Ay .A 
 
A HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 TYTTENHANGER 
 
THE GHTY CENlf ■ 
 LIBRAP/ 
 
A HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 TYTTENHANGER 
 
 BY 
 
 LADY JANE VAN KOUGHNET 
 
 Marcus Ward & Co., Limited 
 
 ORIEL HOUSE, FARRINGDON STREET, LONDON, E.G. 
 AND AT BELFAST, NEW YORK, & SYDNEY 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 If the annals of a small country place are not kept, 
 soon they will have faded away for ever. 
 
 Our childhood was enlivened by stories of Tytten- 
 hanger. Each spot had its own tradition. No doubt 
 they were commonplace tales, but deeply interesting we 
 thought them, and those who told us these stories are all 
 now silent. Therefore Caledon has requested me to 
 write down some of our recollections, and, in addition 
 to the facts transmitted to us, we have collected from 
 various papers, books, and remnants of letters enough to 
 form a little history ; and although slight, it will prevent, 
 we hope, the many lives which have been spent in the 
 quiet of old Tyttenhanger from being quite forgotten by 
 their descendants. 
 
 In our fancy we can see those centuries of diverse 
 characters pass before us. 
 
 The Monk, the Cardinal, the King, the maiden 
 Princess. They move on. 
 
 The Savant, and the children following, slowly stepping 
 into their places. Still on. 
 
6 
 
 PREFACE, 
 
 The country Squire, with lace ruffles and gold snuff- 
 box ; the prim Dame, in pearls and satin ; the Lawyer, 
 with wig and gown, for ever on they are passing. 
 
 Then nearer to us they are coming, yet always moving 
 on. Nearer still, and they touch us ! Then we feel 
 that, with them, we are passing on. 
 
 It is to their memory we dedicate our recollections, 
 and to the memory of a widowed Grandmother and 
 Mother, who both died here and are buried in one 
 grave. 
 
 Jane C. E. Van Koughnet. 
 
 Tytte?thanger, i8g^. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Tyttenhanger House Frontispiece. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope, Founder of Trinity College, 
 
 Oxford To face p. 23 
 
 Sir Henry Blount, "The Traveller" - - p- 46 
 
 Catherine Freman (Honble. Mrs, Charles 
 
 Yorke) „ p. 108 
 
 Genealogical Tree End of Book. 
 
EXTRACT FROM SIR HENRY BLOUNT'S COMMON- 
 PLACE BOOK. 
 
 " The Desire of Memory after Death is an Instinct in Mankind. 
 And therefore all waies have been taken to perpetuate Men's 
 Names and Memories ; Children, and great Houses, and noble 
 Deeds, and Books, and Monuments ; yea, and as if Earth wanted 
 things sufficiently lasting to satisfie this Appetite of Immortality ; 
 Men have placed themselves in the regions of Incorruption, and 
 have called the Stars by their own Names. Now this universal 
 Thirst after such an Imaginary Immortality is an inducement to 
 believe there is a real one ; Since did we cease to be, as soon as we 
 Dy and dissappear to this World, such an appetite would be unreason- 
 able and ridiculous: For why should we desire a precarious Being 
 in a Name and Memory, if We our Selves were so shortly to be 
 Nothing ? Of what Concernment is it to us to be remembred, if in 
 a few dales all things should be forgotten for ever, and we were to 
 go into an Eternal Silence and Oblivion ? What would a Stone be 
 the better for being accounted one of the Ancient Pillars of Seth? 
 Or a piece of Wood in being esteem'd a Sacred Relique of the 
 Cross ? In fine. Mankind hath an Appetite of Memory after 
 Death, w^'^ would be Senseless, and to no purpose, if there be no 
 Life but this. Now God implants no Instinct in his Creatures that 
 are either useless or vain ; and therefore we may conclude, that 
 there is a Future Being. 
 
 "Glanvil." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 ;M^^3I:1HE name Tyttenhanger is a corruption of the 
 ancient name Tydenhangre. Tyde?t signifies 
 j^l^^.j " hides of land ; " angre is an old name for 
 
 ■^P" a wood growing on a declivity. In the Book 
 of Benefactors it is spelt Tytynhangre. This makes it 
 probable that the word signifies two hides of wooded 
 land on the side of a hill. 
 
 Tyttenhanger is situated in the parish of Ridge. It is 
 not known when Ridge became a parish, for the name 
 does not occur in the Abbey annals until the 15th 
 century. 
 
 The estate of Tydenhangre belonged to the family of 
 Albiny, descendants of Robert de Tothence, who took 
 the name of Robert de Belvoir. It was given as a grant 
 to them by the Conqueror. Richard Albiny made a 
 donation of the estate, parish, and tithes to the Abbey ' 
 of St. Albans, either during the abbacy of the Abbot f^oJ^ 
 Geoffry, in the year 1 1 1 9 or earlier, for we find that xo-/- Imsia^ ^ ' 
 Geoffry assigned Blackhide (now Coursers) in Ridge for c^u eh^ ^ 
 the maintenance of Sopwell nunnery, founded by him. ImmX. 
 Richard de Tydenhangre is mentioned as sacrist to the OJlly^u^ djtui^ 
 
10 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Abbey during the abbacy of the Abbot, William de 
 Trumpington, in the year 12 14. 
 
 Hugo de Eversden, who became Abbot in 1308, 
 acquired about 100 acres here from John de Rammesden. 
 
 Abbot Richard de Walyngford caused some repairs to 
 be made to the farms of Tydenhangre. In 1335, in the 
 month of May, the Abbot Walyngford died. He was 
 succeeded the same year by Michael Mentmore, who 
 ordered that an addition should be made to the salary of 
 the almoner, to be taken from the land of Tydenhangre 
 beyond the water, also 10 acres of land at Colney; and 
 here is the first separation and distinct allotment of that 
 portion of tithe which, at the dissolution of the 
 monasteries, went to the Crown with all the other 
 estates, and was granted, along with the estate of 
 Tyttenhanger, to Sir Thomas Pope, and confirmed to 
 him by letters patent of Edward VI. 
 
 Abbot Mentmore found he could not enjoy any repose 
 at his mansion of Tydenhangre, by reason of the great 
 concourse of people who, both going and coming from 
 London, would turn from the road to pay their duty to 
 my Lord the Abbot. He repaired a mansion called 
 Bradelkey, and resided there. The Abbot then de- 
 molished Tydenhangre, and sold the materials, in 1340. 
 
 The house seems to have risen again soon after, for 
 Abbot Thomas de la Mare lodged here in 1350 on his 
 return from Rome, and before his instalment in the 
 Abbey Church. The annalists reckon it among the 
 faults of this Abbot that he allowed this manor to fall 
 into decay. 
 
 In the year 1396, John Moote, 31st Abbot, built 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 11 
 
 two farm houses with proper offices from a hay-barn to 
 an ox-house " on the manor of Tydenhangre. 
 
 One feature to the northern part of the manor is the 
 moorland called Colney Heath, i.e., "the Coin island 
 heath," which intimates its watery character. It is still 
 subject to floods. 
 
 The natural advantages of Tydenhangre, consisting of 
 the abundant supply of water, the fine wood, fertile soil, 
 and rich pastures (it was also said to be blessed with 
 good air and most delightful prospects), induced John 
 Moote to make it a better dwelling, and he expended 
 thereon — although the work was not half completed at 
 the time of his death — £z^o 8s. 6d., besides carriage 
 and victuals for the workmen. 
 
 The building of this mansion gave rise to much dis- 
 cussion. Some said — " It would be so pleasant, it would 
 attract the King or some great lord, and that it might be 
 difficult to deny it to them ; " others said — " That it would 
 draw away the Abbot and many of the brethren from the 
 monastery, and that if the Abbot wanted quiet and 
 repose he would not find it there, by reason of its being 
 so near the London road that he would have so many 
 visitors to whom he could not deny himself." But the 
 Abbot cared for none of these things, and only hastened 
 on the building, and extorted so much work from the 
 tenants that they complained of the loss it was to their 
 farms ; but he cared not, so that he gratified his own 
 tastes. However, the work was deemed unlucky, not 
 only because it brought vexation on those employed, but 
 also brought the Abbot to his end, for on the day of All 
 Saints, immediately after the celebration of the Mass, he 
 
12 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 was seized, at Tydenhangre, with dreadful pain, and lost 
 the use of his hands. He was taken to the Abbey, where 
 he died in 1401. 
 
 Abbot William Heyworth completed the building about 
 the date 1407. He also stocked the fish-ponds. The 
 chronicler says it was reputed the finest country residence 
 in the kingdom. 
 
 His successor, Abbot John Wheathampstead, added to 
 the fame of the mansion. In his first abbacy he enlarged 
 the chapel and inserted stained glass windows, which 
 cost ;^i6. Weever informs us, on the authority of a 
 destroyed MS., that in the walls he caused to be painted 
 the similitudes of all the saints of his own Christian name 
 John, with his own picture, which seemingly thus 
 prayeth — 
 
 " Cum fero par nomen, par ferre precor simul omen ; 
 
 Tum paribusque pari, licet impar, luce locari." 
 " O happy omen, that I bear your name ; 
 
 May I, like you, the heavenly mansions gain." 
 
 He also repaired the study, and transacted a good deal 
 of business here in his leisure hours. A considerable 
 portion of the ancient wainscotting is to be seen in the 
 present house. 
 
 In the year 1429, John of Wheathampstead terminated 
 a serious dispute which had commenced "in the year 
 1 401, during the lifetime of the Abbot William Heyworth, 
 between him and John KnoUys, a citizen of London, and 
 Lord of Myms, concerning the straying of cattle into the 
 shrubs and wild ground of Tydenhangre. The prede- 
 cessors of each had made an arrangement that the cattle 
 should pasture there year about ; but the new Abbot, 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 13 
 
 John of Wheathampstead, in 1420, claimed every year's 
 cattle and would allow no partnership, for that the 
 common or waste called Colney Heath or Tydenhangre 
 Heath was wholly in the Lordship of Tydenhangre, and 
 put Knollys in mind that he, the Abbot, and servants of 
 the Abbey, had right of way through the fields and 
 enclosures of the said Knollys to the manor of Northaw, 
 and proposed to relinquish this claim if he would grant 
 leave to the Abbot to enclose that part of the common 
 called Colney Heath or Tydenhangre Heath, lying near 
 a certain farm belonging to the said Abbot called 
 Coursers, and thirty acres of land and pastures. To this 
 Knollys assented, and, when all was settled, the Abbot 
 caused the ground to be cleared, and on the east side 
 made a deep ditch, and set up a strong pole fence, and 
 the west side he turned into good pasture land. This 
 done, he considered the state of the meadows and 
 pastures near the mansion house, and calling together the 
 tenants he persuaded them, for a compensation, to give 
 up their respective claims, which they agreeing to, and 
 the money paid, he made a strong hedge and ditch round 
 the whole, and thus * rendered the place of his abode 
 and delight ' more fair and pleasant, besides more secret 
 and private for walking ; moreover, he stocked the new 
 enclosure with deer." He was so much pleased with the 
 arrangement that he wrote a poem on "The charms of 
 rural retirement at Tydenhangre." A place called Park- 
 gate Corner marks the limit of the deer-park in the 
 north, which extended on either side of the Colne, and 
 remained a fenced park until the beginning of the present 
 century. 
 
14 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 " In 1442 Abbot John Wheathampstead had on his 
 manor farm 59 cows and 2 bulls, which he was directed 
 to deliver up to his successor, Abbot John Stoke, by the 
 award of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester (on ist Sept- 
 ember), concerning the dispute which had arisen on the 
 resignation of Abbot Wheathampstead." 
 
 In 1462, during the abbacy of William Alban, on July 
 3rd, the vicarage of Rugge (Ridge) was conferred on Mr. 
 James Waleys, chaplain, at the instance of Henry Frowyk, 
 Esq.; and this reason is given — " because the late Vicar, 
 John Bernard, had been indicted by the parishioners of 
 Hadley, in the county of Middlesex, for certain deep 
 treasons and felonies, on which account he had taken 
 flight and absented himself from the place." 
 
 Abbot William Wallmgford resided much at Tyden- 
 hangre, and signed many documents from there. Banns 
 of marriage had been used in all former times, and 
 directed to be published thrice in the parish church : 
 but here it occurs that the Abbot could give licence for 
 two persons to be married in the chapel situated in his 
 manor. A marriage licence was given to a man named 
 Kylborn ; it was dated " In manerio nostro de Titen- 
 hangre, anno 1476." A licence was given this year to 
 one William Fritz, who had contracted marriage with 
 Margaret Gylbert, a widow, in the parish of Rugge (Ridge), 
 " that they be married in the chapel situate in our manor 
 de la Weld." Amongst many documents signed here was 
 a grant to Lord William Hastings to be seneschal of 
 the Abbey, dated " at our usual residence of Tydenhangre, 
 December 20th, 1479." 
 
 In 1477, a letter had come from the King's exchequer 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 15 
 
 directing the Abbot, or rather allowing him to collect, for 
 the use of the holy see, the first fruits or annates and 
 other payments due to the Pope, and arising within the 
 Abbot's jurisdiction ; and the year 1480, the Pope's 
 collector in England, by name " John Gighe, came to the 
 Abbot, at his usual abode at Titenhangre ; he brought 
 6 servants and i chaplain, and stayed 6 days." 
 
 Amongst the monastic annals is a record of rental of 
 lands acquired at Tydenhangre, by Abbot Ramryge, in 
 1506, viz. : — "From Robert Nycols, for five crofts of 
 land and wood, called Pagys in Ruge, lately belonging to 
 Thomas Deyer, 16s. 8d.; also rent of a tenement and 
 lands in Ruge lately John Ashleye's, 21s." 
 
 The Abbots continued to make Tyttenhanger their 
 delight and resting-place until the dissolution of the 
 monasteries in the time of Henry VIIL, which took 
 place in the year 1539. In the grounds at the present 
 time is a long grass bank, resembling a terrace walk, and 
 some curiously uneven ground. These were the fish- 
 ponds of the Abbots, since drained and grassed over. 
 One in the kitchen garden by the east wall was in 
 existence until quite recently, and full of tench ; it was 
 divided in the centre by a small bridge or footway. The 
 underground cellars, in massive stone, were those made 
 by the Abbots. The archway leading to the beer cellar, 
 on the east side of the house, was built by them, and is 
 well preserved. 
 
 The ancient house covered a large portion of ground, 
 especially to the south of the present edifice, and the 
 meadow on that side is still full of remains of brick, 
 pottery, etc., a few feet beneath the surface. The 
 
16 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 present house is said in most part to have been rebuilt 
 from the materials of the old one, the great age of some 
 of the brickwork giving it the beautiful and remarkable 
 colour. The old panel was also utilised, some of which 
 is of the Hnen pattern. Close to the house, on the north- 
 west side, and above the level of the cellars, is an opening 
 in the ground leading to an underground vault or passage. 
 The story is that it had been used as a secret way. It is 
 more probable that it may have been used by the monks 
 in time of trouble to hide their treasure. A very old 
 broken iron key was found near the spot. 
 
 There has been handed down to us one most inter- 
 esting tradition connected with Tyttenhanger. " The 
 house was so large that in 1528, during the sweating 
 sickness, Henry VIII., his Queen, and retinue, took 
 refuge here from London." 
 
 The same incident is also given by Holinshed, under 
 the year 1528. He says — " In the end of Male began in 
 the city of London the disease called sweating sickness, 
 which afterwards affected all places in the realm. By 
 reason of this the Tearme was adjourned, and the 
 Circuit of the assizes also. 
 
 "The King (Henry VIII.) for a space removed almost 
 every day, till he came to Tintinhanger, a place of the 
 Abbot of St. Albans, and there he, with the Queen and a 
 small companie about them, remained till the sickness 
 was past." 
 
 Twelve months before this, in July, 1527, Henry had 
 corresponded with Wolsey, purposing to divorce Queen 
 Katherine. He had been married to her for 1 7 years : 
 she was 6 years older than him : her beauty was decayed. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 17 
 
 He was commencing to entertain doubts respecting the 
 lawfulness of his marriage with his brother's widow. 
 Wolsey fortified the King's scruples with a view to 
 marrying him to a French Princess ; but it was not until 
 May 23rd, 1533, that Cranmer, Archbishop of Canter- 
 bury, pronounced sentence, by which he annulled the 
 King's marriage with Katherine as unlawful and invalid 
 from the beginning. The King privately celebrated his 
 marriage with Anne Boleyn the same year. During his 
 stay at Tyttenhanger, the King appears to have treated 
 Katherine of Arragon with respect. 
 
 Cardinal Wolsey remained at Hampton Court during 
 the whole of this visit of Henry's at Tyttenhanger. The 
 King travelled there from Bishop's Hatfield. A letter* 
 from Sir John Russell to Wolsey, dated 26th June, 1528, 
 states that the King arrived at Hatfield Palace on that 
 day. His following was limited to the officers of the 
 Privy Chamber (about 15 persons). His stay at Tytten- 
 hanger was 13 days, from 28th June to nth July (the 5th 
 July seems to have been the only Sunday the King spent 
 there). He was well pleased with the mansion, and 
 purposed making some alteration or addition, besides 
 that of making a window in the Abbot's Chapel, to render 
 the altar (and mass service) visible from the hall. His 
 departure to Ampthill Castle, in Bedfordshire, was 
 hastened by the illness of the Marchioness of Exeter. 
 She was Gertrude, Marchioness of Exeter, daughter of 
 William Blount (Lord Mountjoy) and Elizabeth Say. She 
 was attainted of treason on frivolous pretexts in 1538, and 
 imprisoned. Her husband, Henry Courtenay (Lord 
 
 * Vide Domestic State Papers, Letter 148. 
 
18 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Chamberlain), Marquis of Exeter, was first cousin to the 
 King, being the son of Catherine Plantagenet, youngest 
 daughter of Edward IV., and WilHam Courtenay, Earl of 
 Devon. He was brought up with the King. In 1538 
 he was attainted for corresponding with Reginald Pole, 
 and beheaded Dec. 12. 
 
 Thomas Heneage, who corresponded with Wolsey on 
 behalf of the King, was son of John Heneage of Hainton, 
 Lincolnshire. He was gentleman usher to Wolsey, 
 then gentleman of the King's privy chamber; knighted 
 in 1537 ; received many grants of lands of the dissolved 
 monasteries; died Oct., 1537. His monumental brass is 
 in Hainton Church. His nephew, Sir Thomas Heneage, 
 was vice-chamberlain to Queen Elizabeth.* 
 
 The following letters are copied from State Papers of 
 Henry VIII., Part I., vol. i. :— 
 
 Letter CXLIX. Hennege to Wolsey. 
 
 " Tittenhanger, 29 June, 1528. 
 
 " Humely sewythe unto Your Grace that I have recevyd Mr. 
 Arundell's letters, where in he wrytyth, that for the extreme danger 
 of the vehement infection and sykenes, that is fallen amonges 
 Youre Graces folkes this last nyte, Your Grace entendythe to 
 remove to Hampton Cowerte ; which I sewyd unto the Kynges 
 Hynes ; where of the Kyng is very sory, especyally to have you so 
 far from hym : nothwithstanding Hys Hynes is content, and wold 
 have you to goo to Hampton Cowerte owte of that aere . . . 
 Wryten in hast, this Sent Peters day, by Your humell and 
 bowyndyn Servant, 
 
 (signed) Thomas Hennege." 
 
 * Vide "Dictionary of National Biography." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 19 
 
 Letter CL. Hennege to Wolsey. 
 
 *' Tittenhanger, 30 June, 1528. 
 ** Humely sewyth unto Your Grace the Kynges Hynes hartyly 
 recommendyth hym unto you, and preyythe you to be of good 
 cowymford and to do as he doyth : and sory he ys that Your Grace 
 ys so far from hym, and wold that yf hit plese God to vicete any 
 nio of youre folkes aboyyte you, that then Your Grace should cum 
 to Sent Albang, with a smale numbre with you : there every howre 
 on of you mygthe here of the other, and that his physytions myghte 
 be as well for Youre Grace as for hym, iff any chans should fortune. 
 This morneyng knowlege came to the Kynges Hynes of the deythe 
 of Sir Wylliam Compton, and that he showlde be lost by neclygens 
 in lettyng hym slepe in the bygynnynge of his swete. Devers there 
 ys that makythe seute to the Kyng for his offeces ; but His Grace 
 wol give non, unto such tym as he have knowlege from Your Grace, 
 how many offeces he had of hys gyfte, and what they be ; and 
 desyrythe you to send sum wyce servant of yowres, to serche in the 
 Chansry and other places, and to make hym a byll of the same, and 
 to send hyt to Hys Hynes, as shortly as ye cane. Thankyd be 
 God, this nygthe ther ys never on in the Cowerte, ne ny abowte 
 the Cowerte, fallyn syke, and they that sykenyd on Sunday nygthe 
 be recoveryd, and perfectly hole agene, so that with good kepying 
 there ys no daynger. And I esewer Youre Grace, the Kyng 
 regeysythe myche that he ys as niyry this morneynge as I have syen 
 Hys Hynes, thankyd be Jhesu, who preserve you. Wryten in haste 
 this Twisday at 1 1 of the Clock, by Your etc. I eswer Your Grace 
 I have not, ne woll, speke for any of seyd offeces for myselffe ; for 
 yff I showld, I thyncke His Hynes woll thynke myche pre- 
 sumptuysnes in me, consydering the lytell tyme that I have been in 
 his servyce. This present hower, as the Kyng was at Mas, the 
 Kyng send for Mr. Herytage for the makyng of a new wynde in 
 youre Closet there, as his folkes may stond in youre grete chambre, 
 and here Mas, and not to cum in to youre Closet, bycause hit ys so 
 lytle, which shal be doyn with dyligens — etc. 
 
 (signed) *' Thomas Hennege." 
 
 Letter CL2L. LLennege to Wolsey. 
 
 "Tittenhanger, 1st July, 1528. 
 ** Humely sewyth unto Youre Grace, that, thanckyd be Jhesu, 
 the Kinges Hynes ys very well and myry, and all his howsold here 
 
20 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 excep on of his Warderape, and a gentleman's servant, which 2 fell 
 syke this nyte .... After the wrytyng of the premissis, I 
 recevyd Your Graces letters, and sewyd the Kynge the tenor of 
 them. As for suche offeces as Sir Wylliam Compton had of the 
 Quene gyffte, His Hynes woU not spek to the Quene, but well that 
 sew shal bestow them at hir plesur to hir owyn servaunts ; excepte 
 on that he haythe goten for the servant of his, Shelor, whyche ys 
 the kepyng of Odyham Parke. This morenyng, as His Hynes 
 was in making hym redy he haythe givein commawynment to the 
 Cofferer to make provysion at Amptyll, in cause that anythyng 
 showld fortune, he mygthe, withowt let, goo thether at on removyng. 
 
 '* Sir the Kynge desyrythe you to send hym the byll that Mr. 
 Fynche made for the remedy of all suche as have fallyn syke in 
 you re howse ; for as His Hynes ys enformyd. he haythe doyne very 
 well boythe to bryng them to there swheyte ageine, when they fall 
 owte, and allso to swayge the grete hete and burnyng. Wryten 
 this Wensday, at 8 of the cloke, by your humele and most 
 bowyndyn servant, 
 
 (signed) "Thomas Hennege." 
 
 Letter CLIII. Hennege to Wolsey. 
 
 " Tittenhanger, 4 July, 1528. 
 '* Humely sewythe unto your Grace that the Kynges Hynes ys 
 myry and in good helythe, thankyed be Jhesu. His Hynes lykythe 
 youre mynyon Howse so well that he perposythe not to departe so 
 shortly from thens as he apoyntyd, and as I late wrote unto your 
 Grace. . . . Wryten this Saterday at 1 1 of the cloke, by your 
 humell and most bowyndyn servant, 
 
 "Thomas Hennege." 
 
 Letter CLLV. LTennege to Wolsey. 
 
 "5 July, 1528. 
 
 "Please it youre Grace to understand, that the Kynges Hynes 
 this mornyng, being advertised. Your Grace purposed to have come, 
 and visited hym as tomorow, commaunded me to write unto 
 Your Grace to differ your saide commyng, untill the tyme be more 
 propiciouse : for as yet he feareth and thinketh not mete Your 
 Grace's Company and hys shuld joyne in oon howse, and is 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 21 
 
 mervelouse gladd that he is so nighe unto Your Grace, saying — * I 
 am right glad my Lordes Grace is so nere hand, for now if any 
 casualtie shold happen, I may have redy and spedy word from 
 hym ;' assuring Your Grace that his Hynes is so well contented in 
 all poyntes with his lodginges, with the aire and site of this your 
 place, as ever I sawe hym ells where to be. Furthermore, His 
 Hynes willed me by these letters to desire Your Grace to cawse 
 generall processions to be made unyversally through the realme, as 
 well for the good wetheringes, to thencrease of come and fruyte, 
 as also for the plage that now reignethe. And thus Jesu send your 
 Grace long felicite. 
 
 " From Titton Hanger, this Sonday By Your humbly and most 
 bonden servant, 
 
 (signed) '* Thos. Hennege." 
 
 Letter CL VI. Dr. Bell to Wolsey. 
 Dated from Tittenhanger, 7 July, 1528, contains directions from 
 the King about church promotions. He is anxious for Wolsey's 
 health. The sickness commences to abate. 
 
 Letter CLVII. Hennege to Wolsey. 
 
 *' . . . . and this morneynge he hathe word that my Lady 
 Marques of Exeter ys syke of the comon sykenes, whiche causythe 
 His Hynes to apoynt to remove opon Seterday, from hens to 
 Amtyll, and hathe comawyndyd that all suche as where in my seyd 
 Lord Marquys compeny, and my seyd Lady, to departe in severall 
 parcells, and so not contynue together : and so he desyreth Your 
 Grace to do, yf any suche case shall fortune, as God forbede. And 
 glad he ys to here, that Your Grace hathe so good a hart, and that 
 you have determyned and made your wyll and orderyd youreselfe 
 anenst God, as you have doyne, as His Highness haythe semable 
 doyne : whiche wyll he entendythe shortly to send unto Your Grace, 
 where in Your Grace shall se and perseve the trusty and harty 
 mynd that he haythe unto you above all men lyvyng .... 
 And also he desyrythe Your Grace, that he may here every second 
 day from you, how you doo : for I esewer you, every morneyng 
 assone as he comythe from the Quene, he haskythe, whether I here 
 anything from Youre Grace. And this day he apoyntythe to sew 
 his mynd to Mr. Herytage of such thynges as His Hynes wold 
 
22 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 have buyldyd here, where of Your Grace send hym word you 
 would be content to doo, by Mr. Herytage. And thus Oure Lord 
 preserve your Grace. 
 
 " Wryten at Youre Graces howse at Tytnangre, this Thursday, 
 the 9th day of July, by youre humble and moste bowndyn 
 servant, .... 
 
 (signed) " Thomas Hennege." 
 
 Letter CL VIII. Bell to Wolsey. 
 
 Dated from Tittenhanger, lo July, 1528, contains an account of 
 the King's displeasure with the election of the Abbess of Wilton. 
 
 Letter CLIX. Hemiege to Wolsey, 
 
 " Tittenhanger, July ii. 
 " . . . . The Kynge hathe sewyd Mr. Herytage hys plesur 
 for suche boyldynges as he desyreth to have at Tytnangre, and hath 
 made a plate of the same : and very sorry he ys for the deythe of 
 Mr. Redman his mason ; as Owre Lorde knowythe, who preserve 
 you 
 
 (signed) " THOMAS Hennege." 
 
 The following extract is taken from Cutts's Turning 
 Points of Eftglish Church History^ page 185 : — 
 
 " His greatness {i.e., Cranmer's) is said to have sprung out of the 
 following occurrence : — An outbreak of the plague, called the 
 sweating sickness, at Cambridge, in the year 1528, drove him to 
 take refuge with two of his pupils at the house of their father, 
 Mr. Cressy, at Waltham Abbey. This visit was the turning-point 
 in his career. While he was living at Waltham, King Henry 
 passed the night at Tyttenhanger. Two of his train, Gardiner 
 and Fox, were billeted on Mr. Cressy, and at supper the discourse 
 turned on the great topic which was the subject of interest through- 
 out Europe — the King's divorce. Cranmer's conversation made an 
 impression on his new acquaintances. He suggested that all 
 Canonists were agreed that the Pope could not dispense from God's 
 law, but only from Ecclesiastical law ; and that marriage with a 
 deceased wife's sister was forbidden by God's law ; if, therefore, 
 the Canonists should decide that marriage with a deceased wife's 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 23 
 
 sister was forbidden by God's law, and if the English Ecclesiastical 
 Courts should decide that Arthur and' Catherine were married, then 
 it followed that Henry's marriage was no marriage ; and the_ proper 
 course was not to ask the Pope for a divorce or a dispensation, but 
 to assume that the marriage was originally null and void, and the 
 King a bachelor, at liberty to marry without any dispensation. 
 This view of the matter was soon after reported to Henry, who, in 
 his turn, was so struck with it, that in his blunt way he exclaimed — 
 * This fellow has got the right sow by the ear : bring him here.' " 
 
 In the year 1547, the last year of Henry VIII.'s reign, 
 he gave a grant of the. Abbey estate of Tyttenhanger, in 
 the parish of Ridge, to Sir Thomas Pope, and by 
 inheritance it has descended to the present Lord 
 Caledon, having remained since that date in his family ; 
 the sirname only being changed, owing to the estate 
 having been inherited through the female line. 
 
 This grant, which was not gratuitous, included Black- 
 hides (Coursers) and also the almoner's tithes, which had 
 been set apart by the Abbot Mentmore. Henry died 
 before the grant was signed and completed, but full 
 confirmation was given to it in the first year of Edward 
 VI., and the deed is now at Tyttenhanger ; it also con- 
 tains the lordship of the manor and right of free warren, 
 and is signed "Edward Somerset" in a very fair and 
 good hand. Wharton says, in his Life of Sir Tho7?ias 
 Pope:— 
 
 ' ' Tyttenhanger was conveyed to Sir Thomas Pope by Henry 
 Vin., 1547, and confirmed to him by Edward VL, July 24th in 
 the following year. However, it appears that he bought this estate 
 of Queen Mary, June the i6th, 1557, for twenty years' purchase : 
 notwithstanding, in a deed dated 1555, he styles himself of 
 Tyttenhanger, and in the charter of his College, 1554, mentions 
 Tyttenhanger as one of his manors."* 
 
 * yide Life of Sir T. Pope, by Wharton, pp. 169, 170. 
 
24 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 The rental is said to have been ;^iii 5s. lod. Sir 
 Thomas Pope, famed as the founder of Trinity College, 
 Oxford, was born at Dedington, in Oxfordshire, in the 
 year 1508. His father, William Pope, of Dedington, 
 was a country gentleman of very moderate means. 
 Thomas Pope, destined for the legal profession, was 
 educated at Banbury Grammar School and Eton College ; 
 he thence proceeded, probably, to Gray's Inn. He made 
 a very good use of his education. Fuller says " he 
 was the architect of his own fortune." His proficiency 
 in Chancery law attracted the attention of the great 
 Chancellor, Sir Thomas More (More's ancestral residence 
 was Gobions, in the parish of North Mymms ; it has 
 utterly disappeared) ; to More's friendly patronage Pope 
 probably owed some of his early promotions. Their 
 intercourse was terminated by More's execution in 1535. 
 Early in the morning of the 5 th July, Pope was sent to 
 the Tower to announce to his venerable friend the hour 
 appointed for his death. More's reception of the 
 message was characteristic of the man. He said — 
 " Master Pope, I heartily thank you for your good 
 tidings." Pope was unable to control his emotion. 
 More then added — " Quiet yourself, good Master Pope ; 
 I trust we shall one day see each other in heaven full 
 merrily."* 
 
 In October of the same year, Pope, at the age of 27, 
 was made Clerk of the Briefs in the Star Chamber, and 
 soon afterwards Warden of the Mint, and Keeper of the 
 Jewel House in the Tower of London. 
 
