Curiosities Of Great Britain: England And Wales Delineated Part 25

+--+----------------------+----------+------------+-----+-------+ 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 princ.i.p.al 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 s.p.a.cious and extensive terrace, skirted with lofty trees, at the end of which is an ancient building, ornamented with painted gla.s.s, 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 a.s.sembling 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 +--+-----------------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ 44 Bellerby chap N.R. York Leyburn 1 Richmond 7 29 Bellingham[A] m.t. & pa Northumb Hexham 16 Haltwhistle 17 29 Bellister to Northumb ... 16 Aldstone M. 12 7 Bell-on-the-Hill Chesire Chester 17 Whitchurch 3 32 Belmsthorpe ham Rutland Stamford 3 Ryhall 1 10 Belper[B] ham Derby Derby 8 Wirksworth 7 29 Belsey to Northumb Newcastle 15 Morpeth 10 18 Belswains ham Herts H. Hempsted 2 Watford 7 36 Belstead pa Suffolk Ipswich 3 Hadleigh 8 11 Belstone pa Devon Oakhampton 2 Exeter 21 24 Beltoft ham Lincoln Gainsboro' 13 Burton 10 23 Belton pa Leicester Asbhy 6 Kegworth 5 +--+-----------------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ 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 Ta.r.s.et 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_, Sat.u.r.day after September 15, for cattle, sheep, linen and woollen cloth.

[Sidenote: Chipchase Castle.]

[B] BELPER, or Belpar, anciently Beaupoire, is situated on the banks of the Derwent, in the hundred of Appletree. It is a chapelry of Duffield; and, though formerly an inconsiderable village, its population now exceeds, with the exception of Derby, every other town in the county.

The great increase of population began from three large cotton mills of Messrs. Strutts, the first of which was erected in 1776. Two of them yet remain; but the third was destroyed by fire early in the year 1803. The largest of these mills is 200 feet long, 300 feet wide, and six stories high: it is considered fire proof, as the floor is built on brick arches, and paved with brick. The two water-wheels, which are employed in the machinery in this building, are remarkable for magnitude and singularity of construction; one of them being 40 feet long, and 18 in diameter; and the other 48 feet long, and 12 feet in diameter. As timber could not be procured large enough to form the axles of these wheels in the common manner, they are constructed circularly and hollow, of a number of pieces, and hooped in the manner of a cask. One of the shafts is six feet in diameter, and the other nine. The shuttles are constructed in one piece, so as to support the lateral pressure of the water, although it is ten feet deep, by resting one upon another. This is different from the usual mode of construction, in which they are supported by large perpendicular beams at every six or seven feet, in order to sustain this lateral pressure. About twelve or thirteen hundred people are employed at these mills; and the proprietors have built many houses, and a chapel, for their accommodation. Near the mills a stone bridge of three arches has been erected across the Derwent, at the expence of the county, the former one having been washed down by a dreadful flood, in 1795. At a short distance, lower down the river, is a bleaching mill, belonging to the same proprietors; an iron forge, and two cotton mills; one of them constructed like that before described. A stone bridge was also erected here by these gentlemen in 1792. These mills afford regular employment to about 600 persons. A Sunday school has been established here, and another at Belper, for the instruction of the children employed at the cotton works.

_Market_, Sat.u.r.day.--_Mail_ arrives 1.30 afternoon; departs 8.45 morning.

[Sidenote: Manufactories.]

