and a half W.W. by S. from Bridgnorth. The family of Cressett, of
ancient and honourable distinction, gave name to the place, and were
seated at Cressett Hall, an ancient mansion in the Elizabethan style,
built in the year 1580; it was formerly surrounded with a moat, traces of
which are still to be seen; several of the rooms are wainscotted with
oak. In the old lodge, now converted into a granary, is a spiral stair
case, with blocks of solid oak. The parish contains 1,300 acres of land,
which is the property of Mrs. Thursby. At the census of 1841 there were
53 inhabitants; 1831, 43, and in 1841 ten houses and a population of 56
souls. THE CHURCH is a small antique structure consisting of nave,
chancel, and side chapel, with a small spiral turret in which is two
bells; an arch of Norman character separates the nave from the chancel.
In the side chapel is a brass memorial in memory of Richard Cressett, his
wife, two sons and three daughters, dated 1640. The living is a rectory
valued in the king’s book at £4 15s. 2½d., now returned at £125;
incumbent, Rev. Henry Burton, M.A.
DIRECTORY.—Thomas Bishop, farmer, Upper House; Martha Churms, farmer, New
House; William Corser, farmer, The Hall; George Giles, farmer, Upton
Park; Richard Howells, farmer, Stapeley; Edward Morris, gamekeeper, The
Rectory; Richard Porter, farmer, The Lodge.
WHEATHILL
is a small parish and retired village nine miles N.E. by E. of Ludlow,
containing 1,094A. 2R. 16P. of land, the rateable value of which is £861.
6s. 5d., and gross estimated rental, £1,179. 12s. 6d. At the census of
1841 there were 24 houses and 140 souls; in 1801, 152, and in 1831, 123
inhabitants. The landowners in the parish are Viscountess Boyne, Mrs.
Lucy Botfield, Mr. Richard Haynes, John Onions, Esq., and John Whitefoot,
Esq. Wheathall appears to have been a place of importance in former
times, for on the 28th of Edward I. Walter Hakett obtained a grant for a
market on a Thursday, and of a fair on the eve and feast of the Holy
Trinity, and the day after. These have long been obsolete. THE CHURCH,
dedicated to the Holy Trinity, is a small stone edifice consisting of
nave and chancel, in which is a tablet of stone to the memory of Henry
Holland, gentleman, dated 1684. The living is a rectory valued in the
king’s book at £7. 5s. 7½d., now returned at £277., and enjoyed by the
Rev. Bernard Churton.
DIRECTORY.—Samuel Breakwell, shopkeeper, farmer, and carrier to
Bridgnorth; Harriett Bradnee, farmer, Townsend; John Bradnee, farmer,
Townsend; Thomas Bytheway, beerhouse and blacksmith; Rev. Bernard
Churton, The Rectory; Edward Duce, farmer, Weathall Green; William
Griffiths, farmer, Lower Bromden; Richard Haines, farmer, Duns Living;
John Hardwick, farmer, Wheathill House; Edward Hodnett, farmer, Besam;
Richard Sambrook, farmer; and Thomas Thomas, farmer.
FARLOW
is a detached portion of the county of Hereford, but a chapelry annexed
to the church of Stottesden, situated three miles S.W. of the parish
church. In 1841 here were 301 persons, and in 1831 345 inhabitants. The
township contains 1,419A. 3R. 35P. of land, and 20 acres of public roads.
The Duke of Cleveland is the lord of the manor. THE CHURCH is an ancient
edifice built of stone, with a tower in which are two bells. The living
is a perpetual curacy annexed to Stottesden, in the patronage of the
vicar, and incumbency of the Rev. David Williams, B.A. The tithes are
commuted for £127. 14s. 11½d. There are three acres of glebe land. The
Parsonage House, a short distance south of the church, is a modern
erection, built of brick, in the year 1847, at the sole expense of the
late Thomas Botfield, Esq., of Hopton Court, who also bequeathed by will
the sum of £800 the interest to be invested in the three per cents., the
interest thereof to be applied towards the augmentation of the salary of
the curate of Farlow, on condition that there should be divine service
performed twice every Sunday in the church.
DIRECTORY.—Thomas Bowen, wheelwright; Joseph Dolphin, farmer and vict.,
Maypole Inn; James Hauslow, blacksmith; William Harris, beerhouse keeper;
George Hancox, shopkeeper and wheelwright; Charlotte Humphry, farmer;
William Jones, farmer and corn miller; Mary Jordin, shoemaker; James
Lane, farmer; Rev. John David Williams, B.A., curate, The Parsonage
House.