 In 1536 he was knighted and appointed a commissioner 
 
 * Roper's Life of More. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 25 
 
 to visit the religious houses. As soon as the Court of 
 Augmentations was estabHshed,for receiving the revenues 
 of the dissolved monasteries, he was appointed to the 
 important post of Treasurer. In 1539, in company with 
 Dr. Petre and five other commissioners, he received the 
 surrender of St. Albans Abbey from Abbot Richard 
 Stevenache, December 5 th. 
 
 Though one of those into whose hands the seal of the 
 opulent Abbey of St. Albans was delivered, the noble 
 and conventual Church was preserved by his interest. 
 In his employment in the Court of Augmentations, which 
 afforded so many temptations to fraud, oppression, and 
 rapacity, he behaved with singular decency, moderation, 
 and honour. Pope's official emoluments must have been 
 very considerable. Being thus furnished with means, he 
 purchased many of the monastic estates thea vested in 
 the Crown. How soon he entertained the design of 
 employing a portion of these acquisitions for the endow- 
 ment of a great college is not known ; so important a 
 scheme would doubtless take a long time in maturing ; 
 it was not realised till 1554. To Pope's uprightness of 
 character there appears to be general testimony. Fuller 
 says — " By all the printed books of that age he appeareth 
 one of a candid carriage, and in this respect stands sole 
 and single by himself." 
 
 The statutes of Trinity College were signed at 
 Tyttenhanger, May ist, 1556. The charter was granted 
 in 1554. The Foundation was for a president, 12 
 fellows, and 8 scholars. Sir Thomas bestowed on the 
 endowment 35 manors, 13 advowsons, and various tithe 
 appropriations. The manors were in Oxfordshire and 
 c 
 
26 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 other counties. Tyttenhanger was amongst the grants, 
 but, according to Cussans, it was re-conveyed to the 
 grantor and his heirs on condition of the annual pre- 
 sentation to the College of a fat buck and a hogshead of 
 claret. Warton, in his Life of Sir Thomas Fope, gives 
 inventories of church plate, furniture, and books bestowed 
 on the College. The only piece of plate that survives is 
 a fine fifteenth-century silver chalice, gilt, described in 
 Shaw's Decorated Arts of the, Middle Ages as having 
 belonged to St. Albans Abbey. A fac-simile of it is now 
 in use in the Cathedral Church. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope was High Sheriff of Hertfordshire 
 in 1552 and in 1557, towards the close of Edward's 
 reign. 
 
 He retired from Court during the reign of Edward 
 VI., and held no public office, with the exception of 
 High Sheriff. He resided peaceably at his mansion of 
 Tyttenhanger. It is said he was a man full of talent 
 and prudence. Living in an age when great temptations 
 were offered for compliance with frequent changes, yet 
 he remained unbiassed and uncorrupted amidst the 
 general depravity ; he never opposed or resisted the new 
 ordinances of religion, but still retained the ancient 
 faith. 
 
 On Mary's accession he was made one of the Privy 
 Council, Cofferer to the Household, and frequently 
 employed in State Commissions. During the latter years 
 of this reign he was made keeper or governor to the 
 Princess Elizabeth, to whom he made a kind and gentle 
 custodian. 
 
 Princess Elizabeth had for some time been much out 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 27 
 
 of favour with the Queen. The ancient quarrel between 
 their mothers remained deeply rooted in Mary's malignant 
 heart. Elizabeth's inclination to the Protestant religion 
 still further heightened Mary's aversion, and she had 
 become the public and avowed object of her dislike. 
 The Princess therefore thought it most prudent to leave 
 the Court, and before the beginning of 1554 retired to 
 her house at Ashridge. There she was not long per- 
 mitted to remain. Being accused of conspiracy, she was 
 conveyed, though weak and ill, to the Tower, and 
 ignominiously conducted through the Traitor's Gate. 
 After this, strictly guarded and in daily fear for her life, 
 she was conveyed by short stages to the palace at 
 Woodstock. Here, after being confined for many 
 months, a partial reconciliation between her and the 
 Queen took place. She was released from the formidable 
 parade of guards and keepers, and was permitted to 
 retire with Sir Thomas Pope to Hatfield House, then a 
 royal palace. This was in 1555. Sir Thomas appears 
 to have resided with her at Hatfield, and behaved to her 
 with tenderness and respect. Although strict orders 
 were given that the Mass alone should be used in the 
 family, yet he connived at many Protestant servants 
 whom she retained about her person. The Princess was 
 suffered to make excursions, partly for pleasure and 
 partly for paying her compliments at Court. Warton 
 mentions how, on February 25th, 1557, the Lady 
 Elizabeth came riding from her house at Hatfield to 
 London, attended with a great " companie " of lords, 
 and nobles, and gentlemen, unto her place called 
 Somerset-place, beyond Strondbridge, to do her duty 
 
28 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 to the Queen, and on the 28th she repaired unto her 
 Grace at Whitehall with many lords and ladies. Again, 
 in March she rode to her palace of Shene. In April, 
 the same year, she was escorted from Hatfield to Enfield 
 Chase by a retinue of twelve ladies clothed in white 
 " sattin " on ambling palfries, and twenty yeomen in 
 green, all on horseback, that her Grace might hunt the 
 hart. At entering the chase, or forest, she was met by 
 fifty archers in scarlet boots and yellow caps, armed with 
 gilded bows ; one of whom presented her with a silver- 
 headed arrow, winged with peacock's feathers. Sir 
 Thomas Pope had the devising of this show. By way of 
 closing the sport, or rather the ceremony, the Princess 
 was gratified with the privilege of cutting the throat of a 
 buck. 
 
 Upon the accession of Queen EHzabeth, who was 
 resident at Hatfield when her sister Mary died, November 
 17th, 1558, it does not appear that Sir Thomas Pope 
 was continued in the Privy Council. Elizabeth, to pre- 
 vent an alarm among the partisans of the Catholic 
 communion, had retained thirteen of Mary's Privy 
 Councillors ; but her friendship to Sir Thomas seems to 
 have remained unchanged, for he was continued Master 
 of the Ordnance and Armoury. The four last years of 
 Queen Mary's reign, which the Princess Elizabeth passed 
 at Hatfield with Sir Thomas Pope, were by far the 
 most agreeable part of her time during that turbulent 
 period. 
 
 Warton states that Sir Thomas Pope lived much at 
 Tyttenhanger, and made improvements in the mansion. 
 " Hie erected over the vestibule of the great hall a noble 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 29 
 
 gallery for wind music ; he also inserted in the windows 
 of the chapel painted glass, brought the choir from St. 
 Alban's Abbey, when that noble conventual church was 
 preserved from destruction by his intercession with the 
 King." This interesting information was communicated 
 to Warton by Sir Harry Pope Blount, then owner of 
 Tyttenhanger, before 1760 (Sir Harry died in 1757). 
 Neale, writing about the year 1800, says — "Sir Thomas 
 erected in the chapel a new screen of Spanish oak, 
 exquisitely sculptured adding — " this very screen now 
 adorns the chapel of Luton Hoo, the seat of the 
 Marquis of Bute, being removed about the year 1620." 
 Whyte succeeded Gardiner as Bishop of Winchester, 
 and was enthroned 1556. He became first visitor of 
 Trinity College. In a letter of Sir Thomas Pope's, 
 dated 1558, he says — " My lord of Wynchester has been 
 sycke with me at Tyttenhanger, but now returns to the 
 corte; he has promysed to give his coat-armur for the 
 grete glas-windowe ther in my hall." In the present 
 dining-room at Tyttenhanger is a portrait of Sir Thomas 
 Pope painted on panel by Hans Holbein. He wears 
 the "gown of black sattin faced with luserne spots," 
 which is mentioned in his will as bequeathed to Mr. 
 Croke, his old master's son. He has two fine sapphire 
 rings on his forefingers, a ruby and sapphire ring on his 
 left hand little finger, and a gold wedding ring on the 
 little finger of his right hand, and hanging round his 
 neck is a gold chain and whistle, described in his will as 
 " the whistle shaped like a dragon, or mermaid, and set 
 in stones," which he " commonly wore at his chain." 
 This he bequeathed to Sir Nicholas Bacon. At the left 
 
30 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 corner of the picture is written his chosen motto, by 
 which he had always acted : — 
 
 " Quod taciturn veils ne?fiini dlxerls" 
 
 He had worked for the good of his generation, and 
 lived an honourable life in times when that quality was 
 rare. When he died, those secrets which he thought it 
 would be better for his country never to know went with 
 him to the grave. 
 
 Opposite to Sir Thomas Pope hangs a portrait of 
 Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, by Hans Holbein. 
 There is no account existing of how this picture came 
 into the family. It has always been at Tyttenhanger, as 
 far as any record goes. The idea suggests itself that it 
 may possibly have been a gift to Sir Thomas Pope by 
 Thomas Cromwell. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope died January 29th, 1559, on 
 Sexagesima Sunday, at his house in Clerkenwell, in his 
 50th year. 
 
 He was magnificently buried with great solemnities. 
 His body was first carried to the Church of Clerkenwell 
 in London, where it was laid under a hearse or shrine, 
 illuminated with wax tapers, for the space of one week, 
 and on February 7 th, with great pomp, the funeral pro- 
 ceeded to the Church of St. Stephen's, Wallbrook. 
 After further ceremonies, the company returned back to 
 his house to a banquet, where they were refreshed with 
 spiced bread and wine. The body was buried after 
 Mass on the following day ; they then went to his house 
 for dinner, " being," as my manuscript says, " a very 
 great dinner, and plenty of all thinges."* He was 
 
 * Life 0/ Sir T. Pope, by Warton. 
 
TYTTENHA NGER. 
 
 31 
 
 interred in a vault in which before had been buried his 
 wife Margaret, his daughter Alice, and Anne Pope, his 
 sister-in-law. In 1567, eight years after his death, his 
 body and the body of Dame Margaret were removed to 
 the Chapel of Trinity College, Oxford, where they were 
 again interred on the north side of the altar under a 
 stately tomb, on which are the recumbent figures of Sir 
 Thomas Pope in complete armour, and of his last wife 
 Elizabeth, large as life, in alabaster. In the will of 
 Elizabeth, his last wife, she desires expressly to be buried 
 in a vault or tomb in Trinity College Chapel, Oxford, 
 " wherein lieth the corpse of my late good husband. Sir 
 Thomas Pope." The monument was probably given by 
 Elizabeth in her lifetime. The will of Sir Thomas Pope 
 was written in 1556, with a codicil added in 1558. It 
 is a most carefully-written document, and commences 
 with the desire to be buried at St. Stephen's, Wallbrook, 
 in the tomb in which his wife Margaret and her daughter 
 are interred, and that his funeral be without pomp. 
 This wish was apparently not adhered to. There are 
 numberless bequests to the poor, and many to his friends 
 and relations. To the vicar of Clerkenwell Church 10 
 shillings, and to the vicar of Ridge, in Hartfordshire, 
 10 shillings. His executors were Nicholas Bacon and 
 William Blount. To Elizabeth, his wife and executrix, 
 whom he ever found honest, true, faithful, loving, and 
 obedient, he bequeathed the residue of his movable 
 goods, leases, and debts, praying her heartily that she 
 would bestow part of the same among the poor. Great 
 part of his estate was settled upon Trinity College. 
 His brother, John Pope, who was one of his heirs, 
 
32 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 and to whom he granted large estates, lived at Wroxton, 
 in Oxfordshire, in the reign of Edward VI. Sir Thomas 
 had many friends. The two of greatest interest at 
 Tyttenhanger were his executors, William Blount, his 
 wife's brother, and Sir Nicholas Bacon, whom he called 
 *' his most true and assured friend." He was Sir Thomas 
 Pope's neighbour at Gorhambury, near St. Albans, 
 where he built, in 1566, a beautiful house, the ruins of 
 which still remain a monument of ancient magnificence 
 and manners. He was likewise solicitor, while Sir 
 Thomas was treasurer, of the first Court of Augmenta- 
 tions. During the reign of Henry VI H., having 
 enjoyed many marks of royal favour, more from virtuous 
 industry than from mean submission, he was made by 
 Queen Elizabeth, 1559, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, 
 and a Privy Councillor. He was father of Francis 
 Bacon, Lord Verulam. 
 
 The learned and candid John de Feckenham, the last 
 Abbot of Westminster, and a great friend to the Princess 
 Elizabeth, about the reign of Edward VI. often visited 
 Sir Thomas Pope at Tyttenhanger House, who never 
 suffered him to depart without a present. Once in 
 particular he gave Feckenham, at parting, a purse filled 
 with twelve angels, his picture in enamel, a silver crucifix 
 studded with precious stones, and a large missal richly 
 ornamented, with 36 historical pictures. 
 
 There is a tradition that Edward VI. was brought to 
 Tyttenhanger, when an infant, for the sake of the fine 
 air ; but no authentic record of this story remains. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope had one brother, John, and three 
 sisters, Alice, Elizabeth, and Julian. Alice was married 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 33 
 
 to Edward Love, gentleman, of Aynhoe, in Northampton- 
 shire, whose name often occurs in the affairs of Trinity 
 College about the time of its foundation, and who 
 appears to have acted as the founder's receiver in 
 Oxfordshire and other counties. She died 1534, and 
 she and her husband were buried in the Church of Stoke 
 Lyne, near Bicester, in Oxfordshire, with an inscription 
 on a brass plate. Edward and Alice Love had a 
 daughter, Frances, who married William Blount, Esq., 
 executor to Sir Thomas Pope, and their son Thomas 
 inherited Tyttenhanger. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope was three times married. His first 
 wife was Elizabeth Gunston, from whom he was divorced 
 by Richard Gwent, Doctor of Decrees, Archdeacon of 
 London, and principal official in the Court of Canterbury, 
 July nth, 1536, by the authority of the King and 
 Parliament. His second wife was Margaret Dodmer, 
 widow, to whom he was married in London, July 17th, 
 1536, by hcense from Archbishop Cranmer, authorised 
 by Parliament for this purpose. Margaret Dodmer's 
 maiden name was Townsend, and she was the relict of 
 Ralph Dodmer, mercer and sheriff of London, 1524; 
 afterwards knighted, and mayor of London, 1529. She 
 was married to the said Ralph by license from Cardinal 
 Wolsey, dated November 20th, 1527. By this Sir Ralph 
 Dodmer she had two sons, Ralph and John, both living 
 1554, and two daughters, Ann and Mary ; by Sir Thomas 
 Pope, her second husband, she had only one daughter, 
 Alice, born April i6th, 1537, who died very young. With 
 this lady, Margaret, Sir Thomas Pope seems to have lived 
 in the greatest harmony and happiness, for in his will he 
 
34 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 mentions with much affection "her womanlie behaviour, 
 trewth, and honestie used towards me," and makes this 
 the sole cause of his kind remembrances and gifts to her 
 son, beseeching his executors and honourable friends to 
 treat all her children as his own, and " to help to sett 
 forward " the children of his late wife, Margaret Dodmer, 
 "which be fryndless." She died January i6, 1538. 
 
 At Tyttenhanger there is a small head of a lady rather 
 roughly painted on panel. She wears a close-fitting 
 white cap. It has sometimes been supposed to be the 
 portrait of Margaret, Lady Pope. 
 
 The third wife of Sir Thomas Pope was Elizabeth, 
 the daughter of Walter Blount, Esquire, of Blount's 
 Hall, in Staffordshire, and Mary his wife, descended 
 from the illustrious family of Dudley Sutton, of which 
 were the famous John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, 
 and Robert, Earl of Leicester. Elizabeth, when she 
 married Sir Thomas Pope, was relict of Sir Anthony 
 Basford, or Beresford, Esquire, of Bently, in Derbyshire, 
 by whom she had an only son, John. He was sent by the 
 founder to be educated at Trinity College, Oxford. In 
 a letter to the president, the founder desires the 
 lecturers " to tech him and to rede him Erasmus pistells 
 and Tully's pistells, which he shall lerne to translate 
 well." He is a witness to the codicil of Sir Thomas 
 Pope's will. Dr. Ralph Kettel, President of Trinity 
 College, who knew Lady Pope well, bestows high 
 encomiums upon the excellent gifts of her mind and 
 body, her talents, various knowledge, eloquence of 
 language, integrity of morals, piety, and munificence. 
 She survived her husband thirty-five years, and he 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 35 
 
 delegated to her considerable power over the new 
 Society, to which she was also a benefactress. He says 
 that Sir Thomas was induced to marry her principally 
 on account of her charitable disposition and other 
 excellent qualifications ; and that she heartily concurred 
 with her husband's pious intention of founding a college. 
 They were married by license from Archbishop Cranmer, 
 January ist, 1540. They had no issue. After the death 
 of Sir Thomas Pope, in January, 1559, she was married 
 for the third time, before or in December following, to 
 Sir Hugh Powlett, of Hinton St. George, in Somerset- 
 shire. He was son of Sir Amias Powlett, who re-edified 
 the gate of the Middle Temple in London, to produce a 
 reconciliation with Cardinal Wolsey, whom he had 
 offended, and whose coat of arms he there placed. Sir 
 Hugh, during the reign of Henry VHL, was much in 
 favour with that King. He was invited in 1537, with 
 the principal nobility, to attend the magnificent baptism 
 of Prince Edward. He was knighted for his gallant 
 services against the French, particularly for his behaviour 
 at taking the Brey, at the siege of Boulogne, in the 
 presence of the King. He was treasurer of the King's 
 army at the siege of Boulogne. In consideration of 
 these merits, he was rewarded by Henry VIH. with 
 several grants of manors and lands. By that King he 
 was appointed surveyor of the rents of the dissolved 
 manor of Glastonbury. In 1542 he was sheriff of 
 Devon. In the reign of Edward VI. he was knight- 
 marshall of the army sent against the rebels of Cornwall 
 and Devonshire, governor for life of Jersey and Mount- 
 Orgueil Castle, and he was installed Knight of the 
 
36 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Garter. In Elizabeth's reign he was constituted vice- 
 president of the marches of Wales, and Governor of 
 Havre-de-Grace. He bravely defended Newhaven against 
 the French, and was the chief of the commissioners for 
 the capitulation. He was, in short, besides the character 
 of singular prudence and integrity, one of the most 
 intrepid and experienced officers of his time. By a 
 former wife he was father of Sir Amias Powlett, who 
 had the custody of Mary Queen of Scots. In the 
 British Museum there is a translation of a French 
 romance into English, entitled L'Histoire de la Duchesse 
 de Savoye. Par Ungues le fils de Mons. Aime Powlett. 
 It is probably one of his juvenile exercises in the French 
 language. In the reign of Elizabeth he was a Privy 
 Councillor and an eminent statesman. Sir Hugh died 
 in 157 1, without issue by his last lady, who survived him 
 till 1593. On the panelled ceiling of the north transept 
 of St. Albans, now destroyed, were the arms of Powlett 
 — viz., sa,^ three swords in pile, points downwards ; 
 arg,^ pommelled and hilted or. Lady Pope (Dame 
 Elizabeth Powlett) engaged her husband. Sir Hugh 
 Powlett, to join with her in protecting the interests of 
 Trinity College. "In 1564 she placed a new pair of 
 organs, with a picture of the passion of Saint Sebastian, 
 in the chapel of Tyttenhanger House." Warton says — 
 " This was communicated by the late Sir Harry Pope 
 Blount from some family papers." She chiefly lived at 
 Tyttenhanger and Clerkenwell. There are three of her 
 letters to Trinity College, the first of which is dated 
 "Tyttenhanger, Sept. 23rd, 1559;" the second, 
 "Tyttenhanger, Sept. 5, 1570;" the third, " Clerken- 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 37 
 
 well, June 12th, 1590." In the year 1578, she was 
 visited at Tyttenhanger by Queen Elizabeth in a royal 
 progress.* At length this pious and respectable lady, 
 having lived to a very great age, died October 27 th, 
 i593j at Tyttenhanger. When her body was carried 
 from thence, to be buried at Oxford, five pounds in 
 money, and large provisions of meat and drink, were 
 distributed to the poor at the gate of Tyttenhanger 
 House. 
 
 She bequeathed . 5 . o to several prisons. To 
 
 each prisoner at Oxford a stone of beef. Forty shillings 
 to the poorest and most diseased patients of St. 
 Bartholomew's Hospital." 
 
 Amongst other bequests — " To the Lord Treasurer 
 Burleigh, a ring of gold, garnished with a diamond, 
 which was some time the ring of the Lord Keeper, Sir 
 Nicholas Bacon. To the Earl of Ormonde, her black 
 ambling horse. To Lady Stafford, Lady of the Queen's 
 Privy Chamber, a candlestick of silver. To her sister. 
 Lady Sydenham, a nest of silver bowls, two trencher 
 salts of silver, and her bed, with all its rich furniture, of 
 cloth of stamel colour." 
 
 The following letter of Sir Hugh Powlett's to Cecil is 
 taken from the Public Record Office, Domestic State 
 Papers a.d. 1547-1580, vol. xlvi., 10 Elizabeth: — 
 
 "Sir William Cecil, Lord Burleigh. 
 
 "dated Tyttenhanger, 19 June, 1568. 
 
 " It may please you to be advertysed, that there are of mysyniple 
 provysion tenne lodes of stones caryed and upon caryage from 
 Langley to your house at Tyballs besides Walton ; being partly 
 ashamed that I can not furnish you with a greater nomber of cartes. 
 
 * ride Strype, Blomefield, and Li/e of W. Lilly. 
 
ss 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Yet are these few moo by the one half than I can make of my 
 tenants here, and much adoo to get any others by the ill furniture 
 of the countrye in ploughes ; and my lytell acqueyntance emongest 
 the people ; desyring you to accept my pore good wyll for the 
 service that I should have donne you in this behalfe. 
 
 "And touching the matter in hande for the pretended traffique 
 in the Isles of Jersey and Guernsey, lyke as it hath pleased you and 
 those my Lordes of the Quene's Majesty's Counsell to understande 
 therein the opynions of her Hynes' Attorney and Sollycitor, with 
 other associat unto them ; whiche certyficat I take to be retourned 
 unto you. So it may be your pleasure to wryte as woU unto some 
 men of knowledge and notablest merchaunts of the Sherestowns 
 and portes westward, as to some of the choysest parsons of the said 
 Isles for certificat of theire opinions hereupon, in whiche behalf for 
 your more spedy reducynge to memorye of some of the chefst and 
 metest men of all those partes (as yt ys thought) to travayle 
 herein. Mr. John Chamberlayne and Mr. Alexander Colles have 
 to delyver unto you a cedule of soundry men's names collected for 
 that purpose, whom you may accordingly appoynt with them 
 hereunto, or alter the same into otheres at your pleasures. And so 
 having declared as myche any waye as I can sale herein, I have 
 referred the farther prosequiting of the cause, (as you and otheres 
 my Lordes of the Counsell shall appoynt,) unto the said John 
 Chamberlayne and Alexander Colles, who wyll attend your 
 pleasures upon the same. 
 
 " Cessing therefore on my parte to troble you with any farther 
 discours in this behalf, I wyshe you with good harte and most 
 prasworthy well to fare. 
 
 " From my pore howse of Tytenhanger, in Harfordshere, the 
 XIX of June, 1568. 
 
 " Yours to comand, 
 
 (signed) Hugh Poulet." 
 A postscript follows this letter relating to matters in 
 Ireland. 
 
 The manor house of Theobalds, or Tyballs, was 
 rebuilt by William Cecil Lord Burleigh about 1565. 
 The stones mentioned in this letter were probably 
 required for building some addition to the mansion. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 39 
 
 There is a good portrait of Lady Pope (afterwards 
 Lady Powlett) at Tyttenhanger. It is an oval picture 
 of a middle-aged lady, with a most pleasant expression. 
 She wears a white widow's cap, over which is a black 
 hood tied under her chin, the point of which rests upon 
 her forehead. She has on a white collar, and round her 
 shoulders a black satin mantle fastened with an orna- 
 mental clasp. Only the right hand is shown, with a 
 small ring on the little finger. Sir Thomas Pope having 
 died without children, the name and family were con- 
 tinued by his brother John, who settled at Wroxton. 
 The poet, Alexander Pope, was related to this family. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope settled the estate of Tyttenhanger 
 upon Elizabeth, his lady, for life, and, after her death, 
 upon Thomas Blount, the eldest son of William Blount, 
 Esq., of Osberston, her brother, who died the year before 
 her, and whose wife was Frances, daughter of Edward 
 Love, Esq., of Aynhoe, in Northamptonshire, and Ahce, 
 the sister of Sir Thomas Pope, so that Thomas Blount 
 was great-nephew of Sir Thomas Pope, and nephew to 
 Lady Pope. Upon his succession to this estate he added 
 the name of Pope to that of Blount. 
 
 The ancestor of this family was Le Blount, Lord of 
 Guisnes, in Normandy, whose sons, Robert and William 
 Le Blount, both entered England with William the 
 Conqueror. William was one of the captains in that 
 expedition, and quartered with other Norman knights on 
 the monks of Ely. Robert was created by the Conqueror 
 Baron of Ixworth,in Suffolk, in which county he received 
 a grant of thirteen lordships. Gilbert, his son, founded 
 an Augustine priory at Ixworth, in the reign of William 
 
40 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Rufus, which he endowed with fourteen knights' fees. 
 One of Gilbert's descendants was killed at the battle of 
 Lewes, in the reign of Henry III., where he was 
 standard-bearer to Mountford, Earl of Leicester. In 
 the progress of its descent, this family numbers many 
 persons of singular eminence and high station, and is, 
 besides, nobly connected by marriage. 
 
 During the reign of Edward I., and also in the reign 
 of Edward HI., the name " Hugh de Blund " is on the 
 list of High Sheriffs for Hertfordshire. 
 
 *Walter Blount, Esq., the second son of John Blount 
 and Ellen Hall, lived at Blount's Hall, and married 
 Margaret, daughter of John Sutton, Esq., of Dudley 
 Sutton, of which family were John Dudley, Duke of 
 Northumberland, and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. 
 By this marriage he acquired the estate of Osbaston in 
 Leicestershire. They had two sons, William and Walter, 
 and four daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Ann, and Ellen. 
 
 1. William Blount, the eldest, lived at Osbaston, 
 married Frances Love. He died in 1592, and was 
 buried at Ridge. 
 
 2. Walter was admitted a Scholar of Trinity College, 
 Oxford, upon the nomination of the Founder, on 
 January 9th, 1556, aged 18, and left it about Michaelmas, 
 
 1. Elizabeth, married Sir Thomas Pope. 
 
 2. Mary, married Sir George Sydenham, of Combe 
 Sydenham. 
 
 3. Ellen, supposed to have married Mr. Goodwin. 
 
 4. Ann, died unmarried. 
 
 * Vide Genealogical History of the Croke Family. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 41 
 
 William Blount, of Osbaston, by his wife, Frances 
 Love, had four sons — 
 
 1. Thomas, afterwards Sir Thomas Pope Blount. 
 
 2. Richard. 
 
 3. George, who married Martha, the daughter of 
 Richard Thurville, of Thurleston. 
 
 4. Walter. 
 
 *Richard Blount, the second son, was born about the 
 year 1563, and became an eminent member of the 
 Society of Jesus. He was initiated in polite learning at 
 Oxford, where he was admitted a Gentleman-Commoner 
 of Trinity College, January 31st, 1579, and left, February 
 28th, 158 1. From Oxford he went to Rome, to pursue 
 his studies in philosophy and theology. When his edu- 
 cation was completed, he accompanied Father Robert 
 Parsons into Spain, to visit the seminaries which he had 
 lately established at Seville and Valladolid. At Seville 
 he exhibited a specimen of his learning in some disputa- 
 tions which were held before the Cardinal, and greatly 
 edified the students by his precepts, and his example of 
 modesty and other virtues. He continued here till the 
 English sent a fleet against Cadiz in 1596, when, in 
 the dress of a sailor, he went to England on board a 
 merchant-ship with some other priests. Not long after- 
 wards he was admitted into the Society of Jesuits. As 
 the age of profession is thirty-three years, this must have 
 been about the year 1598. It was the destination of 
 Father Blount to be a labourer in the spiritual harvest 
 of his native country. The laws were severe against 
 persons of his profession, and they were executed with 
 
 * Vide Genealogical History of the Croke Family. 
 
 D 
 
42 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 great vigilance. It was high treason for Jesuits and 
 priests to be found in England ; it was felony to harbour 
 them, and not to discover them subjected the party to 
 fine and imprisonment. The students of the foreign 
 seminaries, who were designed for the English mission, 
 were educated for martyrdom. Notwithstanding the 
 activity of the Government, great numbers were annually 
 sent over. Father Blount resided for some years in 
 Sussex, and during this time he was twice in imminent 
 danger of being apprehended. The first time, a justice 
 of the peace came with his officers early in the morning 
 to the house where he was concealed. The master of 
 the house was seized and sent off to London, the 
 mistress was conveyed to the justice's house, and the 
 servants were committed to prison, one maid only being 
 left to take care of the children. The magistrate kept 
 possession of the house for five days, making repeated 
 searches. During all this time Father Blount and a 
 servant were concealed in a hiding-place. When their 
 provisions were consumed, the servant came out, and 
 delivered himself up, pretending to be the priest of whom 
 they had received information, and pointing out another 
 place as that in which he had been concealed, upon 
 which the magistrate went away. Thus, after some 
 danger of starving, and the uneasiness of sitting in one 
 position for so long a time, he escaped from his per- 
 secutors. The second time, his trial was still severer. 
 On a winter's night near Christmas, upon an information 
 laid by a country servant, three justices and their 
 attendants suddenly entered the courtyard. Awakened 
 by the noise. Father Blount started out of bed, and in 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 43 
 
 his under-garments only, with another person, hid himself 
 in the hole of a thick stone wall, taking with him one 
 loaf and a little wine. The master was absent, and they 
 shut up the mistress, with her children, in one of the 
 rooms. Every part of the house was searched, every 
 door broken open, and every suspicious place sounded, 
 and they kept possession for ten days. On the last 
 evening, having discovered by the sound that there was 
 a hollow place in the wall, they battered it so hard as 
 to loosen the stones, and the concealed inhabitants were 
 obliged to support them with their shoulders. A heavy 
 rain compelled the magistrates and their attendants to 
 retire into the house, and, whilst they were refreshing 
 themselves, Father Blount made his escape from the 
 hiding-place. But he had still dangers to encounter. 
 The house and garden were surrounded by a wall and a 
 moat. With much difficulty he scaled the wall, and 
 swam over the moat, which was eighty feet wide, and 
 clogged with broken ice. His companion, not being 
 able to swim, was left behind, and made his escape by a 
 stratagem. He ran into the hall, awoke the soldiers, 
 and alarmed them with a fictitious story that some 
 thieves were stealing their horses. They started up, 
 opened the gates, and ran with lights to the stables ; of 
 which he took advantage and escaped. Father Blount, 
 whose legs and feet were much torn and bruised, pro- 
 cured the dress of a countryman at a neighbouring 
 house, continued his journey along the main road, which 
 was deep in mud, and reached the house of another 
 Catholic friend, where he lay sick for three months, and 
 then went to London for further medical advice. He 
 
44 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 felt the consequences of the sufferings he underwent 
 upon this occasion all the rest of his life. In 1619, 
 England, which had only been styled a mission in the 
 constitution of the order of Jesuits, was erected into a 
 Vice-Province, and Father Blount was appointed the first 
 Superior. Flanders as well as England was compre- 
 hended. Upon his appointment, he divided England 
 into regions, and assigned Moderators under each. By 
 this measure the Fathers in every place had a Superior 
 near them to consult, and cases of difificulty were reserved 
 for the Vice-Provincial. It facilitated likewise the per- 
 formance of the stated exercises, the renewal of their 
 vows, and other matters of discipline. Though he 
 principally resided in London, and often visited different 
 parts of the country in the performance of his office, his 
 great caution and vigilance enabled him to avoid dis- 
 covery and seizure. He assumed different characters, 
 and never left or returned to his house but under the 
 veil of darkness ; and he avoided all open connection 
 with known Catholics. James I. and Charles honoured 
 him with their favour on account of his character for 
 prudence and integrity. He loved to be in the society 
 of great men, from whom he obtained the best informa- 
 tion, and could communicate what he wished to be 
 known through a larger circle. Yet he avoided persons 
 in the Government, who might ask of him what he could 
 neither refuse with safety or grant with honesty. 
 
