Qas&22A i^o BookJglJ?? / 7 9 HISTORY OF ROTHWELL, In the County of Northampton. WITH AN Account of the Bone Caverns, BY PAUL CYPHER. (Sngrabinga" ri §mssts nvib MothmU. Northampton : TAYLOR & SON, PRINTERS & PUBLISHERS. REMARKS ON A ftalhttxnn of 3\\x\lh FBOM ROTHWELL. i By GEORGE BUSK, Esq., F.R.S. Bead before the Ethnological Society, December 13, 1870. , The skulls which form the subject of the following obser* vations were selected by Mr. Grove from an enormous col- j lection contained in a subterranean vaulted chamber in the parish of Rothwell. Of the history of this collection, or the 'sources whence the skulls were derived, Mr. Grove was \ unable to obtain any authentic particulars ; and it is not i improbable that it merely represents the gradual accumula- tion, through a long series of years, of skulls and bones * removed from the adjacent churchyard. The remains, there- jfore, might be taken as fair representatives of the population ' of the surrounding district for a very considerable period, and, as such, of much value in an ethnological point of view. As the specimens selected by Mr. Grove were for the most 'part chosen as presenting what appeared to him some striking « peculiarity— they cannot be regarded as affording any very correct idea of the general character of the collection, and it | would be very desirable, in the interests of ethnological science, that a full examination and numerous measurements should be made of a3 many of the skulls as possible, for by 'this means alone could it be determined whether the certainly somewhat peculiar characters seen in the skulls exhibited by Mr. Grove, are or are not present in a majority of the remainder. The skulls submitted to me for examination consist of eight in tolerable preservation so far as the calvaria itself is con- cerned, but, excepting in one instance, the facial bones are all wanting, nor is there a single lower jaw among them. Besides these are fragments of four other skulls, consisting for the most part of portions of the frontal bone. 1. The bones, with one exception, present the usual aspect of those which have laiu long in a vault, none appearing to have been long in the open ground. They exhibit no marks of injury inflicted during life. 2. From their size and comparative thinness and delicacy, I should conclude that some of the skulls are those of females. 3. As regards form, the most striking peculiarity of all or nearly all of these skulls is the extreme lowness of the fore- head. It would not of course be difficult, in any large collection of modern English skulls, to find many equally marked by this peculiarity, but I am not acquainted with an instance where so many skulls from one locality are so strikingly marked in this respect. And it should be noticed that the frontal depression is as strongly evinced in the brachycephalic as in those of a more elongated form. It is also to be noted that the frontal sinuses in most of the skulls are of extraordinary dimensions. 4 With respect to the dimensions afforded by these bones I have thought it more convenient to throw them into a tabular form from which the following particulars, amongst others, may be culled: — (1.) That tlie proportionate mean dimension 3 of the entire calvaria, taken in the way I have before suggested,— viz : by the addition together of the figures denoting the length, breadth, and height— ^are represented for purposes of com- parison by the numbers in inches as under : (1) Rothwell skulls mean, 18'0 ; (2) modern English (mixed) mean, 18'58 ; (3) priscan and ancient (mixed) mean, 18'55 ; (4) priscan (Scandinavian) mean, 18*88. These numbers are of course merely relative, but they will serve to show that, as contrasted with the ordinary recent Eng- lish type, the skulls are rather small, and aleo aa compared with a good many of the pre-historic or priscan and ancient skulls met with in this country, and still more so as compared with the large skulls of the stone period found in Scandinavia. This comparative smallness, however, may Derhaps be ac- counted for by the circumstance that the collection includes female skulls, or it may be due probably to the smaller stature of the people,— a point which can only be ascertained by a proper examination of the limb bones in the same ossuary. (2.) The majority of the skulls are more or less biacny- cephalic-in fact all but one— the mean latitudinal or cephalic index being '782 and the highest '833, whilst, in accordance with the law I have before pointed out*, the latitudinal index is considerably less, viz.: 754. (3.) In the other proportionate measurements of the skull there is nothing particular to remark. * « On the Discovery of Platycnemic Men in Denbighshire/' Journal of Ethnological Society, 1871, p. Wt, £afcle of &utumtmwt* 3 g GO— Oi O CTxCncncnCncnCncn tOCnCOtfi-if^cicsQO Length. Breadth. Cn Cncncncncncncncn ^ ^ £l Co to k£ tf*"^ Height. Co WCOCOCOCOCOCOCO GOi^CnOOODGO-^GO Least frontal diam. Greatest frontal diam. to £>. (*;. cn cn cn cn cn cn CO^t6t6C0Ci)f*CO Parietal diameter. CO §w§SSSw5j Occipital ditto. #*. . : : : : : -j: : Zygomatic ditto. CO Frontal radius. ^ >£ gh.'^. ^ £*.(£. £l |jU £*. Vertical ditto. i^. ^ i^ £t $*. xb\ cn tf^ -AoooocooJoooi Parietal ditto. 6 . CO CO CO if*, t£. £* CO : *i 6 CO H l^ h oi Occipital ditto. CO . . : : : : : (^ : : Maxillary ditto. CO CO CO CO . CO CO rf^ CO go co cn : oi ^ © ci> Fronto-nasal ditto. tO O CO . t— r— f— to tO bO bO . ©©COOOHO GO CO Oi GO Cn t^L CO Circumference. : co t-> co if*, cn cn £*. oo to 00 CO h-» to o\ Longitudinal arc. cn . cn on ^ cn cn cn cn • 6 w cs 6 c oi H Frontal ditto. cn O d^tJ^Ojtf^CnCntJu^ co Ci © cn co ifl cn co Parietal ditto. 05 CO 05 "^ CD CO )£». Cn Occipital ditto. M Co I— » CO »— 00 00 tocDtotooioicDoi Frontal transverse arc. totocotocoix^coco c^^cocncocDcoo Parietal ditto. h-4|-.(— I— • h-» |__i |__i |_a Occipital ditto. : oc "^T ^q- *»i ■va ^ o£> • CO CO co to CO Co to CO OS hgx O 00 GO cn Latitudinal index. Ot 1 l£* : -*j ~4 «^r d> ^ - j o6 • ^J Ox ■e year 120-1, the fifth of John, the manor was confif ried to Richard Earl of Clare, with the mercate and other privileges ; on condition that the market day should be changed from Sunday to Monday ; and about this time an important privilege appeusto have been granted, an annual fair to comnvnce upon Trinity^ eve, and continue the four fdlowing days* lr. the year 121ft the manor fofm-d a portion of the princelv possession of the Etr! of Gloucester, and wasrapidly advancing in prosperiiy and importance The commerce moreover of the town must have been of some con-equ? nee, for at this period we find the townsmen petitioning Henfy 3rd for exemption from all pontage, tollage, &c. in the town of Northampton, on the ground of tenancv of the honour of Gloucester. In compliance with this petition, the Kinter to the late Earl, an 1 niece to the Sovereign. In the year H30, thi* Lady and her husband were required to substanti ite their litlo to the manorial, and mercate privi'eges they exercised; which they effected, by pleading im- memorial prescription. In consequence of the failure of mile issue, tie man r now passed by vittueofa marriage settlement, to the family of Stafford, anno 1352. Shortly after this event the b gonial family of Stafford was elevated to ine dukedom of Buckirgham arid retailed pos es*ioa of the minor of; Rowell nea ly wo c nturies ; but on the l7th o' Mty, 152 !, the latomary in such cases became forfeited to the Crown. One of the charges against this nobleman, "was the tempi nig Fnar Hopkins to mike tiaitorous pro- phecies. Towards the close of the re-gii of He..ry 8th, the manor was granted to Lord Par of Horton, at wuooe deafh it devolved on 'lie family of Tresham. Since Ihe days of ihe Clare*, no HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL, OTHERWISE R'JWEIL 5 mano ial lord had manifested so continued a desire to advance the prosperity of }he inhabit ants, and improve the condition of the town of R>well,as Sir Thomas TYesham. We find hit* commencing the erection of a town hall, ar.d interesting himself materially in the welfare of the school, established a short time previously by the pious Owen B-»gsdaie. Unfortunately these bene- ficent intentions were frustraed bv his death in 1077. It does not appear clear whether the manor passed by a treasonable conviction, or by failure of direct issue, to the crown ; but in the reign of James 1st we find it purchased from thai monarch by a gentleman named Hi II, in whose family it continued fo some generations. When Bridges in 1791 wrote his admirable history of North- amptonshire, lis described the Church Register