Curiosities Of Great Britain: England And Wales Delineated Part 14

[A] AIRE, (The) rises from a small lake on the moors of Yorkshire, north-east from Settle, descending through Aire-dale and Craven in its course to the south-east, which it pursues as far as Leeds, where, turning eastward, and meeting the Calder, it pa.s.ses under Ferrybridge, flowing through the flattest portion of Yorkshire; and receiving the Don, a little north of Snaith, it unites with the Ouse above Booth Ferry, near Howden. This river is of greater extent than the Calder, and much its superior in navigation, being also joined by numerous ca.n.a.ls from the west. Its origin is almost mountainous, in the midst of the wildest moors; and Aire-dale retains much of the same characteristic features of that line of country. The district of Craven is singularly romantic, being a rich vale, bounded by high hills, with the town of Skipton in its centre; below which it forms a beautiful valley to Keighley, full of trade and population; the Aire pa.s.ses the picturesque ruin of Kirkstall Abbey, in its way to Leeds, the manufactories and villas of which flourishing place, and its vicinity, encompa.s.s its banks; after which it divides one of the richest plains in the kingdom to Ferrybridge, not far from the eminence where the town of Pontefract appears a conspicuous object, with its ruined castle and ancient church.

Afterwards the Aire can boast little of beauty, as it advances through a level district to join the Ouse.

[Sidenote: Booth Ferry.]

[Sidenote: Kirkstall Abbey.]

[B] ALNE, (The) is a small river which rises on the border of Roxburgshire, but within the limits of Northumberland, and a little north of the source of the Coquet. The great and attractive objects which grace its borders are placed in the far-extended territory of the Duke of Northumberland, at the entrance to which the lofty building, called Brisley Tower, thickly environed by plantations, overlooks all the wild country of Northumberland, including the bold range of Cheviot-hills on the north-west, close to the Scottish border. The Alne then enters a charming valley, beneath the ivied walls of Hulne Abbey, winding delightfully between lawns, woods, and groupes of trees and cottages, admirably disposed. From these monastic and rustic recesses, the river emerges into a s.p.a.cious park, widened considerably by art, and gliding through the arches of a fine Castellan bridge, is proudly overlooked by the numerous towers, and lofty citadel of Alnwick Castle, the superb seat of the Northumberland family.

[Sidenote: Brisley Tower.]

[Sidenote: Alnwick Castle.]

[C] ANCHOLME. This small river, rising in the wolds of Lincolnshire, not far from Market Raisin, is navigable from Glandford Bridge to the Humber, and in its course intersecting the extensive tract of the Wolds, which stretches out from Lincoln northward to Barton, and forms a ridge across some intermediate valleys, terminates in the fens near Spilsby Louth. Brocklesby Park, in the extensive domains of Lord Yarborough, occupies the centre of this district, on the highest point of which his lordship has built a superb chapel and mausoleum, in a very excellent Grecian taste, adorned with appropriate statues and marbles, from Italy.

This building, from its position, commands the whole surrounding country, with the port of Hull, across the Humber; forming also a sea-mark, and an interesting object, admirable for the elegance of its design and execution. Thornton College is a curious remnant of antiquity in this neighbourhood, founded in the reign of King Stephen; great part of which is yet preserved, with some modern additions.

[D] AVON, (The Upper) rising in Northamptonshire, on the borders of Leicestershire, adds great beauty to the delightful territory of Warwick Castle, as it flows beneath the cliff on which those lofty towers projecting before the town and church are situated. It then glides through a charming country to Stratford-on-Avon, celebrated as the birth-place of Shakspeare, and where the remains of the immortal bard are deposited. From thence it traverses the great level of Worcestershire by Evesham, having received the lesser Stour at Stratford, and turning to the South at Persh.o.r.e, meets the Severn at the flourishing town of Tewksbury.

[Sidenote: Warwick Castle.]

[E] AVON (The Lower) rises in the hilly district of North Wiltshire, bordering on Gloucestershire, not far from Wootton Ba.s.set; its source is near that of the great river Thames, and both are said to have their origin from various springs, not accurately defined. Emerging from the hills, it makes a compa.s.s to fall into the vale leading from Christian Malford to Chippenham, advancing through the cloathing district of Wiltshire, bordering upon that of Somersetshire, and for a considerable extent divides those counties. Its course is at first southward, making a long compa.s.s by the west towards the north, and then to the west; at last, encircling the city of Bath on two sides, from whence it pursues nearly the same direction, with frequent meanders to Bristol. It then inclines to the north-west, as it conveys the abundant trade of that opulent city to the Severn, by its conflux const.i.tuting the Bristol Channel at King's-road.