THE OVERS HUNDRED
Is bounded on the west and north by Stottesden, and on the east and south
by Worcestershire. A detached part of it is bounded on the west by
Munslow, and on the east and south by Stottesden. It contains the
parishes of Bitterley, Burford, Greet, Milson, Neen Solars, and
Silvington; and at the census of 1841 had a population of 2.637 souls.
BITTERLEY,
an extensive parish in the hundred of Overs, comprises the chapelry of
Middleton, and the townships or Cleeton, Henley, Hill-upon-Cot, and
Snitton, which together contain 5,718 acres of land; of which 197 acres
are woods, plantations and public roads, and 26 acres in common lands.
Rateable value, £6,494. 10s. 10d. At the census of 1801 there were 1,083
inhabitants; 1831, 1,194; 1841, 1,098; at the latter period there were
191 houses. The soil is mostly strong and fertile. On the summit of the
Clee hill are vestiges of a Roman encampment; the prospect from this
lofty eminence is most extensive and delightful; coal and ironstone are
found in abundance, but the mines at present are but little worked. On
the lofty height of Titterstone hill a stately and elegant pillar has
been erected to the memory of the late Duke of Sutherland. Sir William
E. R. Broughton, Bart., is a considerable proprietor of land, and lord of
the manor. Sir Charles Corley, Rev. Charles Walcot, Mr. P. Jones,
Captain Horton and others are also landowners. BITTERLEY COURT is a good
residence, delightfully situated at the foot of the range of Clee hills.
The Kington Canal intersects the parish. The houses in Bitterley are
scattered, but pleasantly situated four miles north-east by east from
Ludlow. The township at the census of 1841 contained 40 houses and 204
inhabitants. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, stands in a sequestered
locality, and consists of nave and chancel, with a tower, in which are
three bells. It was rebuilt in 1667, and repaired in 1761. The south
transept was built in 1848–9, by subscriptions and a grant from the
Church Building Society. The church contains some interesting memorials,
some of which are of very elaborate workmanship. Among the families
remembered are those of Powys, Pardoe, Rocke, Walcot and others. The
living is a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £16. 16s. 3d.; in the
patronage and incumbency of the Rev. Charles Walcot, M.A. The tithes are
commuted for £740; and there are 88 acres of glebe land.
CHARITIES.—THE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL was founded by Sir John Newborough in
1711, who bequeathed £400, in trust, to purchase an estate in fee simple
for the benefit of the master. The property now belonging to the school
consists of 38A. 2R. 20P. of land, which produces a yearly income of £42.
_Sergeant Powis_ left £50, which was laid out in the purchase of a rent
charge of 50s. per annum, issuing out of certain lands, called “The
Hales,” now the property of the Rev. Charles Walcot. This sum, with
other monies, is distributed to the poor on St. Thomas’s-day. The poor
have 8s. a year, as the interest of £10, left by Richard Page. _Ann
Shephard_, of Middleton, left by her will the sum of £500, which has been
invested in government stock; the dividends are distributed on St.
Thomas’s-day.
CLEETON is a township in the parish of Bitterley, three miles east from
the church, having in 1841 fourteen houses and seventy inhabitants. The
Earl of Powis is the principal landowner. Mrs. Lewis, Rev. G. D. Pardoe,
and Mr. Crowther are also freeholders.
HENLEY township in 1841 had six houses and fifty two inhabitants, and is
situated two miles south from the church. The Rev. S. J. Knight is the
chief landowner.
MIDDLETON is a chapelry and township in the parish of Bitterley, two and
a half miles north-east from Ludlow, having 31 houses and 198 souls at
the census of 1841. Sir W. E. R. Broughton, Bart., is lord of the manor
and owner of the land. The chapel is an ancient structure, built of
rubble stone, with a tower of wood. An antique oak screen which divides
the nave from the chancel has the date of 1582.
SNITTON township lies about two and a half miles east from Ludlow. At
the census of 1841 it had 118 houses, chiefly cottages, and 564
inhabitants. The Earl of Powis is the landowner and lord of the manor.
A chapel of ease was built here in 1839. The Rev. John Burleigh James,
M.A., is the officiating minister.
BITTERLEY DIRECTORY.