as commencing in 1614; if this be correct, the earlier volumes must be either stolen or destroyed, for after very diligent search the eariest found by the present author is dated 1708, and on its first page is the following note by the then Vicar % " On Sunday Sept 30 1750, we were terribly alarm- ed with a violent shock of an earthquake. It wa9 felt at tiiis town about half an hour past 12 at noon. I was at that time administering the Holy Sacrament and was with the whole congregation in the greatest surprise. Its fit st approach was heard like a mighty wind or rather the driving of manv Coaches. The motion was from S. W. to N. E. Its continuance was as near as I could judge about half a minute, and was very dreadful, and awful. M The earth was sensibly perreived to heave under our feet The church tottered from its foundation, and the east window shook most violently, as if all 6 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. was coming down, and from the roof which we thought was falling in, we heard dreadful crack- ings three or four times a? if ^reat prodigious weights were flung upon it. In fear and trembling we expected instant death, either by being crushed under the ruins of the chu»ch, or el>e that we should have been swallowed up alive ; but as Almighty God directed, no harm happen'cl unto us, They who were in the Churches, or houses were more sensibly affected, and felt it most than those who were walking. It was felt in all the neigh- bouring towns of Northamptonshire, and Leices- tershire. "THOS. BARNETT, " VICAR." Memorandum. Mrs. Judith Lant, of Thorpe Underwood who died December the 31 >t 1705, did give to the Vicarage of Rohwell ten pounds a year to be paid out of her personal estate to the Vicar oj Roth well so long as he shall preach th re twice a Sunday which bounty was first enjoy'd by me. JOSEPH CATT£LL,M. A. VICAR OF ROTH WELL. Rothwell Terrier 1736. A Vicarage house A little yard about four yards square, A garden measuring about 17 poles and a half The Churchyard. Memorandum. Samuel Tebbutt left six Bibles, &c. a year to the Parish or Poor of Roth well. July ye <>, 1708, Sir John Humble Bart of Thorpe Underwood did HUNDRK.DOF ROTHWELL, OTHERWISE ROWtLL. 7 then give to the parish Church of Rothwell three pieces of plate namely a large cup, a cover for the same, and a plate or salver for the bread, being all double gilt with gold. Those were delivered into the hands of Joseph Cattell M. A. Vicar of Rothwell, and Thomas Letts, and Antony Timpson, Churchwardens. Mrs. Anne Wei don of Rothwell Widdow did give to the parish Church of Rothwell aforesaid one large silver cup delivered into my hands for the use oi the Holy Commumion, Jos Cattell M. A Vicar. On the 1 9th April 1715, the clerk, apparently astonished at the increasing population records the baptism of eight children, and appends this note of admiration " These 8 was ail at the iont together and baptised ! In 1756. The Small-pox appears to have raged to a seriousty fatal extent, as again in 17b3 # May ye 27. 1731. We whose names are under- written did go the Vicar's perambulation round the town, together with a great many boys, wit- ness our hands: — Edward Chapman Vicar. Th*». Ponder, Tho. Yorke, Wm. Vialls, Wm. Palmer, John Vialls, Richard Johnson, Anthony Timpson Ju. Joseph Stanyonue John Robinson. Sam Tompson. May 23, 1715. We whose names are under- written did go the Vicar's perambulation round th 9 Town, and the bounds of the Parish to new Bottl e 8 COUNT*' OF NORTHAMPTON bridge on Thorpe Underwood side, together with a great many boys witness our hands, Thos Barnett Vicar. These are all the notabilia existing in the present registers ; but we learn from other sources that in 1 660 the spire of the church fell down, carrying before it in its descent six bays of the church, and that in 1673 the transepts were taken down. In the churchyard may still be seen an elaborately sculptured tomb which formerly stood at the further extremity of the south aisle. CHAPTER 2nd, PRESENT STATE OF ROWELl, 1848. Situated in the hundred of the same name, in the County of Northampton, and included in the Kettering Union, this parish at the census 1841, contained 2,939 inhabitants, 4,430 acres of laud, upwards of 500 houses, and returned assessed pro- perty to the amount of £8.105. The poor rate may probably be correctly estimated at something more than £800 per annum. It ic turns two members to the Board of Guardians, and has resident medical, and relieving officers :— A recent attempt to restore the disused marker, appears to have contributed materially to the improvement of the town, and although want of unanimity has for the present obstructed to laudable an attempt, it must be obvious to all, that a better scheme for increasing the trade of the town, and advancing the prosperity of its inhabitant*, could scarcely have been devised. The requirements of a numerous population such as is collected within the immediate neighbourhood, (and num- bering upwards of 5000, with the inhabitants of Hundred of rothwell, otherwise roWi:lL 9 Loddington, Harrington, and Desborough,) can scarcely be met by distant markets, the nearest i^f which, Kettering, is so far removed as to render a journey thither a serious inroad on the time of the labouring classes. The approach to ftoweli frorii the crest of hill to the south, on which the villages of Thorpe Malsor and Loddington are situated, is very pleasing. The ancient town extends its timeworn buildings in a long un broken line eastward, in the centre of which, the square massive tower and light clerestory of the church, the gables of Jesus* Hospital, and the fine fr- nt of the ancient manor house, are prominent and picturesque object i. The principal deficiences of the town are its squalid entrances on the Orion, Glendon, and Rush ton sides: — its disgraceful stiteof drainage (to which I sha'l again have to revert when treating on Sa.latory matters) and the unsafe and dangerous condition of many of the foot-paths. To find fault with the stylo of building generally, the massive stone walls, acutely pitched and straw thatched roofs of the houses, woald be merely to complain of a style of building anciently inconvenient, and unhealthy; and which prevails, more or less, thoughout the whole county; and conveys to the mind of a stranger an impression of poverty, which a minute acquaintance wirh the inhabitants happily fails to confirm. Two brickyards in the outskirts of the town, are now in active operation, and gradually as the ill constructed dwellings of a past age yield to decay, thry are replaced by structures better adapted to the personal comfort, and social condition of their inmates; a fact well understood by those who are familiar with the various evils connected with badly contrived, and crowded domiciles. a 10 COUNTY Of NORTtlAMfrTOfc. THE CHURCH OFTHE HOLY TRINITY. Upwards of six centuries have elapsed, since this once superb structure received its completion at the hands of its pious Architects, It has not indeed descended to us unscathed by time, n^r un- mutdated by accident. Many of the sepulchral chapels with* the elaborately'' sculptured transepts have suffered by the former, and the total clestruc tiort ol the lofty spire in 1660 fiom lightning is i melancholy instdnce of its deterioration by the latter cause* There seems little doubt, that, originally, this edifice must have held high rank in an ace, which more than any other, was characterized by the nuu.ber and beauty of it Sacred edifices. Without p etending to Cathedral magnificence, the Church ot Rothweil Was evidently constructed on the most liberal scale ; and affords an additional proof to the already convincing evidence, of the former importance of a district, in which such ample provision was made foi the spintual welfare of its inhabitants. Despite of the dilapidations of time, the ruinous effect of casualty, and worse than all, the disfiguring metamorphosis of in- j idicious repai s ; it is still an easy task to trace the extent of the original edifice. Enuring the west door, soma three centuries since probably the eye of the spectator would have embraced the whole space from the portal even to the hi-h altar, checquered only by the varied dyes which in those days of monastic magnificence streamed through the richly painted windows, faintly reproducing their fainted le-ends on the cold marble of the echoing aisles. And beautiful indeed must have been the clustering pillars, with their capitals of drooping foliage, and 5 HUNDRED OF ROTIIWELL, OTHERWISE HOWELL. 