594

Episcopacy in West Indies.-London Wall.

by instituting marriages, to secure a long line of offspring, with regulations for their final freedom. And I conceive there to be little doubt, with this object in view, that it remains only for Mr. Gurney to make known the numbers now ready to forbear sugar, and many would unite in this gentle method of bringing the oppression of distressed Africans to a close!

I cannot finish this letter without adverting to the recent establishment of Episcopacy in our Western Colonies. Both of the Bishops are well known and esteemed for their piety and conscientious rectitude, and for that vigour of mind that will never suffer them to remain surrounded by an immense negro population without useing every effort within the scope of their influence to ameliorate their wretched condition on their first arrival, at the moment of sale, and afterwards in the field of labour, their severe discipline, and their ignorance of Christianity! Their Lordships will, it is presumed, lend their ears accessible to those whose sighs for protection cannot but be heard! Neither their Lordships' residence nor their visitation through the country will be too remote from the hovels of these suffering strangers to allow them to be either unseen or unheard, nor will they be backward in using every means of conciliating the owners by forbearance and persuasion, and the obedience of the Clergy likewise will be wisely called upon to enforce the consolitory orders of their Diocesan! The eyes of all England are now fixed upon these pious ministers of her faith and Christian love; nothing doubting that they will be able to effect what the prayers of thousands and the laws of the Legislature have hitherto sought for in vain!

IN

LONDON WALL.

A. H.

N A. D. 1016, during the struggles between Edward Ironside and Canute, the Danes, in order to establish themselves in London, which they had long besieged in vain, found the City to be defended on the South by a WALL which extended along the river. 'Similiterque ab Austro Londonia murata et turrita fuit."-Stephanides, p. 3, Lond. 1723. The ships of Canute from Greenwich proceeded to London. The Danes built a strong

66

[xcv.

military work on the South bank of the river, and drew up their ships on the West of the bridge, so as to cut off all access to the City. Edmund defended it for a while in person, and when his presence was required elsewhere, the brave citizens made it impenetrable. Sax. Chron. 148, &c. St. Olave, the Sea-King of Norway, assisted in this contest, and his principal achievement was to destroy the fortified bridge from Sudric or Southwark, which Snorre calls a great emporium to the city, and which the Danes defended.

This internal conflict then spread its course through Essex, &c. and after the defeat of Edmund at the battle of Ashdown or Assendun in Essex, the combat was by the proposal of the gallant Edmund reduced to a personal fight between himself and Canute, who accepted the challenge, but both agreed to a pacification, by which Canute was to reign in the North, and Edmund in the South. The rival Princes exchanged arms and garments; the money for the fleet was agreed upon, and the armies separated.-Flor. Wig. 389; Sax. Chron. 150; Turner, I. 427.

After this we hear, as might be expected, no more of the Wall above mentioned; but if it was so strong as to be impregnable, some part of its ruins or base might have remained in the wreck of subsequent improvements. It would be interesting to Antiquarian research to retrace its course, and to bring forth to light any relics or tablets of its foundations and bastions, with inscriptions to commemorate names and events.

The brave Edmund was suffered to enjoy his honours only one year after this treaty. He was basely assassinated by Edric, at the corrupt instigation of Canute, A.D. 1016, who thereby obtained his regal honours, at the age of 20 years!

The traitor Edric was afterwards made the victim of his wickedness in a personal dispute on the subject, and was by command and in the presence of Canute struck down by Eric the ruler of Norway, and his body thrown from a window into the Thames before any tumult could be raised among his partizans. Malmsbury, 73; 1 Turner, 434.

It does not appear in what part of the river this King's palace then stood.

Are

PART II.]

Compendium of County History.-Worcestershire.

Are there now any remains of it? or is the exact place ascertained? and are there any traces of the South wall along the river? Was the church in

"

595

Hart-street dedicated to that Royal
saint of Norway? Any references on
these heads will oblige your constant
friend,
A. H.

COMPENDIUM OF COUNTY HISTORY.

WORCESTERSHIRE.
(Continued from p. 416.)
MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS.

- British Tempe*! There along the dale
With woods o'erhung, and stragg'd with mossy rocks,—
There on each hand the gushing waters play,

And down the rough cascade white dashing fall,

Or gleam in lengthen'd vista through the trees."-THOMSON.

ABBERLEY-HILL occupied by Henry IV, and Woodbury Camp occupied by Owen Glendowr in the 15th century, after plundering Worcester.-The lodge was the residence of Wm. Walsh," the Muse's judge and friend." At ALVECHURCH the Bishops of Worcester anciently had a palace. Of this church were Rectors, Richard Moore, the nonconformist, author of "A Pearl in an Oyster-shell," &c. and Dr. Hickes, author of the Thesaurus. In ARELEY Church-yard is the curious tomb of Sir Henry Coningsby, under the shade of four elms planted on the steep brow of the hill.-Here is a botanical phenomenon of a yew-tree growing in the body of an oak.

At the hermitage, ASTLEY, were preserved in Mr. Abingdon's time the coat armour of the Beauchamps, Mortimers, and even of royalty.