[Sidenote: Bath.]

B.

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+----------------+---------+-------------+------------+ 34 Babcary pa Somerset Somerton 4 Ilchester 5 27 Babingley,[A] pa Norfolk Cas. Rising 2 Lynn 6 or Baburghley 34 Babington pa Somerset Frome 5 Bath 10 6 Babraham[B] pa Cambridge Linton 4 Cambridge 5 +--+----------------+---------+-------------+------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+------+ 34 Babcary pa Castle-Cary 7 120 453 27 Babingley,[A] pa Heacham 8 102 38 or Baburghley 34 Babington pa Shepton Mal. 9 109 206 6 Babraham[B] pa Newmarket 12 51 273 +--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+------+

[A] BABINGLEY. In this parish, the first Christian church in East Anglia is said to have been built. Several hills in the vicinity, called Christian Hills, render the opinion highly probable. The village is situated near that part of the Lincolnshire wash called Lynn Deeps.

[B] BABRAHAM, anciently Badburham, is situated in the hundred of Chilford. This place, which was one of the manors of Algar, Earl of Mercia, at the time of the Norman survey, formerly had a market on Mondays. About the year 1576, the whole manorial property in the parish fell into the possession of Sir Horatio Palavicini, a Genoese. According to the tradition of the neighbourhood, this gentleman was collector of the Pope's taxes in England, in the reign of Queen Mary, on whose death, and the consequent change in religion under Elizabeth, he (like the Vicar of Bray,) changed his faith, converted the Pope's money to his own use, and settled in this country. The following whimsical epitaph relates to this occurrence: it is printed in "Lord Orford's Anecdotes of Painting"--

"Here lyes Horatio Palavazine, Who robbed the Pope to lend the Queen.

He was a thief--a thief? Thou lyest: For what! he robb'd but Antichrist, Him death with besome swept from Bab'ram.

Into the bosom of ould Abraham: But then came Hercules with his club, And struck him down to Belzebub."

Sir Horatio was in great favour with Queen Elizabeth. He was naturalised, by patent, in 1516, and commanded one of the English men-of-war in the great battle with the Spanish Armada, in 1588; and he was employed by the Queen, in her negotiations with the German Princes: he died at his seat, in this parish, on the 6th of July, 1600. It appears by the register kept in the church, that his children were baptized and buried here: it is also recorded, that the marriage of Sir Horatio's widow with Sir Oliver Cromwell, the Protector's uncle, took place exactly a year and a day after her husband's decease. The poor of this parish are partly maintained by a bequest of 97. a year, expended under certain restrictions imposed by the donor. Here is an alms-house, and a free school, founded by Levinus Bush, Esq., and his sister, Mrs.

Judith Bennet; and the yearly sum of 25. is appropriated to the apprenticing of children.

[Sidenote: Singular anecdote of the Pope's Tax-gatherer.]

[Sidenote: The Queen's favorite.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+----------------+----------+--------------+-------------+ 30 Babworth[A] pa Nottingham East Retford 1 Blyth 6 56 Bacheldre, or Montgomery Bis. Castle 4 Montgomery 5 Bacheldref to 10 Bachymbyd to Denbigh Ruthin 3 Denbigh 6 49 Bach-Yrys, or Caermarth Llanelly 4 Lougher 4 Machunis Isle 7 Backford to & pa Chester Chester 3 Park Gate 12 34 Backwell, or Somerset Bristol 7 Pensford 8 34 Bachwell pa 29 Backworth, or Northumb N. Shields 6 Newcastle 7 Blackworth to 27 Baconsthorpe to Norfolk Holt 4 Cromer 7 22 Bacop chap Lancaster Rochdale 7 Haslingden 6 17 Bacton pa Hereford Hereford 12 Llanthony A 6 27 Bacton pa Norfolk N. Walsham 5 Cromer 10 36 Bacton pa Suffolk Stourmarket 6 Botesdale 7 +--+----------------+----------+--------------+-------------+