 Under Father Blount the Society flourished greatly. 
 In 1636, Father Blount, being then more than 70 years 
 of age, resigned his arduous office. He then applied 
 his mind to the conversion of his relations from the 
 
TVT TENHA NGER. 
 
 45 
 
 errors of heresy. Amongst his family, he and one sister 
 only had embraced the Catholic faith. He wished to 
 convert his eldest brother, Sir Thomas Pope Blount, 
 and his children ; but no importunities could prevail 
 upon Sir Thomas to listen to such conversations. 
 Disappointed, therefore, Father Blount lived retired, and 
 died two years after the resignation of his office, and was 
 buried at the Capuchins, then dwelling in London, by 
 permission of the Queen. 
 
 Thomas, the eldest son, inherited Tyttenhanger by 
 the will of his great uncle, Sir Thomas Pope. He 
 settled at Tyttenhanger about 1593. He prefixed Pope 
 to the name of Blount. He was matriculated of Trinity 
 College in 1574, being then 18. "He was Sheriff of 
 Hartfordshire in 1598, and was knighted by James I. 
 on May 7th, at the commencement of his reign, at 
 Theobald's, in His Majesty's journey from Scotland in 
 1602. He was offered a baronetcy, which he refused, 
 and was appointed and made a deputy-lieutenant of 
 Hartfordshire." He married Frances, daughter of Sir 
 Thomas Pigot, Knight, of Holt, and by her, who died in 
 1616, and was buried at Ridge, he had four sons — 
 
 1. Thomas Pope, his successor. 
 
 2. Charles, born 1600, died 1602, and was buried at 
 Ridge. 
 
 3. Henry. 
 
 4. Charles, born 1604, died 1606, and was buried at 
 Ridge. 
 
 His wealth was great. He had possessions in the 
 counties of Hertford, Middlesex, Bedford, Leicester, 
 Stafford, and Derby. He died at a great age, and was 
 
46 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 buried at Ridge. There is a black marble tablet at 
 Ridge over the spot where the Blounts lie, with coats of 
 arms at each corner, and this inscription — 
 
 '* Here lye the bodies of Wylliam Blount 
 The father Esq. and S"" Thomas Pope Blount 
 
 Knight his sonne with the Ladie Frances 
 Blount his wyfe who had issue fower sonnes 
 S*" Thomas Pope Blount Knight Charles 
 Henrie and Charles Blount. 
 We Prayse God for all His Mercies. 
 1633." 
 
 Thomas Pope Blount, the eldest son, succeeded. He 
 was born in 1598-9, and married a widow, Margaret 
 Pate, and died without issue, August 7th, 1654. He 
 was buried at Ridge, in the family vault at the north 
 side of the chancel, and was succeeded by his brother 
 Henry. In 1884, when the chancel was restored by 
 Jane, Lady Caledon, the vault was found to be out of 
 repair. The remains of the Blounts were laid in a new 
 vault a few yards from the wall on the same side, and 
 the ancient marble tablet (which had been within the 
 altar rails) was placed over them. 
 
 Sir Henry Blount, of Blount's Hall, who was born at 
 Tyttenhanger, December 15th, 1602, eldest surviving son 
 of Sir Thomas Pope Blount and Frances Pigot, now 
 became possessor of Tyttenhanger. He was educated at 
 the free school of St. Albans, and entered a Gentleman 
 Commoner of Trinity College before he was 14. He 
 attracted the attention of the Society more from his 
 great gifts and personal accomplishments than from his 
 family connections and his near relation to the Founder. 
 After taking his first degree, he removed to Gray's Inn 
 
Bir Henry 
 
 Ijlount, " The 'd rav ell er," from a miniature. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 47 
 
 and studied municipal law. He then made a tour 
 through Italy, France, and Spain. In 1634 he embarked 
 at Venice for Constantinople. He also visited Turkey, 
 which afforded a noble scene for observation in religion, 
 policy, and manners. The Turkish army was then 
 marching against Poland, and their military discipline 
 came under his observation. He travelled through the 
 greater part of Europe, and in 1636 published a book 
 of hi* travels. A curious manuscript book written by 
 him, and called " Sir Henry Blount's Commonplace 
 Book," is in the Tyttenhanger Library. It contains 
 extracts from different authors, and remarks and notes 
 by himself, all carefully arranged by his own hand. 
 
 Extracts from Sir Henrys Commonplace Book. 
 
 " ON WISDOM. 
 
 '* The Wisdom of Man is luit foolishness unto God, says the 
 Apostle ; what more common than to see Men entrapped in their 
 own Wisdom, and as it were by their own craft and subtilty to work 
 out their own Ruine and Destruction. Some Men are apt to run 
 before Providence : It is the fault of most Wise men to look at 
 things at too great a distance, and therefore it is that many times 
 things seem to them what really they are not. Flence Montaign 
 observes — That there is nothing so ridiculous as for a Wise man 
 to play the Fool ; And what can be a greater folly than for a Man 
 through the Extremity of Wisdom to run into the greatest Folly. 
 
 " S'^ Henry Blount." 
 
 Of all Wind Instruments, that of Fame ought most to be 
 valued." 
 
 "Though Kings are called Gods on Earth, yet they are but Gods 
 of Earth, and therefore they must die like Men." 
 
 ** King Charles the 1st us'd to say — That the King and Parliament 
 are like the Twins of Hippocrates, which must laugh and cry, live 
 and Dye together." 
 
48 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 " It was the saying of S"^ Henry Blount that of all parts of the 
 Creation, the basest was Man, and that the Worst of Men was the 
 English Man, and the worst of the English Men was the Clergy- 
 man." 
 
 King Charles I., who was a patron of clever men, 
 made him one of his Gentlemen Pensioners. The King 
 conferred upon him the honour of knighthood on 
 March 21st, 1639. Sir Henry Blount when he was 
 young was not proof against the allurements of pleasure. 
 In his gay day he dined most commonly at the Heycock's 
 Ordinary, near Pallsgrave, head tavern in the Strand, 
 which was much frequented by Parliament men and 
 gallants. Here it was that he won a jocose wager of 
 Colonel Betrige, one of the most fashionable men about 
 the town, in confirmation of his strange notion that 
 the fair sex loved money more than beauty in their 
 admirers. At those convivial parties he excelled in 
 that species of humour now called hoaxing, but then 
 styled shamming.* He told once, in company, that 
 at an inn in St. Albans the innkeeper had made a 
 hogs' trough of a freestone coffin, but the pigs after 
 that grew lean, dancing and skipping, and would 
 run up on the tops of the houses like goats. The 
 young gentlemen who heard him tell this sham so 
 gravely rode the next day to St. Albans to enquire. 
 Coming there, nobody had heard of any such thing — 
 'twas altogether false. The next night, as soon as they 
 alighted, they came to the Rainbow coffee-house, and 
 found Sir Henry, and told him they wondered he was 
 not ashamed to tell such stories. " Why, gentlemen,'^ 
 
 * Vide Genealogical History of the Croke Family. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 49 
 
 said he, "have you been there to make enquiry?" 
 " Yea," said they. " Why, truly, gentlemen," said Sir 
 Henry, " I heard you tell strange things that I knew to 
 be false. I would not have gone over the threshold of 
 the door to have found you in a lie." At which all the 
 company laughed at the two young gentlemen. At the 
 age of 40 he became more serious, and drank nothing 
 but water or coffee. This latter liquor was just intro- 
 duced into this country. The first coffee-house in 
 London was in St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill. Sir Henry 
 had acquired a taste for coffee during his Turkish travels. 
 In the civil war he attended the King as one of his 
 Gentlemen Pensioners at York, and in the battle of 
 Edgehill, where he had the care of the Royal children, 
 the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, and retired 
 with them towards the end of the battle, not without 
 imminent danger of their being taken in an ambush 
 by the way. He was afterwards with the King at 
 Oxford, but left him and retired to London. Upon his 
 arrival there, he walked into Westminter Hall with his 
 sword by his side, to the astonishment of the Parlia- 
 mentarians, who stared upon him as a cavalier, knowing 
 that he had been with the King. Upon which he was 
 called before the House of Commons, and questioned 
 for his adherence to his Majesty ; but remonstrating to 
 them that he did no more than what his place required, 
 he was acquitted. When the King's cause became 
 desperate, he joined the reigning party, and was esteemed 
 by them. He was appointed in 165 1 one of the com- 
 mittee of 2 1 persons to consult about the reformation of 
 the law. He was active against the payment of tithes, 
 
50 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 and endeavoured to reduce the emoluments of ministers 
 to one hundred pounds a-year He inveighed much 
 against the University. Young men were too dissipated 
 there, and acquired learning not fit to qualify them for 
 the affairs of the world. In his manuscript book is an 
 interesting account of the young men of these days, and 
 their manners and customs on leaving College to settle 
 down on their estates as country squires ; later in life to 
 become High Sheriffs or even members of Parliament, 
 yet uneducated and empty-headed. The clergy also did 
 not escape his censure, although he appears to have been 
 a staunch Churchman and Protestant, and quotes from 
 other authors how " the Essence and Being of Christianity 
 is Practice." He is also concerned about the boldness 
 and confidence of the women, while the men have fallen 
 to the effeminacy of women. Cosmetics must have been 
 in fashion, for he mentions on his " Page concerning 
 Women " . . . " The little Adulteries of Art ; she 
 may buy Beauty, and yet can never make it her own ; 
 may paint, yet never be fair. 'Tis like Enameling a 
 Mud Wall, the Coursness of the Ground will spoil the 
 Varnish." 
 
 In 1654 he sat in the Upper Bench in Westminster 
 Hall, with Lord Chief-Justice Rolles, on the commission 
 for the trial of Don Pantaleon Sa, the Portuguese 
 Ambassador's brother, for murder ; an act of justice 
 which brought great credit to Cromwell's Government. 
 
 Sir Henry was known to be friendly to the Royal 
 cause, and only joined the Republican party when all 
 hopes of preserving the Monarchy were extinct. At 
 the Restoration he was received into the Royal favour, 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 51 
 
 and was appointed High Sheriff of Herts. After 
 this he Hved the Hfe of a country gentleman. There is 
 a silver token at Tyttenhanger with the head of Charles 
 I. on one side and a representation of the Parliament on 
 the other. These tokens were presented at the time of 
 the Restoration to his friends by the King as an acknow- 
 ledgment for money given on behalf of the Royal cause. 
 Judging by the three portraits at Tyttenhanger, Sir Henry 
 had a thoughtful face, with strongly-marked features, and 
 was slightly underja wed. In two of these portraits he /--H^sl^Vi 
 wears a long brown wig, parted down the centre of his 
 head, and curled on each side of his face. In one of 
 these he is represented with his right hand resting on a 
 globe of the world. The third portrait of him is without 
 a wig, and showing his own dark hair. The motto, 
 
 Radicem Pete" is written on this picture. His wife, of Cb>2-') 
 whom there is a portrait, is dressed in brown brocade, 
 a necklace of pearls is round her throat, and she has 
 long pearl drop earrings. She wears ringlets, and a small ^ 
 love-lock on her forehead. In 1654, when Sir Henry 
 inherited Tyttenhanger, he pulled down the ancient 
 magnificent fabric and built the present house, the front 
 of which was from a plan of Inigo Jones. As has 
 already been told, the materials, wainscot, &:c., of the 
 ancient mansion of the abbots were used for the new 
 building. It is a handsome square four-storied house 
 of red brick, with a steep tiled roof and dormer windows, 
 and clock tower in the centre. 
 
 The entrance was by the south front. A gate off the 
 Hatfield lane, on the south side of the pond near Kent's 
 lodge, led to a road which went across the meadow and 
 
52 
 
 r YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 up to a shrubbery. Traces of it and the old trees in the 
 front hayfield mark the spot. The road here divided, 
 forming a square, enclosing the shrubbery. We believe 
 there was also another approach leading to Colney St. 
 Peter's through Lobel lane. Immediately in front of 
 the south hall-door was an oval plot of grass with a 
 gravel sweep or path, and opposite the hall-door were 
 large iron gates surmounted on either side by a stone 
 lion, each supporting a Blount shield. These gates 
 were probably the distance of the present fountain 
 flower-bed from the house ; for when the fountain was 
 being made (which proved a failure, and is now a flower- 
 bed) in more recent years by Catherine Freman, Lady 
 Caledon, under it the present gardener remembers 
 finding two stone steps, which appear to have led down 
 through these gates on to an open grass paddock, at the 
 end of which was a magnificent grass avenue, with trees 
 on each side, leading straight to the London road. The 
 effect cf this must have been fine. 
 
 There were out-buildings on the east side, and a 
 kitchen garden, which is said to have been that of the 
 abbots, near the old well-house, the well with the 
 famous water, which was one of the chief inducements 
 for the abbots to settle here. The present well-house 
 must have been built by the Blounts, but was restored 
 and put into good order by Jane, Lady Caledon. 
 
 What is now a lawn-tennis ground, facing west, was a 
 large shrubbery and pleasure-ground extending from the 
 kitchen garden by the well to the glade by the rookery, 
 and here was a formal flower-garden. This was the style 
 of place to which Catherine Freman, Lady Caledon, 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 53 
 
 used to come as a child, and she frequently described it 
 and the games she had with her sisters in those grounds. 
 The maiden blush rose still growing on the west wall of 
 the house was there in those days, and Lady Stuart 
 always showed the scar on her finger where it was torn 
 by a thorn, for she had started round so suddenly to hear 
 the news of the battle of Waterloo which a messenger 
 from London had brought to her father, and at that 
 moment she happened to be leaning out of the drawing- 
 room window to gather the roses. The drawing-rooms 
 in those times were used as a study by Lord Hardwicke, 
 and called the offices. The tapestry-room on the first 
 floor was the drawing-room. 
 
 It had been intended by Catherine, Lady Caledon, 
 when making the fountain, that the overflow should be 
 carried into a well which is opposite the abbots' beer- 
 cellar door. The workmen found a spring there, and 
 seven or eight feet beneath the ground four brick walls, 
 forming four rooms. In the days of the Blounts and 
 later there were out-buildings extending beyond the 
 well-house to the south ; there are also indications of 
 brick foundations across the terrace and grass mound. 
 This may have been the wall of the Blounts' garden, or 
 even older remains. 
 
 In the interior of Tyttenhanger are two oak stair- 
 cases, the principal one being exceedingly richly carved. 
 They both lead to a curious corridor under the roof, 
 stretching along the whole front from end to end. This 
 was probably a dormitory. Cut with a diamond in one 
 of the panes of the lattice window which faces east 
 were the following names: — "Judith Wase, 1656;" 
 
54 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 "Anne Bagnall, 1656." The glass was broken only 
 recently. This corridor has bedrooms off it, and they 
 have in the wall long low cupboards almost like passages. 
 There used to be a music-room on the second floor; 
 but when Lady Hardwicke came to reside permanently 
 here, part of the music-room was partitioned off into 
 bedrooms, leaving only a narrow passage. Lady Stuart 
 could recollect that the place where the orchestra stood 
 was ornamented with gilt leather. On this floor is Sir 
 Henry Blount's private study, and over the door is 
 written ''''Hoc ageT This motto was placed there by Sir 
 Henry, and the room always bears that name. His coat 
 of arms is on a panel near the window, still clear and 
 well preserved. The story is that Sir Henry yet haunts 
 this room ; that the rustling of his satin dressing-gown 
 is heard as he passes down the passage (in his day the 
 music-room) and into his private room to study ; at 
 other times he has been distinctly felt coming out of 
 " Hoc age.'' 
 
 After living at Tyttenhanger for over 20 years, he died 
 in 1682, and was buried at Ridge. He had married, in 
 1647, Hester, daughter of Christopher Wase, Esq., and 
 widow of Sir William Mainwaring. She died in 1678, 
 and was buried at Ridge. Her daughter, Lady Busby, 
 by Sir William Mainwaring, is also buried there. An 
 ornamental memorial tablet of white marble or alabaster 
 is in the chancel, with this inscription : — 
 
 " Here lyes ye Lady Busby wife to S"" John Busby of Addington 
 in y^ county of Bucks Daughter to y^ Lady Bkint by her first 
 husband S"" William Mainwaring who was slaine in y^ defence of 
 Chester for y^ King She died y« 28 : day of December 1661 in 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 55 
 
 19 yeare of her age in childbed of her second child who survives 
 to succeed her in thos admired perfections which made her memory 
 deare to all who knew her." 
 
 Sir Henry Blount had issue by Hester Wase seven 
 sons and one daughter — 
 
 1. Sir Thomas Pope Blount, who succeeded. 
 
 2. Henry, born 1650, died 1651. 
 
 3. Charles, born 165-1, died 1693, and was buried at 
 Ridge. 
 
 4. Christopher, born 1655, died 1657, and was buried 
 at Ridge. 
 
 5. Henry, born 165-, died 1657, and was buried at 
 Ridge. 
 
 6. A son. 
 
 7. Ulysses, born 1664, married Hester, eldest daughter 
 of Sir John Hewett, of Waresley, who died 1694, and 
 was buried at Ridge. 
 
 I. Frances, born 1648, married, in 1666, Sir Thomas 
 Tyrell, father of Sir Henry Tyrell. She died 1699, and 
 was buried at Thornton. 
 
 There are two pictures at Tyttenhanger, a boy and . ■ 
 girl. One is of Sir Thomas Pope Blount, by Cornelius ^\^*^^'^\) 
 Jansen j the other is of Frances Blount, afterwards Lady 
 Tyrell. It is in precisely the same style as the painting 
 of her brother ; so we conclude it is by the same artist, 
 who died in 1665. 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope Blount, eldest son of Sir Henry 
 Blount, the traveller, was born at Upper HoUoway, in 
 Middlesex, Sept. 12th, 1649. The advantage of an 
 education under the instructions of his father was not 
 lost upon him. For his general merits he was created 
 
56 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 a baronet by Charles II. in 1679 during his father's life- 
 time. In the two last Parliaments of Charles II., he 
 was one of the members for the borough of St Albans, 
 and was knight of the shire for Hertfordshire the 
 remaining part of his life j in the Convention Parliament 
 of 1688, he and Sir C. Caesar were conjointly members 
 for the borough ; and in the Parliaments that were sum- 
 moned in 1689, in the reign of William and Mary, he 
 and Ralph Freman sat for the county (and he continued 
 to be member for the county until his death). During 
 the last three years he was appointed by the House of 
 Commons as one of the commissioners of the public 
 accounts. He was a lover of rational liberty, and was 
 steady to the party by which the Revolution was effected, 
 without any violence or rancour against those of opposite 
 sentiments. He married Jane, the only daughter of Sir 
 Henry Csesar, or Adelmare, knight of Benington Place, 
 in Hertfordshire, and died at Tyttenhanger, June 30th, 
 1697, in his 48th year, and was buried at Ridge. By 
 his lady, who died at Kensington Gravel Pits on July 
 14th, 1726, and was buried at Ridge, he had five sons 
 and nine daughters, whose names are given later. " His 
 shield of arms may be seen in the Presbytery of St. 
 Albans Abbey, among those of the contributors to the 
 reparation of the structure effected in 1683. He was 
 one of the trustees for the fund. The bearings are — 
 ' Barry nebule or and sab^^^ 
 
 It was during the Hfetime of Sir Thomas, in 1684, 
 that the private chapel (which is on the second story of 
 Tyttenhanger House) was consecrated by Ralph Lord 
 Bishop of Exeter. The fittings are ancient, with the 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 57 
 
 exception of a modern parquet floor. The coloured 
 glass is the original. There is also the old communion 
 plate. The coats of arms on the staircase, in coloured 
 glass of the same style as that in the chapel, are modern. 
 
 As the Caesars intermarried with both the Blounts and 
 Fremans, we have taken an account of their origin from 
 Salmon's History of Hertfordshire^ written in 1728. He 
 says — " At Benington are the Manuscripts of Sir Julius 
 Caesar, bound up in several volumes. On the last page 
 of one, this, written with his own Hand — 
 
 'Julius Adelmarius filius 
 Coesaris Adelmarii, qui semper 
 Durante vita cognitus publice 
 Et apellatus Caesar, per illustriss- 
 imas Reginas Mariam et 
 Elizabetham, transmisit eandem 
 Apellationem, idemque nomen ad 
 Posteritatem suam, qure tamen 
 Posteritas Adelmarii nomen 
 Non dereliquit ; cum illud ab 
 lUustri Comite Genua; in 
 Italia, DTIo Admirallio 
 Gallise tempore Caroli M. 
 Imperatoris Germanine in 
 Continua stirpe Masculina 
 Ad illam descenderitt ; idque jure 
 Hiereditario. 
 
 Jul. Adelmarius, alias Ccesar. 
 .^tatis suae an. 77. 1634.' 
 
 "Under his father's Picture is this — 
 
 'CiEsar Adelmar, lineally 
 Descended from Adelmar 
 Count of Genoa, and Admiral 
 Of France, A.D. 806, in the 
 Reign of Charles the Great. 
 His Mother was Daughter 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 To the Duke de Cesarini, from 
 Whom he had the Name of Caesar,. 
 Which Name Mary Queen of 
 England ordered to be 
 Continued to his Posterity.' 
 
 "On Sir Julius Caesar's Picture — 
 
 * Sir Julius Adelmar 
 
 Caesar, 
 Judge of the Admiralty, 
 Master of St. Katharine's, 
 Master of Requests, 
 Chancellor and Under Treasurer 
 Of the Exchequer, 
 Master of the Rolls, 
 One of the most Hon^'^ Privy- 
 Council, and Custos Rotulorum 
 Of the County of Hertford, 
 Son of Caesar Adelmar.' 
 
 Another — 
 
 ' Sir Charles 
 Adelmar Caesar, 
 Master of the Rolls^ 
 Son of Sir Julius,' 
 
 " Another — 
 
 ' Sir Henry Adelmar Caesar, 
 Twice Knight of the Shire 
 for the County of Hertford, 
 Son of Sir Charles.' 
 
 " Another — 
 
 * Sir Charles Adelmar Caesar, 
 Twice Knight of the Shire for 
 the County of Hertford, 
 
 Son of Sir Henry.' 
 
 ^'"Another of 
 
 * Charles Adelmar Caesar,. 
 Treasurer of the Navy,, 
 Son of Sir Charles, 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 69 
 
 Knight of the Shire 
 
 for the County of Hertford.' 
 
 "In the church of St. Peter, at Benington, is a monument ' for 
 Sir Charles Csesar Knight, Master of the Rolls, son of the Right 
 Hon^'e Sir Julius Csesar, Privy Councellor to King James and King 
 Charles. 
 
 He died 1643.' " 
 
 In the history of Hertfordshire during the Great Civil 
 War^ by Alfred Kingston, referring to the year 1638, he 
 describes the burdens and grievances that had been 
 growing in volume for some time before the actual crisis, 
 and goes on to say — "Besides Ship-money, there was 
 another grievance to the country in ' coat and conduct 
 money' — the cost of providing the soldiers with coats 
 and conducting them to the rendez-vous. The Deputy 
 Lieutenants of Herts questioned its legality, and five of 
 them were summoned to London to answer for their 
 remissness. In fact, neither this nor Ship-money came 
 in very readily from the counties, and the King, to meet 
 his immediate needs, put up to auction the office of 
 Master of the Rolls, and the highest bidder was Sir 
 Charles Caesar, of Benington, Herts, who secured the 
 prize for 15,000." 
 
 The principal work of Sir Thomas Pope Blount was 
 the Censura Celebriorium Authorum, a large folio volume 
 in Latin, which is a collection of the judgments of 
 learned men upon the writings of the principal authors 
 who have appeared in all ages. Another critical work 
 was entitled De Re Poetica ; or^ Reijiarks upon Poetry, 
 He appears to have formed his styles upon the models of 
 Bacon and Bishop Taylor, and, amongst other works, 
 wrote essays upon subjects of science and morality. 
 
60 
 
 TYTTENHA NGER. 
 
 Speaking of Christianity, he styles it " a blessed religion." 
 " Of all the virtues and dignities of the mind," he says, 
 goodness of nature is the greatest, being the very 
 character of the Deity, and therefore all the acts of our 
 Saviour, whilst He conversed on earth amongst men, 
 were purely the effects of, and emanations from, His 
 tenderness and good nature." Again — "The Christian 
 religion is a plain, simple, easy thing, and Christ com- 
 mends His yoke to us by the easiness of it." 
 
 The third writer of this family was his brother, Charles 
 Blount, the second surviving son of Sir Henry, born at 
 his grandfather's seat at Upper Holloway, in Middlesex, 
 April 27th, 1654. When only 18, on December 3rd, 
 1672, he was married at Westminster Abbey to Eleanor, 
 fourth daughter of Sir Timothy Tyrell, of Shotover, in 
 Oxfordshire, and his father then settled upon him the 
 estate of Blount's Hall, in Staffordshire. It was said of 
 him — "Nature gave him parts capable of noble sciences, 
 and his industrious studies bore a proportion to his 
 capacity. He was a generous friend, an indulgent 
 father, and a kind master. His temper was open and 
 free, his conversation pleasant, his reflexions just and 
 modest, his repartees close, not scurrilous. He was an 
 enemy to dissimulation, and never feared his own 
 thoughts. He was a lover of the liberty of his country ; 
 in his habits he was temperate, eating out of necessity 
 rather than pleasure. His usual liquor was water and 
 he never drank any other but to prevent himself being 
 the spy and wonder of the company. He was fond of 
 hunting, and was some times master of a pack of 
 hounds." Unfortunately, he was prejudiced against the 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 61 
 
 Scriptures and Christian religion, and became a professed 
 deist. Of the glory, honour, and adoration of God he 
 was a most zealous asserter. He belonged to a school 
 of deism which had been brought into England by 
 Spinosa and other foreign philosophers. It continued 
 by a succession through Toland, the Earl of Shaftesbury, 
 Collins, Woolston, Tindal, Morgan, Chubb, Lord 
 Bolingbroke, Hume, and Douglas, down to Gibbon. 
 His works were dangerous, being composed with ability 
 and extensive learning. His first publication, entitled 
 Anima Mundi, appeared in 1679. Later he published 
 several other books. He was also author of some letters 
 under the name of " Philander," in the Post Boy Robbed. 
 It appears that Charles Blount was only weak on the 
 side of religion. He was a great favourite with his 
 father. In his politics he supported the Revolution. 
 In the reign of Charles 11. he published a political 
 piece, entitled " An appeal to the country from the 
 city, for the preservation of his Majesty's person, 
 liberty, property, and the Protestant religion." This was 
 strongly written, and was a popular work upon the 
 Popish plot and against the danger of a Popish successor. 
 He wrote " A dialogue between King William and King 
 James on the banks of the Boyne the day before the 
 battle." 
 
 His lady died at Rolleston, in Staffordshire, in 1689, 
 and after her decease he conceived a violent passion for 
 her sister, Mrs. Hoby, then a rich widow, a lady of great 
 beauty and accomplishments. She was not insensible to 
 his attachment, but had scruples about marrying her late 
 sister's husband. He appealed to the Archbishop of 
 
62 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Canterbury, and was informed that such a match was 
 contrary to law. The lady then positively refused him. 
 He tried to persuade her to an illicit marriage, and she 
 again refused her consent ; and Mr. Blount, in a fit of 
 despair, shot himself through the head. He lived for 
 five days, during which time he was nursed by the lady 
 with the most sympathetic tenderness. This event took 
 place in August, 1693, in Catherine Street, Strand. He 
 was buried at Ridge. 
 
 Charles Blount, by his wife, Eleanor Tyrell, had three 
 sons and three daughters — 
 
 1. Henry Blount, of Blount's Hall, born in the Strand, 
 1675, who was a Lieut.-Col, in the Foot Guards, and 
 was killed at the head of the advanced guard in the 
 battle of Schellenburg, in Germany, 1704. He was 
 unmarried, and was succeeded by his brother. 
 
 2. Charles, born 1681, married Sarah, daughter of 
 
 Pearson, Esq. ; died without issue at Blount's Hall 
 
 in T729. 
 
 3. Thomas Pope, born 1683, was lost at sea, 1702 ; 
 he was unmarried. 
 
 1. Hester, born 1673, married her cousin-german, 
 Harry Tyrell, afterwards Sir H. Tyrell, Bart., of Thornton, 
 and inherited Blount's Hall on the death of her brother 
 Charles. 
 
 2. Eleanor, died very young. 
 
 3. Charlotte, born 1684, married Smith, Esq., 
 
 died 1707. 
 
 Ulysses, the youngest son of Sir Henry Blount (the 
 traveller), inherited some lands in Herts upon his 
 mother's death, and,- upon his father's, an estate in 
 
TYTTENHANGER, 
 
 63 
 
 Surrey. He died in 1704, having by his wife Hester 
 Hewett had one son and two daughters — 
 I. Henry, born 1689, died the same year. 
 
 1. Hester, born 1687, married Stephen Bateman. 
 
 2. Philh'ppa, married Sir Henry Bateman, elder 
 brother of the above Stephen, and died 1718. 
 
 Sir Henry Blount (the traveller) had only one daughter, 
 Frances, already mentioned, wife of Sir Thomas Tyrell, 
 whose son was Sir Henry Tyrell. 
 
 The Blounts usually spelt the name Tyttenhanger 
 " Tittenhanger." 
 
 To return to Sir Thomas Pope Blount, Bart., author, 
 and son of Sir Henry (traveller). He had, by his wife 
 Jane Caesar, five sons and nine daughters — 
 
 1. Sir Thomas Pope Blount, of whom hereafter. 
 
 2. Henry, born 1679, died 1680, was buried at Ridge. 
 
 3. Charles, born 1683, was captain of a company of 
 Fusiliers, and was killed in a sudden quarrel at the 
 King's Arms tavern in the Strand in 17 14; he was 
 unmarried. He was buried at Ridge. 
 
 4. Caesar, born 1688, was a lieutenant in the navy; 
 married Jane Hodges. 
 
 5. Robert, born in 1689, Page of Honour to Queen 
 Anne; he was a lieutenant in the Scotch regiment of 
 Guards; he died unmarried in 1726, and was buried at 
 Ridge. 
 