At BEWDLEY Free Grammar School were educated Bp. Willis and John Tombes, a learned Baptist divine.

BEOLY Church contains numerous and elegant monuments to the Sheldon family.

BITS MORTON was long the property of the Nanfans, one of whom is said to have been instrumental in the first political rise of WOLSEY.

In BROMSGROVE Church are several handsome monuments of the Talbots, Earls of Shrewsbury.-Here are several very remarkable echoes.

In CLAINES (on Bevere Island) resided the late Dr. Nash, historian of the County.

CLENT has been noticed under "STAFFORDSHIRE" (see vol. xc. ii. p. 218). The hills were once actually all in Worcestershire, but now in a great measure are considered to be in Staffordshire.

At CROWLE, near three centuries ago, was found a stone lined with lead, containing the bones, as Dr. Thomas thought, of Sigismund the Dane.

The drawing-room of COOME-COURT is hung with the finest tapestry now in England, of the Gobelin manufacture.

At DAILSFORD resided the patriotic WARREN.

DROITWICH. Through the Chapel on the bridge the carriage road passed. In fact, the pulpit and reading-desk were on one side the road, while the congregation sat on the other.-The salt-works are as old as the year 816. Mr. Steynor, who opposed the monopolizers of salt in the 17th century, being at last ruined by law-suits, was obliged (though the champion of public rights) to depend upon parochial allowance, and his daughter in 1777 was a pauper of Claines parish!

Of DUDLEY Free Grammar School was master Richard Baxter, the eminent Nonconformist.

At EVESHAM the learned Mrs. Elstob kept a small day-school, her weekly stipend with each scholar being at first only a groat!The tower of the Abbey is a fine specimen of florid Gothic architecture.

596

{xcv. In FLADBURY Church is a marble monument to Dr. Lloyd, Bp. of St. Asaph. Of HAGLEY was rector Wm. Bowles the poet, who died 1705.-In the Church is the mausoleum of the Littletons.-The park is every way beautiful, and the various temples, caves, and grots, so harmonize with the surrounding scenery, as justly claim for it the title of the " British Tempe."-The ancient hall was the hiding place of Stephen Lyttleton and Winter, two of the gunpowder conspirators, where they were taken. In the library of the present edifice are busts of Shakspeare, Milton, Spenser, and Dryden, by Scheemaker, the bequest of Pope to Lord Littleton; and a portrait of Pope with his dog Bounce. In some apartments are numerous family and other portraits, by Vandyke, Lely, &c. The portrait of Queen Henrietta Maria is exquisitely lovely.-Here died, May 1774, aged 125, Mr. John Tice, whose only friend was Lord Lyttelton.

Compendium of County History.-Worcestershire.

The staircases of HANBURY Hall were painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller, who has introduced Sacheverell carried away by furies. The Church stands on such an eminence, that it is necessary to ascend 180 steps from the parsonage house. It contains several beautiful monuments of the Vernons, on one of which is the figure of Bowater Vernon, esq. the upper part of which is in the Roman costume, whilst the lower is in breeches and slippers!

Of HARTLEBURY, the palace and usual residence of the Bishops of Worcester, Richard Bentley, the well-known critic, was incumbent; and in the churchyard is the tomb of Bishop Hurd.

HASTINGS was allowed the full exercise of religious worship under King John, at a time when the Roman Pontiff had excommunicated all the rest of the kingdom.

HENDLIP HALL. There is scarcely an apartment that has not secret ways of going in and out; some have back staircases concealed in the walls; others have places of retreat in the walls; others have places of retreat in their chimnies, and some with trap-doors. In some of these secret places (of which there were eleven) were discovered several of the gunpowder conspirators, among whom was Garnet. Here was preserved a small enamelled casket given to Wolsey by the King of France; afterwards in possession of Anne Boleyn. It was the property of the Abingdons, of whom there are several portraits at the mansion. Of this family was Thomas Abingdon, who was concerned in the gunpowder plot, the first collector of Antiquities for this County.

At KEMSEY Simon de Montfort and his unfortunate prisoner Henry III. slept a short time before the battle of Evesham.

At KIDDERMINSTER resided Waller the poet.-In the Church are many beautiful monuments and brasses. Of this place was vicar Richard Baxter the polemist and theologian.-In the churchyard is the mutilated monument of the learned father of the patriotic Lord Somers.

The office of parish clerk of KINGS-NORTON was held in one family for 200 years. The ceiling of the chancel of LEIGH Church represents the firmament with the Moon and stars, with the motto "the heavens declare," &c.; but by some strange mistake, the arms of Sir Walter Devereux (who repaired the ceiling) are placed in the centre of the firmament. The Church contains many curious monuments.

The winter drawing room at MADRESFIELD contains a profusion of rich miniatures; one of which, the size of a common miniature, contains seventy heads, all of which are portraits! In the King's room, Charles II. slept the night before the battle of Worcester. The quilt and furniture, &c. of the bed in the State bed-room were worked by Queen Anne and the Duchess of Marlborough.