11 the lofty arches reaching into darkness, when viewed in that dim mysterious light. On the right of the altar opposite the lowly portal of the vestiary, and the Chapel of our Lady of Sorrows, may still be seen the triple piscina, and the quadruple sedile. The finely carved oaken stalls with their anti somniferous seats, minutely sculp- tured quatrefoils. and grotesque finials, are in all probability not far removed from their ancient situation. Above ihese,lookir,g westward, was then the Tood-loft; from which, the ima^e of Him who died to save an universe, gazed downward on the kneeling multitude with that expression of silent agony, it was the principal, and generally success- ful endeavour of the sculptor to pourtray. Stretch- ing noith and south were the transepts, each probably terminated by its own peculiar altar, and here, and there, at intervals along the aisles, would be the altar tombs of the Clares, the Andleys, and the Statfbrds, each with its recumbent effigy of the stalwart warrior at rest beneath, the gauntleted hands clasped in prayer and pointed heavenward, whilst from the lofty rereward wall would silently depend the empty suit of mail, the rusted weapon, and the tattered banner. Of the many Chapels, which from traces against the main walls appear to have been once annexed to the buildings, two only remain. That of Saunders, now used as the Vestry, and that of the Mater- doloris. Beneath the South aisle, is all that remains of the funeral crypt which possibly, may - once have extended under the entiie circumference of the building. Such was Rowell church : — We have now to describe it as it appears in our day. In the year 1834 or 5, the editice had fallen into so ruinou? a condition, that measures for arresting 12 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. farther decay, and indeed for the decent perform- ance of the divine services, were imperatively required, ft is much to the creda of all the parties concerned, that the good work was neither imperfectly, nor grudgingly completed. A tablet over the vestry dojr, which will be noticed in its proper place, records this fact, and the quantity of additional room provided for the poorer membeis of the Congregation. It has been mentioned elsewhere, that the Roctorial tithes having passed into lay han is conveyed with them the obligation on the pos- sessor, of keeping in repair the chancel. It is said to be the intention of the gentleman with whom that responsibility at present rests, speedily tj restrain the lapid progress of decay which daily threatens, more and more, the destruction of this, the finest portion of the sacred pile ; and it is earnestly to be hoped, that some future historian may have the pleasing task of recording the per- formance of so sacred a duty. The dimensions <»f the Chancel, (no part of which is now used for divine service) are, length 84- feet, bread: h 22 feet, and altitude probably not short of 70 feet. It is in a state of most lamentable dec*y, a mere receptacle of benches, ladders, brushes and a fire Engine ! The damp has c >rr ded the brasses, obscured the in- scriptions, and tarnished the rich heraldic tinc- tures, while the funeral hatchments, mouldering in their frames, wave, their decaying tatters in the breeze which finds entrance through many a crevice in the imperfect roof. The altar is temoved, though the rails before it still remain, and under the lofty east window, Hundred of kothwell, otherwise rowell. 13 the inferior fifth of which is filled in with plaister, immediately above the base splay, within an arabesque border of black, brown, and blue, is this inscription, though barely legible: Luke 22. V. 19. This do in Remembrauce of me surmounted by a Cherub rudely depicted The funeral Hatchments suspended in the Chancel a re five in number. 1st. Within a lozenge Gu, a Chev engr Erm betw 3 Garbs Or in the centre point a canton Arg for difference, being the Escutcheon of Elizabeth widow of Dr. Hill, Rector of Thorpe Malsor, and Kellma r sh. 2nd. The arms of Hill, and on an Escutcheon of pretence the arms of Medlycote ; being the hatchment of Barbara wife of Geo. Hill, Serjeant at Law. 3rd. The same with the addition of the cresfc- a dove rising, Arg, in the beak an olive branch ppr being the escutcheon of the above named Serjeant Hiil. 4th. Sa, a stag trippant Or, on a chief indented of the second, an inescutch Arg charged with the emblem of baronetage a hand Sanguine ; impaling Az y 3 Gauntlets Or, being the escutcheon of Dame Eliz h , Humble wife to Sir W. Humble, Bart, and daughter to Gilbert Lord Barnard, of Barnard Castle, Co Durham. 5th. The same arms with the addition of the crest: a demi Stag saliant, gorged with a chaplet 14 county of Northampton. of laurel ppr, being the hatchment of the said Sir R. Humble. Monumental inscriptions in the Chancel. Before the altar rails with folded bauds in the gesture of prayer, attired in the full vestments of a Romish priest, the head resting upon a pillow supported by two Seraphs, lies the effigy in brass of William de Rothwelle, one of the earliest Capellani, Beneath in the Latin and Norman dialects is the following inscription : — Nunc Xte te peto misere queso qui venisti redime reditum noli dapnare me tuu redeptu. * Pur 'Faime William de Rothwelle qi cy Est sepule jadis Erchdiakn de Essex Provendier de Cropwych Ferryng t Valmefcon anoinePriefz au Roi de sloire qe de lui eneyt pj te en honour de qi devoutement dites Pater noster Et Ave M. S. Conduntur hie exuviae Edvardi Hill Armigeri Filii Edvardi Hill Arm, cujus pietate Memorabilia antecssor Martinii Hill, Rec f or de Agserby in com Leicestrise primus in eadem * William de Rothwelle died 4*& of ihe Nones of August, -4S^ S^FirCHRAI BPuASS. ROWELL CHURCH. I£ 20. REDUCED -O 10 r^OVl THE O Rl Gl (M A L . B Y W. ' ftCTNBR&D OF ROTIlWELL, OTHERWISE ROWELt. 13 Comitatu religionis erat reformatae concionator quam Sumptibus properiis et ingenio propagavit E* Johanne Hill de Hounston in Com Sbmer -set milite orinndus, qui in re milifari honori -fice versatus est sub illostri regno Edvardi tertii Gallorum donietoris. Obiit 28 die Aprilis Anno Oliristi 1709. Posu't Frater Robertas Administrator t * M. S. Susannge Edvardi Hill Armig Consortis Jbhannis Maunsel de Thorpe Armig Filiae Undeviginti liberorum Parentis Obiit xxvi die Octobris S Domini 1731 Anno 1 jstatis 88. Here lyeth Edward Hill _ departed, Here lveth the body of Mr. John Hill Son &t Edward Hill, Esq., in Rowell, in the County of Northampton, and Susanna hi<= wife, who clved ye 26 of November, Anno 1701, jEtatis Sua? 34. 10 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. * w 5 " c p 2 • 9 w « s * 1? S S3 o s* ~ § * "' 'S .2 •- ° c Eb 3 ^ £ .- *>o £ G .2 2 £ £ I s 1 .' g .8- g sp g i S § -s * & s s 1 1 fi '- - e Q " s ! - SS SP - c *- 5 " fc 1 .s I i £ J < t I % £ -g i * •« » « cu-= 3 S > » .2 "si g § ^ w 2 — £- ° 8 S J 5 To 13 * a "-? /—•- - c CI to S .£§£*>« gSg.5fi»-S ra -;> £ f a -S ) ,S S .- ^ M °- ! u S » - sc3 I'l a &5-.I 1 I |s'.l I fa S««2 ^ S « S £ 5? > */*E ~ a> Q> s- 2 S -ts r /~> ^ ° c M t, l. , ^ f£ fo o« i-< >-2 -~ O 2 D .t fr ** tr 3 HUKDREDOF rothwell, otherwise roweli,. 17 03 Q .9 a I S3 o CO o$ 0) » .2 3 O o u £ a to 2 ^ •: ed Q. — < . o 5 CO ,5 o CD CD o a. +* +j cr aj r 3 > 5 a g to 5 e S3 J « to O £ 03 ^ C 3 ^ '5 o p o 3 2 a> •73 a cs D c S S 2 -o -o J 3 . 3 > A3 0* * 3 bo .5 * 8 2 » o o C0 $ O) CO IT o 05 "a ~ a O =3 1 g be £ O 3 • s | s § J M £*l3 .2 1 2.2 •5 be bo •C E £ O flj u « £ » bo O 2 « H o a, c > O CO ^ A lamh crowing a river, and in the firmament two Suns, one in meridian altitude f the other in perigee On a handsome mural monument surmounted by the proper arms much defaced wit h a nowed snake for crest, is the following epitaph. Memorise Benemerentis mariti Andreoe Lant Armigeride Thorpe Underwood, hujus oppidi* Coofiniis domini. Pietatiset arrucitiarum Honestissimo cultu celeherrimi; Qui 17° die Jai.uarii, An Dom 1694, et 57° eeUtis, Mortali* esse desiit, et terr.ie redidit hie Depositas exuvias, Immortalis gloriae novis Increments resuscitandas cum Juditha Uxore suaunica ; 35 Anno3 dulcissimarn vltam Traduxerat, et ex ea susoeperat novem liberos, casti thalami charis-ima pignora Quorum Robertas, secandus Robertas, Juditha Eleonora, Anna, et Maria pulvere viciuo Repositi quiescunt. Elizabethan!, Catharinam. et Saram, familioe spem, et cohseredes superstates Reliquit; quarum primam Francisc/is Lane De Glendon Armig Uxorem duxerat. Sic tu vivas viato-, ut tibi Posleri Benedicant, et cseli mortuo benefaciant, Posuit Juditha Lant, elefuncti Vidva mxrens. Hie etiam deponunturreliquip? Juditha? Lant supra memoratsfc Qme piam efflavit animam trigesimo primo d*- Decembris * Note the word Oppidum