Beddoes William, Warthill Farm
Carter John, Astbach Farm
Cross Miss, boarding school proprietor
Froggatt John, Luppencot Farm
Gardner George, farmer
Green James Haynes, schoolmaster, Endowed Schools
Horton Captain
Nott William, shoemaker
Price Mrs., The Villa
Tomkins Harriet, school teacher
Tomkins William, shoemaker
Vaughan John, Lowbridge Farm
Walcot Rev. Charles, The Rectory
CLEETON DIRECTORY.
Edwards Charles, farmer, Clee Hill
George Anne, vict., Angel Inn
Glover Richard, farmer, Clee Hill
Nash Saml., farmer, Clee Hill
Onslow Thos., Gold Thorn Farm
Pardoe, Rev. G. D., Cleeton Hall
Powell William, farmer
Tunks Richard, farmer
HENLEY DIRECTORY.
Cuyler Sir Chas., The Hall
Hardwick Thos., blacksmith
Knight Rev. S. J., The Villa
Walker Charles, farmer
MIDDLETON DIRECTORY.
Adney John, farmer
Adney William, farmer
Braithwaite Stephen, farmer
Fletcher Edwd., Crow Leasow Farm
Hammonds Thomas, tailor
Hardwick Benjamin, joiner and cabinet maker
Hardwick Wm., wheelwright
Meyrick Samuel, blacksmith
Patrick William, farmer
Ricketts Wm., Torgrove Farm
Swift Joseph, Brookhouse Farm
Wall John, Meason’s Farm
Wilcox Joseph, Hill’s Farm
SNITTON DIRECTORY.
Beniams Edwd., shoemaker
Bray Benjamin, West Farm
Butcher Thos., South Farm
Pardoe Rev. G. D., Longhouse Farm
Reynolds Saml., Hall Farm
BURFORD
is an extensive parish in the Overs hundred, comprising the townships of
Burford, Buraston with Whetmore, Nash, Tilsop, Weston, and Whitton,
Greet, and Stoke, which have an area of 8,537A. 2R. 19P. of land, of
which 312 acres are in hop grounds. Rateable value, £9,875. 18s. 9d. At
the census of 1841 there were 212 houses and 1,031 inhabitants;
population in 1801, 819; and in 1831, 1,086 persons. The parish is
bounded on the south by the river Teme, which is here crossed by a
handsome stone bridge of six arches; the river here separates Salop from
Worcestershire. The township of Burford is situated one mile west of
Tenbury, and contains 1,510A. 2R. 1P. of land, the rateable value of
which is £2,683. 3s. 3d. In 1841 here were 67 houses and 297 persons;
population in 1801, 215; in 1831, 365. George Rushout, Esq., M.P., is
lord of the manor and the principal landowner. In 1839 springs of
strongly impregnated saline water were discovered in the immediate
locality of this place. The water is similar to that of Cheltenham,
except that there appears to be double the quantity of saline matter in
the fluid, one pint of which, on slow evaporation in a shallow vessel,
produced an ounce of crystalline salt. The analysis of one of the
springs is as follows:—Chloride of sodium 923.52 grains, of calcium
461.9, of potassum 38.63, of magnesium 41.81; sulphate of magnesia 1.57,
protoxide of iron 4.82; silica 4.54, and bromine and iodine .84;—total,
1,476.89 grains. Convenient and elegant buildings have been erected for
the accommodation of the numerous visitors who frequent the baths. In
the immediate vicinity of the baths are several good inns. The situation
is remarkably salubrious, and the scenery beautifully picturesque and
varied. Coaches from Ludlow to Bewdley, Kidderminster, Dudley, and
Birmingham, pass and repass twice a day, calling at the Swan Inn and the
Royal Oak Hotel.
THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. Mary, is a handsome stone edifice with a
square tower. It contains some interesting tombs and monumental tablets.