[Sidenote: Cotton Mills.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+--------------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ 24 Belton[A] pa Lincoln Grantham 3 Leadenham 8 24 Belton pa Lincoln Gainsboro' 13 Epworth 2 32 Belton pa Rutland Uppingham 4 Oakham 7 36 Belton pa Suffolk Yarmouth 4 Lowestoft 8 24 Belvoir[B]ex pa. lib Leicester Grantham 7 Newark 16 43 Bempton pa E.R. York Bridlington 3 Flamborough 3 +--+--------------------+---------+-------------+--------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+ 24 Belton[A] pa Lincoln 20 113 160 24 Belton pa Crowle 5 162 1597 32 Belton pa Rockingham 9 92 400 36 Belton pa Beccles 9 121 124 24 Belvoir[B]ex pa. lib Colterswrth 10 112 105 43 Bempton pa Hunmanby 7 210 287 +--+--------------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

[A] BELTON. The church is a small ancient structure. The tower appears to have been rebuilt in the year 1637, and at a subsequent period, the chancel has been renewed. The church is extremely neat, and has in the south window six pieces of stained gla.s.s, ill.u.s.trative of scriptural subjects. Within the nave are several splendid monuments. Belton House, near Grantham, the residence of Earl Brownlow, is situated on a beautiful lawn, in a wooded valley, through which the river Witham winds its course. The mansion was built in the year 1689, from designs by Sir Christopher Wren. The form of the building is that of the letter H, a stile of architecture peculiar to that period. It is of stone, and presents four uniform elevations. The apartments are lofty, and well proportioned. Several of the rooms are highly ornamented with carving by Gibbons. The late Lord Brownlow made considerable improvements in the mansion. He took down the cupola and bal.u.s.trade from the roof. The drawing room was considerably enlarged, and a new entrance at the south front made. Here are many pictures by celebrated masters of the Flemish and Italian schools, with numerous family portraits by Lely, Reynolds, Kneller, Romney and others. Among the latter we may remark a portrait of Sir John Cust, Bart., Speaker of the House of Commons, in his robes, by Sir Joshua Reynolds. William III. in his progress through the northern counties, honoured Belton House with his presence. The park comprises an area of five miles in circ.u.mference, inclosed by a wall; numerous plantations of fine trees are highly ornamental to the place. Sir John Brownlow, K.B. afterwards Viscount Tyrconnel, enriched the library with a valuable collection of books; he also formed some extensive gardens, which have since been more adapted to the modern taste in gardening.

[Sidenote: Belton House.]

[B] BELVOIR. The Castle is one of the most magnificent structures in the kingdom. It is placed on an abrupt elevation of a kind of natural cliff, forming the termination of a peninsular hill. It has been the seat of Manners, Dukes of Rutland, for several generations, and claims the priority of every other building in the county in which it is situated.

Belvoir has been the site of a Castle ever since the Norman conquest; and its possessors have been chiefly persons of eminence who have figured in the pages of history. The view from the terraces and towers comprehends the whole vale of Belvoir and the adjoining country as far as Lincoln, including twenty-two of the Duke of Rutland's manors. On the southern slope of the hill are enclosed-terraces, on which there are several flower-gardens, surrounded by shrubberies. The park is of great extent, containing fine forest trees, which form a woodland beneath the hill so extensive as to afford shelter for innumerable rooks. Its interior and furniture is of the most superb and costly description; it also contains one of the most valuable collections of paintings in this country, whether considered for the variety of the schools, or the works of each master. A conflagration took place in the year 1816, which consumed a great portion of the ancient part of the castle, and several of the pictures. A curious anecdote is related, ill.u.s.trative of the folly and superst.i.tion of ancient times, which may not be uninteresting to add. Joan Flower and her two; daughters who were servants at Belvoir Castle, having been dismissed the family, in revenge made use of all the enchantments, spells, and charms that were at that time supposed to answer their malicious purposes. Henry the eldest son died soon after their dismissal, but no suspicion of witchcraft arose till five years after, when the three women who are said to have entered into a formal contract with the devil, were accused of "murdering Lord Henry Ross by witchcraft and torturing the Lord Francis his brother and Lady Catherine his sister." After various examinations they were committed to Lincoln gaol. The mother died at Ancaster, on her way thither, having wished the bread and b.u.t.ter she ate might choak her if she was guilty. The daughters were tried before Sir Henry Hobbert, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Sir Edward Bromley, one of the Barons of the Exchequer; they confessed their guilt and were executed at Lincoln, March 11, 1618.

[Sidenote: The Castle.]