in the Latin language is generally c ms trued a walled town, a town of importance ; appdulum being used to denote a town of interior- consequence* HUNDRED OF ROTH WELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 19 Anno Domini 1705 Act 9, 36. This wo a, an was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. Here lyeth the body of Dorothy Hill Daughter of Edward Hill Esqe Sen r who departel this life January the fifth Anno Dom 1701 in the 21 yeare of her age m, s: Requiescit hie firma Spa Beatse Re?urieetionis Susannah Hill filia natu Maxima Edvardi Hill Arm Lecessit Julii 26 1706 Francis Lane Esqe Eldest son of Francis Lane, of Glendon, Esqe, married Elizabeth the Daughter of Andrew Lant of Thorpe Underwood Esqe, died without issue, Feby the 12th, 1698L Here lyeth the body of Mrs. Mary Lane, reliet of Francis Lane Sen?, late of Glendoa Esq deceased. She dyed <,>n the third day of July, in the yeare of uur Lord 1697, iEtatis Suae 60 20 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. Here lyeth the body of Francis Lane Sen r of Glendon Esqe, who was buried Nov the 29 th , in the yeare of our Lord 1689 jEtatis Sui 61 Sarah Hill, youngest daughter of Edward Hill of Howell Esqe, died February 26 th , }729 Here lyeth the body of Mary Cecil I, one of ye daughters of Edward Hill Esqe, who departed this life December the 30% 1746, Aged 61 years. M. S. Exuvice Aenitis Hill Edvardi Hill Armigeri Filiae. Ccelibem se servavit Quo sex viduas adoptaret Cohseredes Bonis et egenis Arnica Amicum (spes est) paravit Deum Obiit Janvar 27: 1733. HUNDRED OF ROTllW ELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 21 Anna Ives Reverendi Panli Ives L. L. D. Uxor, Edvardi Hill Armigeri Filia, Piam efflavit animam, 19° Die Septembris, 1732. In affectionate remembrance of Abraham Billson, who departed this life January 6» 1835 ; in the 43 rd year oi his age. late Surgeon RothweSl. In memory of Thomas Henry Billson, who died July 18. 1831, in the 6 th jear of his age. Also of Sarah wife of Abraham Billson, who departed this life December 17*, 1836, Aged 33 years, Here are deposited the remains of John Hill, L. L. D. who died April 7 th 1793, Rector of Thorpe Malsor and Kelmarsh both in the county of Northampton ; and one of the Prebendaries of Wolverhampton. 22 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTtifc. The care of the parish es being small, his vacant hours were chiefly employed in the execution of the office of a Justice of the Peace ; which He discharged with distinguished ability, and the utmost integrity. During his residence at Thorpe, which was near 30 years, it was the business and pleasure of his life* to instruct the ignorant in their civil and religious duty; and to a?sist and protectthe innocent and distressed Here aho are deposited the remains of Elizabeth Hill his wire, who departed this life the 19^ Sept 1798 In her conduct all the Christian virtues were most eminently displayed and to her the words of the poet very j ustl y apply ; " Of softest manners^ unaffected mind Lover of peace, and friend of human kind" She was the second daughter and one cf the Coheiresses of 1 homas Medlycott Esq. of Cottingham, in the County of Northampton* Sacred to the memory of Geonre Hill Esq J-ord of this Manor and Hundred ; and for 35 years his Majesty's ancient Sergeaut at Law. His superior Knowledge Founded on Tully, and the best ancients Moralists, Confirmed by the study of our first professional writers and arranged in a memorv uncommonly clear, st imp'd his le^al opinions with the highest authority; while a simplicity of manner peculiarly bis own, made him in habits, in principles, and in virtues, so different from the fleeting fashions of the day, as to command respect from all that knew bim. Near her husband reposes Barbara Hill Medlycott, Heiress of the Medlycott3 of Cottingham, HUNDRED OF ROTRWELL OTHERWISE ROVVELL 23 and adorned with the milder domestic virtues of the wife, the mother, and the Christian. He died Feby, 21 st 1808, aged 92. She died Aug, iO tb 1800, aged 79. Beneath are these arms. Quarterly. First, Gules a Chevron engrailed Ermine, between three Garbs, Or: — Second, Sable, a Fes s, Or, between three Cinquefoils Argent : On a Canton Ermine, a lion rampant, Sable— Third, Paly of six pieces, Azure and Argent ; on a chief Gules, a lion passant Or. Fourth, Argent, a Chevron betweenth.ee Maunches Sable.... On an escutcheon of pretence are the arms of Medlycott, viz. Per Pale, and per Fess indented, Gules, and Azure, three lioncels rampant Argent.— Here lyeth the body of Sir John Humble Barroneght who departed this life February the 7th, Anno Dona 1723, in the 44* year of his age ; who married Sarah the daughter of Andrew Lant Esq. grandaughter of Richard Andrews of Thorpe Underwood in Northamptonshire ; by whom he had five children, four Sons, and one Daughter, of which there is now living, Sir William Humble Barroneght, and Mary his Sister. Here also lyeth the bodyes of two Sons Lante and John. Above are these arms. For Humble, Sable, a Stag trippant Or, on a chief dancettee Argent, a trefoil Vert ; impaling, for Lant, Per pale Argent, and Gules, a Cross engrailed, counterchanged, in the dexter chief, a c ? nquefoil of the second.— 24 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. Near this place are Deposited the remains of Sir William Humble Bar 1 , and of his wife The HonUe Dame Elizabeth Humble, second daughter of the late Right Hon ble Gilbert Lord Barnard, of Barnard Castle in the County of Durham. They intermarried in the year 1732, and had issue two sons, Robert and John who died in their childhood, and lie here interred with their tender and worthy parents, in the month of October, 1742, Sir William Humble soon after departed this life, and his afflicted widow the said Dame Elizabeth Humble, Exchanged this troublesome wo: Id for one of perpetual feiieity, on the 22 wd of February, in the year of our Lord mo - 1 Lant, et Johannes Humble Summse spei eximise formse p . . r • f filii Johannis Humble Bar. . . . & Sarse uxoris suae sub hoc lap. . . . quasi in cunabulis conquiescunt Lant quinquennis obiit March 24° 1710 Johannes quadriennis Augusti 5°, 1711 Talium, est regnum ceelorum Above are the Arms of Humble, and on an escutcheon of pretence, those of. Lant. HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 25 Here Lyeth the body of Richard Andrew of Thorp Underwood Esq 1 , the third son of Robert Andrew of Harleston in ye County of Northampton Esq r . He died the 6 th of July, Anno 1654, in the 75 th year of his age. Here Lyeth also the body of Andrew Lant of Thorp Underwood Esq*, son of Robert Lant Esq r . and grandson of the above mentioned Richard Andrew : He departed this life the 17 of January 169$ in ye 57 year of his age. In memory of William the son of Charles Stevens Gent, by Mary his wife; Died Aug. 2 nd 1768, Aged 48 years. In memory of Edward Stevens, who died ye 22^ April, 1761> Aged 69 § In memory of Joseph, son of Charles Stevens Gent, by Frances his wife ; He died May 4, 1763, Aged 34. Above are these Arms, A Sling, between two Pheons barbed. Crest, A Fox passant, holding in his teeth an arrow. In memory of Joseph Stevens, Gent, he died 5 th Jan*., 1J52, Aged 85. In memory of Charles Stevens died 7 th of March 1752, Aged 66, Also of Frances his wife, who C2 26 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. died 10* Nov* 1761, Aged 74. Above are the same arms. M. S. of Annie Caroline Cocksedge, wife of Thomas Abraham Cocksedge Esq., Surgeon obii* Dec 1 ., 28, 1841. Aged btf. In memory of Sarah the wife of George Tupman Died Nov. v 4th, 1765. Aged 72, " Testerdaj's past, to morrow is not thine, This day thy life to virtuous acts incline." Bridges describes several monuments as visible in the chancel at the date of his History of North- amptonshire, of which no traces now remain.