On the north wall of the chancel is a very elegant tryptych to the memory
of Edmund Cornwall, Baron of Burford, who was sheriff of Shropshire in
1580; on the outer part are the representations of the apostles, and in
the inner compartment are the figures of Edmund Cornwall, his father and
mother, and below a representation of the baron in his winding sheet. He
is said to have been 7 feet 8 inches in height. The triptych was painted
in 1588, by Melchior Salaboss, better known by the name of Gherardino
Milanese. This very beautiful work of art is in admirable preservation,
and with two others in different parts of the kingdom are the only
triptychs in England. There is a recumbent figure, beautifully carved in
oak, to the memory of the Princess Elizabeth, daughter of John of Gaunt,
and sister of Henry IV., who died and was buried at Burford in the year
1426. There is also a recumbent figure of wood to the memory of Edmundas
Cornewalle. An ancient tomb remembers Elizabeth Devroke, daughter of Sir
Walter Devroke, Knight, who lived to see seventeen score and more
children raised from her body, she died in 1508; besides which there are
various memorials which our limits will not allow us to notice. In the
chancel are two beautiful stained glass windows. The organ was the gift
of the Misses Rushout, in 1846. The tithes have been commuted for
£1,644. 18s. 11½d. The bishop of the diocese has recently divided the
parish into three divisions, and assigned to each rector a separate
districts, namely—Buraston and Nash chapelry to the rector of the first
portion, Whitton chapelry to the second, and the district of the Mother
Church to the rector of the third portion. Handsome residences have
recently been built for the rectors of the second and third portions.
BURFORD HOUSE is a beautiful and commodious structure, the seat and
property of George Rushout, Esq., M.P.
CHARITIES.—_John Turner_, by will, dated 1753, bequeathed £100, the
interest thereof to be distributed to the poor of the parish. _John
Knowles_, by a codicil to his will proved in 1814, bequeathed £200, the
interest of which was to be distributed to the poor in bread at Christmas
and Whitsuntide annually.
BORASTON is a township, chapelry, and pleasant village one mile and a
half N.E. of Burford, which in 1841 had 41 houses and 199 residents. In
this chapelry are the townships of Boraston and Whetmore, which have an
area of 1,386A. 0R. 36P. of land, the rateable value of which is £1,765.
6s. The principal landowners are John Dalleyway, Esq., Mr. Edward Good,
Rev. H. Mac Laughlin, Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Edmund Edwards, Mr. John Benbow,
and several others. Boraston Chapel is an ancient edifice with a short
tower. The tithes are commuted for £470, of which £250. 14s. 4d. is
apportioned to the rector of the second portion, and the remainder to the
rector of the first portion, Hubert Mac Laughlin, M.A., is the incumbent
of the first portion of the parish.
GREET is a small township three miles N.W. by W. of Burford, containing
seven houses and 115 persons in 1841. The principal landowners are J. H.
Hope, Esq., and Thomas Hodgkiss, Esq.
NASH is a township and chapelry two and a half miles north of Burford,
which in 1841 had 23 houses and 115 persons. The chapelry comprises the
townships of Nash, Tilsop, and Weston, which have an area of 2,377A. 2R.
35P. of land. THE CHURCH is a small structure with a square tower
surmounted by a wooden spire. The south window is beautified with
stained glass. The tithes are commuted for £560. NASH COURT is a
handsome brick mansion, the seat and property of George Pardoe, Esq. It
is surrounded by beautiful pleasure grounds, and the park is richly
timbered. COURT OF HILL, the ancient seat of the family of Hill, is now
the residence of Major Arthur Charles Lowe.
STOKE is a small township four miles N.W. of Burford, containing 23
houses and 115 inhabitants. The principal landowner is P. P. Williams,
Esq. STOKE HALL is a handsome residence surrounded with park-like
grounds, the seat and property of Philip Penrey Williams, Esq.
TILSOP, a scattered township three and three quarter miles north of
Bridgnorth, in 1841 had 61 houses and 226 inhabitants. The principal
freeholders are Mr. Benjamin Bridgman and Mr. John Pugh. Tilsop and Nash
school was erected in 1846 by voluntary subscriptions; about forty
scholars attend.
WESTON township, three miles N.W. by W. of Burford, at the census of 1841
had ten houses and 41 residents. The tithes are commuted for £46. 11s.
Major A. C. Lowe is the sole landowner.
WHETMORE, or WHATMORE, is a small town containing seven houses and 24
persons. The principal freeholders are Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Edwards, Mrs.
Wilks, and George Pardoe, Esq. Captain Rushout, Mrs. Mary Beddoes, and
Mr. Foxall, are also proprietors.
WHITTON, a chapelry four miles N.W. by N. of Tenbury, embraces the
townships of Greet, Stoke, and Whitton, which have an area of 1,582 acres
of land, the rateable value of which is £674. 10s. The principal
landowners are Mrs. Lucy Botfield, the Ludlow Corporation, and the Rev.