[Sidenote: Charge of witchcraft.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+------------------+----------+-----------+------------+ 41 Bemerton[A] pa Wilts Salisbury 2 Wilton 2 36 Benacre pa Suffolk Yarmouth 17 Lowestoft 7 29 Benridge ham Northumb Morpeth 3 Ruthbury 13 28 Benefield[B] pa Northamton Oundle 3 Weldon 6 +--+------------------+----------+-----------+------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+------------------+----------------------+-----+------+ 41 Bemerton[A] pa Amesbury 9 83 36 Benacre pa Blythburg 8 108 29 Benridge ham Blyth 14 291 57 28 Benefield[B] pa Corby 8 85 519 +--+------------------+----------------------+-----+------+

[A] BEMERTON, a parish in the hundred of Branch and Dole. The rectory of this place is interesting, as having been the residence of no less than four celebrated characters, viz. Dr. Walter Curie, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and afterwards of Winchester, who died in 1647; George Herbert, called the divine, who died in 1635; John Norris, a metaphysical writer, who died in 1711; and, lastly, Mr. Archdeacon c.o.xe, the traveller and historian, who died in 1828: all of them gentlemen highly distinguished in the annals of literature.

[Sidenote: Celebrated men.]

[B] BENEFIELD. In this parish are some remarkable cavities, called Swallows, which have opened a wide field of speculation among philosophers, who have grounded, upon the singular phenomena they exhibit, some new systems with regard to the theory of the earth. These swallows are situated about a furlong west of the village, and are nine in number. Through these cavities, the land-flood waters constantly pa.s.s and disappear. They are of a circular form, and of various diameters; some having an oblique, and others a perpendicular descent, opening beneath the apertures into large s.p.a.ces, which exhibit several smaller conduits, through which the waters pa.s.s, to join perhaps, some subterranean river, or mingle with the grand abyss of waters, which some philosophers have placed in the centre of the earth.

[Sidenote: Geological curiosities.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+---------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ 5 Bengers ham Bucks Colnbrook 3 Uxbridge 3 21 Beneden[A] pa Kent Cranbrook 3 Tenterden 5 13 Benfield-Side ham Durham Durham 12 Newcastle 13 14 Benfleet, North pa Ess.e.x Rayleigh 4 Billericay 6 14 Benfleet, South[B] pa Ess.e.x ... 4 ... 9 18 Bengeo pa Hertford Hertford 1 Ware 2 15 Bengrove ham Gloucester Tewkesbury 6 Evesbam 7 42 Bengworth pa Worcester Worchester 16 Persh.o.r.e 7 36 Benhall pa Suffolk Saxmundham 2 Frainlingh 5 4 Benham to Berks Newbury 3 Hungerford 6 4 Benham-Hoe ham Berks ... 4 ... 6 44 Benningborough to N.R. York York 7 Boro'bridge 8 46 Benningholme to E.R. York Beverly 7 Hornsea 7 18 Bennington pa Hertford Stevenage 5 Buntingford 6 24 Bennington pa Lincoln Boston 5 Wainfleet 12 24 Bennington-Long[C] pa Lincoln Grantham 7 Newark 7 +--+---------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+---------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+ 5 Bengers ham Slough 4 18 21 Beneden[A] pa Rolvenden 3 51 1663 13 Benfield-Side ham Wolsingham 12 270 543 14 Benfleet, North pa Southend 6 29 300 14 Benfleet, South[B] pa ... 6 32 533 18 Bengeo pa Watton 5 22 855 15 Bengrove ham Persh.o.r.e 7 101 42 Bengworth pa Broadway 5 100 850 36 Benhall pa Woodbridge 3 89 668 4 Benham to Kinbury 3 59 4 Benham-Hoe ham ... 4 60 44 Benningborough to Wetherby 10 204 93 46 Benningholme to Hull 8 182 103 18 Bennington pa Watton 3 29 631 24 Bennington pa Burgh 16 121 500 24 Bennington-Long[C] pa Leadenham 8 116 982 +--+---------------------+----------+------------+------+-------+