— THE CHAPEL OF THE MATER DOLORIS, is on the North side of the Chancel. The bracket on which the statue of the Virgin formerly was placed is still undisturbed ; having beneath it a trifoliated piscina, surmounted by a cherubs head. It is lighted by two windows in the north wall, a very find one at the eastern extremity having been long since filled in with plaister ; and where the coats of whitewash have mouldered away, the walls beneath appear to have been painted in arabesque. In the north wall is a low Arch such as formerly surmounted the tombs of ecclesiastics, and the probability that it once served such a purpose, is strengthened by the fact of a sareophagus Lid, on which is sculptured m basso rilievoanabbatial cross, having been found here. The entire floor is laised three feet higher than the body of the church, There are two monu- mental inscriptions in this portion of the sacred pile the first (which is scarcely legible) to the HUNDRED OF ROTBlWELL OTHERWISE ROYVELL 27 memory of Thomas Ponder, Gentleman, the philanthropic founder of Ponder's Alms houses hereafUf to be noticed ; and the second, is as follows. Beneath this stone lie the remains of Matilda Harriet only child of the Hevd. A Macpherson, B.D, Vicar of this parish, and Caroline his wife Born Oct. 26th, 1834; Died June 29th, 1S43; Forgive, blest shade, the tributary tear, That mourns thy exit from a World like this; Forgive the wish that would have kept thee here, And stay'd thy progress to the seats of bliss. Adjoining this Chapel is the ancient Sacristy, a small apartment 6 yards long, by 3 in breadth : It has a ruined fire place, a small square window with ancient shutters, and is now employed by the Sexton for the reception of his spades, mattocks, | &c. Formerly it was probably used as a shelter by the persons employed to watch the graves of the newly interred. The ponderous door leading hence into the Chancel, with its ancient lock and key, are worthy of notice — THE NAVE OF THE CHURCH, With portions of the North and South Aisles, are all now used during the celebration of Divine Service ; so much is the noble edifice curtailed ! of its fair proportions — It is entered beneath the tower by an insignificant, low, and rounded arch, the original magnificent western approach having been sacrificed in the construction ot an organ C3. 28 county of Northampton. gallery, and belfry ; indeed the fine gra : ned roof, with its scroll bearing cherubim, < an on'y be se. n by ascending to the latter apartment. At the point of intersection of the several entrances from the West, North, and South, the Font is very judiciously placed; Jt is a hexagonal pillar, placed upon a basement from which spring six pilasters surmounted by palm leaf capitals, and eonnecied by a docketed and indented friezs : This is repeated in miniature about a foot from the surface, and the whole is terminated by a leaded aperture sufficient to permit the total immersion of an infant. There is only one Escutcheon in ihis portion of rhe Church — It is suspended from the north wall, and is that of the. Hou ble Barbara C)cktyne Me ilyeott — Within a lozenge: quarterly, Ut, and 4th, Ardent, three lucks, Gule> ; 2nd, and 3rd Gules, Three Lioncels passant guardant per pale, Or, and argent : On an escutcheon of * pretence the lady's paternal arms. Within the altar rails is a small but handsome •mural mounmenl with the following elegant epitaph. In a vault on the right side of the altar are deposited the remains ot The Hou ble Barbara Cockayne Medlycott, jReHctofthe Hori Wc William Ct ckayne of Rushton Hall in this County, Daughter of George Hi.l Esq™ King's Ancient Serjeant at law, and of Anne Baib?ra his wile Lady cfthe Manor and Hundud of Rowell. The numerons descendants and friends of this * justly venerated lady need no memorial of those distinguished qualities which are in December Ded ) 17, 1713. In memory of Thomas Dickens Gent. who departed this life January 31st 1793, in ihe 81st year of his age, Here lies the body of George Daggett, Gent. 30 COITNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. the husband of Elizabeth Daggett, who departed this life Feb 10, 1 747. Aged 33 years. Memento Mori. At the western extremity of this aisle, is the small door way which once led to the turnpike stair of the Campanile :-^Over the north door, is this table of Benefactions to the Parish of Rothwell, Richard Andrews Esq. of Thorpe Underwood, by will dated the 19th of January 1653, bequeathed to the poor of the parish of Roth well, the sum of £160; to be laid out audimploy'd for the advantage of the said poor. Edward Hunt, late of Broughton, died Nov. the 23rd,) 1674, and by will did give and bequeath the sum of 8, 13, 4 a year, to 80 poor widows, aged persons, and children of this parish, to be paid halfyearly. James Cooper, late of W'eldon, died March 22, 1727, and by will left to the poor of Ilothwell, 60 dozens of bread yearly for ever. Mrs Agpes Hill late of Rothwell, did by will dated the 30th of July, 1728, bequeath the sum of £700, to be laid out in the purchase of freehold lands, or tenements, for the benefit of six poor widows of this parish. Joseph Beutham, Clerk, late of Broughton, by will did give and appoint the sum of 10s. yearly, to be paid to the poor of this parish, on the 29th of May. J^ear the Font are the following — » H. S S. Marine Chapman Exuviae. 1126, HUNDRED OF R0TI1WELL, OTHERWISE ROWEEL. 3 £ Here lieih intprr'd the body of David Croysdil Gent. who departed this life Uie 17th of December, 176J, Aged 58. Here lieth the re main a of Elizabeth Chapman, the wife ol Edward Chapman, and daughter of Jonathan Warner of North am pi en, Gent. who departed this life- the I2th day of March, 1765. in the 77th year of her age, H. S. S. Reliquiae Edvardi Chapman, A. M. Hujus Ecclesise Vicaiii : Viri In Uteris Scicn^ ac Humanis, Hand mediocriter vers^ti ; Uxorem duxit Elizabetham, Jonathan Warner de North ton ia Gent, Filiam natu minorem : Ex qua, tres suscepit liberps ; Horum, duo sunt superstites. Obiit Martii die 5 t0 \. D. 1740, AEtatis 47. In memory of Thomas Chapman Esq*?, 32 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. the son of the Revd. M r . Edward Chapman, late Vicar of this parish, by Elizabeth his wife; who departed this life the 14th day of Nov 1771, in the 42nd. year of his age. At the entranpe of the inner western door, are two stone slabs, from which the Sepulchral brasses have been removed. On a mural tablet above the South 4oor, is this inscription—? To the right of this Tablet are interr'd the remains of Eliza Bosworth, wife cf Willian Bosworth Clerk; who died 2nd April, 1816.- Aged 37. Being taught of God, and influenced by Pis grace, she was excelled by tew, for unaffected piety, meekness of spirit, patience under sufferings, and exemptay conduct in the Discharge of relative duties. Asramst the South wall is the following Extract from the will of Francis Furtesqne Turvile Esq, pf Bosworth Hall, in the Coumy Leicester.^ — Francis Fortesque Turvile Esq, by will bearing date 20tii day of May, 1829, gave the sum of One hundred pounds at interest, in the purchase of Three pounds per Centum Consolidated Bank Annuities, in the names of such two or more persons as shall be appo'nted at a vestry meeting, to be hojden for the parish of ftqthwejl, otherwise Rowell, in the County of HUNDRED OF RGTllVVELL, OtllEIiWlS^ RO\V£tL. 33 Northampton : And new Trustees to be from time to time appointed in like manner, and the said last mentioned annuities to be held upou Trust, that the persons for the time being, id whose names the same shall be invested, do and shall pay ihe dividends and annual income thereof, to the officiating Clergyman ai.d Churchwardens for the time being, of the said parish of Itothwell, otherwise Uovvell ; to be by them Laid out at Christmas, in every year, in the purchase of Coals, to be given to such poor persons of the said last mentioned paiish, as the said Clergyman and Churchwardens for the time bein^, or the m Jor part of them, so as the Clergyman be one, shall in their discretion deem the most proper objects. — The above sum is invested in the three per cent Annuities, in the names of Tmstces. April, 3**, 1840. On Slabs at the extremity of the S. Aisle, are the following inscriptions* Underneath. are deposited the remains of the Kev d . H. Barnett, more than 36 years Vicar of this parish Who '3*4 COUNTY OS? NORTHAMPTON. Exc and departed this world .... 23. 1770 Anno iEtafis .... also the remains of one of his children. To the pious memory of Mrs Mary Cattell, wife of Joseph Cattell, M.A. Vicar of this church ; who Exchanged this mortal life for a better Dom 1711 Aug. 6, Anno iEtatis, 33. Joseph, the only child of the abovenamed Joseph and Mary Cattell, departed this life Feby 2. 1711, Aged 6 months. Joseph Cattell, M.A. y e late worthy Vicar of this Pa -rish, lyeth here also interr'd. Obiit Dec' A.D. 1719, iEtat 43, Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children Eph. the 6$, Ver. y e 1 st . Above the Vestry door, The Accommodation in this Church was increased in the year 1836, by which means 511 additional Sittings were obtained, and in consquence of a grant from the Incorporated Society for promoting the enlargement,building,andrep»iring of churches bm!it''iiii,ni- uiliiii* ill! Sanders'. Brass, Koweil Ch, HtmmiED OF ROTIlWJELL, OTHERWISE ROWELS, 355 and chapels, .400 of that number are hereby declare!