parliamentary

leader--he was, in the 53d year of his age: on the 20th of the same

month his remains were deposited in Westminster Abbey. The Right

Honourable Nicholas Vansittart was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of

Lancaster, and raised to the Peerage by the title of Baron Bexley, of

Bexley, in Kent, on the 31st January, 1833.

[Sidenote: One of Camden's manors.]

[Sidenote: Death of Lord Londonderry.]

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

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

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

|Dist.|

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

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

15|Bibury[A] pa|Barford 10| 82| 950|

31|Bicester[B] m.t.&pa|Buckingham 11| 55| 2868|

34|Bickenhall pa|Langford 11| 140| 270|

39|Bickenhill, Church pa|Solihull 4| 101| 725|

39|Bickenhill, Hill ham|Meriden 3| 100| |

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

[A] BIBURY. In the eighth century this little village belonged to the

See of Worcester: in the twelfth century it was given, with certain

restrictions, to the Abbey of Oseney, in Oxfordshire; and, in 1547, it

was finally alienated from the See of Worcester, to the Earl of Warwick,

from whom the manor has passed through various families to Estcourt

Cresswell, Esq. Bibury is a peculiar, possessing jurisdiction over

Aldsworth, Barnsley, and Winson; the Lord of the Manor, however, claims

a prescriptive right of appointing his own official and chancellor, who

hath the recording of wills, and the granting of licenses within the

peculiar: nor doth the Lord of the Manor allow to the Bishop the right

of visitation. The Church is supposed to have been rebuilt by the monks

of Oseney. The architecture of the north and south doors is in the early

Norman style. On the north wall was a colossal painting, in fresco, of

St. Christopher, the sight of whose image, according to the monkish

legends, had sufficient efficacy to preserve the spectator from sudden

or violent death: the painting is now obliterated. Several monuments and

inscriptions to the memory of the Coxwalls, and other families, are in

the edifice. The mansion was built in the reign of James II., by Sir

Thomas Sackville, of the family of the Earls of Dorset. From its

situation on an easy eminence, it commands a fine view of the river

Colne, backed by an amphitheatre of low wood, of the most variegated

foliage, clothing the acclivities of the hills, and rendered more

beautiful from the contrast afforded by the barren downs which appear in

the distance.

[Sidenote: Monkish legends.]

[B] BICESTER lies in a flat situation near the eastern border of the

county. The parish is divided into two districts, termed King's End and

Market End. The church is a large and respectable edifice. There is no

peculiar manufacture: but the town derives great benefit from its market

and cattle fairs.

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

Hence, adds our author, the burgesses of Beverley pay no toll or custom