 1. Hester, born 1672, died 1675, and was buried at 
 Ridge. 
 
 2. Elizabeth, born 1673, died unmarried at York, 
 1734. 
 
 3. Judith, born 1674. 
 
64 
 
 T YTTENHANGER, 
 
 4. Susanna, born 1677, married, in the church of 
 Shenley, 1696, Michael Arnold, Esq., of Ampthill, Beds. 
 
 5. Jane, born 1678, died unmarried in 1735, and was 
 buried at Ridge. 
 
 6. Frances, born 1680, died 1729, was buried at Ridge. 
 
 7. Anne, born 1682, married the Rev. James Mash- 
 bourne in 17 1 2, died in 17 18. 
 
 8. Mary, born 1685, died at York in 1757. 
 
 9. Christian, born 1690, married, in 1733, the Rev. 
 Rowland Bowen. 
 
 " Miss tress Frances Blounfs Will 
 
 " I make my Sister Judith Blount Sole Executrix of this my last 
 Will & Testament giveing unto her all My Goods & Chattells only- 
 paying out of it unto my sister Jane and Chriss £,200 each, unto 
 my Sister Eliz: & my Sister Mary one hundred pounds each & unto* 
 my Sister Arnold & my B"^- Ceasar & my B"^- Robert 300 p*^^ each 
 the three last mentioned to be paid in what ever manner my 
 Executrix shall think most for their Advantage either by ten p^^ a 
 year whilst it lasts or as She thinks best for them. Therefore if 
 they give her any trouble about it She Shall not be obliged to pay 
 them any thing & in Case any of them Dye before they have Receiv'd 
 all their Moneys it Shall not go to their Heirs but to my Executrix 
 who I Desire to give one hundred p"^^ to Hester Mashborne to be 
 manag'd in the same manner or in Case of her Death to my Nephew 
 Mashbourne & five pds to the poor of the Parish where I am 
 Buried, w*^'^ I Desire may be wherever I Dye unless I should Dye 
 at London & then I leave it to the Discreetion of my Executrix 
 either there or at Ridge in Hertfordshire. 
 
 *' in Witness whereof & 
 "Dated the 19^'^ of May 
 " 1725." 
 
 To Mrs. Judith Blount 
 
 Worminghurst Park. Jan y* 14'^ 1728. 
 "Upon Consideration of y^ alteration of the Circomstances of 
 some of my Family it is my Intention to make an alteration in my 
 Will Dated y« 19"^ Day of May 1725, as follows, I now instead of 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 65 
 
 the 200 p'^s left to my Sister Jane give her ;,^5o & Desire after 
 you have taken ;^300 to y"" Self & Discharg'd all Debts oweing 
 from me to any one & the other Legacys given in my Will that 
 You will according to my Desire let the Remainder of my Fortune 
 be dispos'd of in the manner as you think w^ill administer the most 
 Comfort & Relief to those of my Sisters as are in the greatest 
 want & need of it, as I believe none will act more Reasonable in 
 this Affair than y' Self it is Requested of You Dear Sister by 
 y"" affectionate Sister 
 
 *' Frances Blount. 
 
 ** I also Desire that my Nephew Mashbourne n ay have one 
 hundred p^^s to be p^ in the manner as is mentioned to his Sister." 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope Blount, of Tyttenhanger, the second 
 Baronet of that name, and son to the author, was born 
 in the Strand, April 19th, 1670, and resided chiefly at 
 Twickenham, where he died, Oct. 17th, 1731. He was 
 buried at Ridge. He married, in King's Street Chapel, 
 St, James', Nov. 8th, 1695, Katherine, eldest daughter 
 of James Butler, of Amberley Castle, Sussex. The 
 Butlers were a staunch Royalist family. 
 
 Sir Thomas was of a kind disposition, and greatly 
 beloved ; his regular and minute accounts show how 
 much time and trouble he expended upon his household 
 and estates ; but there is nothing of his left that points 
 to any talent or taste in particular. His wife, on the 
 contrary, was a brilliant woman, full of cleverness and 
 highly cultivated, fond of poetry, a lover of all that was 
 refined and artistic, interesting herself in the passing 
 world of her day, and gifted with a mind full of energy. 
 Sir Godfrey Kneller's portrait of her is handsome and 
 determined-looking. She was a friend of Alexander 
 Pope, with whom she corresponded. He was connected 
 with her husband through the Founder of Trinity. 
 
66 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 In an old scrap-book containing some of her papers 
 are these lines in manuscript — 
 
 " Mr. Fenton's Epitaph by Mr. Pope. 
 
 ** This modest Stone, what few vain marbles can, 
 May truly say, Here lyes an Honest man ; 
 A Poet blest beyond a poet's fate, 
 Whom Heav'n kept sacred from y^ proud & Great ; 
 Foe to loud praise, & Friend to learned Ease, 
 Content with Sience in the Arms of peace ; 
 Calmly He look'd on either life, and here. 
 Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear ; 
 From Nature's temp'rate Feast, rose satisfy'd, 
 Thank'd Heav'n that He had liv'd & that He dy'd." 
 
 As Sir Henry (the traveller) was the hero of the 
 Blounts of Tyttenhanger, so Katherine has ever remained 
 a remarkable character amongst the ladies of this family. 
 She was an imperious woman, but was evidently much 
 respected. She had a large collection of all sorts of 
 curiosities at Twickenham, and some are still remaining 
 at Tyttenhanger, to which place they were brought. To 
 her belonged the sheath with the ornamental arrows 
 which she wore at a fancy ball, where she went dressed 
 to represent Diana ; also the jewel box inlaid with agate, 
 the ivory flute inlaid with gold, the Chinese cabinet 
 containing a collection of coins, a strong box bound in 
 brass, a cabinet inlaid with silver, and the richly em- 
 broidered quilt in pale yellow (the natural colour of the 
 silk), with infant's embroidered mattress and pillow to 
 match (this was made for the birth of her first child, a 
 little girl called Grace, who only lived a few months). 
 She presented Ridge Church with handsome embroidered 
 hangings, the remains of which exist as an altar-cloth. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 67 
 
 Everything belonging to her has been kept with care, 
 and handed down through several generations. Even 
 now, some of her smaller treasures remain in the rooms 
 at Tyttenhanger — her Chinese idols, the boxwood 
 Romulus and Remus with the wolf, her engravings, her 
 ivory crucifix, and little marble specimens and antiques. 
 
 One of Katherine Lady Blount's most intimate 
 friends was her cousin, Mrs. Bovey, of Flaxley Abbey, 
 the famous " Fair Widow " whom Sir Roger de Coverley 
 admired. This lady was an expert in the art of carving, 
 and there is a portrait of her at Tyttenhanger by Sir 
 •Godfrey Kneller in a highly ornamented frame, also a 
 picture representing a scene in Roman history, with an 
 elaborate frame. These carvings, executed in cork, 
 were the work of Mrs. Bovey. Substantial legacies were 
 left by her to Katherine Lady Blount, and to her 
 ■daughter Catherine, who afterwards married Mr William 
 Freman. 
 
 Mrs. Pope, by codicil dated T4th May, 1745, proved 
 13th April, 1747, left to Dame Katherine Blount "four 
 of the family pictures that hang on the staircase." We 
 do not know if these pictures are any of those at Tytten- 
 hanger. Probably Mrs. Bovey's portrait is one. To 
 Mrs. Catherine Freman, Mrs. Pope left *' the picture 
 with carved frame in my dining-room most likely this 
 picture is the " scene in Roman history." 
 
 The relationship between Catherine Bovey and 
 Katherine Blount came through Lady Blount's grand- 
 father, James Butler, who was brother to Mrs. Bovey's 
 grandmother. Lady Blount's mother, Grace Butler, was 
 a Miss Caldecott, a remarkable woman, much like Mrs. 
 
68 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Bovey in some respects. An obituary notice of her by 
 the pen of Dr. Robert Bolton, Dean of Carlisle, was 
 published in the Grub Street Journal, 28th November, 
 1734, and is reprinted in Wilford's Memorials of Eminent 
 Persons, as an adequate notice of Mrs. Grace Butler, 
 with some complimentary lines by Pope. Her daughter, 
 Grace Butler, a sister of Lady Blount, and therefore 
 another second cousin of Mrs. Bovey, was an intimate 
 friend, and lies in the same vault with her at Flaxley, 
 with Mrs. Couling and Mrs. Pope, buried 3rd February, 
 1763. 
 
 Lady Blount took great pains with the education of 
 her children. Thomas, the eldest son, had died when 
 only one year old, and the second son, Henry, but 
 generally called Harry, was now the heir. In 1725, 
 Sir Thomas and Lady Blount decided to send Harry- 
 to Geneva with the travelling tutor Necker, and in 
 company with his cousin, Sir Charles Tyrell. 
 
 The following letters are from Necker to Katherine 
 Lady Blount : — 
 
 *' At Geneva Sept. the 13th, 1725. 
 
 *' My Lady. 
 
 *' As I look upon the letter I have had the honour to 
 receive from Your Ladyship, as upon the best instruction I could 
 have, for bringing up Your Son to all what becomes a worthy 
 gentleman, I shall never loose the sight of it, and keep it up in 
 that of Mr. Blount upon all necessary occasions. He hath such a 
 deep sense of Your Ladyship's tender love and care for him, that I 
 am persuaded he will always thinck it not only his duty but also a 
 gratitude he ow's You, to follow Your good advices. Your Ladyship 
 may believe perhaps, that the article You presented to Mr. Blount 
 for his oeconomy is not well observed, when you shall hear that, I 
 toock the nth of this month 1000 livres of this country upon his 
 account, and for this reason I must tell You, that I wanted the 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 69 
 
 greatest part of the said summ for my own behalf, and that the great 
 Feast, which the French Resident hath given here this days, upon 
 the occasion of his Master's Wedding, hath caused some expenses 
 to all the foreign gentry that liveth here, they having all appeard 
 in new Clothes at the Ball, where they was invited and very 
 magnificently entertained. But I must tell, that S"" Charles and 
 Mr. Blount have been very modest in their dress, having put no 
 silver or goold upon their coats but buttons and button holes and a 
 shoulder knot, which later part whas the general ornament of all 
 the English gentry. As Mr. Blount wanted a coat for the winter, 
 the expenses for it are only anticipated one month or two, and 
 Your Ladyship may bee sure, that for a long time he will but spend 
 very little. I have also provided him with half a dozen shirts and 
 with some other things he was wanting. I humbly thank Your 
 Ladyship for Your kind complimenting me upon the Professorship, 
 which hath been given to me by the Republick. It is yet a meere 
 title, and may only bee an advantage to me when I ressolve to stay 
 here, which your Ladyship know's hath been my intention, before 
 I took upon me to travell with S' Charles and with Mr. Blount. 
 I hope I shall not been hindered to accomplish the engagements I 
 have taken with Your Ladyship and with My Lady Tyrell, but in 
 case it should bee a great disadvantage for me, to leave this place 
 after the profession I have taken upon me hade drawn some 
 gentelmen here, I am so confident of Your Ladyship's Kindness 
 and benevolencz, that I dare believe You will in such a case 
 dispense me of my duty, and give me leave, that I may put an 
 other gentelman in my place, for whose conduct I may answer, and 
 by whom my young gentelmen may rather win than loose. 
 S' Charles and Mr. Blount give their humble service to Your 
 Ladyship and to Thomas. I beg of You the same favour, and 
 am with the greatest respect and zeal for your service My Lady 
 "Your Ladyship's 
 most humble and most obedient servant, 
 
 ** Necker." 
 
 "Geneva, Oct. the 15th, 1725. 
 
 " My Lady. 
 
 *'I have set out till now to answer to the letter 
 which Your Ladyship hath written to me upon S'' Charles Tyrell's 
 melancholy subject, because I expected to receive from his mother 
 
70 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 some ordres and instructions about it. They beeing not yet arrived. 
 I think it necessary to let Your Ladyship know, that in case she 
 should resolve to call him home, wich will bee the only expedient 
 to draw him back from his unhappy inclinations. I shall not make 
 this journey with him, but committ him to the care of some honest 
 friend of mine, and consequently continue my care for your Son as 
 long as Your Ladyship thinks it for his advantage to let him stay 
 at this place. He understands now the french pretty well and 
 improuveth likewise in his exercises. My opinion is that it will bee 
 very profitable for him to stay here one year longer, which time I 
 shall take care to make him spend to his best advantage. Having 
 a mind to settle here as a Professor of the Acadamy, I will keep 
 him with me cheaper than he hath been here before, of which I will 
 send to Your Ladyship an account as soon as things come to change 
 with S"" Charles. I do not dout but I shall find out a way before 
 Mr. Blount quits this place to put him in the company of one of his 
 country men that hath a worthy govenour, to whose case he may 
 safly been committed, in case he should farther want an other 
 direction. For I hope that if he stays here still a year, I 
 shall make him fit to bee his own Govenour, as several young 
 gentelmen must bee, and spare the expenses that a Govenour 
 requires. Your Ladyship will have time enough to reflect upon 
 this point, and You may been persuaded that I shall give to Your 
 Son always the best advices for his true interest. I dare say, that 
 he hath already much changed to his advantage for his manners, 
 and that I know no vicious inclination in him. 
 
 "Your Ladyship will bee his best guide by Your wise counsels, 
 which I shall respect also as my ordres and directions, beeing with 
 a perfect zeal and devotion. 
 
 " My Lady 
 
 "Your Ladyship's 
 most humble and most obedient servant, 
 
 "Necker." 
 
 " Geneve le 2 Dec. 1726. 
 
 *' Madame, 
 
 " II y a aujourdhuy 15 jours que je receus de Genes une 
 lettre de Mr. Blountt dans laquelle il me marqua, qu'il avoit pris la 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 71 
 
 resolution de se separer de Mr. Rigot et de continuer son voyage 
 sans lui, parce qu'il trouvoit que la somme de 500II que Vous 
 destines par an pour ses voyages ne sufifiroient pas pour les depenses 
 qu'il seroit oblige de faire, et qu'il valoit mieux employer I'argent 
 que lui couteroit Mons. Rigot a ses menus plaisirs et a de petites 
 emplettes. Je fus fort surpris de cette resolution et prieois d'abord 
 a Mr. Blount de ne rien changer a I'egard de la maniere dont ses 
 affaires etoient reglees, jusques a ce qu'il eut obtenu votre consente- 
 ment ; Je lui representai les raisons qui vous avoient engage, 
 Madame, a lui donner un compagnon, et qu'il etoit a craindre^ 
 qu'etant tres content de Mr. Rigot, comme il me I'a mande dans 
 toutes ses lettres, vous ne trouvassie mauvais qu'il voulut s'en 
 defaire sans votre agrement. Je viens d'apprendre a present par 
 une autre lettre de Mr. Blount qu'il persiste dans son dessein, pour 
 la seule raison de I'oeconomie. Je me charge en meme terns de vous 
 le notifier, Madame et de vous assurer, qu'il tachera toujours de se 
 choisir d'un endroit a I'autre un bon compagnon de voyage, de tenir 
 une bonne oeconomie et de se conduire d'une maniere que ses 
 parents en seroient content, d'autant plus qu'il leur est tres oblige 
 de leur tendresse et des depenses qu'ils font pour lui. Je vois en 
 effet par plusieurs circonstances qu'il tient un bon compte de son 
 argent et qu'il fixera ses depenses a la somme qu'on lui destine ; et 
 comme il est d'ailleur dans un age, ou bien des gens sont obliges de 
 se conduire eux meme, je me flatte qu'il se servira de toute sa 
 prudence; et qu'il ne courera aucun risque. Je suis seulement 
 fache, qu'il n'ait pas dabord declare sa resolution de voyager sans 
 directeur, parce qu'il dependoit de lui de le faire avec votre 
 agrement, et qu'il auroit pu par la beaucoup epargner. Outre que 
 je suis honteux d'avoir engage Monsieur Rigot a une chose, qui lui 
 doit donner de desagrement, et qui deplait beaucoup a ses parents, 
 qui avoient fait de la depense pour ses equipages. Ce qui les 
 console un peu c'est que leur fils n'a pas donne lieu a Mons. 
 Blount de se separer de lui, et qu'ils voyent par ses lettres qu'il 
 etoit tres content de sa conduite. J'espere, Madame, que pour la 
 meme raison Vous ne m'imputerez pas ces evenements, en cas que 
 Vous en fussiez mecontent. Comme Mr, le Chevalier Tyrell restera 
 pour le moins encore un an icy, Mr. Blount lui a ecrit qu'il 
 repasseroit par cette ville dans 8. ou 9. mois, ce qui me fera 
 beaucoup de plaisir. Je ne laisserai pas de lui donner de tems en 
 tems mes bons avis, et je rechercheray toujours avcc plaisir les 
 
72 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 occasions par ou je pourray Vous convaincre du parfaite respect 
 avec lequel j'ai Thonneur d'etre Madame. 
 
 " Votre tres humble et tres 
 
 obeissant serviteur, 
 
 *• Necker. 
 
 "Je prie Mr. Le Chevalier d'agreer mes obeissance. Comme 
 je suis fort presse j'ai ecri cette lettre en francois." 
 
 Sir Charles Tyrell married Jane Elizabeth, daughter 
 of Mods. Sellon, of Geneva, in 1726. This year Mr. 
 Henry Pope Blount had his portrait painted by Gardelle. 
 There had already been a portrait taken of him when 
 quite a youth, and a third in later years by Van der 
 Vert. 
 
 An undated letter, marked Dec. 27th, addressed — 
 
 ** To My Lady Blount, 
 
 Twickenham, 
 
 " in Middlesex. 
 
 ** pour I'Angleterre. 
 '* Madame, 
 
 " Je n'ai pas le tems de repondre en detail a la lettre 
 qae vous m'aves fait I'honneur de m'ecrire du 30™^ Novembre. Je 
 vous disai seulement, Madame que je viens de recevoir dans ce 
 moment une lettre de Mr. Blount, dans laquelle il me marque qu'il 
 continuera son voyage par I'ltalie dans \x compagnie de Mr. Rigot, 
 et cela principalement a ce qu'il dit, pour Vous delivrer des 
 inquietudes que vous pourries avoir, si 11 voyageot seul. Mais il 
 espere que Vous consenterez, Madame, qu'en repassant par Geneve 
 comme il a resolu de faire, apres qu'il aura fait le tour de I'ltalie il 
 puisse laisser ic^ son compagnon, et achever le reste de voyages a 
 son gre. Sur quoi je auray I'tionneur de Vous expliquer mes 
 ■sentimens par la poste prochaine. Monsieur Blount a bien laisse 
 chez moi un cofire dans laquel il a enferme son portrait, ses 
 medailles et d'autres choses qai lui appartiennent ; mais il ne ma 
 pas dit, que je devois envoyer ce coffre en Angleterre, parce qu'il 
 pense de repasser par Geneve, et de prendre alors lui meme ces 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 73 
 
 hardes. Ma femme Vous fait ses tres humbles recommendations. 
 J'ai Thonneur d'etre avec un parfait respect. 
 
 • ' Madame, 
 
 *' Votre tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur, 
 
 " Necker." 
 
 a Geneve le 30^"^ Dec. 1726. 
 
 " Madame, 
 
 "J'ai eu I'honneur de vous informer il y a 8 jours, 
 que Mr. votre fils m'avoit ecrit qu'il continueroit de voyager avec 
 Mr. Rigot ; mais je viens d'apprendre par une lettre que je receu 
 de celuicy avant hier, que Mr. Blount a execute sa premiere 
 resolution, sans en avertir son compagnon que lorsqu'ils avoient 
 deja tous deux pris conge de leurs connoissances a Genes, et fait 
 leurs malles. Toutes les raisons que Mr. Rigot a alleguees pour 
 empecher Mr. Blount de partir seul n'ont rien effectue. II s'est 
 toujours retrenche, sur a que les depenses iroient trop loin s'il le 
 gardoit, et il a temoigne, en partant le IQ'"^ pour Milan avec Mr. 
 Clifford, que c'etoit k regret, qu'il se separoit de Mr. Rigot. II lui 
 a fait un present de 70 pistoles pour les depenses faites a I'occasion 
 de ce voyage et pour les frais de son retour. Je ne sais que 
 penser, Madame, de cette humeur changeante de Mr. votre fils. 
 
 "C'est un malheur qu'il ait pris sa derniere resolution avant ma 
 derniere lettre, dans laquelle je lui marquai que vous eties tres 
 inquiete, Madame, de ce qu'il vouloit renvoyer Mr. Rigot, et que 
 je vous avois incessament mande qu'il le garderoit, le priant de 
 persister dans ce sentiment la. 
 
 " Je n'eus pas le tems d'ecrire samedi passe autre chose a Mr. 
 Rigot . . . de demeurer a Genes jusqu'a ce que je lui eusse 
 ecrit une autre lettre. Mon dessein est de tenter, si je puis encore 
 une fois rammener Mr. Blount par des nouvelles representations, et 
 cela pendant qu'il est encore a Milan ou Mr. Rigot pourra bientot 
 le rejondre. Je crains cependant que celuicy ne soit las d'etre joue 
 ainsi de Mr. Blount, et qu'il ne soit degoute de voyager avec lui. 
 Enfin, Madame, si la chose est sans remede, j'exhorteray au moins 
 Mr. votre fils de la maniere la plus forte de se conduire d'une 
 mani^re qui ne Vous donne aucun chagrin, et de suivre exactement 
 vos bons avis. 
 F 
 
74 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 "Je souhaiterois, Madame, que Vous puissies lui persuader 
 d'aller a Hannovre, en sortant d'ltalie. Je lui ai prescrit une 
 route qui I'y menera par les principales Cours d'Allemagne. 
 
 ** Le flegme des Allemans sera fort propre pour temperer la trop 
 grande vivacite de Mr. Blount. Le Due d'Edimbourg lui fera, 
 j'en suis scur un tres gratieux accueil, et je prieray mes amis de lui 
 rendre toute sorte de bons offices ; en sorte que je ne doute point 
 qu'il n'y passe un sejour agreable, et qu'il n'en tire beaucoup 
 d'avantages. Je vous prie, Madame, d'etre bien persuade, que je 
 prens part a tout ce qui Vous regarde, et que je continuerai de faire 
 des voeux pour la prosperite de votre maison, non seulement dans la 
 nouvelle annee que nous allons coffiencer et que je Vous souhaite 
 parfaitement heureuse, mais toute ma vie. 
 
 " J'ai I'honneur d'etre avec un grand respect Madame 
 "Votre tres humble et tres 
 
 obeissant serviteur, 
 
 ** Necker." 
 
 Letter addressed — 
 
 " To My Lady Blount, 
 
 at Twickenham, 
 
 '* County of Middlesex. 
 
 "pour I'Angleterre." 
 
 *' a Gene le 6™« Janv. 1727. 
 
 *' Madame, 
 
 " Mons. Blount m'a informe de son dernier change- 
 ment, en m'envoyant les lettres y jointes. Je n'allegue pas d'autres 
 raisons que celles de I'oeconomie. 
 
 " II me paroit pourtant par le compte qu'il a fait de ses depenses, 
 que les 500II. que Vous lui destines auroient pu suffire ; et je suis 
 persuade, Madame que vous auriez mieux aime d'ajouter encore 
 quelque chose, en cas qu'il eut ete necessaire, que d'epargner 
 quelque chose, par une oeconomie mal entendue. Je ne doute pas 
 au teste, que Mons. Blount ne se serve de toute sa prudence pour 
 le voyage qu'il fait par I'ltalie, en sorte que Vous ne deves pas trop 
 Vous inquieter a son egard. II me dit qu'il veut repasser par 
 Geneve ; mais je crois qu'il lui vaudra mieux d'aller droit a 
 Hannovre, pour les raisons que je Vous ai expliquees dans une 
 autre lettre. Je souhaite que la nouvelle annee soit parfaitement 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 75 
 
 heureuse pour Vous Madame, et pour toute votre famille. J'ai 
 I'honneur d'etre avec un parfait respect Madame. 
 
 *' Votre tres humble et tres 
 
 obeissant serviteur, 
 
 *' Necker." 
 
 This is all that we know about Harry Pope Blount up 
 to the time of his father's death. 
 Letter to Katherine Lady Blount — 
 
 ** Madam, 
 
 " I cannot omit this occasion of Expressing my particular 
 concern for your Ladyship's late loss. The Death of S"" Thomas is 
 really such to all that had the happiness to know him. The good 
 character which he bore will make his Name be allways rememb'red 
 with deferred comendation. May it please God to grant Your 
 Ladiship health and all consolation. I am with true respect, 
 Madam, 
 
 "Your Ladiship's most 
 
 obedient humble Servant, 
 
 *' M. St. Pierre. 
 
 ** Octob : y^ 31st, 1731." 
 
 Sir Thomas Pope Blount, 2nd Baronet, by his wife 
 Katherine Butler, had four sons and two daughters — 
 
 1. Thomas Pope, born in Park Place, St. James' 
 Street, 1700, died 1701, and was buried at Ridge. 
 
 2. Henry Pope, who succeeded. 
 
 3. James Pope, born 1705. 
 
 4. John Pope, took Deacon's orders, died 1734, and 
 was buried at Ridge. 
 
 1. Grace, born 1697, died the same year, and was 
 buried at Ridge. 
 
 2. Catherine, born 1704, was married, 1730, to WiUiam 
 Freman, Esq., of Hamels and Aspenden Hall. 
 
 Sir Harry Pope Blount, 3rd Baronet and eldest surviv- 
 
76 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 ing son of Sir Thomas Pope Blount, was born in " The 
 Terras, St. James' Street, Sep. 13th, 1702," and died in 
 1757. He was buried at Ridge. He married, in St. 
 Peter's, Cornhill, Sep. 19th, 1728, Anne, youngest of two 
 daughters and co-heirs of Charles Cornwallis, Esq., of 
 Medlow, in Huntingdonshire. She brought him a 
 fortune of 0,000. He died without issue. Sir Harry 
 was the last of the Blounts of Tyttenhanger ; at his 
 death the estate went to his sister Catherine, who had 
 married Mr. William Freman, and their only child, 
 Catherine, succeeded. 
 
 The widowed Katherine Lady Blount continued to 
 live at Twickenham. 
 
 From James Pope Blount to his mother, Katherine 
 Lady Blount — 
 
 " For Lady Blount, 
 
 at Twickenham, in Middlesex. 
 
 *' Catch French near St. Germains 
 
 in Cornwal. By Collington Bay. 
 July 5th 1737. 
 
 " HoN^ Madam, 
 
 " The account of the other side, I believe you'l find 
 right, except the price of the Cracknells, w'^'i I desir'd Your 
 Ladyship wou'd be so Good in my last letter of the 20th of May to 
 pay to my Aunt Judy when Her next Quarter was due, and charge 
 it to my Account. On the 25th of August next, there will be 
 another \ year's Interest due on Mrs. Mayhew, viz., 5 Pounds 
 w"='^ added to ;^2593 = o6s, =:o6|d. , as on the other side is 
 ;^2598 = o6s. =o65d., w'^'^ wants one Pound Thirteen Shillings & 
 Five Pence Three Farthings of Two Thousand Six Hundred 
 Pounds. 
 
 **In a letter of Your Ladyship's of the i8th of Jan^^J' last, you 
 are so Good as to say Six Months hence You will sell me an annuity 
 for Six Hundred Pounds. I shall now gladly accept of Your kind 
 Offer. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 77 
 
 "There has come no letters here from Your Ladyship since the 
 20th of May last. Dr. Glanvil wrote to You since y^ time, we are 
 fearful that Something is amiss in Your Family. I hope Worthy 
 Mrs. Pope is quite recover'd of Her late indisposition. Dr. 
 Glanvil is & will be for some months employ 'd in collecting the 
 great and small tythes, & the poultry of all sorts is so largely 
 Increas'd that Mrs. Glanvil and I have enough to do to attend 
 them. 
 
 " Mrs G. is now well again, but her active temper I fear will soon 
 confine Her to Her Chamber. She is with the Dr. very much. 
 Your Ladyship's Humble Servant, as is Hon''- Madam with due 
 Submission Your Obed^- Son & Oblig'd Humble Servant, 
 
 "James Pope Blount. 
 
 *' I'll Beg My Humble Duty to my Worthy Aunts. I have heard 
 lately of several Accidents that has happen'd by eating of Cherry 
 Stones. Dr. G. says it is oftentimes dangerous & has order'd all 
 His Family never to swallow any Cherry Stones. I paid the Dr. 
 His Quarteridge of ;,^7 ids. on Midsummer Day." 
 
 Queen Caroline, wife of George II., died on Novem- 
 ber 2oth, 1737. The following account of the Queen's 
 death was found amongst some of Katherine Lady 
 Blount's letters : — 
 
 " Copy'd from a Letter of Mrs. Purcel (a Dresser to y*^ late 
 Queen) to a Lady at Bath. 
 
 *' I'll not make any apology (Dear Madam) for not haveing wrote 
 to you, I do assure you, this is the first time I have taken a Pen in 
 Hand since the Queen's Illness, w"^*^ lasted 12 dayes ; 9 are now 
 past since we lost the Best Queen, Friend «& Mistress, that ever 
 servants Had : yet still all my Faculties seem Benumb'd as if 
 Seized with a Palsy ; You that know what it is can judge, what 
 One Suffers with I^a Coeur Serre et la Tete tout embrouille Heart 
 Broken, & ones Head perfectly Disturb'd : & how little one is 
 
 Capable of bearing even their Sorrow, from the first 
 
 I foresaw our Loss, & hardly even felt a gleam of Hope ; and yet 
 when the Stroke came, I found None prepar'd, but Her that 
 underwent it ; who never from Her First Illness, Had any Hopes 
 of Recovery ; nor shew'd the least Fears of the pains She endur'd 
 
78 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 or of the last closing scene ; Her only Concern was for the King's 
 affliction, w*^^ is certainly as Sincere and Intense, as ever Humane 
 Nature Sustain'd. The Arch-Bishop who constantly attended Her, 
 told me, that He never saw a Behaviour equally glorious, to Her's ; 
 & that all She said to Him deserv'd to be printed. The first time 
 He went to see Her, She was in great pain, but She told Him, tho' 
 Her Body Suffer'd, She Had a Good Conscience, w'='^ spoke Inex- 
 pressible Comfort to Her, & Supported Her in the midst of all Her 
 Torments. About 2 Hours before She dy'd She call'd for the 
 Duke who was in the Room (with the King & the Princesses) 
 tho' He had at that time a Severe Fever, w*^*^ He contracted, 
 by having Sat up Several Nights together ; when He came 
 up to Her Bedside, She told Him, She had call'd Him, to 
 give Him Her Last Blessing ; & upon that, to charge Him, to 
 be always Dutyful to His Father, & never to listen to Any One, 
 who might be wicked enough to Insinuate to Him, that they cou'd 
 have Separate Interests ; for even if that were possible. He wou'd 
 Find more Satisfaction, in the reflection of having done His Duty, 
 than in the possession of all the Empires of the World ; and added, 
 that whether He liv'd long, or not ; He wou'd find no thoughts 
 worth His Care, on a dying bed ; but how He had liv'd ; & if He 
 cou'd then feel that He had Acted the part of a Man of Honour, 
 Justice, & of a Xtlan. After She Had lain Quiet sometime ; The 
 D"^^- ask'd Her to take Some Viper Broth, but She desir'd to have 
 something to give Her a little Spirits ; the D''^- brought Her some 
 Palsy Drops in Madeira Wine ; the swallowing of w'^^ put Her 
 into a fit of coughing, & difficulty of Breathing for sometime. She 
 then took leave of the Princesses, one by one ; gave some particular 
 Directions to Each of Them. Last of all. She took leave of the 
 King, & thanked Him for His Goodness to Her in the most moving 
 terms ; & among other things said. My poor servants are under 
 excessive affliction ; give me leave S*" to Recommend them to Your 
 Protection. When she had done speaking to His Majesty, She 
 order'd one of the Bed Chamber Women to take away the candle 
 w'^h stood by the Bed ; the King ask'd Her if the light hurt her 
 Eyes. She said No Sir but I wou'd spare you the affliction of 
 seeing me dye ; She then was Quiet about \ of an Hour, at the 
 end of which. She call'd for those in the Room (for the Arch Bp. 
 was gone) to read the Recommendatory prayer, & desir'd them to 
 pray for Pier, & read aloud that She might hear them ; before it 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 79 
 
 was Finish'd She Expir'd. The King staid in the Room with Her 
 about \ an Hour after, & I believe Has not Known a thought 
 Since, but what tended in the strongest manner to Shew His 
 Tenderness, and Regard, to Her Memory. 
 