* to be free and unappropriated for ever, in addition to 456 sittings formerly provided, 110 of whichi are free*. A. Macpherson Vicar. William Haflord \ Charles Brown I Churchwardens. Robert HarTord L Hugh King J At the enhance to the Vestry on a hhie slab, ane tioovery elegant brasses of the time of Henry 8 th ■ w hith the following inscripton in Black letter. Hie jacet Edvardus Saunders quondam de TIaryngtofl primus fondato? istius Cauta- rie et Johanna uxor eyus qui quidem Edwar- dus obiifc xix die Junii A D ui MDxiiii quor aiabus propicietur Deu-s, Amen. At each corner of this slab was formerly a coat of Arms, three of which now remain Ifct Party-- per-Chevron, 3 Elephant's heads erased— -2nd. The same arms impaling those of the wife — On. a Bend, 3 Oxen passant — 3rd, same as the 1st, These are all the monuments &c in the main body of the building : It is neatly pe-wed, and a tem- porary altar is placed beneath the aroh which once Surmounted the Rood loft, of which not a vestige remains, excepting the low archway by which it was formerly entered from the Chancel — The noble features or the western entrance, are almost obscured by a gallery containing a small organ, and a time piece — There is still much for the- Architect to admire in this portion of the Church ; its light and lofty proportions, and the many Sculptured brackets of Statues, swept away mo&fc 36 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. ir probablv at the Reformation. A singular trifacial terminal on the left ©f the present altar, is especially worthy of notice. SAUNDERS CHAPEL, OR THE SOUTH CHAUNTRY— This small building now used as a vestry, is of all portions of the venerable building least altered. The interstices between the arches have been closed with plaister, a door opening to the churchyard, and another into the South aisle, have been added ; and these constitute the principal changes undergone by this- mortuary Chapel, whose contents are as follow — Near the outer door is an altar tomb , very old, without any inscription, but on a lichly diapered shield in front, is a sculpture apparently intended to represent a Swan rising, from which we may conclude it belongs to the ducal family of Stafford, as they, bore for crest "A swan rising argent, beaked Sable, out of a ducal Coronet, " which latter being omitted, proves the death of the individual to have occurred prior to the attainment of that dignity by the family, and theiefore early in the fourteenth century. This therefore cannot be the original situation of the monument; — It was probably placed here on the demolition of the South Transept— Opposite this, is another altar tomb of later date : upon the central shield is sculptured a Pelican vuluing herself, between three Fleur de lis, two in chief, and one in base with the following inscription on brass Frange esvrieNTi pane tvvm, et egenos Vagosq indvcin domvm tvam. Cvm videris Nvdvm operi evm et carnem tvam me despexeris Tvnc ervmpet qvasi mane Ivmen tvvm Fet sanitas tva citivs oriatvr ot ante ibit DOMINE EOOINVRLLS 1 SERWS t ET OPERA OMNIA IAEA VILE - C v CORAM TE IDEO IN" MISERl CORAL A 50LA SALVS ET SPES ME FECi M ' H J^ ( J M AC N A Q V I Stems,', i eh -^i- - !F«s^ s pi 7 A A*^ >' •' pkiii *% vlj A /■ i cs Ra gj Wales > I *ep///r// Bran, ROWELL CHURCH . HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL OTHERWISE ROWELL 37 Faciem tvam jusiitia tva. Tvnc invoeabiset Dominus exavdiet te Clamabis, et dicet, ecce adsura. Esaie 58. At the lower end of the tomb is this inscription* Hie jacet ille vir probus et pius Owinus Rage>dale, qui hospitivm posvit Jesv. I3te Accipiensbenedictionem a Domino earn retribyit Pauperibus suis. Obiit primo Decern A 1591. On the wall over against the tomb, in a deal frame, is I he brass which was ence placed between these portions of the Epitaph : The pious founder of Jesus' Hospital is represented in a furred gown, kneeling; & above him this sentence isengraved— Domine ego invtilis servvs tvvs et omnia opera mea vilesevnt coram te. Ideo in misericoidia tva sola salvs et spes mea — - Behind are these arms, quaiterly 1st, and 4th ; a- Pelican vuluing herself between thr^e Fleur de lis; — 2nd, and 3rd, a doss paly of Ermine, and Ermiuois, between four boar's heads, couped, in the mouth of each an oak branch IVucted. — Crest, a hand grasping a plume of feathers. Motto, Fecit mihi magna, qui potens e^t. On a slab upon the floor Here lyeth y e body of Ambrose Archer, who died May ye I lth A. D. 1715. Aged 37 years. I waded in troubled water, I practised meditation, I have fought a good fight For a Crown of salvation. D 2. 38 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. On a Blue slab, much worn and nearly illegible is the following mutilated sculpture &c. Ot the Arms, nothing can be deciphered, but that the honourable ordinary in the coat was a Chevron engrailed, and that the crest, is an arm embowed, the haund gauntleted, and grasping a baton — On the left is a Serpent biting its tail, the emblem of eternity *, and on the right is a semi recumbent figure of a Knight, leaning his elbow upon a Skull, placed upon a tripod. It is very singular that Bridges takes no notice of this monument : No more oi the epitaph than the following, is legible. — Here lies a sleep the body of S Rothwell # 17*! ".. Aged 27*/. An engraving of this monument will be given with the appendix. Adjoining:, is another slab still more defaced, on which the same arms may be traced ; and at the foot of these is another, on which the name of Hill, alone, is now legible; the full inscription however is given by Bridges, as follows ; — To the memory of Nathaniel Hill,*!! Gent, who departed this life Sep- the 1 2th, A.D. 170S, in the 36th year of his age. % He lived in the House called the Nuonery Rothwell. HUNDRED OF ROTH WELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 3& A singular square of stone, hot unlike a small window frame in the north wall of this Chapel, is decided by that learned antiquary the Pevd. G. A. Poole, to have once formed part of a confessional. THE BONE CAVERNS, Passing through a little door, on the left hand Side of the South porch, and descending some seventeen steps of a winding staircase, the Visitor passes through another door, into a silent vault, tenanted, (as is asserted by those who have taken the trouble to calculate,) by thirty thousand Skeletons. It is singular that this remarkable collection of human remains, (which it is well known, has occupied it present situation for at least a century and half,) should have altogether escaped the notice of M*. Bridges. The vault in .which they are deposited, is a loilg cryptiform structure, with a low groined roof; and the bones are carefully packed in alternate strata, cf skulls, arms, legs, arid sd forth. They were discovered, says the legend, something more than one hundred and fifty years since, by a grave digger; who whilst pursuing his vocation, and wielding his mattock, probably with unusual energy, suddenly- found himself precipitated into a dark abyss; and one may easily imagine his consternation, when the dust had subsided, and his eyes grown accustomed to the darkness, at discovering himself J in this awful assemblage of past generations. ! Nothing is known with certainty respecting thfc date of this vast collection ; and conjecture, as usual, has been liberal in assigning various wild, and improbable reasons for its formation. I st it is asserted, that these remains are theconse- D3, 40 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. guence of a sanguinary battle in very early times, and the supporters of this hypothesis pro- fess to discover certain peculiarties in the osseous structure, shewing a large proportion of the deceased to have been natives of a distant land ; — that all were in the prime of life ; — and that most of the skulls are fractured, as though by violent blows with deadly weapons. 