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

+--+----------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+ 30 Babworth[A] pa Worksop 7 146 449 56 Bacheldre, or Welshpool 12 163 ... Bacheldref to 10 Bachymbyd to Mold 11 202 ... 49 Bach-Yrys, or Pont ar 7 223 ... Machunis Isle Dulas 7 Backford to & pa Liverpool 16 186 487 34 Backwell, or Axbridge 12 125 1038 34 Bachwell pa 29 Backworth, or Blyth 7 281 243 Blackworth to 27 Baconsthorpe to Aylsham 8 121 333 22 Bacop chap Burnley 6 205 ... 17 Bacton pa Hay 14 139 178 27 Bacton pa Worsted 7 128 498 36 Bacton pa Ixworth 9 76 758 +--+----------------+-------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] BABWORTH. The hall is the seat of the Hon. J.B. Simpson; it a plain white-fronted edifice, the surrounding grounds which are very beautiful, were laid out by the celebrated Repton. Babworth church is a neat gothic building, with a small steeple; it is worthy of remark, that there are two trees growing out of the roof of the south porch. Near this village the ground begins to rise, and displays the most enchanting scenery of woods, lawns, glades, heaths, cultivated farms, and ornamental seats.

The late Paul Sandby, Esq., R.A., who died on the 8th of November, 1809, was descended from a branch of the Sandby family, of Babworth, and was born at Nottingham, in 1732. In 1746 he went to London, and having an early bias towards the arts, he got introduced into the drawing room of the Tower. After two years he was appointed draughtsman, under the inspection of Mr. David Watson, who was employed by the late Duke of c.u.mberland to take a survey of the Highlands. During this excursion he made several sketches from the terrific scenery of that romantic country, from which he afterwards made a number of small etchings, which were published in a folio volume. From this circ.u.mstance, perhaps, we may account for the bold and striking style by which the paintings of this excellent artist are so peculiarly distinguished. In 1752, he quitted this employment and resided with his brother at Windsor. Several of the most beautiful views in the neighbourhood of Windsor and Eton, now became the subject of his pencil; here also he obtained that skill in depicting gothic architecture which gave so beautiful an effect to those landscapes that Sir Joseph Banks purchased them all at a very liberal price. Mr. Sandby published several prints in ridicule of the inimitable Hogarth's "a.n.a.lysis of Beauty," but he afterwards declared, that had he known the merits of that exquisite painter at the time, he should not have dared to depreciate them. On the inst.i.tution of "the Royal Academy," he was elected one of the Academicians. He was afterwards appointed chief drawing master of the Royal Academy at Woolwich, and held the office with honour and credit to the day of his death.

[Sidenote: Trees grow out of the roof of the church.]

[Sidenote: Paul Sandby, Esq.]

[Sidenote: Sandby the painter.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+----------------------+--------+------------+-----------+ 28 Badby[A] pa Northamp Daventry 3 Banbury 14 39 Baddesley-Clinton pa Warwick Warwick 7 Solihull 6 39 Baddesley-Ensor pa Warwick Atherstone 3 Tamworth 6 16 Baddesley-North pa Hants Romsey 4 Wincheste 8 16 Baddesley-South[B] ham Hants Lymington 2 Yarmouth 5 7 Baddiley[C] pa Chester Nantwich 3 Malpas 9 7 Baddington to Chester 2 Tarporley 9 14 Baddow (Great)[D] pa Ess.e.x Chelmsford 2 Witham 10 +--+---------------------+---------+------------+-----------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+----------------------+--------+------------+-----+-----+ 28 Badby[A] pa Northamp 13 75 583 39 Baddesley-Clinton pa Henley in A. 6 97 110 39 Baddesley-Ensor pa Coleshill 9 108 568 16 Baddesley-North pa Southampton 7 70 297 16 Baddesley-South[B] ham Beaulieu 6 88 ... 7 Baddiley[C] pa Tarporley 9 167 267 7 Baddington to Malpas 11 166 132 14 Baddow (Great)[D] pa Maldon 9 31 1719 +--+----------------------+---------------------+-----+-----+

[A] BADBY. This extensive village is situated on the brow of a hill, in the large uninclosed district of Badby-Down. Here are numerous springs, and several quarries of flag-stone, which, from its excellence, is very extensively employed for the purposes of building and paving. On the summit of Arbury Hill, in this parish, is a large encampment, which is attributed to the Romans: the ramparts are very steep, and the whole is encompa.s.sed by a very wide and deep foss.

[Sidenote: Quarries.]