Charles Adams. THE CHURCH is a plain structure with a square tower. The
Rev. Caleb Whiteford, M.A., is the incumbent. The tithes are commuted
for £327. WHITTON COURT, a fine old mansion in the Elizabethan style of
architecture, was formerly the seat of the Charlton family. It contains
some fine specimens of carved oak.
BURFORD DIRECTORY.
Berrington John, farmer, Venns
Davies and Edwards, brick and tile makers
Davies William, Dean Park
Edwards Edmund, farmer
Edwards Jno., miller & farmer
Giles William, farmer
Grove William Henry, vict., Swan Inn
Holmes Thomas, gentleman, Park Villa
Jones George, Bank Farm
Joyce Rev. J. W., rector
Morris John, farmer, The Lodge
Rushout George, Esq., M.P., Burford House
Smallman Hy., vict., Rose & Crown
Tenbury, Gas Co.’s Office
Tranter John, wine & spirit merchant, vict., Royal Oak Hotel, Commercial
and Posting House
Wall Mary, Rockhill Mill
Weaver Wm., Wall House
Webb John, fly waggon proprietor, from Ludlow and Worcester daily.
Williams Philip Penrey, Esq., Stoke Hall
BORASTON DIRECTORY.
Bowden Thomas, cooper
Down Thomas, blacksmith
Good Edmund, miller
Good Edward, farmer
Howells William, mason
Mac Laughlin Rev. Hubert, The Rectory
Meakin Thomas, farmer
Reynolds William, farmer
Rudge Rev. William
Sayer Benjamin, farmer
Smallman Esau, farmer and vict., Peacock Inn
Smallman William, farmer
GREET DIRECTORY.
Griffiths John, farmer
Grove Joseph, farmer
NASH DIRECTORY.
Brown William, wheelwright
Cork John, farmer
Hardwick Vincent, farmer, Hartall
Holt Letitia, farmer, Underhill
Hotchkiss Samuel, farmer
Jones John, farmer, Batch
Jones Thomas, farmer, The Shire
Lowe James, farmer, Greenway-head
Lowe Major Arthur Charles, Court of Hill
Morris Joseph, farmer, Shirebourne
Nott Mrs., Hartall
Pardoe George, Esq., Nash Court
Price Wm., farmer, Cliffords
Quaterman John, schoolmr.
STOKE DIRECTORY.
Wall Mary, farmer
Williams Philip Penrey, Esq., The Hall
TILSOP DIRECTORY.
Bridegman Benj., farmer
Pugh John, farmer
Ricketts George, farmer, The Wood
Robinson George, farmer, Cottrills
WESTON DIRECTORY.
Godfrey Benjamin, farmer, The Court
Tantram Thomas, farmer, Old Furnace
WHATMORE DIRECTORY.
_Farmers_.
Beddoes Mary
Brown Richard
Meakin Richard
Mytton James, & miller
Potts George
Powell William, carpenter
Weaver Joseph
Wilks Mary
WHITTON DIRECTORY.
Adams Rev. Charles
Amies Francis, wheelwright
Bill James, farmer, Whiteway Head
Bill John, farmer
Swift John, farmer, Whitton Court
Town Benjamin, shopkeeper and parish clerk
Whiteford Rev. Caleb, The Rectory
Whiteman Saml., wheelwrt.
GREET
is a small but pleasant village and parish, five miles south-east from
Ludlow, which contains 1,041 acres of land, of which fourteen acres are
in woods and plantations, and 8A. 2R. 15P. in roads and waste. At the
census of 1801 there was a population of 90 persons; 1831, 93; and in
1841, 22 houses and 112 inhabitants. Rateable value of the parish,
£1,276. 14s. The principal landowners are J. H. Hope, Esq.; P. P.
Williams, Esq.; Devisees of the late Mr. Mason; and the Trustees of
Ludlow Charities. THE CHURCH is a small structure, of unpretending
appearance (built of rubble stone), having a small turret. The living is
a rectory, valued in the king’s book at £5, now returned at £170. The
patronage is vested in the Hope family; incumbent, Rev. J. C. Bradney,
M.A. The tithes of this parish have been commuted, and £161. 5s. 8d.
apportioned to the rector of Greet, and £24. 1s. 6d. to the rector of
Whetton. THE RECTORY is a good house, of modern erection, pleasantly
situated a short distance from the church. It was built by the present
incumbent, on the site of the old rectory, about three years ago. The
cost of the structure was upwards of £1,400. The rector has 6A. 2R. 13P.
of glebe land. The _Rev. Francis Edwards_, who died in 1767, left £10
for the benefit of the poor of this parish, the interest of which was
formerly paid by the tenant of the Court Farm, at Greet; but it does not
appear to have been a charge upon the estate. A voluntary donation of
10s. yearly is now distributed by the Hope family in lieu of it.