2nd^» That these are the remains of the slain at Naseby-*- Each of these statements is easily refuted : — With respect to the former it is very certain, that any encounter so sanguinary as to result in the number of si .in here interred occurring between the Anglo-Saxon era, and our own day, could not possibly have escaped record. I have examined carefully, and at leisure, the Crania; and can discover none but the Meso-bregmate skulls, common to these islands; — and although the remains are those of adults, it is solely because the less densely organized bones of earlier life, have not resisted in an equal degree that decay, which has destroyed all the spongybones once appertaining to the skeletons under discussion. I have discovered more than one skull, in which the alveolar sockets were entirely absorbed, an effect of age rarely produced under eighty years I should imagine. And as to the marks of injury visible on some, they will be attributed I think by the impartial observer rather to the spade and foot of the sexton than the battle axe and stout arm of the ancient Briton. The second supposition, that they were brought from Naseby, requires very little notice : Taking the highest authenticated number of the slain in that engagement, it certainly did not exceed one thousand ; all of whom were interred in pits, upon the field of buttle, the following day* Ht'NDRED OF RCTl-lWELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 41 That most of these bodies were lying in the earth for a number of years> is proved, 1 think, by these several circumstances : First a careful examination of the interior of many of the Skulls shows that roots have vegetated within them, the dry fibres of which I have often observed ; — next, the teeth are nearly all absent, and it is notoriously one of the fir^t effects of inhumation upon the osseons system, by which the teeth are loosened ; and lastly we have two sources from which bodies may have been exhumed, and reinterred beneath the mother church ; and those are the Chapel of the Virgin, and that moiety of the original grave yard which has evidently at some long distant time been taken from the church. If the conjecture be correct, that the vault in which, they are contained is a part of the Crypt, in which, by the Romanists the funeral service was commonly proformed, it is probable that about the period of the Reformation when it wa>s no longer required for this purpose, and when the population of Kowell must have materially decreased the Com- missioners may have sequestered to secular purposes a portion of the churchyard, and directed the disturbed remains to be deposited in the disused Crypt, and the latter finally closed up % Such is the excellent order in which the bones are kept, and the cleanly condition of the vault, that although neoessarily a solemn, it is by no means a revolting spectacle; one feature only excepted — and that is the unaccountable tendency of the English for inscribing their names, which has led many of the visitors to scrawl their designations, and addresses, not only upon the H Human bones Lave been dn£ up in front of Jesus Hospital S, E. Qi the churchyard, L H county of Northampton. walls, and roof, but even upor. the mouldering remains they contain. The silent agent by which the demolition of this interesting relic of antiquity is rapidly being effected, is the Atmosphere: On a damp day the air of the cavern is noxious, heavy, and oppressive ; whilst the rapid removal of Hydrogen from that source, is evidenced by the large drops of moisture visible around ; and on th« other hand the equally extensive appropriation of Oxygen, is shewn by the size of the many crystals of Phosphoric acid, with which the bones are encrusted. In highly electric states of the weather, the candles of the guide burn with a peculiarly lurid flame, and if one have nerve enough at such seasons to descend without their as- sistance, the pale glimmering of phosphorescent light, may occasionally be seen hovering about the farther extremity of the vault ; a natural, but to most persons, a somewhat startling phenomenon. At the eastern extremity of the cavern, is a rude sketch, apparently intended to represent the Resurrection. In that portion of the western entrance im- mediately beneath the tower is a mortuary memorial, and the fragment of another ; both of which are here given : — My flesh and my heart faileth, but God is y e strength of my heart ; and my portion for ever. fn memory of Mary Groom who departed this life y G 26 of Septemb 1750, in y e 57th year of her age, . ! '■ 0k* MM r *w Ancient Futures A,n tkt J^ttfry - Jtcwell Ckurr/, . U *,:/. ■ i : -»t»y-JHi ; '>is>- '■->*& ANCIENT FIGURES IN THE BELFRY 3*0 WEL Cfi. HUN HUNDRED OF BOTHWELL, OTHERWISE HOWELL. 43 Here is also the fragment of the lid once belonging to a stone Coffin, three of which, have, at different times, been discovered. — The Visitor to Roweli church is particularly requested to take the trouble of ascending to the bellfry; where he will obtain a close view of the beautiful roof, whose groinings are enriched by the representation, among other subjects, of Ladie's head dresses in the refgns of Henry 3rd, and Edwd 1st. The tower contains six bells, with the following inscriptions :«-— & 1st. " Henry Bagley me fecit, 1682 Cantate Domino canticum novum. Edward Hill Esq. 1683." Around the top are stamped representations ol the head, and legend of Charles 2nd. 2nd. " Henry Bagley made mee 1682." and similarly stamped 3rd. " William Lightfoot, Vicker, Robert Jonathan Smith. 1682." * 4ih. " 1682. William Stephens, and Lan Driver Churchwardens, Matthew Bagley made mee " * 5th. * ' " T. Eayre, Kettering I. H. S. Nazarene, Rex Judroorum, Fili Dei miserere mei, 1726 Gloria Patri, Filioet Spiritui Sancto." 6th. Nathanael Hill, Armigcjr, Dom Manery, Edward Chapman, Vicarius. W, Palmer, W. Shortlaod, R. Tongue, L. Drver. Churchwardens. anno Dom-i, 1725. i mong the bells, f^re still to be seen the hammers* 44 county of Northampton. ani wires, by which the Chimes were played ; and which have been discontinued but recently. EXTERNAL ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES. The western doorway is contained in a recess, surmounted by an arch, consisting of numerous Round, and three Chevron mouldings; of which last, two are horizontal, and one, the central, projecting, — supported by five slender pilasters on either side. Immediately above this archway, a r e three semicircular arches of construction, inserted for the purpose of strenghening the massive tower, for the support of the lofty spire by which it was once terminated : — and it is not unworthy of rem irk that of three arches which are also distinguishable on the South side, one is of that primitive construction, adopted in the Anglo Saxon era. — Above these are two lofty windows divided by a stone transom into two compartments/ At the eastern extremity of the South Chauntry is a window which was most probably placed there on the demolition of the transept, of the Perpendicular style, divided by a billeted transom, and the mullions continued vertically. The great window of the Chancel is in tolerable preservation, and presents a fine example of the Decorated style : — On the left side of this window, looking toward the churchyard, is a large statuary bracket ; which from its proportions, would appear to have supported at an earlier period, an effigy of considerable magnitude- The beauliful buttresses b)* which this portion o f the church is terminated, and the pinnacles they support, are well worthy of examination. The most remarkaole feature of the whole building, is probably, the winding stair HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL, OfHfellWlSfc ROWELt. 45 turret by which the campanile was formerly reached; — It is situated on the north side b* the tower, but the ascent having become dangerous from decay, it has been partially dismantled and closed up. On the whole, every appearance about the structure tends to confirm the conjecture, by which the middle of the twelfth century is indicated as the date of its commencement, and the earlier years of the thirteenth,* as that of its completion; The churchyard, contains but few objedts claiming particular notice : one of the chief, is a worn and rhutilated recumbent slab, on which two semi figures are carved. There are also two or three altar tombs of the early part of theseyenteeth century, whose elaborate sculpture forbids the supposition, that they were originally placed in a situation so slightly protected from the injurious ^effects ofweaiher, and casualty.-— Near the end of the chancel* is a stone with the following in- scription. fterieath lie the remains of John Cogafi, Apothecary : Author of an Essay on the Epistle to the Itomans, and other anonymous pieces.