[B] BADDESLEY. This village was celebrated a short time ago for a singular tree it contained, from which was frequently heard to issue groans as though uttered by a person in acute agony. The tree was an elm, young, vigorous, and to all appearance perfectly sound; and what is most wonderful, naturalists could a.s.sign no physical reason for the phenomena. Its fame spread far and wide; a pamphlet was written with an account of it, and persons came miles to visit it. The tree, however, it would seem with the fickleness attendant too often upon those who have gained celebrity, would not always groan, yet no cause could be a.s.signed for its temporary cessations, either from seasons or weather. Many superst.i.tious tales were raised by the country people and alleged as reasons for this singular occurrence; and for eighteen or twenty months it continued an object of considerable interest; a gentleman of the name of Forbes, making an experiment to discover its cause, by boring a hole in its trunk, put a period to its agonies, it never groaned again. It was afterwards rooted up with a further view to make a discovery, but in vain. It is universally believed that there was no trick in the affair, but that some natural cause really existed, though never understood.

[Sidenote: The groaning tree.]

[C] BADDILEY. A parish in the hundred of Nantwich. This place is princ.i.p.ally remarkable for its church, standing on a small green surrounded by farm buildings. It consists of a small nave and chancel, and was constructed entirely of English oak; it is of the most remote antiquity, and presented a most unique specimen of ecclesiastical buildings of timber, previous to the introduction of stone; the upright timbers being much decayed were cased with brick in 1811, it having stood so many centuries that it was in danger of falling; the roof and ceiling are still in fine preservation. In the chancel are remains of some ancient stalls, and two elegant marble monuments, erected to the Mainwaring family, who were lords of the manor. Baddiley Hall, the former residence of this family, was a very old irregular building of timber and plaister, but has been lately pulled down.

[Sidenote: An oaken church.]

[D] BADDOW. (Great). This extensive, populous, and genteel village, from its peculiarly delightful situation, has become the residence of a considerable number of highly respectable families. Previous to the conquest, the manor was part of the possessions of Algar, Earl of Mercia. In consequence, however, of the rebellion of his son and successor, Earl Eadwine, who was slain in battle, this lordship, with other estates, was granted by King William to the monastery of the Holy Trinity at Caen, in Normandy. In the reign of Henry I., the crown was again possessed of it, and about the same period, the Earls of Gloucester became its proprietors; from which time, after having been vested in many n.o.ble families, it is now in the possession of the family of Houblon. Two chauntries of some value were formerly in the church.

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+----------------------+----------+-------------+--------------+ 14 Baddow, Little[A] pa Ess.e.x Chelmsford 5 Witham 6 33 Badger pa Salop Bridgenorth 6 Shifnal 6 15 Badgington pa Gloucester Cirencester 4 Northleach 9 15 Badgworth pa Gloucester Cheltenham 4 Painswick 8 34 Badgworth pa Somerset Axbridge 3 Bridgewater 12 36 Badingham pa Suffolk Framlingham 4 Halesworth 6 21 Badlesmere[B] pa Kent Faversham 4 Charing 6 36 Badley pa Suffolk Needham 2 Stowmarket 2 15 Badminton, Great[C] pa Gloucester Sodbury 6 Tetbury 10 +--+---------------------+-----------+-------------+--------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+----------------------+------------------------+-----+--------+ 14 Baddow, Little[A] pa Maldon 7 34 548 33 Badger pa Madeley 6 134 142 15 Badgington pa Cheltenham 12 93 167 15 Badgworth pa Gloucester 5 98 859 34 Badgworth pa Wells 12 133 352 36 Badingham pa Saxmundham 6 91 866 21 Badlesmere[B] pa Canterbury 11 48 135 36 Badley pa Bildeston 8 71 82 15 Badminton, Great[C] pa Malmesbury 10 106 529 +--+----------------------+----------------------+-------+--------+

[A] BADDOW, (Little). The church at this place contains a rich and splendid monument to the memory of Sir Henry Mildmay, Knight, who died in October, 1639. He is represented in a full suit of armour, reposing under a dome, which rests upon black marble pillars; two female figures kneel at his feet; the one elderly, and dressed in a scarf and hood, the other young, and magnificently attired in the fashion of the time. The head of the knight is supported by a pillow. From a latin inscription upon an oval tablet, we learn that Sir Henry having served as a soldier in the Irish wars, was for his gallantry knighted in the field. The carved effigies of two female figures, said by tradition to have been sisters and founders of this church, occupy recesses in the south wall of the centre aisle. Upon examining the two graves in which it was supposed that the corpses of the persons whose figures stood in the niches were interred, in one of them were found three skeletons, and two in the other, but without the slightest vestige of wood, linen, coffin, or any other covering to the bodies. In the year 1817, Edward Bullin, Esq., bequeathed 196 acres of land, and a wood containing thirty-six acres, for the purpose of clothing and educating the children in this parish and that of Boreham.

[Sidenote: Sir Henry Mildmay.]

[Sidenote: Skeletons found.]