[A] BENENDEN, or Biddenden, three miles south east from Cranbrook, is at present populous, though the clothing manufacture, which first occasioned the increase of the population of this part of the county, in the reign of Edward the Third, has for many years failed here. Several good houses still remaining, discover the prosperity of the former inhabitants. The church is a handsome regular building, and its tower a structure of considerable height and strength. By the old part now remaining, it appears to have been originally but small. The interior contains several ancient bra.s.ses, and among them, one for the Goldwells of Great Chart; with the dates 1452, and 1499, in Arabic numerals: the rebus of this name, a golden fountain, or well, is also in one of the windows. A free grammar school, now degenerated into a complete sinecure, was founded here in the year 1522. There is a tradition in this parish, that a bequest for the use of the poor, of 20 acres of land, now called the Bread and Cheese land, lying in five pieces, was given by two maiden sisters, commonly called the "Biddenden Maids," of the name of Chulkhurst, "who were born joined together by the hips and shoulders, in the year 1100;" and having lived in that state thirty-four years, died within about six hours of each other. This tale is affected to be established by the correspondent figures of two females impressed on cakes, which after Divine service, in the afternoon, on every Easter Sunday, are distributed to all comers, and not unfrequently to the number from 800 to 1000. At the same time, about 270 loaves, weighing three pounds and a half each, and cheese in proportion, are given to the poor parishioners; the whole expence being defrayed from the rental of the bequeathed lands. The marvellous part of the story however, was wholly discredited by the well informed, until the visit of the Siamese twins to this country revived it with some appearance of truth.

[Sidenote: The Biddenden maids.]

[B] BENFLEET lies south-west by south from Rayleigh. Here was a castle, built by Hastings, the celebrated Danish pirate, and which building Matthew of Westminster described, as having deep and wide ditches. This fortress Alfred the Great took and destroyed in the year 890; Hasting's wife and two sons taken therein, were sent to London. The creeks entering the Thames round Benfleet are celebrated for their oysters.

[Sidenote: A pirate's castle.]

[C] BENNINGTON, called Belintone in the Domesday Book, was a seat of the Mercian kings; and here a great council of n.o.bility and prelates was a.s.sembled about the year 850, under King Bertulph, who on the complaint of Askill, a monk of Croyland, of the great devastations committed on the property of that monastery by the Danes, granted the monks a new charter of divers "splendid liberties," and several extensive manors. In the 33d of Edward I. a charter of a weekly market, and a fair annually, was granted for this manor; but the former has long fallen into disuse!

The manor was long in possession of the Bourchiers, Earls of Ess.e.x.

Robert, the third Earl, after his divorce from the infamous Lady Francis Howard, his first wife, in 1613, sold it to Sir Julius Caesar, Knt., from whom it descended to his son and heir, Sir Charles Caesar. This gentleman was appointed Master of the Rolls in 1638; and, after being twice married, and having fifteen children by both wives, died of the small-pox, at Bennington, in 1643: this disease proved fatal also to several of his issue, and among them, to Julius, his eldest surviving son, who dying within a few days, was buried in the same grave with his father. Henry, his next son, and heir, represented this county in the two first parliaments held in the reign of Charles II.; and he was knighted by that sovereign in 1660: he also died of the small-pox, in January 1667. This manor was sold to the trustees under the will of Sir John Cheshire, Knt. His great nephew, John Cheshire, Esq., resided in a small mansion near the ancient castle at Bennington, which stood westward from the church, and most probably occupied the spot whereon stood the palace of the Saxon Kings. The artificial mount of the keep, with the surrounding ditch, are still to be seen. The old manor-house that had been inhabited by the Caesars, stood in the park, at a small distance from the village, but was burnt down about fifty years ago. A small edifice, since erected on the site, was for some years occupied by Mr. Bullock. Bennington church is a small fabric, consisting of a nave and a chancel, with a tower at the west end, and a chapel or burial-place connected with the chancel on the north. Here are two ancient monuments, under arches, which form part of them, each exhibiting rec.u.mbent figures of a knight and a lady. Many of the Caesars lie buried here. The Benstede family, sometime lords of the manor, are supposed to have built this church, as their arms are displayed both upon the roof and on the tower. In a niche over the south porch, St.