DIRECTORY.—John Berrington, farmer; Rev. Joseph C. Bradney, M.A., The
Rectory; Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin; John Griffin, farmer; John Hardwicke,
wheelwright; Richard Mason, farmer, Brick House; Thomas Morgan, farmer,
Rock Hill; William Morgan, farmer; Samuel Price, blacksmith; Mary
Rawlins, farmer, Stoke; Lydia Smith, farmer, Longlands; Mary Wall, corn
miller, Rock Hill; Richard Whiteman, farmer, Bower.
MILSON
is a parish and small rural village, three miles south-west of Cleobury
Mortimer, and one mile north-west of Neen Sollars, which in 1851 had 31
houses and 170 inhabitants. Population in 1801, 134; and in 1831, 156;
1841, 160. The parish contains 1,102A. 2R. 39P. of land, the rateable
value of which is £934. 13s. 4d. Gross estimated rental, £1,028. 3s. 6d.
The principal landowners in Milson are H. G. Mytton, Esq.; Thomas Perry,
Esq.; Mr. William Lowe; and Mr. Thomas Jones; besides whom are several
smaller proprietors. THE CHURCH, dedicated to St. George, is a small
structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and small square tower,
surmounted by a turret. On the south side of the church-yard is a fine
old yew tree. The living is a perpetual curacy, annexed to the rectory
of Neen Savage. Incumbent, Rev. Thos. Hardwicke, D.D.
DIRECTORY.—Rev. Thomas Hardwicke, D.D., rector, The Rectory; William
Barker, farmer; John Cox, farmer; William English, blacksmith; John
Evans, tailor; Thomas Jones, farmer, Upper Langley; William Lowe, farmer,
Church House; Edward Palmer, farmer; Francis Penny, farmer, Lay Fields;
John Radnor, farmer, Little Down; Edward Smallman, carpenter and
wheelwright; John Watters, farmer, Hill House.
NEEN SOLLARS
is a parish and pleasant rural village, in the Hundred of Overs, situated
three miles south-west from Cleobury Mortimer, and ten miles east by
south from Ludlow. It is intersected by the river Rea, which is crossed
a short distance below the village by a brick bridge. In this parish are
several hop plantations. It contained at the census of 1851, 40 houses
and 218 persons. Population in 1801, 197; and in 1831, 208; 1841, 190.
There are 1,916A. 1R. 31P. of land, the rateable value of which is
£1,732. 14s. The principal landowners are Sir Edward Blount, Bart.; Mr.
John Cooke; Mrs. Ann Wall; Mrs. Lucy Botfield; Charles Wickstead, Esq.;
Mr. Joseph Mantle; and Mr. Richard Hall; besides whom are several smaller
proprietors. The family of the Conynsbys were formerly lords of this
manor and residents in the parish. In the church is a monument to the
memory of Humphrey Conynsby, Esq., who was born about the year 1567, and
commenced his travels in 1594, and for four years remained on the
continent, when he returned home a little while, and then took his
journey again into Bohemia, Polonia, and Hungary, where for the defence
of the Christian faith, he put himself under the banner of Rodulph, the
second emperor of the Romans, and was at the siege of Stregonium, in
Hungary, against the Turks. Afterwards he visited most of the ancient
cities of Greece, and from thence he went to Constantinople, in the reign
of Mahomet, the third emperor of the Turks, who, to do him honour, gave
him a Turkish gown of cloth and gold; and his mother, the Sultana Ebrita,
gave him another rich gown of cloth and silver, and fifty chequins in
gold. After a twelvemonths sojourn there, he returned to England; where,
after staying a while, he went into Spain, and came back in safety: and
again, the fourth time, took his journey from London to Venice, in
October, 1610; from which time he was never seen by any of his
acquaintances, nor any certainty known of his death. Thomas Hearne,
speaking of the descent of the family of Coningsby, informs us that an
ancient parchment is preserved by them as a precious relic, on which is
written:—
“William de Coningsby
Came out of Brittany,
With his wife Tiffany,
And his maid Manifras,
And his dog Hardigras.”