 **His First Act, was to Confirm to All Her Servants, respective 
 Salaries for their Lifes ; the Next, was to look into the Account of 
 Her Charitable, Pensions, w'^'^ amounted to £\Tpoo per Annum; 
 w"='^ He likewise Confirm'd ; not Satisfy'd with that, He order'd 
 that We shou'd All let Him know the Names of those, who 
 receiv'd Casual Relief thro' Our Hands, that He may from time to 
 time assist them. 
 
 '* This is the Behaviour of the Man, who has been call'd False to 
 Her, Fickle in His Friendship and Avaricious. He has order'd 
 Her Body to be Embalm'd as near as they cou'd get any light in 
 the manner of the Egyptians, at the expense of between 5 and 
 £600. Her Funeral is to be in the manner of Queen Ann's & Her 
 whole Family attends on dayes about Her, as if She was still 
 alive. The Ladies of the Bed Chamber, Lord Chamberlain, & 
 Master of the Horse by day, 2 Maids of Honour, 2 Bedchamber 
 Women, & a Equerry by Night." 
 
 From James Pope Blount to Katherine Lady Blount — 
 For 
 
 " Lady Blount 
 
 at Twickenham 
 in Middlesex 
 
 •* Newport in y« Isle of Wight 
 
 Mondy- Qbe'-ye 16"^ 1738 
 
 ** Hono Maum. 
 
 " I thank you for Your Letter & for y^ gift of Theophilus 
 etc: w'='* I have once read, & design to read it often carefully Over. 
 By Mrs. Serle's advice I shall remove to another lodging here in 
 Town when my quarter is out, w'^'^ will be on y^ 27**^ of this 
 month : there is many good reasons w"=*^ occasions my leaving Mr. 
 Wise, y^ chief One is, t'is suspected He kisses His maid, & an 
 other inconvenience is. His business often causes His being from 
 Home, at w*^'^ times there is none left in y^ House but the Maid & L 
 The person who I am going to is one Mr. Bowdin an elderly Man 
 by Trade a Grocer. He has in His Family a Wife, a Daughter a 
 Woman, Two Servants, & Two Tradesmen Sons both very Young, 
 who go to Mr. Dickinson's School, the Worthy Minister of this 
 
80 
 
 TYTTENHANGER, 
 
 Town ; this I fancy will be pleasanter than having only 3 in 
 Family, as soon as I am remov'd I will let you know. Mr. 
 Bowdin's House nearly joins to the Church, and what I like is, the 
 Church Yard is at a great distance out of Town, w*=*^ often harbour 
 wicked people in y^ night. 
 
 ** Our Head Magistrate here, the Mayor, who was Collector of 
 y« Customs a place of above £20^ p"^ ann. has defrauded the 
 Government of above ;[^2,30O, in 2 years' time ; & in order to 
 prevent the fraud from being found out, forg'd several bills ; He is 
 now turn'd out. His House secur'd, and the purchase mony, £\qqo 
 is lost, besides He must pay £\0QO security mony. This man 
 proves y*^ there is no real advantage to be reap'd by Sin ; all y* is 
 got by it is Trouble, Mischief & Shame, & one can have no expec- 
 tations from y' Source, but Death & Ruin. 
 
 " I was lately very uneasy in my mind in Bed, fearing y* I had 
 committed the Sin against the Holy Ghost : but providentially by 
 chance reading Bp. Taylor's Opinion of y^ Sin, for y^ sake of Sick 
 & Doubting Persons, says, ' certain it is. No One commits a Sin 
 against y^ Holy Ghost, if He be afraid He hath, & desires y' He 
 had not done it ; for such penitential passions are against y^ Defini- 
 tions of y* Sin ' & if this is the case, I think No One living can be 
 guilty of y* Sin. Yesterday I finish'd the reading of y^ 2^ Vol. of 
 54 Sermons preach'd at Berry Street 1733, by 6 Dissenting Ministers, 
 One of Hell or the Final Misery of y^ Wicked. The words are 
 ' If a Sinner in Hell did but know that He shou'd suffer those 
 Torments no more than a thousand years ; or no more thousand of 
 years than there are Sands upon y^ Sea Shore, or Spires of Grass 
 upon the Face of y^ whole Earth ; it wou'd rejoyce him to think 
 that however there wou'd be an End. But no End ! never ! never ! ' 
 To do Justice to your Ladyship, I must own y' You have taken 
 care that I cannot plead Ignorance of my Duty. I likewise must 
 add that I have had fair warning. 
 
 "The 1st of November next being the birth day of Your 
 Unfortunate Son, I shall beg You on my account to give to 33 
 poor Families 33^ peck loaves but I desire they may not know the 
 Donour. 
 
 *' All that I can say at present more is y*^ I am gratefully Your 
 Ladyship's Obed' Son & Serv' > 
 
 " James Pope Blount. 
 I hope Good Mrs. Pope & my Aunts are well." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 81 
 
 Dr. Glanville seems to have remained a friend of the 
 family, for there is a long letter written to Katherine 
 Lady Blount by him. It is dated from Catchfrench, 
 June 2ist, 1745, and commences — 
 
 ** Madm. It is a while since I r'ced Your Ladyship's last, & I 
 ought to have answered it sooner but we have nothing here worth 
 your knowledge, & Politicks are so bad, & Consequences so fatal 
 & disagreeable, that one would forget them as much as one could, 
 or ought ; all I shall now say is, that my opinion, that y^ Queen of 
 Hungary's principal vein was, & ever will be, to make her Husband 
 Eiiiperour of Germany, is sufficiently justified, from whence it 
 follows that a Peace is impossible till France is brought very low, 
 or we are made a Province, one must happen, which first y^ un- 
 certain event of War will determin, sooner or later : things are 
 much against us at present, nor do I see the Power of France 
 abates, their Politicks are good, & their Schemes are well laid for 
 themselves; I own it is our interest to get y^ Duke of Tuscany 
 chosen, but then France will never lay down y^ Sword, & if any 
 other is chosen y^ Q of Hungary will never lay it down, so that we 
 are in a fine Condition ; who France would have for Emperour I 
 have never heard ; Probably the Elector of Bavaria again, perhaps 
 even y^ King of Prussia, who has further Views than Silesia, & as 
 for his becoming a Papist for it, he won't stick at that, there is very 
 little difference between the Nonsense of Consubstantiation & 
 Transubstantiation, he that believes one will be easily perswaded to 
 y*^ other, so Prussia's King has but a slight Transition to qualify 
 him for Emperour. 
 
 **A member here, a good Freind to our Constitution, told me 
 that there was such an Indolence & carelessness above, that one 
 would think they had given all up, quite indifferent how things 
 went abroad or at Home, or affairs were so perplex'd, that they 
 know not what to do ; nor do I see we are able to do much, so that 
 our safety depends upon Providential accidents in our favour. I 
 hear also that Luxury, & all sorts of Pleasures are carried to vast 
 hights in London, & Doubtless y^ Country will be infected in pro- 
 portion, 'tis said that more new Coaches were made last year, than 
 in y^ South Sea Year, what will this end in : tis true if these Vices 
 do not enervate us & make us poor with respect to Foreigners, by 
 
82 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 lessening that Trade ; & sending Mony out of our Nation ; the 
 General Kingdom will not be hurt ; only the individual fools who 
 are so vicious ; the Mony only changes Masters, not Kingdoms, 
 but I fear that our Luxury is supplyed from abroad, & our Mony 
 goes for it there ; and Trade neglected, & then y^ effects will be 
 fatal, but Your Ladyship may know more of this than I can ; this I 
 know, that both abroad, and at Home the prospect is bad . . 
 
 Dr. Glanville then gives some descriptions of diseases 
 and their cure, and after a long explanation regarding 
 the state of his private affairs, he begs to borrow the 
 sum of £,\oo. He continues — 
 
 " I hope Sir Harry is quite at peace with you, & that you have 
 made him sensible, what a blessing prudence is, this will make 
 y^ rest of your life happy, this join'd to y^ present enjoyment in 
 Mrs. Freeman, and the pleasing Prospect of y^ Continuance of it 
 in a Daughter ; pray my very humble Service and good Wishes to 
 that family. I am sorry at the Distress of y^ Mashborn's, the 
 vicious must expect misfortunes, but lis hard for y^ industrious to 
 
 suffer I have often wondered at y^ lunacy of 
 
 your Footman an unaccountable distemper, as it depends upon 
 y^ Disorder of y^ finest Textures of y^ Body, very little is to be 
 done' by medecin, there are no certain Cures for mad People, time 
 unaccountably does all, there are no Specificks for it in Physick, 
 all that is done that way, is by temperance and violent .... 
 
 I suppose y^ poor fellow is dead And now Mad"* 
 
 I heartily wish you health, and Peace of mind in respect to other 
 People, Peace of Conscience You have, & so you are happy ; as 
 you told me Mr. Pope said, none but y® good are so . . . ." 
 
 Sir Harry Pope Blount was not a handsome man. 
 He was fair, with a round, pleasant face and merry blue 
 eyes. In later life his face became coarser, and his 
 features thickened. He wore a smart satin coat and 
 folded white necktie. There is no portrait of his wife 
 existing that we know of, and so little is known about 
 her, only the slight record of her life spent at Tytten- 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 83 
 
 hanger and sometimes in London, and the fact that she 
 died childless. A friend describes her thus — " In lovely 
 Annabella, ev'ry virtuous charm I find." Sir Harry 
 resided much on his estate at Tyttenhanger. All his 
 life he appears to have been troubled with money matters. 
 At one time he had borrowed the sum of ;^i,o96 from 
 Gaspard Sellon, and in 1737 M. Sellon received the sum 
 of ;^5oo from " Lady Blount " in part payment, and 
 Sir Harry was to pay the remainder in instalments. 
 Katherine Lady Blount alludes to this debt later in a 
 letter. 
 
 From Sir Henry Pope Blount to Katherine Lady 
 Blount— 
 
 "To the Lady Blount 
 
 at Twickenham. Middlesex 
 
 " Tittenhanger Aug* i, 1742 
 
 ** HoN° Madam, 
 
 •* My Aunt Butler takes no Notice of my Letters, 
 that I must write to Your LadyP who are nearer to me being my 
 Mother, & as such if You are not different from all y^ Parents of 
 world who have any Religion, You will have some Tenderness 
 for a son who was Child of all Your Children who Lov'd You 
 best, & whom You flatter'd You Lov'd best, was y^ Child I am 
 sure who trusted You most. 1 have been Implicitly Obedient to 
 Your LadyP- have done nothing to forfeit y^ Tenderness You owe 
 me, but Resenting what flesh & blood cou'd not help Resenting, 
 that Treatment I met with as soon as I was of age by y^ Settlement 
 then, & again by my Marriage Settlement when I gave a fair sum 
 as I thought for a Fair 800/. a year, supposing it wou'd always last 
 (at least for my Wives & my Life) 800/, a year, Had I Madam 
 drawn You in by these Settlements to loose any part of Your 
 Jointure, or Your rights, for y^ Injustice is as Natural of y^ one side 
 as y« other, what is it that You wou'd not have though't of me ? 
 what Usage & Contempt Madam shou'd not I have deserv'd at 
 Your hands? these things Madam, & a place so long forsaken by 
 my Family & left upon n)e to take care of, besides y^ excessive Losses 
 
84 
 
 TYTTENHANGER, 
 
 from Stewards not of my own putting in, & Tenants, have so totally 
 reduc'd me, that if you will believe me, as there is a God in 
 Heaven, my Wife & I have not had one farthing of Mony for a 
 month together, & now I have only one sixpence more, even some 
 of my Michaelmas rents are pay'd. Poor people have been arrested 
 because I cou'd not pay 'em, & it is only from Gods Providence I 
 have not been in a Gail. 
 
 ** Among y^ many things to pull me down," I shou'd have nam'd 
 Lawsuits which I was oblig'd too to get my own, & now I am 
 ingag'd in 2 Chancery suits for y^ London Houses which continue 
 Madam still unlet, & instead of £143 a year which I bought 'em at 
 will in y^ years end, after Taxes payd, bring me in I fear nothing. 
 Yet Madam these Houses had I mony or power like every other 
 Gentleman but myself in England might be made something worth. 
 It grieves me Madam that You force me & my Necessity together to 
 have a 3^^ Chancery suit with Your LadyP' or what is y^ same Your 
 Tenants. I look upon y^ Tithes Madam as my due as much as 
 any thing else I inherited at my poor Fathers death, & Your 
 LadyP if I mistake not own'd my right to 'em by once offering to 
 compound for 'em in Mony, I may then take 'em in y^ way I please 
 in Kind, but Your LadyP has injoin'd Your Tenants not to let me 
 have 'em in Kind, k they have obey'd Your Orders. All Ani- 
 mositys & Quarrels in all cases might have an end if y^ Partys wou'd 
 give one another a fair Hearing, but there are others whose 
 Interest it is to keep 'em up, Ashtons who made y^ settlements so 
 are oblig'd to maintain 'em, who get Mony by y^ Combustion these 
 Settlements make so are glad to blow y^ Coals. Miss Jane 
 Walley whom Your LadyP has an Opinion of, cou'd tell You how 
 Ashton acted to her Mother. I tell You Madam were it not for 
 him & such people Your LadyP & I might still be Friends, & both 
 keep unmolested our own, but as it Your LadyP I am sure is made 
 Unhappy & I am Miserable & Ruin'd. 
 
 " My wife is Your LadyP^ if You will accept of her, & I Madam 
 am as I have always been 
 
 " Your Ladyps dutyful 
 
 affectionate Son & Humb* Servant 
 
 *' Harry Pope Blount. 
 
 •* I desire my Respects to my Aunt, & beg if Your LadyP wil 
 answer me at all it may be this week." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 85 
 
 Sir Harry's private accounts, which still exist from 
 1740 to 1750, all show considerable sums paid from the 
 estate of Tyttenhanger to Katherine Lady Blount. At 
 the end of his accounts for the year 1740, this note is 
 written by his hand : — 
 
 "rents tax'd 
 
 ** my mother 473 94 . 12 
 
 myself 340 68 . 00 
 
 813 162 . 12" 
 
 In some of his estate accounts the following signatures 
 appear : — 
 
 *' i8th May 1745, seen & allowed by us 
 " Grimston 
 George Grimston 
 Wm. Day." 
 
 In others are signatures of Geo. Grimston, A. Buck- 
 nail, Tho. Gape. 
 
 The following letter from Sir Harry has no address, 
 but is evidently written to his brother-in-law, William 
 Freman. 
 " Dear Brother, 
 
 ** I own my obligations to you for lending me y^ sum 
 of Fifty Pounds, to keep up a little longer from sinking a poor Soul, 
 Bound Hand & Foot, every thing but Gagg'd. 
 
 *' What you have done, my kind Mother wou'd not do : after 
 having made me between 2 & ;^300oin Debt, my Household Goods 
 sold to her in Mortgage, and she detains between 2 & ;^300 a year 
 from y* Income which in Justice I ought to have. 
 
 ' ' What I aver I shall readily upon occasion state to you in Black 
 & White, for I will Maintain or say nothing that I cant set my 
 Hand to, & let all y^ world see it ; but y* Value of 4 score pounds 
 a year due to me ever since my Fathers death for Tithes, & a 
 year sunk in my London Houses, always represented to me for 
 y* Flower of y* Estate, & purchas'd by me for ;^I73 a year, & 
 other Deficiencys in my settlement by Quit rents, etc., which it 
 
86 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 may be suppos'd I was quite in Dark about at my Marriage, & 
 it was intended I should be so, having no Council to give me Light 
 allow'd me. These things for y^ present I hope will suffice for 
 y^ Truth of my asseveration. 
 
 " Tantum Religio potuit suadere surely can never be better 
 apply'd than to my Calamitys ! which not like those of other 
 Familys, y^ Caesars your Relations and mine, owing to y^ want of 
 Regard to y^ Children, y^ Folly, Dissoluteness & Extravagance of 
 y^ Parent, but from y^ very Reverse — Pretensions of y^ Tenderest 
 Care & affection for y^ Child, Professions of great Wisdom, extreme 
 savingness, & mighty sanctity. That as I have had abundantly of 
 y^ Good Will of y^ Pharisee, so I thank you for y^ kindness of 
 
 Samaritan. 
 
 ** I am Dear Brother, 
 
 ** Your obedient Humble Servant, 
 
 *' Harry Pope Blount. 
 '* I always desire to be my Sisters & her family's Humble servant. 
 
 Tittenhanger, Feb. 12'^ I74|." 
 
 Whilst Sir Harry was thus occupied with his accounts, 
 the letting of his farms, and everything connected with 
 his estate, his wife took interest in the house and garden, 
 making arrangements for the planting of stock gilly- 
 flower, sweet marjoram, lavender, and many flowers 
 and herbs of which she made lists. She also kept a 
 manuscript book bound in white vellum, into which she 
 copied many songs and rhymes composed and sent to 
 her by friends. 
 
 We give a few extracts from Ann Lady Blount's 
 manuscript-book : — 
 
 " A Song made extempore in a coach going to Tittenhanger, 
 where a Lady was afraid of being drove too fast. 
 I. 
 
 " Oh William we greatly conjure you 
 to amble as smooth as you can 
 if not we shall never endure you 
 but think you a barbarous Man 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 87 
 
 2. 
 
 if fear can but merit your pity 
 look look, with compassion on me 
 a some think that to fly's very pretty 
 
 we chuse to jog on soberly 
 
 3. 
 
 ** if you will but gently drive us 
 to bright Tittenhanger fair Seat 
 you then will for ever oblige us 
 we n'ere shall your kindness forget." 
 
 " /<? Harry Pope Blount^ on his saying he wou'd not 
 have a fiddle on 7ny lady's birth Day. 
 
 ** if not yet quite abandon'd here attend 
 Cleon, to the remonstrance of a Friend 
 remember Cleon, oh remember well 
 bethink thee when at Angers we did dwell 
 how gay you was, how much you lov'd to dance 
 nor did it seem th' effect of airy France 
 how much you laugh'd and talk'd and sung and jumpd 
 how oft the floor your merry feet have thump'd 
 mirth and good humour still your person grac'd 
 nor chin, by fingers then, with scars was lac'd 
 then whence, alass proceeds this dreadful change 
 and why, to every pleasure grown so strange 
 if you were really old, infirm or lame 
 if heaven had made you thus, twou'd be no blame 
 but otherways it is, a burning, shame 
 that the bare mentioning a fiddle's name 
 shou'd put your noble temper in a flame 
 how cou'd you Annabella's suit denye 
 or with your quondam partner not comply 
 had you been ask'd to make a splendid ball 
 you might have answer'd cross, or not at all 
 but since, for one poor, jigg, we did but pray 
 to celebrate bright Annabell's birth Day 
 then to refuse, was worse, than Turk or jew 
 to blast our hopes just opening to our view 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 but do not think you shall unpunish'd goe 
 
 or that we'll not revenge this cruel blow 
 
 Cleon, the first of April soon will come 
 
 think e're too, late, prevent your threaten'd doom 
 
 else hear and tremble, you all day shall toil 
 
 in quest of ell broad packthread, stirrip, oyl, 
 
 while at your heels shall run the gigling fry 
 
 with. Sir, your garter's drop'd, your wig's awry 
 
 this or some worse correction is decreed 
 
 what can atone for such a horrid deed 
 
 what deep remorse, what anguish will you feel 
 
 when lisping urchins shall your shame reveal 
 
 a punishment too mild for such a crime 
 
 but as you're warn'd, rightly but use your time 
 
 if wise you may avert impending fate 
 
 promise a fiddle, we'll forget our hate 
 
 but if you're obstinately bent I swear 
 
 our hearts shall dance, you cannot stop us there. 
 
 " Stella." 
 
 m the Death of the Albans assembly^ written by 
 the chief mourner at that fatal funeral. 
 
 '* it must be so, forbear fair maids to moan 
 S' Albans bright, Assembly dead and gone 
 those happy days are now for ever past 
 and I too wretched Nymph, have seen the last 
 your faithless partners all refuse to come 
 and heed not if you dance to lute, or drum 
 oh barb'rous youths, then is it thus you pay 
 the pains we took, to dress and show away 
 no more shall Squeelo's shrill ton'd voice delight 
 nor clockwork Grimlo, entertain your sight 
 pleasures that once appear'd in various shapes 
 the beautious Tombses, and more beautious Gapes 
 those lovely swains, whoever yet beheld 
 but was with sudden admiration fill'd 
 Cheesemelia, too, must quit her tripping pace 
 and in the shop resume, her native place 
 no more Draperia's languid Eye shall bless 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 89 
 
 which every soft Idea did express 
 
 sad Borrowdella, sits in sullen mood 
 
 and pines to see that Men can be so rude 
 
 indignant that her scheme did not succeed 
 
 for which Alass, her tender heart does bleed 
 
 Stella her earrings, crushes in dispair 
 
 and vows she will no more those baubles wear 
 
 a gen'ral mourning midst, the fair is spread 
 
 and every distant hope of joy is fled 
 
 but why shou'd I this fatal theme pursue 
 
 tis cruel thus your sorrows to renew 
 
 this thought alone, misfortunes shou'd create 
 
 there's no resisting the decrees of fate 
 
 since this fair fabrick which did last so long, 
 
 is fallen, at length, yet was its pillar Strong." 
 
 On the margin of her book Lady Blount has written 
 — " cheesemeHa, Miss Ironmonger, the cheesemongers 
 daughter. Draperia, Mrs. Young, the woolen Drapers 
 wife remarkable, for an ill natur'd look." 
 
 This portion of a letter from Katherine Lady Blount 
 to her daughter, Mrs. William Freman, shows that Anna 
 Lady Blount had been pleading with her mother-in-law 
 on Sir Harry's behalf. Mr. Johnson, who is mentioned 
 in the letter, was Sir Harry's London agent. 
 
 •*Feb: y^ 7"^ 1748 
 
 " Dear Child, 
 
 "I got Mr. Car to sign in y^ vestry, & as soon as 
 Prayers were over sent Richard to y^ Church Wardens y' no time 
 be lost yf I could help for I see my Son wrote y^ Cirtificate in hast. 
 Mrs. Eliz: Butler was named. Disagreable Letters I have had 
 sent by Mr. Johnson (& w' he says You will see on y« other side) 
 why he sent y*" I cannot tell, as he has often said hee would be 
 y^ sender of no more w" he knew it could signifie nothing : y^ he 
 knows in y^ case & I am sure he would net think it wise y* I 
 should go on to stop gaps to no purpose if I were in a condition to 
 do it. He knows nothing can do but stating y« debts truly (w*=^ 
 
 G 
 
90 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 they often deceive In much to their own hurt w" they find Friends 
 to undertake their affairs to set in some order by having y« Estate 
 at Nurse) & puting y^ Estate into wise Friends Hands to Pay off 
 so much Yearly. the proposed by my Son, I see soon was 
 drop't by y^ frivolous proposal of y^ £\O0Q. Nothing Else will 
 satisfie y^ creditors much longer I am persuaded, & dread He will 
 be in Jail in a short Time, out of w'^'^ by my help he cannot come 
 for I have nothing more to part w"^ if I would be just to those who 
 I am to Pay during their Lives : tho I were to forget how I am to 
 live myself, yt, if I had my Jointure to be sure I could do, but 
 w*^ I now live on as vi^el as I can, & take care to Pay y^ annuitys 
 must be left for y'^ use, & not lessen'd by mee lest by any misfortune 
 there should not be sufficient to Pay y'"- W" those Farms came 
 into My Hands I happen'd to have more money by me than I had 
 ever had. Interest was low, & a Sum at hand upon any occasion 
 (troublesome times I apprehended) is convenient, but y* is gon, it 
 has inabled me to go on thus long y^ easier. 
 
 *' Y« looo" is not to be had on y^ Terms she mentions, & Mr. 
 Johnson has told her so, and th" she wrote me y' she could have it 
 in a week if I would ingage to leave looo^' at My Death to answer 
 it. Being so positive I was weak enough to think there was some- 
 thing in it, & desired Mr. Ashton to go to Mr Johnson y* such 
 Methods might be consulted as might be to purpose, w'^^ I was 
 promised by Mr. Sel: my Son should come in to w" I gave )^ 
 500^- Nothing was don, & I ressolved to depend on Plonour no 
 more. But now^ I am not able to ingage looo^^ if they would 
 come into Measures. I suppose You see how little truth y^ 
 letter contains. iooo'4s far from m^* would make My Son easy who 
 owes so much more, if he will resolve to go on increaseing y^ debt, 
 as he has don ever since he had y« 500^^- I think it is 2 years agoe 
 L: B: (Lady Blount) said here, how but 100^' was oweing to Mr. 
 Sellon (y^ whole debt was much sooner to have been paid off.) 
 She forgets y^ Estate in Princes Street never was 150" p"" ann: & 
 they have a Ground Rent still the same fully low. If 400^' would 
 have prevented y^ fall y' has been (w'^'' is another untruth, it 
 could only have lessen'd it) why would he not set by so much 
 Timber as to do it, out of w* he often said was worth 10,000'' it 
 might Easily have been don & so others would have thought 
 w'J^ half. If his Estate has been never clear whose fault 
 was y*- It has not been y^ less so for y^ 1000'' from any 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 91 
 
 Payments they have made. And she must know truer reassons 
 for their debts. She repeats again y* looo" would do it, tho 
 she knows it would not near half do, if My Son knows 
 w* he has years agoe sent me under his own Hand. Whether 
 anyone would let y'" have 500" upon My ingaging 1000^' I 
 know not (for too many deal w*"^ y^ Extravagant in y^ way) but 
 upon much better Terms People of Business know it is not to be 
 had, & sure no one but y® People themselves would come into such 
 measures, it must be a very foolish Parent y* would. If no Friends 
 can persuade y™ to come into right measures I really believe a 
 little Time will put him, & his Estate into y^ Hands of his pro- 
 voked Creditors. 
 
 ** W You, & My Son would give up, is really kind but w'^'^ way 
 it will be managed w"^ y"* or his L^"^ I cannot tell, I am sure I 
 must not do y^ least thing in it. and except it be don in a right & 
 wise way it would be doing no kindness to any one. want of 
 ys (^ch jg often more to y^ purpose than y^ value of a thing) has 
 brought on y^ Ruin. For half y^ Sum of y* Timber, and other 
 things would have been more than sufficient. . . ." 
 
 On September 13th, 1749, writing to a friend from 
 Tyttenhanger, Sir Harry sent through him his sincerest 
 respects to Lady Tyrell at Geneva, promising to 
 acquaint her with anything relating to her daughter, 
 who he said was in good health. 
 
 Katherine Lady Blount died on March 2nd, 1753, 
 leaving her books, prints, coins, medals, rarities, and 
 curiosities to her son, Sir Harry Pope Blount, and at 
 his death, which took place on July 31st, 1756, they 
 went to his sister Catherine. 
 
 With Sir Harry the name Pope Blount of Tytten- 
 hanger passed away. 
 
 Catherine, youngest daughter and last surviving child 
 of Sir Thomas Pope Blount, 2nd Baronet, now became 
 possessor of Tyttenhanger. She was born in 1704, and 
 was married in 1730 to William Freman, Esq., of 
 
92 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Hamels and Aspenden. He died February, 1749, and 
 his wife died 1763. 
 
 William and Catherine Freman had an only child, 
 Catherine, born in 1735; married. May 19th, 1755, to 
 the Hon. Charles Yorke. 
 
 The Fremans, contemporaneous with the Blounts, 
 were of an old Northamptonshire family settled in 
 Hertfordshire — highly respected and upright, of strong 
 Protestant feelings, in politics inclined to be liberal. In 
 a note-book kept by them is given by one of their 
 ancestors an account of the origin of their name. 
 
 " The Opynion of Heraulds of Arms Upon the name of 
 ffreman. 
 
 *' Freman a name in England Dissended from Saxons 
 contynuings to the Number of xxiiij. desents where of Seaven where 
 Knights : All of them Gentlemen of fame and good name without 
 Attaynte of blood, The first was Alexander who being a 
 Captive, to Robert duke of Cornewell was by him made free for 
 ys good Services he did him In Ireland, And soe hee was Called in 
 all the Campe ffreman and hatz soe Contynued unto this in y^ Name. 
 They Bearinge for their Coate Armoure, Sable : A Cheveron Or: 
 Betweene three Lozenges : Argent : with a mantle Argent : dobled 
 gules : on a helme and dorse proper eseuentt of a wreath of y^ ffirst 
 & second. A Copeye Or: " 
 
 In the same book a Mr. William Freman gives some 
 account of his life and travels. 
 
 An» 155s " J W"" freeman was Borne in y^ Towne of Northampton being in 
 Septembf g^-^ Towne y*^ my ffather & Anchestors weare Borne And there 
 J was brought upp At scoole untill An° Dom 1570 And then j earn 
 Marz to London the 7'*^ day and was placed to have dwelt w^^ Mr. 
 Edward Nalton a mercer in Cheape Side : But out of a dislike of 
 A retayling trade : Although J was there verey well placed yett J 
 1573 removed my Selfe ffrom there And placed my Selfe w*'^ a marchant 
 Adventure' named M'' Amell Berkett ffree of the Company of 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 93 
 
 Haberdashers And by him J was made ffree in Aprill 1582 of 
 London. 
 
 An" 1574 J spent at Hambrowe And in End of March J was made free 
 of y^ Company of y^ mrchants Adventured in Andwarpe And ffrom 
 thence went to Hambrowe againe and there Contineued until An° 
 1577. 
 
 1577 " J went againe to Andwarpe & there J contynued untill An° 
 1578 : And in 
 Ano 1578 *< J went to Roane in Normandy and Yn 
 
 Ano 1579 "J went back to Anwarpe & from thence to Embden & from 
 thence to Roane. 
 
 An" 1580 "J spent in Roane untill y^ Experatione of y^ tyme J covenanted 
 to serve. 
 
 Ano 1582 i( -phg jyth Novemb' J went ffrom London and took passage in 
 a shipp called y^ great Susann : that went for Constantinople : And 
 ou"^ ffirst place of Landing was at port Pedro : On y« Land of 
 Mayorke & there we toock in fresh water & victualls but w'^ som 
 hazard. 
 
 Ano 1583 *' The 26 March wee came to y* Jland of Scio : where was dis- 
 charged y^ to of the Shipps Lading of Clothes Kersyes & Tyne. 
 There J toock a house & Contynued untill Septemb"^ And finding 
 little Saill for our Comodityes in Scio : J went over to Tirea On 
 Asia Side And there made Saile of all. 
 
 Ano 1584 J went ffrom thence to Cofipo'^ And Contineued not long there 
 But went ffrom thence to Angorye : where as J could not learne 
 that there Ever had benn anny English man before : There J 
 toock a house & dwelt first w^i^in the Castle : And then removed 
 out of y^ Castle & dwelt in thee toune where J contynued untill 
 Novemb"^ 1587. 
 