Michael and the dragon are sculptured.

[Sidenote: Ancient charters.]

[Sidenote: The small-pox fatal to Cheshires.]

[Sidenote: Their monuments.]

Map Names of Places. County. Number of Miles From +--+---------------------+----------+-------------+--------------+ 24 Benningworth pa Lincoln Wragby 6 Horncastle 9 29 Bewridge to Northumb Morpeth 2 Rothbury 12 31 Bensinton[A] pa Oxford Wallingford 2 Nettlebed 6 14 Bentfield ham Ess.e.x Stanstead 2 B. Stortford 4 33 Benthall pa Salop Wenlock 3 Madeley 6 15 Bentham ham Gloucester Gloucester 5 Cheltenham 5 44 Bentham pa & to W.R. York Settle 12 Ingleton 5 16 Bentley pa Hants Farnham 4 Alton 6 35 Bentley to & lib Stafford Walsall 2 S. Coldfield 7 36 Bentley pa Suffolk Ipswich 6 Manningtree 12 39 Bentley ham Warwick Atherstone 3 Coleshill 7 46 Bentley to W.R. York Doncaster 2 Arksey 1 10 Bentley, Fenny pa Derby Ashborne 3 Wirksworth 8 14 Bentley, Great pa Ess.e.x Colchester 9 Manningtree 9 10 Bentley, Hungry to Derby Ashborne 6 Derby 10 14 Bentley, Little pa Ess.e.x Manningtree 5 Colchester 9 42 Bentley, Up. & L. ham Worcester Bromsgrove 3 Redditch 3 29 Benton, Little to Northumb Newcastle 4 N. Shields 6 29 Benton, Long[B] pa Northumb ... 4 ... 6 +--+---------------------+----------+-------------+--------------+ Dist. Map Names of Places. Number of Miles From Lond. Population.

+--+---------------------+------------------------+-----+--------+ 24 Benningworth pa Louth 9 145 373 29 Bewridge to Blyth 11 290 53 31 Bensinton[A] pa Dorchester 3 46 1266 14 Bentfield ham Saff. Walden 9 34 505 33 Benthall pa Wellington 7 150 525 15 Bentham ham Painswick 7 104 44 Bentham pa & to Lancaster 13 247 3957 16 Bentley pa Odiham 6 42 728 35 Bentley to & lib Lichfield 8 120 99 36 Bentley pa Harwich 18 69 363 39 Bentley ham Birmingham 16 106 270 46 Bentley to Thorne 10 164 1144 10 Bentley, Fenny pa Derby 16 142 308 14 Bentley, Great pa Harwich 13 60 978 10 Bentley, Hungry to Uttoxeter 9 136 92 14 Bentley, Little pa Harwich 10 60 438 42 Bentley, Up. & L. ham Birmingham 14 113 29 Benton, Little to Blyth 9 278 29 Benton, Long[B] pa ... 9 278 5547 +--+---------------------+------------------------+-----+--------+

[A] BENSINGTON was an ancient British town, taken from the original inhabitants by Ceaulin, in the year 572. The west Saxons held the place for two centuries, and appear to have constructed a castle for its defence; but it was reduced by Offa, king of the Mercians, who defeated his rival in a sanguinary contest. To the west of the church are a quadrangular bank and trench. Three sides of the embankment are much defaced. Plot mentions an "angle of King Offa's palace near the church;"

by which he probably alludes to the same spot. In this village are several modern buildings. The church, which is gothic, has been built at different times. In the brick flooring of the nave are some ancient stones, with mutilated bra.s.ses. Here is a Sunday-school supported by subscription; and a meeting-house for methodists.