GREAT MALVERN Church re-edified by Sir Reginald Bray. Here are many

ancient monuments.

At Sodington in MAMBLE was discovered, in 1807, the remains of a Roman aqueduct; and also a brick-kiln of about 10,000 bricks, the greater part well burnt. Mr. Milner's opinion thereon may be seen in vol. LXXVII. p. 1009. At OFFENHAM resided King Offa.

At OLD SWINFORD is interred the learned and amiable Rev. Dr. Ford.

FART 11.] Compendium of County History.-Worcestershire.

597

OMBERSLEY Court contains many original portraits of the Sandys family, &c. by the first artists.-The staircase, painted by Fuller, represents the six leading Whigs of Queen Anne's reign generally known as the Junta. In the bed-chamber a good portrait of George Sandes the poet and traveller, whose translation of the Metamorphoses first prompted Pope to his poetical efforts. In OVERBURY Church is an elegant epitaph from the pen of the celebrated Burke, displaying the virtues of his friend Wm. Dowdeswell, esq.

At Rock is a species of the sorbus or service, upwards of 250 years old, called by the country people “"Quicken pear."

At RUSHOCK Court was apprehended, in Aug. 1679, F. Johnson, alias Wall, one of the last Romish priests executed in England on account of his religion. IN SEVERN STOKE Church is interred the father of John Lord Somers. SPETCHLEY Manor House was the property of the celebrated Judges Littleton and Berkeley, the latter of whom derived it from Selden, and is buried in the church. Here resided also the celebrated Mr. Falkner, who was converted by the Jesuits at Buenos Ayres, and died in 1781.-In the church is interred Judge Berkeley, and several members of the family.

In STRENSHAM Church are many curious and ancient memorials of the Russells. At STOULTON was buried in 1768 the Rev. Sam. Garbet, the learned Antiquary and historian.

In TARDEBIG Church was buried the founder of Worcester College, Oxford. At THORNGROVE resided Lucien Buonaparte.

TICKENHILL is said to have been the scene of Prince Arthur's marriage festivities with Catharine of Arragon. His body was brought here on its way to Worcester.

UPTON SNODSBURY was the scene of the barbarous murder of Mrs. Palmer, by her own son and his brother-in-law.

WESTWOOD Park was the property of the Pakyngtons; a member of which family, the good Lady Pakyngton who died in 1679, is supposed to have written the Whole Duty of Man," in concert with Bp. Fell, who was sheltered here, together with Bp. Morley and Dr. Hammond, during the civil wars.

At WHITE LADY ASTON, Oliver Cromwell had his head-quarters the night before the battle of Worcester. At WORCESTER F. G. School the great Lord Somers and Sam. Butler, the author of "Hudibras," were educated.-At the White Ladies were preserved the bed which Queen Elizabeth slept in, the cup she drank out of, &c. at her visit in 1585, but no longer visible. The house of Grey Friars now the City Gaol.-In St. Helen's Church are eight bells, containing poetical inscriptions in honour of the glorious battles achieved by Queen Anne's heroes.-The spire of St. Andrew's Church is very beautiful. It was erected by Mr. N. Wilkinson, a common mason!—In the Cathedral were interred King John, Prince Arthur, son of Henry VII.; Saints Oswald and Wulstan; Bps. Gauden (whose monument appears to countenance the suggestion of his being the author of Elxon Basin), Stillingfleet, Hough (with a most elegant and magnificent monument by Roubiliac); Judge Littleton; the gallant Duke of Hamilton, and James Johnstone, jun. M.D. with a classical inscription by the late Dr. Parr. Prince Arthur's Chapel is an elegant and distinguished example of Pointed architecture. In the spandrils of the arches above the nave, is a curious and regular arrangement of ancient grotesque sculpture. In the refectory the King's School is kept.-Of Worcester were Bishops, Saints Egwin, Dunstan, Oswald, and Wulstan; Pope Clement VII.; the martyrs Latimer and Hooper, Archbishop Whitgift; Gauden, Stillingfleet, Hough (a Bishop after the primitive model), and the amiable and learned Dr. Hurd. -Of Worcester were Deans, the learned Dr. Wilson, Abp. Juxon, Potter the Royalist, Hickes, whose Thesaurus is well known.-The house at the corner of the North end of New-street on its East side, was inhabited by Charles during the battle of Worcester, 1651.-At the Guildhall are portraits of Queen Anne, Lord Keeper Coventry. In the Council Chamber a very excellent whole-length portrait of George III.-Of St. Oswald's Hospital Bp. Fell was Master, as also his father, who died upon hearing of the death of Charles I.-Here resided the incomparable mathematician Nic. Facio Duil

[Xcv. lier; Dr. James Mackenzie, author of the "History of Health."-At the Theatre Mrs. Siddons first displayed her abilities.-At the Commandery, during the battle of Worcester, Duke Hamilton died.-On the East side of the Cathedral is the house where the patriot Lord Somers was born.

Badge of the Percy Family.-Assyrian Chronology.