 Ano 1587 "J came back from Angorye to Constantinople And toock my 
 Jorney from thence to coffi Jnto England : ffirst to Adrinople & 
 oe through Slavonia to Naronta where J tooke my passadge ffor 
 Venice in a Gaily of vennice — And from thence came throughe Sorii 
 part of Germainey as Ausburrowe & Norrenborrow & came to 
 Hambrow And at Stond J tooke passadge & came to London Jn 
 August in 
 
 Ano 1588 "When as y^ Armada of Spayne (where of J had Adverticement in 
 Jtaly) was uppon o"'' coast of England : by Gods providence defeated 
 although by generall report y' was thought to be Jnvincible — 
 1588 " Att my returne into England J went to Northampton where to 
 
94 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 my Comfort J found my ffather & Mother booth in good health : 
 Whoe shortely affter : ffor y' all my Bretheren & sisters were gonn 
 from them, They sould there howse, beeing in y® Bridge Street at 
 Northampton, & did com to dwell with my Eldest Brother Henrye 
 ffreman att his howse at Stepney w*^'* was then y^ parsonage 
 howse, And there they remained Untill & affter my Brother his 
 decess, whoe deperted this life before my ffather : whom y*^ pleased 
 God alsoe shortly affterward to take to his mercye : And bothe their 
 Bodyes doe ly Buryed in y® Chancell of Stepneye Church — And 
 my Mothere whoe deperted this life Shortlye affter them lyeth 
 Buried in y^ Vault w'^'^ was on y« south side of y^ Chancell of 
 y® parish Church of S' Michaell on Cornhill in London — Then 
 resting Living my Second Brother Thomas ffreman disposed to 
 unthrif tines : And my Sistor Elizabeth the wife of Tho : Hussye 
 gen*= And my Sister Mawdlyne wife of Robert Duckmanton 
 gen^= And these 3 weare Elder then myselfe — 
 
 ** My Eldest' Brother Henry ffreman & my Sister Mary freman 
 the wife of Ed: Duckmanton : young"" than myselfe — 
 
 "My Eldest Brother Henry ffreman left me his Execute'' then 
 living his third wife : And one daughter w'^'^ he had by her, whoe 
 was borne y® 23^ May An° 1587 : Named Dorothy ffreman : This 
 woman being Sister to M"^ John Powell Surveior^ of the Ordinance 
 at his Jnstigation comenced a Sute ag* me : to my g* trouble and a 
 hinderance to her daughter Dorithey whereof, when it was too late 
 she was verey sorrifull not w^^ standing J toock g* care of her 
 daugbt"^ Dorrity ffreman : And likewise of y^ motherless Children 
 of my B''° Tho: ffreman: named Thomas & Elinor." 
 
 The Fremans had a useful recipe. 
 
 "51? make an horse ffatt. 
 
 ** Give him 3 mornings to gether A pint of sweete wine and 2 
 spoonsfull of Diapente mixed together, w'^^ will take a way all 
 Jnfection and sickness from y^ inwarde partes. Then feed him 
 weell w'*^ provender att least 4 tymes A day, that is. After his water 
 in y« morning. After his water at noone. & After his water in 
 y^ evening. And after his water at nine of y* Clocke at night. 
 Observing not to give him of all one sort of provend"" but Change 
 his meate. y* he may Eat it w*** y^ better Stomacke : As thus if in 
 y^ morning you give him oates, at noone give him bread. At 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 96 
 
 Evening beanes or pease mixt w*^ wheate brane. And at night 
 sodden Barly. And this will complish desire in lo dayes." 
 
 Mr. William Freman's younger brother Ralph married, 
 in 1596, " Joane Crowch daughter of Mr. John Crowch 
 of Corneburyneere Buntingford in y^ parish of Layston:"* 
 there is the entry of his death — 
 
 " S"" Ralph ffreman Lord Mayo' deyed in his marolty At London 
 y^ id^^ March An: 1633 and was buried • Jn y* Chancell in Corne- 
 hill Church.'" 
 
 Mr. William Freman writes, " and upon y® 14^'' day of 
 ffebruary 1597 I was marryed at Layston church to 
 Elizabeth eldest daughter of y^ say"* John Crowch being 
 then the widdow of M' Mathew fflyer; whoe departed 
 this life y^ 21^' of June An° 1596 & left her with 3 
 children named Mathew, ffrancis & Elizabeth." 
 
 Mr. William Freman had by this lady a son and four 
 daughters, and the first mention of a burial at Aspenden 
 is that of his third daughter, Sara, who was " borne y*" 
 4"' Decemb' 1605, deyedd y*' 5"" Decembe' 1622, buried 
 at Aspenden." Previous to this date the Fremans had 
 generally buried at Northampton or Cornhill. After 
 this, Aspenden frequently became their burial-place. Mr. 
 William Freman died in London 29th August, 1623, 
 aged 68, and was buried in Cornhill Church. 
 
 There is a long list of " Birth Dayes, Crissinige Dayes, 
 marriage Dayes and the Dayes of y^ Departure from this 
 Life to A Better, and where Buried," not only of the 
 Fremans, but of " Severall freinds and Relations." There 
 is mention of the death of " y^ Lady Ca'ser at Hadham 
 y^ 17 June 1662." 
 
 * Vide Freman note -book. 
 
96 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Some of the names of those who intermarried with the 
 Fremans are — Soames, Crowch, Auberey, Hussey, Hewitt. 
 There were some marriages with the Montagues. Mar- 
 garett Crowch had three husbands — Alten Elyne, John 
 Hare, and lastly, in 1620, " S'^ Hen Mountague affter 
 Earle of Manchestor." 
 
 An Crouch also had three husbands — " Ro: Wyncott, 
 I Ralph Hare : 2 Lord Mountague of Boughton 3^- this 
 last was in 1624." Amongst the list of "Crissinige dayes 
 in Cornhill Church " is " Elizabeth Freman 14 Aprill 
 1629." On June i8th, 1646, " M'^ Mountague was 
 marryed to M^ Eliz: ffreman ; " later is the entry of this 
 lady's death : 
 
 " Elizabeth Mountague at London y^ 16 June 1647." 
 
 Mr. William Freman and Elizabeth Crowch had a son 
 Ralph, born in 1600, and married to Mary Hewytt in 
 1626, and their son Ralph, born in 1627, was member 
 for the county of Hertfordshire, followed by his son, 
 Ralph Freman, jun 
 
 Sir Ralph Freman, husband of Joan Crowch, one year 
 Lord Mayor of London,* " who entertained the King 
 and Queen (Charles I. and Henrietta Maria) at Merchant 
 Taylor's Hall, ' with all the grand masquers of the Inns of 
 Court in glorious apparel,' " was uncle to Ralph Freman, 
 M.P., owner of Aspenden, who in 1643 took the part of 
 young Seth Ward, the Royalist, who had been educated 
 at the Free School of Buntingford, and having incurred 
 the displeasure of the Parliamentarians for writing against 
 the Covenant, was imprisoned. On his release, Ralph 
 Freman took him under his protection, and entertained 
 
 * Herts during the Civil War. By Kingston. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 97 
 
 him at Aspenden. Seth lived to become Bishop of 
 SaHsbury, and at his death left money in charity at 
 Aspenden. 
 
 We have taken the dates on which the Fremans and 
 Caesars were members of Parliament for Hertfordshire 
 from the Parliamentary returns of those years. 
 
 **Sir Charles Caesar Kn* of Bennington. M.P. for Hertford 
 borough. 
 
 ** Thomas Pope Blount Esq. for S' Albans borough. 1678-9. 
 " Sir Charles Caesar. M.P. for Hertford county. 
 "Sir Thomas Pope Blount Bar* M.P. for S' Albans borough. 
 1680-1. 
 
 "Ralph Freman, Esq. M.P. for Hertford county. 1685. 
 
 "Sir Thomas Pope Blount Bar' and Sir Charles Coesar 
 Kn* M.Ps. for Hertford county. 1688-9. 
 
 ** Sir Thomas Pope Blount Bar' and Ralph Freman Esq"" M.Ps. 
 for Hertford county. 1689-90. 
 
 "Sir Thomas Pope Blount Bar' M.P. for Hertford county. 
 1695- 
 
 "Ralph Freman J""^ Esq' M.P. for Hertford county vice Sir 
 Thomas Pope Blount deceased. 1697." 
 
 Ralph Freman, jun., continued to be M.P. for the 
 county, whilst in 1700 Charles Caesar, Esq., became 
 member for the borough until 1708, when he resigned 
 on appointment " to an ofifice of profit by the Crown," 
 but was re-elected in 1711 to 17 14. Ralph Freman, 
 jun., Esq., remained member for the county of Hertford 
 until 1727, having been elected in every Parliament over 
 a period of 30 years. He was succeeded as M.P. for 
 the county by Charles Caesar, Esq. 
 
 This Charles Caesar was the eldest son of Sir Charles 
 Caesar, the brother of Dame Jane Blount, whose great- 
 grandfather was Sir Julius He was born Nov. 21st, 
 
98 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 1673, represented the County of Hertford in the 
 Parliaments of 1728 and 1736, and was buried at Ben- 
 ington on April 5th, 1741. He married Mary, younger 
 daughter of Ralph Freman, of Aspenden, on Nov. 24th, 
 1702. This lady had a fortune of £,^00 She died 
 and was buried at Benington July 12th, 1741. 
 
 " 1642 — 1643. 
 
 *' The counties of Hertford, Cambridge, Essex, Suffolk, and 
 Norfolk, in the Eastern Counties Association, are specially mentioned 
 in May's History of the Lo7ig Parliament as being kept from the 
 beginning ' without any great combustion,' and it is added that 
 * This great happinesse of peace and quiet that they enjoyed may be 
 supposed to flow from the unanimity of their affections. There 
 was as much unanimity of opinion and affection in those counties 
 among the people in general as was to be found in any part of 
 England, but it was especially among the common people.' 
 
 " He adds, however, that it was certain that many of the chief 
 gentry in these counties * bended in their affections to the King's 
 Commission of Array;' but as the freeholders and yeomen in 
 general adhered to the Parliament, those gentlemen who attempted 
 to draw forces together or provide arms for the King ' were soon 
 curbed and all their endeavours crushed at the beginning by those 
 of the other side ; especially by the great wisdom and indefatigable 
 industry of Master Oliver Cromwell.' Certainly the counties of 
 Hertford and Bedford, and to some extent Cambridge, could hardly 
 claim all the immunity from strife which is indicated by the fore- 
 going. To carry on their share of the War successfully, the 
 organisation of means and resources became a first necessity. The 
 King had to rely upon what could be done by his Commissions of 
 Array, entrusted in Hertfordshire to the Royalist leaders. . . . 
 On the other hand, Parliament had an organisation almost ready to 
 hand, which was capable of being made immensely superior. 
 Primarily, Parliament, by a bold stroke, brought itself in touch 
 with the lieutenancy of the county, and made use of the members 
 for the county, but a more representative body soon became 
 necessary to discharge the military and civil functions of raising 
 soldiers and assessing the inhabitants in levying contributions, while 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 99 
 
 to this had to be added later another function of sequestrating the 
 estates of 'delinquents,' or Royalists in arms for the King. For 
 these three separate functions three Committees were appointed, 
 and upon these Committees many of the leading Hertfordshire 
 families of the time were represented. As many of the same names 
 occur on each of the Committees, the following list may be con- 
 sidered to fairly represent the Council of War for the County of 
 Hertford : — 
 
 Atkins, Edward, Esq. sergeant- 
 
 at-Iaw 
 Barker, Gabriel Esq. 
 Cecil, Robert. Esq. 
 Combes, Toby. 
 Cranborne. Lord Viscount. 
 Dacres, Sir Thomas, Kn* 
 Faircloth, Litton Esq. 
 Freman, Ralph Esq. 
 Garrard, Sir John Bar* 
 Harrison Sir John 
 Heydon John Esq. 
 Humbertson John Sen. gent. 
 Jennings Richard Esq. 
 King D"" John 
 Leman William Esq. 
 Litton Rowland Esq. 
 Litton Sir William. Kn* 
 Lucy Sir Richard, Kn' 
 Marsh, John gen* 
 Mayor of S' Albans for the time 
 
 being. 
 
 Mayor of Hertford for the time 
 
 being. 
 Mead Thos. gent. 
 Mewtys, Henry Esq. 
 Morton Gravely Esq. 
 Pemberton John Esq. 
 Pemberton Ralph Esq. 
 Porter Richard Esq. 
 Priestly Wm. Esq. 
 Puller Isaac, gent. 
 Reed Sir John Bar* 
 Robotham John Esq. 
 Sadler Thomas Esq. 
 Scroggs John Esq. 
 Tooke Thomas Esq. 
 John Tooke Esq. 
 Washington Adam Esq. 
 Wilde Alexander Esq. 
 Wingate. Edward Esq. 
 Witlewrong Sir John Kn* 
 
 "For the Grand Committee sitting at Cambridge, members of 
 the Herts Committee had to go there to reside in their turn of 14 
 days each, with members of the Committees of the other counties. 
 It was an anxious time for the associated counties, for, says the 
 order appointing the above Committee, * The Earl of Newcastle, 
 with his whole army, since the surrender of Gainsborough is 
 marching towards and ready to fall upon the associated counties of 
 Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridge, Hertford, and Huntingdon.' 
 On this Central Committee at Cambridge, of which at present 
 
100 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Oliver Cromwell, the honourable member for Cambridge, is a 
 member and controlling spirit, the first Hertfordshire delegates to 
 take their turn of service vi^ere Henry Mewtys, of Gorhambury, 
 and Ralph Freman of Aspenden. "* 
 
 In The Historical Antiquities of Hertfordshire^ by Sir 
 Henry Chauncy, is given an account of the Fremans, 
 and he tells how the Manor of Aspenden was bought by 
 the brothers William and Ralph Freman, both merchants 
 in London, who resided together Anno 1610, 8 Ja. I. 
 
 *' Which William married Elizabeth the widow of Matthew 
 Flyer of London, merchant, and eldest daughter of John Crouch 
 of Corny Bury, by whom he had issue Ralph, Joan the wife of 
 Thomas Soame Esq ; and Dame Elizabeth, the wife of vSir Samuel 
 Luke K*^; but Ralph Freman, the younger brother of William 
 having no issue male, both brothers agreed to settle this Mannor on 
 William and Ralph his son, and his heirs, to perpetuate their 
 name : and William dyed on the 23^ day of August, Anno 1623, 
 21 Jac. I. and was buried in the parish church of S' Michael, 
 Cornhill in London, leaving Ralph his son and heir ; and in the 
 same year Ralph Freman the younger brother of William, was 
 elected the first Sheriff in London. And Anno. 1633. 9 Car. I 
 Lord-Mayor of that City. About the lo'^h day of January in the 
 same year, he invited the King and Queen, and all the maskers of 
 the Inns of Court, to a banquet, who, clothed in rich and glorious 
 apparel, attended in a most solemn and splendid parade, from the 
 Court to Merchant -Taylors Hall in the city of London, 
 
 " The first that marched were twenty footmen in scarlet liveries, 
 with silver lace, each one having his sword by his side, a battone 
 in one hand, and a torch lighted in his other ; these were the 
 Marshal's men, who cleared the streets, made way, and waited on 
 the Marshal ; after, and sometimes in the midst of them, came Mr. 
 Barrel, the Marshal : He was an extraordinary proper gentleman 
 of Lincolns-Inn, mounted upon one of the King's best horses, and 
 richest saddles ; his own habit was exceeding rich and glorious ; 
 his horsemanship very gallant, and besides his footmen, he had 
 two lacquies who carried torches by him and a page his cloak : The 
 King knighted him for his brave deportment. 
 
 * Vide Herts during the Civil War. By Kingston. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 101 
 
 ** After followed one hundred gentlemen of the Inns of Court, 
 five and twenty chosen out of each house, of the most proper and 
 handsome young gentlemen of the Societies, every one gallantly 
 mounted on the best horses, and with the best furniture that the 
 stables of the King and all the noblemen in town would afford. 
 Every one of these gentlemen were attired in very rich cloaths, 
 cover'd with gold and silver lace, had a page and two lacquies, 
 waiting on him in his livery by his horseside ; the lacquies carried 
 Torches and the pages their masters cloaks, the richness of their 
 apparel and furniture glittering by the light of a multitude of 
 torches attending on them, with the motion and stirring of their 
 mettled horses ; and the many and various gay liveries of their 
 servants, but especially the personal beauty and gallantry of the 
 handsome young gentlemen, made the most glorious and splendid 
 Shew that ever was beheld in England. These horsemen had for 
 their musick about a dozen of the best Trumpeters in their liveries 
 sounding before them ; after whom came the Antimaskers, repre- 
 senting cripples and beggars on the poorest leanest jades the dirt- 
 carts could afford, who had their musick of keys and tongs, and the 
 like snaping, and yet playing in a consort before them ; the variety 
 and change from such noble musick and gallant horses as went 
 before, unto the proper musick and pitiful horses of these cripples 
 made the greater divertisement. 
 
 •* Next came men on horseback, playing on Pipes, whistles, and 
 instruments sounding notes like those of birds of all sorts, in 
 excellent consort. Then the Antimasque of birds followed : this 
 was an owl in an ivy bush, with many several sorts of other birds 
 in a great flock gazing upon the owl. These were little boys put 
 into covers of the, shapes of those birds rarely fitted, and sitting on 
 small horses, with footmen going by them, carrying torches, in 
 their hands, and others to look unto the children, which was very 
 pleasant to the spectators. 
 
 ** Other musicians on horseback followed this Antimasque, 
 playing upon bagpipes, hornpipes, and such kind of northern 
 musick, speaking the succeeding Antimasque of Projectors to be of 
 the Scotch and Northern quarters ; these had many footmen with 
 torches waiting on them. 
 
 *' First in this Antimasque rode a fellow upon a little horse, with 
 a great bit in his mouth, and another upon his head, also headstall 
 and reins fastened : this signify'd a projector, who begg'd a patent 
 
102 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 that none in the Kingdom might ride their horses with such bits, 
 but such as they should buy of him. 
 
 " After him came another fellow with a bunch of carrots upon 
 his fist ; describing a projector, who begg'd a patent of monopoly, 
 as the first inventor of the art to fat capons with carrots ; and that 
 none but himself might make use of that invention, and have the 
 priviledge of fourteen years, according to the statute. 
 
 " Several other projectors were personated in like manner in this 
 Antimasque, which were the more acceptable to the spectators, for 
 that they represented to the King the unfitness and ridiculousness 
 of these projects against the law. 
 
 "After this and the other Antimasques (which are here omitted) 
 were past, there came six of the chief musicians on horseback, 
 upon footclothes, and in the habits of heathen priests, and footmen 
 carrying torches by them. Then an open large chariot followed 
 these musicians, drawn with six brave horses, with large plumes of 
 feathers on their heads and buttocks ; the coachman and postilion 
 in rich antick liveries. There were above a dozen persons in 
 several habits of the gods and goddesses sitting in the chariot, and 
 many footmen by them on all sides bearing torches. 
 
 *' Six more of the musicians followed this chariot on horseback, 
 habited with footclothes, and attended with torches as the former 
 were. 
 
 ' ' Then came another large open chariot like the former, drawn with 
 six gallant horses, set forth with feathers, liveries, and torches, as the 
 others had, in which were about a dozen musicians in like habit as 
 those in the first chariot, but all with some variety or distinction. 
 
 *' These going immediately next before the grand masquers 
 chariots, play'd upon excellent and loud musick all the way as they 
 went. 
 
 "Then six more musicians on footclothes followed this chariot 
 with horses and attended as the other. After them came the first 
 chariot of the grand Masquers, which was not so large as those 
 that went before, but most curiously framed, carved, and painted 
 with exquisite art for this very purpose : the form was after that of 
 the Roman Triumphant Chariots, as near as could be made by some 
 old prints and pictures of them ; the seats in it were made of an 
 oval form in the back end of the chariot, so that there was no 
 precedence in them, and the faces of all that sate in it might be seen 
 together. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 103 
 
 " The colours of the first chariot were silver and crimson, given 
 by the lot to Gray's Inn, the chariot and the very wheels were 
 richly painted all over with the same colours, and the carved work 
 of it was as curious for that art ; it made a stately shew, drawn by 
 four horses all on breast, covered to their heels all over with 
 cloth of tissue, of the colours of crimson and silver, with plumes of 
 white feathers on their heads and buttocks ; the coachman's cap and 
 feather, his long coat, and very whip and cushion, were of the same 
 stuff and colour : in this chariot sate the four grand maskers of 
 Gray's Inn, their habits, doublets, trunkhose, and caps of most rich 
 cloth of tissue, and wrought as thick with silver spangles as they 
 could be placed, large white silk-stockings to their trunk-hose and 
 rich sprigs in their caps, themselves proper and beautiful young 
 gentlemen. 
 
 On each side of the chariot were four footmen in liveries, of the 
 colour of the chariot, carrying huge flambuoys in their hands, which 
 with the torches gave such a lustre to the paintings, spangles, and 
 habits, that hardly any thing could be invented to appear more 
 glorious. 
 
 Six more musicians on footclothes, in the like habits, followed 
 this chariot ; after whom came the second chariot, which by lot fell 
 to the Middle-Temple, and difTer'd from the former only in colours, 
 which were silver and blue ; the chariot and horses were cover'd 
 and deck'd with cloth of tissue, of blue and silver ; in this chariot 
 were the four grand masquers of the Middle-Temple, in the same 
 habits as the former masquers were, and with the like attendance, 
 torches, and flambuoys with the former. 
 
 '* The third and fourth chariots followed after these, and six 
 musicians between each chariot, habited on footclothes and horses 
 as before, both the chariots of the same form and like carving and 
 painting, differing only in the colours ; in the third rode the Grand 
 Masquers of the Inner-Temple ; and in the other those of Lincolns- 
 Inn, according to their several lots. 
 
 "The habits of all the Grand-Masquers were the same, their 
 persons most handsome and lovely ; their equipage so full of state, 
 and height of gallantry, that it was never out done by any repre- 
 sentation mention'd in former stories. 
 
 " The torches and huge flaming flambuoys, born by the sides of 
 each chariot, made it seem lightsome as at noon-day, but more 
 glittering, and gave a full and clear light to all the streets and 
 
104 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 windows as they passed by. The march was slow, in regard of the 
 great number, but more interrupted by the multitude of spectators 
 in the streets, besides the windows unwilling to part from so 
 glorious a spectacle. 
 
 "The King and Queen stood at a window, looking into the 
 street to see the masque pass by, and when all were gone, they, 
 with all their noble train, came to the hall, where the masque 
 began, and was incomparably performed in the dancing, speeches, 
 musick, and scenes ; the dances, figures, properties, the voices, 
 instruments, songs, aires, composures ; the words and actions were 
 all of them exact, and none of them failed in their parts ; and the 
 scenes were most curious and costly. 
 
 "The Queen did the honour to some of the Masquers to dance 
 with them, and did judge them as good dancers as ever she saw, 
 and the great ladies were very free and civil in dancing with all 
 the masquers, as they were taken out by them. 
 
 " Thus they continu'd in their sports until it was almost morn- 
 ing ; then the Lord-Mayor entertain'd the King and Queen, the 
 Lords and Ladies, and the masquers, and Inns of Court gentlemen 
 with a noble and stately banquet ; and after that was dispersed, 
 every one departed to their homes. 
 
 " This gave great satisfaction to their Majesties, and no less to 
 the citizens, especially those of the younger sort, and the female 
 sex ; it redounded much to the great honour of Sir Ralph Freman, 
 the then Lord-Mayor of London ; but shortly after he died, leaving 
 issue only one daughter, Jane, who married Sir George Sands of 
 Lees-Court in Kent, Bar*^ since created Earl of Feversham. 
 
 " Upon the death of William, the elder brother, this Mannor 
 descended according to the settlement, to Ralph his only son, who 
 married Mary, daughter to Sir William Hewyt, K*- by whom he 
 had issue seven sons, Ralph, William, Thomas, Henry, John, 
 Charles, Robert ; and five daughters, Elizabeth, married to the 
 Honourable William Mountague, Esq younger son of Edward Lord 
 Mountague of Boughton, and sometime Lord Chief Baron of His 
 Majesty's Court of Exchequer ; Mary married to William Barbour 
 of Adderbury, in the County of Oxford Esq, Anne married to 
 George Pyke of Weldzed, in the County of Cambridge, Esq ; 
 Margaret died single ; Susan married to Sir Peter Soame, of 
 Heydon, in the County of Essex, Bar*^ whereof Thomas, Henry, 
 John, Charles, and Margaret, died in his life-time. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 105 
 
 "Anno 1636. 12. Car. I. he was constituted High-Sheriff, was 
 sometime Justice of the Peace for this County, and dyed on the 
 28*^ of July, 1665. He was of a middle stature, somewhat corpulent, 
 stern in aspect, but pleasant in discourse ; temperate in his diet, 
 but hospitable in his house ; grave in his deportment, yet merry in 
 company. He had a general knowledge in the affairs of the 
 country; and in his younger days manag'd them with great 
 moderation and discretion ; but in the time of rebellion did quit all 
 publick imployments, affected a retired life, and pleased himself 
 with the conversation of his children. 
 
 ** He was very kind to his relations, charitable to the Poor, and 
 compassionate to the afflicted. He was very devout in all his acts 
 of religion, till the pains of the stone and gout shorten'd his days ; 
 and the contemplations of Heaven made death more easie, and his 
 passage to Glory more tollerable to him. He bare Azure three 
 Lozenges Argent ; Crest on a Wreath a Demi Lyon rampant gules 
 charged on the Shoulder with a Lozenge Argent. 
 
 *' Ralph Freeman his eldest son, succeeded him, is a Justice of 
 the Peace, a Deputy-Lieutenant, and has served for this county in 
 two Parliaments, one held in the year of i Jac. H. the other Anno 
 2 Will. & Maria; : He married Elizabeth the youngest daughter of 
 Sir John Aubery, of Llanthzithzed in the county of Glamorgan, 
 Bar*^- by whom he has issue Ralph, William, Aubrey, and Elizabeth, 
 married to Robert Elwis of Throcking, Esq ; Margaret and Mary." 
 
 The following extract is from the Freman's note- 
 book : — 
 
 "Ralph ffreman of Aspenden married to 'W'^^ Eliz^ Catebey : 
 the 15"^ of ffeby= 1699: one of y« Coheirres of Tho* Catesby of ^ 
 Northamptonshire. " 
 
 After which is written, by quite a different hand, 
 evidently that of one of the parents : — 
 
 " Ralph Freman had Issue first twin boys Wm & Catesby, then 
 a Daughter Stillborn. Then a Son Ralph. William Freman 
 y^ eldest of y^ twins is a youth hopeful & grave in Temper, of a hot 
 Constitution therefore eager in business, Love, Friendship. Catesby 
 Freman y« younger twin is a hopeful & brisk youth, of a mild & 
 cool Constitution, fit for Company & for y^ Court." 
 H 
 
106 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 In the church at Aspenden are brasses and memorials 
 to several of the family. The following is a list of their 
 benefactions : — 
 
 "William Freman, Esq, gave by will dated 1623 four shillings 
 in bread weekly to the poor, out of the rent of the water mill. 
 
 *' Mrs. Elizabeth Freman, by will 1633, gave to ten poor people 
 of this parish five pounds, per ann, to be paid by the Company of 
 Haberdashers in London, to be disposed of according to the direc- 
 tion of the owner of Asseden Hall. 
 
 *' Mrs. Elizabeth Freman 1632 gave a silver chalice and cover 
 gilt, for the communion. 
 
 " Ralph Freman, Esq 1644 gave the treble bell. 
 
 " Seth Ward, Bishop of Salisbury, gave to Ralph Freman Esq; 
 and Charles Crowch gent. Six hundred pounds to be laid out in 
 land, the rent used for putting out three poor children apprentices 
 yearly, two out of Abseden, and one out of Layston one year, and 
 so on vice versa. 
 
 "Mrs. Elizabeth Freman, wife of Ralph Freman, Esq; 1690 
 gave a silver plate gilt, for the communion, and also an altar-piece, 
 the creed. Lord's prayer, and commandments, painted on canvas, 
 and in a black frame. 
 
 " Ralph Freman Esq: of Hamels built a gallery at the west end 
 of the church for young men and servants. 
 
 "Mrs. Mary Cater, above 30 years servant in Mr. Freman's 
 Family gave by will 1704 two hundred and ten pounds to be laid 
 out in the purchase of lands, fee-farm rents, or rent-charge, for 
 teaching as many poor children of this parish, as the owner of 
 Absenden Hall, and the rector shall think fit, who are trustees. 
 Upon her death a master was appointed, who teaches twelve. 
 Ralph Freman Esq: cloaths them all, and hath built a house for a 
 school."* 
 
 In 1745, Mr. William Freman, of Hamels and 
 Aspenden (the husband of Catherine Blount), gave the 
 B treble bells to St. Mary's Church, near Hamels. In 
 this church is also a large and fine monument to his 
 brother, the Rev. Ralph Freman, D.D., of Hamels, and 
 
 * Salmon's History of Herts, 
 
T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 107 
 
 prebendary of Sarum, and Agnes his wife, both of whom 
 died in July, 1772. 
 
 At Tyttenhanger are portraits of some of the members 
 of the Freman family. Mistress Elizabeth Freman, who 
 became Mrs. Montague, and Baron Montague, her 
 husband, in his black silk gown. Mr. Ralph Freman, in S.^^k < ' ^ 
 2L full suit of gold-coloured satin. He is pointing out of (isfr)'^ 
 his picture. This is Mr. Ralph, jun., who was 30 years ^ 
 M.P. for Herts. His wife, Mrs. Ralph Freman, who was 
 a Miss Catesby ; a handsome, stout lady, evidently proud (jL© (^'^) 
 of her arm and hand. She gracefully holds a branch of 
 orange blossoms. Mr. William Freman, the eldest son 
 of Ralph, jun., in blue court dress with a sword, and 
 next to him hangs the portrait of his wife Catherine, a 
 neat, slight figure with a small shapely head. Without 
 being strictly pretty, she has a most piquante appearance. 
 She must have inherited her mother's taste. There is a 
 simplicity and neatness about her person, and her hair 
 is always dressed with becoming care. The Blounts as 
 a rule were full-faced, with short square chins and rather 
 colourless complexions; the Fremans of a distinctly 
 different type. They had usually oval faces and high 
 noses, florid colouring and marked eyebrows. 
 
 Mr. Catesby Freman, twin with William, is also there, 
 handsome and pleasing, bearing a strong resemblance to 
 his elder twin brother ; also the youngest of the family 
 and his wife, painted by Alan Ramsay. " The Rev. 
 Ralph Freman, D.D., of Hamels, Rector of Aspenden . " . 
 and prebendary of Sarum" he became. His wife, /cxJk 
 Agnes, was a daughter of Pullar Forester, Esq., of ^^^Z^isjl^ 
 Broadfields, in Kent. When William Freman died, this 
 
108 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 gentleman was guardian to his daughter Catherine, who 
 was a minor. He resided at Hamels. 
 
 Dressed in crimson velvet is Ralph Freman jun.'s 
 S ^^t^'fJ^*^"*^ sister Mary, wife of Charles Caesar, who followed his 
 : t- brother-in-law Ralph as M.P. for the county. 
 
 There are three pictures of William Freman's only 
 child Catherine (the Hon. Mrs. Charles Yorke). The 
 first, a full length by Alan Ramsay, was taken when she 
 was about 15 years of age. It represents her dressed as 
 a shepherdess with a lamb following her. The dress is 
 of white satin. In one hand she holds a crook, the 
 other is raised to the brim of her small pink-lined straw 
 hat, as if to shade her eyes. In the second picture, a 
 half-length, she is quite grown up. By the style of dress, 
 it must have been painted after her marriage. It is by 
 Hudson. She has a gown of blue satin, and her 
 shoulder-knots are tied with strings of pearls. The 
 third and last picture is by Sir Joshua Reynolds. She 
 T^lA^ (r is walking in a wood. The trees cast a slight shadow 
 C^c^o^ across her face. The silk dress seems to rustle as she 
 ' Y f walks. She used to be drawing on her left-hand glove, 
 
 but her son's wife, Elizabeth Lady Hardwicke, unfortu- 
 nately took a fancy that she could not bear to see a 
 woman everlastingly pulling at her glove, she said ; it 
 made her feel uncomfortable, and so she had the glove 
 painted out. This gives the appearance of an unfinished 
 hand. In all these pictures Catherine's dress is most 
 highly finished, not a lace or a ribbon out of place; 
 though each style is different, they could all three be 
 taken as perfect models. She must have spent much 
 time and trouble on her toilette, but the result is success- 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 109 
 
 ful. Next to this last portrait of her is one of her 
 husband, Charles Yorke, painted when he was Attorney- 
 General.. Spite made Fox exaggerate when he remarked 
 — '* Yorke was ugly when alive, how did he look when 
 dead?" for though the features are heavy, the face is too 
 intelligent, the eyes too honest and bright, ever to have 
 been ugly. 
 
 Mrs. William Freman was sometimes called Catharina, 
 no doubt to distinguish her from her mother ; she signed 
 " Cath: Freman;" her mother signed herself " Kath: 
 Blount," always using the K. 
 
 This is how the Blounts held Tyttenhanger, or " the 
 Estate at Ridge," as it was sometimes called. It was 
 leased for lo years, to the possessor and his heirs, "on 
 Request made, on Payment of Fees, for a certain Rent, 
 but without any Fine, at the End of the said Term to 
 renew the Lease upon like Request &c. &c, and so on 
 from lo to lo years, and the Lease was accordingly 
 granted and regularly renewed until the year 1759, 
 when we granted it to Catharina Freman Widow of 
 Tittenhanger, Herts." The extract is taken from a 
 letter written to Philip Yorke, dated Trin. Col Oxon, 
 1 781. Since 1759 the estate has paid the yearly sum of 
 ;£3o 2S. od. to Trinity College. 
 
 To show the great care ladies in those days took of 
 their furniture, we give a few items copied from Mrs. 
 William Freman's accounts for 1 760-1 : — 
 
 " 20 mahogany chairs stuff'd up \v*'* the best curl'd hair in fine 
 Scotch cloth, jacks, canvas, girt-web etc £ 2^ o o. 
 " two Elbow Chairs to match D° £1 o- 
 
 *' Sewing silk, thread, silk cord, jacks etc for the chairs, £\ 2 o. 
 
110 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 " Covering and brass nailing 20 chairs and 2 elbow D° £6 2 o. 
 *' 18J y^^ of fine crimson Searge for the backs of the chairs . . , 
 " 20 yds of crimson Lucesking for scarves for d° lo o. 
 7,700 of Princes Metal Nails for 7 o." 
 
 She now ordered 28 yards of crimson and white check, 
 and had cases made to cover her chairs, and so they 
 were hid away from view. Could these be the same 
 chairs that the agent referred to, years afterwards, when 
 writing to her grandson, Phihp Yorke — " The furniture 
 turned out are chiefly broken chairs that will not fetch 
 
 After the chairs comes an account of " green tammy " 
 for her green damask curtains, and " crimson tammy to 
 line five pair of crimson silk Damask Window Curtains 
 £(i o o." 
 
 " 104 y'^^ of the best crimson silk cover'd lace 
 £i 14 8." 
 
 One bed she took great pains with — " altering the 
 VaP covering the Corniches and making a new Testor 
 076. 
 
 "6J y'^'of crimson Persian for the Testor o 15 7 J. 
 
 "32 y^' of crimson cheney to cover the doors in the 
 Papistry room £2 108. 
 
 "Paid for scowering and dipping 28 y''^ of green silk 
 Damask £0 14 o," 
 
 This green silk was made up into bed curtains. 
 
 "A Sconce glass in a gilt frame £2 2 o." 
 
 There are several accounts of " Scowerings and 
 dippings." One pair of " fine Blanketts " cost £2 18 c. 
 
 She bought yellow mohair for one bed lined with 
 yellow tammy. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Labour seems to have been well paid. A man for 
 hanging 13 pieces of paper £,0 13 o." 
 
 " 2 men one day each in packing up goods ;£o 8 2. 
 
 " 2 men 8 days work each in papering a room at 
 Tittenhanger £2 8 o." 
 
 The whole of her upholsterer's bill for Tittenhanger, 
 and her house in London for 2 years, came to £2()'j. 
 
 The first record we have of the Yorke family is in 
 1380 of a John Yorke. He married Claricia, widow of 
 Richard de Windsor. They had a son, John, born in 
 1404, who held lands in West Hagborn, Berks. He 
 died in 1425, and was buried in the north aisle of the 
 church at East Hagborn. There is a genealogical table 
 of the Yorkes from these dates down to Philip Yorke, a 
 solicitor of Dover (whose wife, Elizabeth Gibbon, was 
 sister to the ancestor of the historian). Their son 
 Philip became Lord High Chancellor and ist Earl of 
 Hardwicke ; he was born in 1690, "of the Middle 
 Temple Esq'^ Solicitor Gen' to King George L knighted 
 7"" July, 1720." 
 
 His wife was " Margaret, daughter of Charles Cocks 
 of Castle Ditch C° Hereford, by Mary his wife sister and 
 co-heir of John Lord Somers Lord High Chancellor of 
 England, married 9"' May 17 19. died 10 Sep' 1761." 
 His second son Charles, appointed Solicitor-General in 
 November, 1756, Attorney-General in 1761, and Lord 
 High Chancellor in 1770, died 30th January, 1770, and 
 was buried at Wimpole. He had married Catherine, 
 only daughter of William Freman, of Hamels and 
 Aspenden, in the county of Hertford, 19th May, 1755. 
 She died loth July, 1759, and was buried at Wimpole, 
 
112 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 in Cambridgeshire. He had issue by Catherine Freman 
 one son and two daughters — 
 I. PhiHp, born 1757. 
 
 1. Margaret, died in childhood. 
 
 2. Catherine, died in childhood. 
 
 He married, secondly, 30th December, 1762, Agneta, 
 daughter of Henry Johnston, Esq., of Great Berkham- 
 stead, and by this lady had issue two sons and one 
 daughter — 
 
 1. Charles PhiHp, born 1764. 
 
 2. Joseph Sydney, born 1768.* 
 
 I. Caroline, married to the Earl of St. Germains. 
 
 We can only venture to give an outline of Charles 
 Yorke's life. It has been told so much better than we 
 can tell it. From boyhood, he had shown himself to 
 be possessed of remarkable gifts as a writer and speaker. 
 He had a powerful intellect and a just and noble mind. 
 In his family life at home he was beloved, his kind 
 nature drew towards him all those who came within its 
 influence. His brilliant career came so suddenly to a 
 close. Urged by George III. into accepting the office 
 of Lord Chancellor — an honour which within a week 
 previously he had positively declined, and having given 
 his word to his brother. Lord Hardwicke, to that effect — 
 in one weak moment, full of loyalty to his King, he 
 acted against his better judgment and accepted the 
 office. Then there fell on him the violent reproaches of 
 his elder brother and the indignation of his party. He 
 
 * On the death of Philip, 3rd Earl of Hardwicke, his nephew, Charles 
 Philip, the late Earl of Hardwicke, succeeded to the title and Wimpole estate. 
 He was the eldest son of Admiral Sir Joseph Sydney Yorke, K.C.B. Sir 
 Joseph was drowned in the Solent, his ship having been struck by lightning. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 113 
 
 went home broken-hearted, and three days afterwards he 
 died. For a man of his strength of character, the 
 mental trial he passed through in those few hours must 
 have been terrible. 
 
 "As he was never installed in Westminster Hall, nor ever sat 
 in the Court of Chancery, there is no entry respecting him as 
 Chancellor to be found in the Close Roll, or in the records of the 
 Crown Office ; but the following minute appears in the books of the 
 Privy Council : — 
 
 " ' At the Court at the Queen's House, the 17th of January, 1770. 
 
 " * Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty in Council. 
 
 '* ' His Majesty in Council was this day graciously pleased to 
 deliver the Great Seal to the Right Honourable Charles Yorke, 
 Esq""^' who was thereupon, by his Majesty's command, sworn of his 
 Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, and likewise Lord High 
 Chancellor of Great Britain, and accordingly took his place at the 
 board.' 
 
 "At the same time a warrant was signed by the King for a 
 patent raising him to the peerage, by the title of Baron Morden of 
 Morden, in the County of Cambridge. 
 
 "As soon as the council was over. Lord Chancellor Charles 
 Yorke, carrying away the Great Seal with him in his carriage, 
 drove to Lord Rockingham's, to communicate to him what he had 
 done. It so happened that Lord Rockingham, Lord Hardwicke, 
 and the other leaders of the Opposition were then holding a 
 meeting to concert measures against the Government. He was 
 introduced to them, and unfolded his tale. We are told that it was 
 received with a burst of indignation, and that all present upbraided 
 him for a breach of honour. 
 
 " He instantly left them, and went home, his mind sorely 
 harassed with the severity of their reproaches. 
 
 '* It was announced that very evening that he was dangerously 
 ill, and at five o'clock in the evening of Saturday, the 30th 
 January, three days after he had been sworn in Chancellor, he was 
 no more. His patent of nobility had been made out, and was 
 found in the room in which he died ; but the Great Seal had 
 not been affixed to it, so that the title did not descend to his 
 heirs .... 
 
114 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 " His last moments gave Lord Hardwicke an occasion of 
 expressing his nice sense of honour and refined delicacy. The 
 Seals, and the patent creating him Baron Morden, were on a table 
 in the apartment of the dying Chancellor. 'What hinders,' said 
 one of his friends, * the Great Seal being put to this patent, whilst 
 his Lordship yet lives?' *I forbid it!' said his noble brother J 
 ' never shall it be said of one of our family that he obtained a 
 peerage under the least suspicion of a dishonourable practice.' "* 
 
 Dying so suddenly, one would suppose that some dis- 
 closures might have appeared privately — some unburnt 
 letter or paper left to his family that could tell a tale 
 and clear up a mystery. There are none at Tyttenhanger 
 of that nature, but what he has left speaks in his favour, 
 and those were happy days for the old place when he 
 married Catherine Freman, and the little estate, which 
 descended to her son Philip, and which the later Blounts 
 had somewhat neglected, seemed to prosper under his 
 management. 
 
 Amongst her treasures, his grand-daughter, Catherine 
 Freman, Lady Caledon, had carefully kept and put away 
 a few of his letters referring to his marriage and family ; 
 they are very simple. Dr. Ralph Freman, his wife's 
 uncle, to whom the letters are written, had, since the 
 death of his brother William, been almost as a father to 
 young Catherine. 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 "Tuesday. May 13 
 1755. 
 
 ••Dear Sir 
 
 " I take the liberty of troubling you, (as you allowed 
 me to do) on a day being agreed and fixed. I hope it will not be 
 disagreeable to you ; but by reason of Lord Chancellor's Holidays, 
 * Vide Lives of the Lord Chancellors. By Lord Campbell. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 115 
 
 and impatience to enjoy the air and recess of the Country, in the 
 Whitsun week, it could not conveniently be postponed later ; and 
 it has been owing to the business of the Term, that it could not be 
 appointed earlier. The day proposed is the Monday, after Whit- 
 sunday. Now the request, which I have to make, is this ; that you 
 will be so good as to come to Town on Saturday, and meet Lord 
 Chancellor and the Trustees at Mrs. Freman's* that evening, to 
 execute the settlement. And on Monday morning. I must beg the 
 favour of you to perform the office of a friend and a Father at 
 S* George's church. I am sensible, this will keep you in Town 
 upon Whitsunday, which I fear will not be agreeable to you ; and 
 prevent your officiating at your own Church, as I know you chuse to 
 do ; but I hope your goodness and indulgence will pardon me for 
 troubling you at this time. If it be postponed later it will deprive 
 1/ Chancellor of His holidays in the Country, which at best are 
 very short ; and it could not be earlier from a variety of those little 
 accidents, which cross one every day, in the way to happiness. 
 
 '* I hope Mrs. Freman, and you are both well. I beg you will 
 present my compliments to her and believe me, with the greatest 
 Truth and respect, Dear Sir. 
 
 ** Your obliged 
 
 & faithful humble Serv' 
 
 " C. YORKE." 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 *' Thursday Night. 
 May 29 
 
 *' Dear Sir, 
 
 *• I trouble you with a Line, by L^ Chancellor's 
 desire, to enclose an invitation to you & Mrs. Freman to dine with 
 him at Powis House, on Monday next, if you will do him the 
 favour. It is the first opportunity, which L'^ Chancellor has had, 
 of inviting us, since the day, when you were so kind, as to be with 
 us at S' George's church. Let me tell you at the same time, with 
 great frankness, that the message is meant to lay you & Mrs. 
 Freman under no difficulty ; & Lord Chancellor will very easily 
 understand if you do not chuse to come, or find it quite convenient, 
 that you think the distance is rated too great for a dining visit. 
 
 * Mrs. William Freman. 
 
116 
 
 T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 " He bids me add, at the same time, that whenev"^ you & Mrs. 
 Freman shall come to Town, he & Ly. Hardwicke will always be 
 glad to see you, & hope for the honour of seeing you at dinner at 
 Powis House, at this or any other opportunity, which may be more 
 agreeable to you. 
 
 ** In haste. Dear Sir 
 with utmost respect 
 
 Your obligd ^ 
 faithful 
 
 " C. YORKE. 
 
 " Mrs. Y. is very well, & writes by this post to Mrs. Freman, to 
 whom I beg you will present my compliments." 
 
 T/ze Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 "Saturday, July 5, 1755- 
 
 " Dear Sir 
 
 " I am extremely obliged by Your most friendly 
 letters, and your Jcind present of Venison. The hurry in which I 
 live, during the attendance in Chancery, makes me a very 
 indifferent correspondent ; otherwise I had writ to You before, 
 concerning the Release, and the Transaction to place out the Trust 
 money, upon a Mortgage of Rockingham's Estate in Yorkshire ; 
 a security in more respects, than I can now explain to you, very 
 desirable. As to the Release, Filmer, as Council for Mrs. Yorke 
 made some small alterations, of accuracy, in the form of the 
 Draught, but not very material, one way or another, whether it had 
 stood precisely, as Your agent prepared it, or as ours varied it. 
 The substance remains the same. As to the Mortgage, it is so far 
 advanced, as that the writings went last Thursday, into Yorkshire, 
 to be executed by the Marquis of Rockingham, and Mr. Wortley 
 (whose incumbrance is to be paid of) ; after this, they are to be 
 registered, and then transmitted to London, They are expected 
 here again next Thursday. Now I would propose, that Your 
 money and mine should be ready in Bank notes, upon the 
 Wednesday following, to be paid to the proper hands, for 
 Rockingham and the present Mortgagees, who are to be paid 
 off ; that on the same day, Yourself and the other Trustees, & I 
 may meet to execute the Counterpart of the Mortgage, the 
 Declaration of Trust to be indorsed upon the marriage settlement. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 117 
 
 the Releases, and one or two other short instruments, which will 
 be necessary on the occasion. For myself, I propose to sell out 
 between 4 & 5000' Annuities, and to call in some other moneys, 
 which are due to me, in order to raise the eleven thousand pounds, 
 which I must advance. I intend to write to Mr. Butler, assoon as 
 I learn what day will be eligible to you, by the return of the post. 
 If you think, the money which you want will be ready, by next 
 Wednesday se'nnight, the whole affair may be transacted on that 
 day, & perhaps not bring you up to Town, before the Monday 
 iinediately preceding. If any other day will be more convenient to 
 you, be so kind as to let me know, and I will accomodate things to 
 it. 
 
 "I had the pleasure of drinking your health yesterday, with 
 some friends, over part of your Venison ; which is excellent. 
 
 '* P^xcuse the haste in which I write, & believe me, ever, Dear 
 Sir, with the greatest Truth and respect, 
 " Your obliged 
 
 & faithful humble 
 Serv' 
 
 " C. YORKE. 
 
 **Mrs. Yorke joins with me in compliments to yourself «& Mrs. 
 Freman." 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 " Tues^ July 8'"' 1755. 
 
 *• Dear Sir, 
 
 " I have received the favour of Your very kind Letter 
 this afternoon, but will not write to Mr. Butler, till I hear from you 
 again. It would give me uneasiness, if you should come to Town, 
 at a time inconvenient to you, or be prest at all for the payment of 
 the portion ; which Your friendship will do me the justice to believe 
 is far from my intention. To morrow morning, I will enquire par- 
 ticularly at what time and in what manner you can sell out with the 
 most convenience. The same enquiry will be of use to myself, 
 because I must sell out near 5000' Stock & Annuities, in order to 
 raise one part, of what I am to advance ; the rest I must call in at 
 some disadvantage, upon a Mortgage. When I am fully informed, 
 which will be time enough to write on Thursday, You shall hear by 
 that night's post. 
 
118 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 "As to the proving of the Releases, I believe your Sollicitor 
 mistook Mr. Filmer's opinion ; for (as I understand) he had no 
 objection to the leaving Mr. Gardiner's Release as general, as it 
 was prepared, he being a purchasor for valuable consideration. 
 And as to the alterations, which Mr. Filmer suggested, in the 
 formal wording of Your release, I thought them of so little con- 
 sequence to Mrs. Yorke, that I should have desired the instrument 
 might rest, as he found it, if I had not been of opinion, that they 
 were of as little consequence to you. The Reason he gave for the 
 alteration was the reason of a man of business, who governs himself 
 by general rules of practice ;— that sometimes he had seen old 
 Releases, with general words, the effect of which had not been 
 considered, set up, after a great length of time, and the death of 
 all the parties to the Deeds, for a purpose, contrary to their real 
 intention. And therefore it was best»to adapt them to the particular 
 demand in question. This I took to be Mr. Filmer's way of 
 thinking, of no moment, in the present case, but right upon a 
 general principle ; and acting for Mrs. Yorke, (under the two 
 legal disabilities of Infancy and marriage) I could not do otherwise, 
 than proceed by a strict punctilious rule ; otherwise I am sure, you 
 will do me the justice to believe, that I lay no weight upon it, and 
 am of opinion, that whether the release be worded, as it stood 
 originally, or as it stands now, it is equally indifferent to us both. 
 With respect to Mr. Gardiner, Your agent certainly mistakes ; for 
 the intent was to leave the draught relating to his purchase, very 
 nearly, as it was delivered to my agents. 
 
 I will trouble you again on Thursday, after which I will hope to 
 hear from you again. I hope Mrs. Freman and yourself continue 
 perfectly well. I am, Dear Sir, with the truest sense of your 
 goodness, and favourable regard to me, 
 
 *' Your obliged & faithful 
 
 humble serv* 
 
 " C. Yorke." 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 " Thursday, July lo, 1755. 
 
 Dear Sir, 
 
 ' * Upon enquiry, I find, that it was owing to a mistake 
 of Mr. Perkins, who misunderstood Mr. Filmer's opinion and 
 directions, that the draught of Mr. Gardiner's Release was varied. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 119 
 
 in the manner which you mention. The Truth is, it is of very 
 little consequence, to any of us, one way or another, whether it be 
 worded in this or that form, provided the Estate be discharged 
 from the portion, as there can never arise any other demand upon 
 it ; but upon receiving your letter, I took the first opportunity of 
 speaking to Mr. Perkins, and the mistake is set right. The more 
 material enquiry is, as to your selling out the S. S. Annuities. It 
 is something unlucky for us all, that the apprehensions of a War 
 keep the stocks low ; and it seems, the Books of the W. Ann^ are 
 shut, but they may be opened for a private transfer. I shall give 
 directions to-morrow for selling out what I have which consists of 
 S. S. Stocks, & Bank Annuities, and pay the money into 
 S"^ R*^ Hoare's, that it may be ready. As the sum, which you are 
 to raise, is considerable, I understand upon talking with two or 
 three persons intelligent on the funds, that it will probably take up 
 two or three days to enable you to part with it, with less disad- 
 vantage ; and therefore, (if I might presume to advise) you would 
 do well, either to employ some a.;ent or Banker by letter of 
 Attorney to sell out for you, or (which may help to procure the 
 doing of it with more ease and exactness) come yourself on 
 Monday for that purpose, and the money will be ready either by 
 Wednesday, or before the end of the week, when we may meet and 
 execute the Deeds. I will not write to Mr. Butler till Saturday. 
 Mrs. Yorke's Duty attends you, and her Aunt ; to whom I beg 
 leave to add my complim**- being always with the greatest Truth, 
 Your obliged and obed' humble serv^ 
 
 " C. YORKE." 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freinan. 
 
 " Wednesday. Aug 20. 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 ' ' I trouble you with this Letter by a servant, to 
 acquaint you, that Lord Chancellor & Lady Hardwicke present 
 their compliments to you, & Mrs. Freman, and will be very glad of 
 the honour of seeing you at Wimple on Friday next. Dinner will 
 be ready at 2 o'clock, or at any other time, which will be agreeable 
 to you. They hope, that you will stay the evening, which will give 
 you more leisure to walk about, and prevent your having the 
 trouble of driving so long a journey twice in the same day. 
 
120 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 *' Give me leave now to say a vi^ord for Mrs. Yorke and myself ; 
 and to thank you very particularly for your goodness to us during 
 our visit at Hamels. 
 
 '* It was in every respect so agreeable, that I am afraid you have 
 drawn yourself into the danger & inconvenience of having it 
 repeated, perhaps too often. But I will not trouble you with 
 expressing in words my sense of the civilities, which you have 
 continually shown me before and since my marriage. The respect 
 and affection, which the obligations conferred on us both (and 
 particularly the kindness shown to Mrs Yorke) have raised in me, 
 can be fully exprest only in the course of my Life and actions. I 
 beg, our compliments may be made acceptable to Mrs. Freman, 
 for whose polite and obliging reception of us, we owe many 
 acknowledgments. 
 
 Excuse the haste in which I write and believe me ever, Dear 
 Sir, with the greatest Truth and regard 
 *' Your obliged 
 
 & affectionate humble Serv* 
 
 C. Yorke." 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 "Tuesday, Sep*^ l6. 
 Wimple. 
 
 " Dear Sir 
 
 " Mrs. Yorke and I propose to set out for London 
 to morrow after dinner from this place. If it be not inconvenient 
 to you & Mrs. Freman, we will take a bed at Hamels, in our way, 
 & leave you early on Thursday morning. 
 
 *' This will give us both an opportunity of paying our respects to 
 you once more, during the Vacation. I trouble you with this letter, 
 because if you are at present full of company, or better engaged, I 
 know you will be so kind, as to tell me so, without any ceremony. 
 
 " Mrs. Yorke presents her Duty to yourself & Mrs. Freman, to 
 whom I beg you will give my compliments. 
 
 " I am always. Dear Sir, with the greatest respect, 
 *• Your obliged 
 
 & faithful humble Serv' 
 
 "C. Yorke." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 121 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Fremaii. 
 
 "Sunday, Oct. 12, 1755. 
 
 "Dear Sir, 
 
 "I cannot suffer my servants to call at Hamels, 
 without repeating my acknowledgments, in Mrs. Yorke's name and 
 my own, for your goodness. After what you were pleased to say 
 to me, when we both spent an evening with you, in the return from 
 Wimple, it was certainly a respect due to you and to the generosity 
 of your present to her, to have sent for it sooner, but I had no con- 
 venient opportunity, till now, Assoon as she comes to Town^ I 
 know she fully intends writing to you herself. 
 
 **The Rain was heavy, and the air very cold, after I left you 
 yesterday. I find Lord Chancellor and Lady Hardwicke in perfect 
 health. They have charged me with their compliments to you & 
 Mrs. Freman ; in which all the rest of the family join. About the 
 middle of the week, I shall cross the country to Wrest,* and from 
 thence to Acton, the beginning of the next ; so that I shall hardly 
 have another opportunity of seeing you till your return from Bath, 
 which, I hope, will be thro' London. 
 
 *' I am dear Sir, with the greatest respect, 
 *' Your most obliged 
 
 & faithful humble 
 Serv' 
 
 '*C. Yorke." 
 
 Charles Yorke's elder brother, Viscount Royston, had 
 married the Earl of Breadalbane's only daughter, Lady 
 Jemima Campbell, who was created Baroness Lucas and 
 Marchioness de Grey in her own right, being maternal 
 grand-daughter of Henry de Grey, last Duke of Kent of 
 that line. 
 
 Lord Royston, who afterwards became 2nd Earl of 
 Hardwicke, had two daughters by this lady — Amabel, 
 Countess de Grey in her own right, and Jemima, who 
 married Lord Grantham. 
 
 * The residence of Lord Royston. 
 
122 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Lord Hardwicke died i6th May, 1796, without male 
 issue, and Amabel Lady de Grey inherited Wrest ; but 
 the Hardwicke estates and title devolved upon Philip, 
 his brother Charles' son. 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 " Oct 29. 
 
 " Dear Sir 
 
 ' ' Mr. Forrester is with me, whilst I write a Line, in 
 answer to your obliging letter. Nothing could be more agreeable 
 to me than to have it in my power to shew that attention to your 
 recomendations & wishes, which you have a right to expect from 
 me ; but the fact is, Dr. Warburton has no thoughts of making a 
 vacancy at Lincoln's Inn. If I had any thing of that sort to 
 comand, I need not say, that I should be glad to favour Mr 
 Forrester, upon yours & Mrs. Freman's, and indeed upon his own 
 account, as a young Gentleman of merit. Excuse haste and believe 
 me 
 
 * ' always Yours, 
 
 '* C. Yorke. 
 
 *' Mine & Mrs. Y's compliments attend Mrs. F''-" 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to the Hon. Mrs. Charles Yorke. 
 
 *' My dearest Love, 
 
 " I return your draught, & approve it. The places 
 altered are few. I rejoice to hear that you & the children are well. 
 The work-bag I hope not to forget. Three pair of Caroline Ducks 
 is a handsome present ; especially as they will cost you a round 
 price. 
 
 " I long to be with you, & will try to be with you ; but don't 
 expect me on Wednesday evening, beyond half an hour after night. 
 For I travel prudently. 
 
 "Always, my dearest, yours 
 
 " C. Y. 
 
 " Sunday evening 
 
 Aug. 15." 
 
 In 1759 Catherine Yorke nursed her little daughter 
 in an attack of scarlet fever, which proved fatal to the 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 123 
 
 child. She herself sickened of the same illness, and 
 died in a few days, on July loth, aged 24. 
 
 She was the sole remaining heir of the families of 
 Pope Blount and Freman. 
 
 "About this time Charles Yorke sustained a blow which long 
 rendered tasteless all the applause with which his efforts were 
 crowned. He lost the chosen partner of his fate whose participa- 
 tion of his good fortune gave it all its value. When a little 
 recovered, he described his anguish, and the sacred source of his 
 consolation, in a letter to his friend Warburton, which has unfor- 
 tunately perished."* 
 
 The following letter is from Charles Yorke's sister 
 Elizabeth, who was married to Lord Anson, the famous 
 Admiralt : — 
 
 "July the lo"^- 
 
 "Oh Mr. Jenyns what a misfortune. Have you heard of the 
 illness of our sweet Friend, our dear Mrs. Yorke ? One of the sore 
 throat Fevers, yet not thought in danger, nay thought to be much 
 mended yesterday evening. Her poor little Girl had sunk under 
 the disorder on Sunday ; and last night a fatal change quite 
 unexpectedly robbed us of the most amiable of Creatures — She I 
 hope is happy, but all who knew her are left in such Affliction as 
 can hardly be kept within bounds by the submission to necessity & 
 Omnipotence. What can become of my poor Brother & her 
 wretched Parent ; we all feel too much to be of any use to either 
 except to help them to grieve, and we are hardly intimate enough 
 with poor Mrs. Freman even for that. I guess at what you will 
 feel by myself — so may you of me, for nothing can exceed the Love 
 I had for the most charming and engaging of Human Beings. 
 
 *' I do not know if any body else writes to you — I do not think 
 this Note a proper one — but I do not know what I do write — much 
 less what I should write. Mrs. Jenyns knows I am much her 
 Servant — I feel for her too highly. 
 
 * Lives of the Lord Chancellors. By Lord Campbell. 
 
 t Lord and Lady Anson had no children, and the barony became extinct. 
 The Lord Chancellor Hardwicke's youngest daughter, Margaret, was the first 
 wife of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Bart. She died without children. 
 
124 
 
 T YTTENHANGER. 
 
 "The poor little Boy* was moved to Acton upon the first 
 apperance of this fatal disorder among the Servants with whom it 
 began, & was well yesterday when he was heard of last : — The 
 least unhappy of all who were connected with her because least 
 sensible of his loss. 
 
 " Yours in the highest affliction, 
 
 " E. Anson. 
 
 "Do not detest me if I am the first to give you this heart 
 breaking news. I know you loved her so well that it is a 
 melancholy indulgence to talk to you of her — most Lovely — most 
 beloved ! I see her sweet Image." 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 Tuesday night 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 ** I thank you very much for your kind letter. It is 
 full of that steady regard and generous friendship, which I have 
 always experienced, from the first moment that I knew you. Your 
 kind consent was (under God) a principal means of bestowing upon 
 me the greatest blessing of my whole Life, and the loss of it, after 
 so short enjoyment, is indeed the heaviest affliction, which could 
 befall me. But I resign myself to the Will of that wise & good 
 Being, who gives and who takes away, and always for the most 
 gracious purposes. The separation of the dearest friends is for a 
 short time ; and Religion (which administers the only true consola- 
 tion) teaches us, that we may hope, with awe & modest Piety, to 
 meet in another and a better State, where we never shall be divided 
 more. 
 
 " Her amiable and artless manner ; her tender and disinterested 
 affection ; her general benevolence & honest heart ; and her just 
 way of thinking, improving itself by endeavouring to attain new 
 instruction & further knowledge, from day to day ; crowned, with a 
 native unaffected sense of Religion, which sank deep into her 
 mind, without ostentation, and without disturbing morbidly the 
 Duties or the cheerfulness of Life, endeared her to me beyond the 
 weak power of words, and leave impressions, upon my memory, 
 which heighten the severity of this Visitation from Providence, at 
 
 * Philip, afterwards 3rd Earl of Hardwicke, who inherited Tyttenhanger. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 125 
 
 the same time that they strengthen me, to bear it, by reflecting (as 
 I ought) with so much pleasure, on her excellent nature and Virtues. 
 
 " To you, dear Sir, her honoured uncle, I speak without reserve 
 the sense of my heart. I will prove it all my Life by the truest 
 and tenderest affection to the only pledge, which She has left me ; 
 and by the most inviolable Gratitude and regard to her mother and 
 yourself, the friendly instruments of all my happiness, when you 
 approved our marriage. Allow me still to claim a place in your 
 kind esteem, and to profess myself, (what I must ever be), with 
 the greatest fidelity and respect, Your most 
 obliged & 
 
 affectionate humble 
 Serv' 
 
 " C. YORKE. 
 
 '* my best compliments, wait on Mrs. Freman and Mrs Forrester." 
 
 Mrs. William Freman never recovered the shock of 
 her daughter's death. She survived her only four years. 
 
 A letter from the Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph 
 Freman gives an account of Mrs. William Freman's illness. 
 
 "Tuesday, Dec. 16, 1760. 
 
 "Dear Sir, 
 
 * ' I have many thanks to return for your kind favour 
 towards the end of my long Vacation. The sudden death of the 
 late King, with the engagements of public business since that time, 
 and the beginning of our usual course of private business in 
 Westminster Hall, and attendance in different Courts, have pre- 
 vented my troubling you with an answer. Some things I reserve, 
 till I have the honour and happiness of seeing you. 
 
 *' But what occasions my writing to you now, is the event of poor 
 Mrs. Freman's illness. I chose to avoid the writing to you upon 
 it, till I could speak with more certainty than at first, and trace out 
 the Nature and progress of her disorder. 
 
 '* In the beginning of October, she had a slight return of that 
 Feaver and lowness, which, you know, she had repeatedly felt 
 before, in the Autumn of 1759, and in the last Spring more 
 severely ; but for several months, during the last winter, and after 
 the second Attack, during the last Sumer & Autumn, till the end of 
 September, she appeared to be perfectly free from it. Notwith- 
 
126 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 standing the return in October, she continued so free from it in 
 November, as to spend ten days alone at Tittenhanger, and to 
 come back to London, in good spirits, and in apperance perfectly 
 well ; However, it happened, about a fortnight ago, She was at 
 Church in the Afternoon with Mrs. Tyrwhit, and was struck at 
 once with something like a paralytic stroke ; so that, for two or 
 three days, it seemed doubtful, whether she would survive it. By 
 the advice of Dr. Taylor & Dr. Watson, and such Remedies as 
 they thought fit to apply, She recovered entirely from that Stroke, 
 in five or six days ; so as to have the use of her Limbs, and to gain 
 some degree of sleep, strength, and articulation in speaking; but 
 accompanied with great wanderings of thought and great restless- 
 ness of mind and temper. Within this last week, She is (thank 
 God) much better in every respect, as to her bodily health ; the 
 Recovery of her mind seems slower ; yet the Physicians hope, that 
 as She becomes calmer, and has more appetite to food, (which is 
 restoring gradually) that her mind will gain more strength. 
 
 *' I will acquaint you further, with the progress of her illness, & 
 any change in her situation, as it appears to me necessary; and 
 when I am enabled to judge or speak with any certainty. For my 
 own part, I need not tell you, what agitation of mind, and pain I 
 have felt, upon so affecting and so moving an occasion ; when I see 
 a Lady, (to whom I owe so much affection & Duty for the 
 unalterable kindness which is due from me to her Daughter) 
 reduced to this distress, by the Visitation of Providence, after one 
 melancholy event, which has poisoned Life to her ; and who not- 
 withstanding all the struggles which she has sustained, and con- 
 solation which can be given, will not be comforted, and feels no 
 happiness. The physicians have forbid me and any of her intimate 
 friends from seeing her, till she is more recovered. I hope (with 
 the Blessing of God) that she will recover perfectly ; otherwise, I 
 see that a most painful attention & care will fall upon me, as her 
 Son in Law, & the Father of her Grandson. In every event, your 
 kind Advice, assistance, & support, both as a friend and a Relation, 
 will be relied upon, by, dear Sir, 
 
 *' Your most obliged 
 
 & faithful & affectionate 
 
 *' C. YORKE. 
 
 ** P.S. My best compliments wait on Mrs. Freman. I hope 
 Mrs. Forrester is well." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 127 
 
 The Hon. Charles Yorke to Dr. Ralph Freman. 
 
 ** Bloomsbury Square, 
 
 Aug. i8. 1761. 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 " I have delayed answering your very kind Letter of 
 26th July, in order to enable myself, the more exactly to acquaint 
 you with poor Mrs. Freman's health. She seems, within this last 
 week, surprisingly recovered in her strength, memory, and recollec- 
 tion ; yet a little matter fatigues her attention and spirits, and her 
 situation, tho' it may continue thus some time, seems very precarious. 
 Vour affectionate & tender concern for her, & friendly regard to me, 
 in the progress of every transaction, which related to her dearest 
 Daughter or herself, must engage and bind me to you, with the 
 strongest ties of Gratitude & Esteem .... 
 
 •'You are very kind in your invitation to HaiTiels. I will cer- 
 tainly wait on You ; but I am so loaded with cases, which remain to 
 be answered, before I can stir from Bloomsbury, or at least from a 
 large rambling House at Highgate, which I have taken within this 
 month, that I cannot exactly say, when I can call upon you. In 
 the mean time, do not trouble yourself ab* assigning Mrs. Freman's 
 half-yearly payment, till I see you ... At present, we can do 
 pretty well, and I have rid her of all the small entangled debts & 
 demands, which amounted to so much money ; (tho' two or three 
 large ones remain. ) 
 
 ** As you propose staying at Ilaifiels till the middle of October, 
 I will take care to find out by Message or Letter, when it may be 
 convenient for you to see me, and give me an opportunity of paying 
 my respects & compliments to you & Mrs. Freman, to whom I wish 
 all happiness and health. 
 
 ** My little boy, after whom you enquire so obligingly, is (I think) 
 just wise enough, upon being put in mind of it, to send his duty to 
 you. I thank God, he is perfectly well. I have some thoughts of 
 inoculating him this Autumn, but with fear & trembling. 
 
 " I am ever, dear Sir, 
 
 Yours most faithfully 
 
 & affectionately, 
 
 " C. Yorke." 
 
128 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 The following letter from the Hon. Charles Yorke to 
 Dr. Ralph Freman was written at the time of his mother 
 Lady Hardwicke's death, the wife of the Lord Chancellor 
 Hardwicke : — 
 
 ** Dear Sir, 
 
 *' I give you many thanks for Your kind Letter. The 
 loss of my poor Mother, though in some degree prepared by her 
 age & gradual decline, was very affecting to us all, particularly to 
 L"^ Hardwicke. She had gone through all the Duties of Life, in a 
 superior manner ; with a strong excellent understanding, great 
 firmness, & humanity. She preserved her senses to the last, and 
 died, without perturbation. 
 
 " The duty & attention which it has been incumbent upon me to 
 show my Father, and my attendance upon him ever since, as well 
 as for some time before, have prevented me from waiting upon you, 
 as I intended, at Hamels ; and I find, that it will now be impos- 
 sible, before You set out upon Your expedition to Salisbury. 
 
 " After Your return, I shall hope to see You either in Town, or 
 at Hamels. 
 
 Mrs. Freman has been surprisingly well for six weeks, till 
 within these few days, about the Equinox, when she had another 
 slight Apoplectic fit. She is (thank God) considerably better ; but 
 these Shocks must greatly impair her Strength. 
 
 '* In a Letter sometime since. You were so attentive as to mention 
 the half yearly payment of her jointure, due at Midsufner. There 
 are accounts to be discharged which will soon make that money 
 convenient in her affairs. If it were paid in to Mr. Hoare's Shop, 
 upon her account & to her use, I would give a Receit for it, upon 
 notice & having Mr. Hoare's Receit to You transmitted to me. 
 But all this may wait till the 5"^ of Nov"^ or after, if more convenient 
 to you. 
 
 ** I am always, Dear Sir, with the greatest Truth & Respect, 
 Your 
 
 ** Obliged & faithful 
 
 humble serv* 
 
 ** C. Yorke. 
 
 " Tuesday, Oct. 6. 1761." 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 129 
 
 Lines by the Hon. Charles Yorke, 
 
 **To the Right Honbie the Lord Chancellor. Written in 1743. 
 
 ** Amidst the Scenes, which Anxious cares infest, 
 Where prosperous Fortune smiles but to betray, 
 The Gentle Muse, by rude alarms opprest, 
 Has fear'd to follow, tho' she mark'd thy way. 
 
 " In rural Shades she finds a peaceful joy ; 
 There pleas'd to trace thy steps, the sacred Grove, 
 Which shields thee from th' Autumnal heat's annoy, 
 With Mirtles, Firs, Poetic Laurels wove, 
 
 ** Receives her too : Keen shafts of Malice there 
 Fly not around, nor Faction's threats appall ; 
 Thy praises only fill the vocal air ; 
 Virtues herself inspir'd, her heart enthrall. 
 
 *' Early she warn'd thee to disdain the Lure, 
 And from the Silken bands of Pleasure break ; 
 Nor daunted with pale Envy's kiss, secure 
 She saw thee wrestle with the Crested Snake. 
 
 *' Then thro' the unbounded walk of Wisdom led 
 Her Son, to range the cultivated fields ; 
 Bad thee select, from every fertile bed, 
 Whate'er the various growth of Science Yields. 
 
 ** What taught thy Eloquence with .Strength to Shine ? 
 'Twas Nature manly Genius did impart ; 
 But 'twas the Muse, with Energy divine. 
 Who gave that Eloquence the Charms of Art ; 
 
 *' Of Greece & Rome unlock'd the Learned Store ; 
 Whose steady Chiefs this arduous path pursu'd ; 
 To seek for Fame in brighter Virtue's lore ; 
 For private honor in the publick good. 
 
 *' Fir'd with the thought. Thou view'st the tempting Prize ; 
 Scarce pleas'd with Arts which but inform the Mind, 
 Plans more exalted fix thy Piercing Eyes, 
 To raise, Support, or regulate Mankind. 
 
TYTTENHANGER, 
 
 ' Oppression's chain, Chicane's entangling Net, 
 Broken by thee, 'gainst right no more prevail ; 
 No more these foes to Peace the Weak beset : 
 Nor fraud, nor greatness turns the well pois'd Scale. 
 
 ' But to what end such Talents, form'd to save 
 Thy Friend, thy Country, freed from just restraints. 
 If to some meaner aim thou stoop the Slave? 
 One drop envenom'd oft the Vessell taints. 
 
 * Of what avail, the Scyon rear'd with pain, 
 The hopefull blossom, or the ripening fruit, 
 The quick'ning Air, & warmth, & kindly rain, 
 If eating Canker waste the tender root ? 
 
 ' Yet some strange weakness waits on ev'ry Age, 
 And with its dross Virtue's pure Oar allays ; 
 "With thee, each Virtue dwells thro' ev'ry stage, 
 Without one weakness to impair thy Praise. 
 
 ' The Youthfull Spirit, check'd by Elder Care ; 
 The Man's ambition, yet nor vain nor bold ; 
 The sense of reverend Age, without its fear, 
 Or love of Indolence, or thirst of Gold. 
 
 * Thus fitted for the Forum or the Cell, 
 
 What Vows, what offering shall the Muses bring ? 
 W^ill tunefuU songs stern Death's approach repel ? 
 Can Lawrels guard thee from that Vultur's wing ? 
 
 ' But thou contemplat'st in the mild retreat, 
 With Awe & joy, to both by reason led, 
 Of Life serene, that Death prolongs the date, 
 Of Life unpleasing cuts the tedious thread. 
 
 ' Yet e'er the Scene be clos'd, thy Native clime 
 To farther toils asserts its antient claim ; 
 Yet e'er the Scene be clos'd, succeeding time 
 Asks some memorial of thy well built Fame. 
 
 ' Well may this Task some later hours engage. 
 Of thy fair past the series to retrace ; 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 131 
 
 Record thy Virtues in th' Historic Page, 
 But not like Hyde, in Exile or disgrace. 
 
 *' Blest with each good to which Mankind aspire ! 
 Their thanks, their love, thy Prince & Country Owe ; 
 And now what wish can feed too fond desire ? 
 Increase of Joy can gracious Heav'n bestow ? 
 
 *' What? but that those whom Nature has allay'd 
 The beauteous pattern which thy Actions gave, 
 May place before them as their lasting guide. 
 And feel thy generous care beyond the Grave. 
 
 ** One* shall in Senates, with true Spirit, leain 
 The Waves of rough commotion to appease ; 
 The bounds exact of right & wrong discern ; 
 Retir'd, maintain his dignity & ease. 
 
 " Onet shall in Arms fair Liberty defend, 
 In fields of Blood imenvy'd Glory raise ; 
 Yet, train'd to gentler Arts, humanely blend 
 The Palm & Olive with the Soldiers Bayes. 
 
 ** And one,+ devoted to the noisy Bar, 
 To follow thee with steps unequal tries ; 
 On trembling Pinions of weak hope would dare. 
 O'er rugged ways, thro' heights unknown, to rise. 
 
 " Him too may Fate to bless thy slow decline, 
 Protect, whilst thou sage precepts may'st infuse : 
 For the long toil prepar'd, he'll not repine ; 
 Nor Slight the favours of th' inspiring Muse." 
 
 The Lord Chancellor Hardwicke had also two 
 younger sons, John and James. The latter became 
 
 * Philip, Viscount Royston, afterwards 2nd Earl of Hardwicke ; born 1720. 
 
 t Sir Joseph, K.B., 3rd son of the Chancellor, became a distinguished officer 
 in the army. He was aid-de-camp to H.R. H. the Duke cf Cumberland at the 
 battle of Fonlenoy in 1745. In later life he was created Baron Dover. He 
 married the Baroness Christina, only daughter of Baron de Stocken, of Denmark, 
 and died without issue, when the title became extinct. 
 
 X Charles. 
 
132 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 Bishop of Ely. In Ridge Church is a marble tablet 
 with the inscription : — 
 
 "To the Memory of James Yorke, Esqi^^ third son of The 
 Honourable and Rev<i James Lord Bishop of Ely, and Mary his 
 wife, only surviving child of the Right Rev^ Isaac Maddox late 
 Lord Bishop of Worcester. He departed this life at Tyttenhanger 
 in this Parish on the 24*** of January, 18 16, at the age of 49 years. 
 
 ** This tablet was erected by his affectionate Mother in October 
 1816." 
 
 Philip, the only surviving child of Catherine, the first 
 wife of the Hon. Charles Yorke, inherited Tyttenhanger. 
 
 He was but 13 years of age at the time of his father's 
 death. 
 
 When 25 years old he became an admirer of Lady 
 Anne Lindsay,* although much younger than she, and 
 used to frequent her salon in London, in company with 
 many other young men. She sent for her sister 
 Elizabeth, then 20 years of age, to stay with her, and 
 soon his admiration was transferred to the younger 
 sister. 
 
 On July 24th, 1782, Philip Yorke married Lady 
 Elizabeth Lindsay, youngest daughter of James, 5th Earl 
 of Balcarres. They had issue three sons and four 
 daughters — 
 
 1. Philip, Viscount Royston, born May, 1784, died 
 ist April, 1808. 
 
 2. Hon. Charles, born 23rd August, 1787, died 28th 
 December, 1791. 
 
 3. Charles, Viscount Royston, born 1797, died 1810. 
 I. Lady Anne, married, 1807, Viscount Pollington, 
 
 afterwards Earl of Mexborough. 
 
 * Lady Anne married Mr. Barnard, son of the Bishop of Limerick. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 133 
 
 2. Lady Catherine Freman,* born 1786, died 1863, 
 having married, i6th October, 181 1, Dapre, 2nd Earl 
 of Caledon. 
 
 3. Lady Elizabeth Margaret, married, 6th February, 
 1816, Sir Charles Stuart, created Lord Stuart de 
 Rothesay. 
 
 4. Lady Caroline Harriet, married, 18 15, Viscount 
 Eastnor, afterwards Earl Somers. 
 
 Lady Elizabeth Lindsay was small, fair, and pretty. 
 From her earliest youth she had shown a great love for 
 poetry, which remained with her all through life ; and 
 up to the day of her death, when asked, she could 
 repeat any passage from most of the classical poets by 
 heart. 
 
 When a little child, she was sitting one day with her 
 eldest sister, Lady Anne, who was engaged in writing 
 the words of the song "Auld Robin Gray." Pausing to 
 think of some climax to the misfortunes of her heroine, 
 Anne appealed to little Elizabeth, who at once suggested 
 — " Sister Anne, steal the cow." So the cow was " stow'n 
 away." Later, Elizabeth wrote many beautiful verses 
 herself, and amongst several others is one rough copy 
 of a poem in her original childish, round handwriting of 
 14, the subject which she had to work upon being given 
 by Allan Ramsay, the painter, son of the Scotch poet, 
 and the word was " Comparison." In these verses she 
 cleverly describes the butterfly and caterpillar, taking 
 them as her idea of comparison. Much later, she made 
 a fine translation of Tasso into English verse. This 
 was carefully copied four times in a neat Italian hand- 
 
 * So named after her grandmother, the first wife of Hon. Charles Yorke. 
 
134 
 
 TYTTENHANGER, 
 
 writing by her eldest daughter, Anne, Lady Mexborough, 
 and each of her daughters was given a copy. 
 
 EHzabeth was a wilful, high-spirited child, and, partly 
 with an idea of curbing this spirit, and partly that Lady 
 Balcarres was much occupied with household cares, she 
 sent her to a school where she was harshly treated. 
 
 One day, when she had been given, unjustly as she 
 thought, a punishment task from EnticKs Grammar^ it 
 was found afterwards that inside the cover she had 
 written — 
 
 '■^An Address to Entick. 
 " Say, dreaded Entick ! cause of infant tears, 
 Who fill'st the little trembler's heart with fears, 
 When in the nether shades thou tread'st the way, 
 To answer for thy crimes in upper day. 
 Oh say, what chastisement, what fiercer pain, 
 Shall frowning Rhadamanthus thee ordain ? 
 Ixion's wheel? Prometheus' endless groan? 
 The fate of Tantalus ? or the rolling stone ? 
 Not Entick there ; for thou, with deeper aim, 
 Giv'st to thy blacker crimes a legal name. 
 And subtle draw'st from Science' earliest page 
 A sure pretext to plague the rising age. 
 No hissing furies shall their serpents reach, — 
 Thy torments, villain ! shall be parts of speech. 
 The adjective, the substantive, shall aid 
 To din thy ears with rules thyself hast made. 
 If for a moment they shall absence plead. 
 The pronoun shall be ready in their stead ; 
 Passive or active, still the verb intrude, 
 Its action ever varying with its mood ; 
 Articles, adverbs, prepositions, 
 Shall vex thee with their definitions ; 
 The weak conjunctions, too, shall help to join 
 The scientific tortures of the line ; 
 But yet, in pity to thy abject moan, 
 The interjections shall be all thy own !" 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 135 
 
 " For this I was greatly censured by my masters," she 
 used to say. Strangely enough, though fully aware of the 
 harsh treatment to herself in childhood, she was equally 
 strict to her own children. Finding Catherine quite 
 unmanageable, she threatened her if she did not improve, 
 that she should be sent to the village school ; and soon 
 after, as Catherine still remained intensely naughty, her 
 curls were cut off, a coarse straw bonnet put on her 
 head, a brown frock made to match the other school- 
 girls — for they were dressed alike — and every day she 
 had to go to the village school. We were never told 
 how long this punishment lasted. In both cases the 
 daughters always retained great affection and respect for 
 their mothers. 
 
 Some of the prettiest of Elizabeth Lady Hardwicke's 
 verses were written for the birthday of her eldest boy, 
 Philip, Viscount Royston, when he was at Harrow, in 
 May, 1796 — 
 
 ** Again the jocund month of May, 
 With all its blossoms fresh and gay, 
 Returning, brings the happy morn 
 On which my child, my son, was born. 
 With what delight thy mother smiled, 
 Thy father wept and kiss'd his child ; 
 And first, he thanked indulgent Heaven 
 For all the blessings it had given, 
 And next, his secret prayer began 
 To make his son An Honest Man. 
 ' An honest man !' I hear you call, 
 * In truth the boon he asked was small ! 
 Why sure, mamma, 'twere strange belief 
 To think that I could be a thief ; 
 To rob another of his gains 
 Indeed were little worth my pains, — 
 
136 
 
 T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 And honesty, besides, I know, 
 
 Consists in paying what I owe.' 
 
 Does it, my child ? — no more I ask ; 
 
 Nor think thy debt an easy task. 
 
 Wilt thou repay thy parents' care, 
 
 Their earliest thought, their latest prayer? 
 
 Wilt thou repay thy sister's love, 
 
 A faithful, fond protector prove ? 
 
 Wilt thou repay the talents lent 
 
 By nature, in their full extent ? 
 
 Repay thy friends their feelings kind, 
 
 By best affections of the mind ? 
 
 And e'en to fortune pay thy part , 
 
 With open hand and liberal heart ; 
 
 — Nor even here thy task will cease, 
 
 For every hour thy debts increase ; 
 
 Think not thy filial duty done, — 
 
 Britannia claims thee as her son, 
 
 And bids thee guard, with pious awe, 
 
 Her king, her altar, and her law. 
 
 Thus pay — if erring mortals can — 
 
 The debt imposed by God on man. 
 
 Is then, dear boy, the boon so small ? 
 
 Ah ! strive, my child, to pay it all ; 
 
 And let it be thy anxious care 
 
 To second well thy father's prayer — 
 
 Fulfil the wish that he began, 
 
 And be, like him — An Honest Man !" 
 
 Two portraits are at Tyttenhanger of this little boy, 
 his golden hair curling all over his head. One represents 
 him with his sisters Anne and Catherine, teaching their 
 dog to read. The other is a copy from a famous picture 
 by Sir Joshua Reynolds which used to be at Wimpole. 
 The Yorkes were all justly proud of their fine thick hair ; 
 they inherited it from both parents ; and Elizabeth 
 always prided herself that she and Lord Hardwicke 
 were almost the only couple in their youth who could 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 137 
 
 both dress it without any false addition — she in powder 
 and he in curls and pigtail. The only remembrance we 
 have of the second boy, Charles, who died when only 
 four years old, is the silky lock of fair hair which his 
 mother had put in a locket, engraved with the record of 
 his age and death. 
 
 Philip, Lord Royston, grew up to manhood and 
 became " The honest man," and was in disposition all 
 that his mother had wished him to be ; and when the 
 news of his death was broken to her, she was literally 
 struck dumb, and it was some years before she com- 
 pletely regained the power of speech. 
 
 He was in his twenty-fourth year when he was 
 drowned off Lubeck. The ship he was in was wrecked, 
 and all on board took to the boats. Lord Royston, 
 hearing the cries of a woman who was left in the sinking 
 ship, insisted upon going back. He and the woman 
 and all those in the boat with him were never seen 
 again. 
 
 Only two years later, Lord and Lady Hardwicke sus- 
 tained another heavy blow. Their only remaining son 
 died of scarlet fever, contracted at school. 
 
 Some letters from Miss Agnes Berry to her sister are 
 written from Wimpole at this time. The first has the 
 postmark, May ist, 1810 — 
 
 ** Monday Morning. 
 
 '* Oh my dear Mary, this is a house of terror and affliction, 
 Charles is alive, and that is all I can say .... last night 
 things ren)ained as I told you — Lady H was somewhat easier and 
 went to bed for a few hours — but a fearful change for the worse has 
 taken place since 4 or 5 in the morning — the pulse has been sinking 
 in spite of bark wine and brandy which has been given every 
 K 
 
138 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 minute — About lo Baillie arrived himself which happen what may, 
 is the greater blessing — as it takes off all doubt and anxiety from 
 poor Lady H. of what is done — and thank God — she seems for the 
 present at least in the best state of mind she can be in with such an 
 awful affliction hanging over her head — knowing that little short of 
 a miracle can save him and yet with a sort of gleam of hope — But 
 Baillie has none — a few hours may destroy that last hope." 
 
 *' Half past three. 
 
 " Heaven support these poor souls my dear Mary, all is over ! ! 
 this is all I have time to say by D"^ Baillie who takes this to Town 
 — so I hope you will get it to-night — Of my own return I have not 
 yet been able to think, if I find I am of no good I shall send for a 
 Chaise tomorrow and come straight home — but do not send the 
 carriage for me, as my leaving them immediately will just depend 
 upon the turn their feelings take and as the event has but just taken 
 place — I cannot judge so instantly whether I can be of any good or 
 not. The poor dear girls are all with me but I have not beheld the 
 afflicted parents — I will write you another line if there is anything 
 to say by the evening Post." 
 
 " Wimpole, 
 
 Monday evening. 
 
 "My dear Mary, I sent you a few lines by D"^ Baillie which I 
 hope you will get to-night telling you the fatal ending here— and I 
 only send this by the Post to tell you not to expect me to-morrow — 
 as I think by what I see at present that I may be of some little use 
 and comfort to the girls at least, and God knows they require it to 
 enable them to be any support to their afflicted Parents, who I saw 
 immediately after I had sealed my note to you — Lady H is quite 
 stunned and stupified — feeling she says as if it was all at a great 
 distance from her— she has not cryed at all since it was over— but 
 in spite of this I think she will bear it much better than her last 
 affliction— But poor Lord H's affliction is really quite affecting to 
 see— his silent anxious looks before and his heart felt groans at 
 present are truely distressing — in a day or two I shall see if I can 
 be of any use— if I can I am sure you would wish me to stay and 
 if not you may depend on my returning immediately — as I really 
 wish to be at home both on your account and my Fathers. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 139 
 
 *' Lord and Lady Hardwicke's present determination is to remain 
 here — as they say they never should be able to return if they left it 
 now — Whether they will be able to bear it or not after a few days 
 I know not — but such are their feelings at present. The poor 
 Lord H. thinks now that he can never more take an interest in any 
 worldly possessions or concerns. 
 
 '* God bless you my dear Mary — this is a fearful lesson that I 
 have witnessed. 
 
 ** My head is aching sadly with tears and anxiety — but I shall be 
 very well after a night's sleep." 
 
 My dearest Mary, My letter is both full and sealed up, but 
 just this minute Catherine has beged me to add a word to you as 
 she thinks it would be a great consolation to Lady Hardwicke to 
 hear that Baillie thought that every thing possible had been done 
 before his arrival — this you might say you had in conversation with 
 him — and express it in strong terms — When we meet I will give 
 you reasons why it is natural that she should dwell upon this idea, 
 and think with horror that it might have been otherways — and this 
 Catherine thinks would do good. 
 
 *' Franking is not yet thought right in this house so I must make 
 you pay double. The girls send you many loves and are always 
 making enquiries after you." 
 
 Up to 1782, the house at Tyttenhanger had been 
 inhabited by Mrs. Charles Yorke, second wife of Charles 
 Yorke, and stepmother of PhiHp (afterwards 3rd Earl of 
 Hardwicke), PhiHp Yorke and Lady Eh'zabeth making 
 occasional visits to the place. 
 
 Li 1786, paintings and repairs were being made 
 throughout the house, preparations for their coming to 
 reside. 
 
 Both Philip Yorke and his father had planted trees 
 over the estate. Part of the old abbot's park at this 
 time was called The Wilderness ; some of it was now 
 turned into farm land. Philip took much trouble in the 
 
140 
 
 TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 planting of the present wood round the house, which 
 has also remains of the fine old timber of a previous 
 date. 
 
 We believe about this time that the formal avenue 
 from the London road had quite disappeared. 
 
 The 2nd Earl of Hardwicke died in 1790, and his 
 nephew, Philip Yorke, became Earl of Hardwicke, and 
 inherited Wimpole in Cambridgeshire. 
 
 From Wimpole he and Lady Hardwicke used con- 
 stantly to drive to Tyttenhanger in their coach drawn by 
 six horses. 
 
 Lord Hardwicke was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland 
 after the Union. He remained there five years, returning 
 in 1806. 
 
 In 18 1 1, his daughter, Catherine Freman Yorke, 
 married young Lord Caledon on his return from the 
 Cape of Good Hope, where he was appointed the first 
 Governor when it was ceded to Great Britain. 
 
 On this occasion her grandmother. Lady Balcarres, 
 wrote her a characteristic letter : 
 
 *'Ballcarres, 19 Sep' 181 1. 
 
 •* My D'^ Kathrine York, 
 
 *'I am told you are going to be married, the 
 Advice, of a Grandmother upon that occasion is necessary so here 
 it comes — Beware of Loving your husband too much if you do, it 
 will not be in your power to be a help meet for him, in that case 
 you will be unable to carry him with you to heaven, but he may 
 with ease carry you below. N:B: I hope I have as good an 
 opinion of his principles as your's so that you may go hand in hand 
 to-gether, and I give him leave to squees your hand by the way this 
 is not a bad advice from a Girl of 84. My advices regarding 
 matrimony are almost thread bare having admonished four grand 
 children within these six months. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 141 
 
 " I would send my blessing to your father and .mother, but it is 
 needless they have it already, therefore for the present I bestow it, 
 on You and Lord Caledon. 
 
 ' ' Your aff: Grand mother 
 
 "Ann Balcarres. 
 
 "by the by this is wrote without spectacles which I did not 
 know till I put up, my hand to take them off." 
 
 It was to Tyttenhanger that Catherine came with her 
 parents, to be near London, where she went to meet 
 Lord Caledon on his arrival from the Cape, and after the 
 wedding they spent their honeymoon at Tyttenhanger. 
 Lord and Lady Caledon had an only child, James 
 Dupr^,* Viscount Alexander, afterwards 3rd Earl of 
 Caledon. He married Jane, youngest daughter of the 
 I St Earl of Verulam. 
 
 After the death of all their sons. Lord and Lady 
 Hardwicke made Tyttenhanger their home, and he died 
 there in 1834, and was buried at Wimpole. Catherine 
 Freman, Lady Caledon, inherited the estate. To her 
 had been commended the charge of her widowed 
 mother, who remained there until her death at the age 
 of 96, surrounded by her daughters, grandchildren, 
 great-grandchildren, and numerous acquaintances, and it 
 became a happy meeting-place for many dear friends. 
 Her great friendship with the Berrys continued, and they 
 were constant visitors at Tyttenhanger. Miss Berry 
 
 * James Dupre, 3rd Earl of Caledon, by his marriage with Lady Jane 
 Frederica Harriet Mary Grimston, had issue three sons and one daughter — 
 
 1. James, 4th Earl of Caledon. the present possessor of Tyttenhanger, 
 married Lady Elizabeth Graham .Toler. 
 
 2. Walter Philip, married Margaret Katherine Grimston. 
 
 3. Charles, married Kate Stayner. 
 
 I. Jane Charlotte Elizabeth, married Captain Edmund Barker Van 
 Koughnet, R.N. 
 
142 
 
 T YTTENHA NGER. 
 
 corresponded with Sydney Smith. One day, on giving 
 her address at Tyttenhanger, she eUcited from him the 
 following impromptu : — 
 
 " Oh pray, where is Tyttenhanger ? 
 Is it anywhere by Bangor ? 
 Or, if it is not in Wales, 
 Can it, perhaps, be near Versailles ? 
 Tell me, in the name of grace. 
 Is there really such a place ?" 
 
 Lady Hardwicke's memory never failed, and she had 
 stores of anecdotes from events in her long life which 
 she told with great wit and spirit. When she died in 1858 
 a link with the past was gone, for it was at the first 
 marriage of her grandfather, Colin, Earl of Balcarres, the 
 favourite of Charles II., that the King gave away the bride. 
 
 Lady Hardwicke was buried beside her husband at 
 Wimpole. 
 
 During the years when Tyttenhanger was only an 
 occasional abode of the family, the grounds had some- 
 what fallen into neglect, so Catherine, Lady Caledon, 
 employed herself with repairing and making it com- 
 fortable. The entrance had been turned to the back of 
 the house. For the space on the south front, she drew 
 the plan of the present terrace in the form of an Irish 
 cross, which she and her mother had made, and the work 
 was carried out under their own supervision. They 
 collected various shrubs and flowers, and against the 
 south wall of the house Lady Hardwicke planted four 
 magnolias, which she named after four granddaughters, 
 Charlotte, Louisa, Caroline, and Sarah.* The magnolias 
 are growing half-way up the house. 
 
 * These granddaughters became — Charlotte Elizabeth, Countess Canning ; 
 Louisa Anne, Marchioness of Waterford ; Lady Caroline Margaret Courtenay ; 
 Lady Sarah Elizabeth Lindsay. 
 
TYTTENHANGER. 
 
 143 
 
 The fine yew hedge was planted by Catherine, Lady 
 Caledon. She also made a new kitchen, laundry, and 
 offices. The stables were rebuilt by her daughter-in-law, 
 Jane, Lady Caledon. 
 
 Subsequent to the death of all Lord Hardwicke's sons, 
 a curious fact was noticed at Tyttenhanger. The rooks 
 in one body deserted the place ; for many years they 
 remained away, then in happier times they returned as 
 suddenly and mysteriously as they had gone. Their 
 instinct to fly from the family in misfortune was also 
 prophetic, for Catherine, Lady Caledon's only child and 
 heir, died before his mother. 
 
 Lord Hardwicke, having no son to succeed him, had 
 bequeathed Tyttenhanger to his daughter, Catherine 
 Freman, so named after her grandmother, who had 
 brought it to the Yorkes ; and on the death of her only 
 child, James Dupre, 3rd Earl of Caledon, she then made 
 her second little grandson, Walter Philip Alexander, her 
 heir; but by the advice of her daughter-in-law, Jane, 
 Lady Caledon, she altered her will, and made her eldest 
 grandson, the present possessor, her heir. Her daughter- 
 in-law did not know, until after her death, that, owing to 
 her great affection for her, she had left her a life interest 
 in the estate. Leaving minute written details to advise 
 and assist her in her life here, she closed her farewell 
 letter with these words — 
 
 " God bless you, and grant you all a happy eternity, 
 through the merits of Christ our Redeemer." 
 
 Marcus Ward & Co., Limited, London and Belfast. 
 
, . 2 i 
 Pry^ 6^ ^-^J ^?