- all which he published, more under a sense of their truth and importance, than in prospect of gain or success. After a life of labour and * The female headdresses upon the groining of the bellfry roof, were in vogue from 1216, to 1272,— 46 COt NT V OF NORTHAMPTON. trial, he died, trus'ing alorie in Chrht For eternal life, April 23, 1784* Ao-ed 86. In closing this imperfect account of Rowell Churchy the writer records with great satisfaction, the commencement of the restoration of the Chancel roof, by order of- Turville Esq., of Bosworth Hall, Leicestershire, Chapel of ease to Rdwell Churchy at Orion. Uctfher more than a mile distant from Rowell, irl a southwesterly direction, is the hamlet of Otton ; of which the following concise description is given by Bridges." Of this name is an hamlet pertaining to the manor bf Rothwell, and having been always held by the same possessors. Here is a chapel bf ease where the Vicaf bf Rothwell performs Divine Service once a month." And as corro- borating this statement, he refers to a register of John of Buckingham, Bishop of Lincoln. At the present date, the hamlet contains 23 houses; and 110 inhabitants; and although as we have seen it is united to Rowell for ecclesiastical pur- poses, it enjoys within itself all other parochial privileges, Orton is pleasantly situated on an elevated locality, and contains several respectable houses; the cottages also are of a superior character to those generally met with in this county. Assessed Property, £ 1,584. Poor rates in 1838, i?l 04. 15. 0. The church, which both externally and internally, presents, an appearance most creditable to the inhabitants, is an edifice in the Early English style ; having a low square embattled tower, containing one bell, a nave with clerestory, HUNDRED OF ROTIlWJELL OTHERWISE ROWELL. 47 South aisle, and a diminutive chancel. The length of the nave is 36 feet, and on its south side, separated from it by three pointed arches, resting on octagonal pillars, is a small aisle. A massive Saxon arch divides the nave from the chancel. The ancient font is of a quadrilateral shape, having at the angles grotesque heads, rudely executed ; one that of a bear, muzzled, the second that of a man, the third of a tiger, and the fourth, of a ram : It is supported by an appropriate pedestal of modern construction. There is nothing very remarkable in the windows. On the north side are two plain pointed lights, divided by a simple mullion bicfurcating towards the head. Cor- responding windows are found in the South aisle, with the addition of a small lancet light, at its Eastern extremity. Two small clerestory windows in the decorated style are inserted in the South wall ; and the chancel is lighted by a plain round headed window. Not the slightest trace of any heraldic bearing is to be found within the church. The following are the only epitaphs it contains. In memory of Richard Vialls, Died May 21st, 1774; in the 86th, year of his age. Here lieth the body of Thos Dainty, he died February the 2, 1737, aged 73 years. also (he body of Frances Damty his Wife, she died May the 1 6th, 1754; aged 89 years* 48 COCNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. B .i , 1 , To th e memory of Elizabeth j. wife of James Dainty who died Feb ye 8th, 1766 aged 48 years. Also William their son, died May ve 8 */61, in ye 2nd year of his aV. Also James Dam., Sen, who died Oct the 8, J782; aged 74 years. In memory of James Dainty, who departed this life the 29th day of November, 1828, m the 74th year of his a In memory of John Dainty, who departed this life the 28th day of September, 1829, in the 73rd year of his age. In memory of William Bryan, who departed this life, June the llth 1761, in the 80th year of his age. In memory of Elizabeth, the wife of William Bryan, wli* died Nov ye 19, 1762 in ye 78th year of her age. HUNDRED OF ROTIIWELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 49 On an extremely neat mural taWet against the South wall is the following inscription. Sacred to the memory of David Oswin, who departed this life April 29th, 1838, Aged eighty two years. "Shall not the Judge of all the world do ri^ht" The Churchyard at the present time contains no mortuaiy Memorial whatever. The Church was thoroughly repaired in 1842 ; and the burial ground which was not previously consecrated, having been properly set apart for interments the inhabitants have now their own Registers, which take date from the year 1846. There is m one Sunday school in the hamlet. The principal, if not the sole landed proprietor of this hamlet, is H. H. H. Hungerford Esq., of Dingley Park. The following is the list of persons entitled to vote at the Election of Knights of the Shire. H. Hungerford Esq. William Cook. William Oswin. John Wiggins. Robert Wiggins. Vica»ial roll of Rothwell cum Orton. According to the register of Hugo Wells, Bishop of Lincoln, the Vicarage was ordained in the year 1220; and the patronage vested in the Abbot of Cirencester,— who instituted. William de Rowel I, 4 Non. Aug. 1220. Nicholas son of Stephen, 1222 E2. 50 COUNTY OF NOfcTHAMfTON. William of William Thorpe, 1270. John of St. Albans, 1309. Robert of Bury. At this period, the patronage, from some cause unexplained, reverted to the Crown ; which appointed Thomas Nunch, 1352. Dom Richard Graunt alias Everdon, Waller Wotton, 14l9. Nicholas Counce. William Inett, 1454. Dom, Stephen Brasyer, 1455. ■ i ■ John Venor, 1464. ■ Henry Draper, 1468. — Roger Cooper, 1512. John Nayler, 1537. At the latter end of the reign of Henry the 8th, the patronage was held by Thomas Hilton, of London : b.y whom the two following presentations * were made. Dom, Jacob Robert, 1539. Adam Slater, 1661. Again reverting to the Crown. Queen Elizabeth appointed Francis Parson, 1566. Her successor James 1st. instituted Samuel Wilblood, 1614, and the advowson then became possessed by the Lords Stanhope, of Harrington ; by whom several of the subsequent presentations were made. At this time, the light f presentation is alternately exercised by three parties. r Robert Booth, 1619. John Hill, 1638. John Humphery, 166.3. William Lightfoote, 1686. john York, 16»3. HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL, OTHERWISE HOWELL. 51 John Ensor, 1694. Richard Brook; 1698. Joseph Cateil, 170O. Edward Chapman, M.A. 1720. Thomas Burnett, M.A. 1740. Edward Waller, 1776. Samuel Cricke, 1780* William Brotherhood B. A. 1828. Allali Macpherson B. D. 1835. the present learned, and beneficent Vicar, Jt only remains to observe, that this Church is the head of the Deanery of Rothwell,— THE AUGUSTINE NUNNERY. The residence termed the Nunnery at the present time, occupies with its outbuildings> the site of the Conventual edifice ; and was erected in the year 1631. It has been most carefully examined but with the exception of a little ancient carving on one of the doors, no relic of the preceding building is visible. Very little of the establish- ment itself is known ; and for even this little we are indebted to the indefatigable Antiquarj, Mr. Bridges, whose account is subjoined. u In Rothwell was a small priory of nuns of the Ahgustin order, to the honor of S. John Baptist. The founder is no where mentioned, but probably was one of the Clare family, whose ancestors in the manor were patrons of it. In the ninth year of Ric. 2nd, the rectory of Desborotigh was ap- propriated to this convent. At the survey in 1535, 26, Hen 8th, the site of the Priory with its yards, gardens, orchards and houses stand- ing within the precincts of it, were not rated , and the profits arising from Desborough rectory E3 52 COUNTY ©F KOR'EHAkPTO&. were collected at £10. 10s. 4d. out of which being deducted, the Bishop of Lincoln 6s. 8d. to the Archdeacon of Northampton for synodals and procurations for the rectory, 10s 7d. in a pension to the Vicar 20s. and to a stipendiary chaplain daily officiating in the priory 53s. 4d. the clear yearly - revenue amounted only to £5. l$s. 8d. Of the Prioresses who governed it, we tind the following names recorded. The first is Agnes, upon whose decease in 1305. Ajlice de Cravenho, with the consent of Ralph de Monthermer Earl of Gloucester, and Hertford, the patron, was elected to succeed her. This Lady resigning her office in 1312, Amicia de Navesby was appointed in her place. How long she continued iu it doth not appear ; but on a vacancy in 1349, Catherine de Isham, was chosen to fill it. Her successor appears to have been, * Catherine del Grene, who dying in 1381, the convent having obtained licence of election from the Earl of Stafford, nominated, Milicent de Kybworth, in her room. She seemeth to have enjoyed it but a very little time, being succeeded, though we do not find in what year, by Alice Brymyngton ; who making a vacancy by death in 1395, the eight nuns who composed the convent agreed in the appointment of Alice Langton. How long she presided, or who was her immediate successor is not apparent ; but in 1476, Margaret— who was then prioress, with the rest of the convent, prasented to the church of Desborough. She died in a few years after, the Bishop of Lincoln in 1479, confirming the election HUNDRED OF ROTHWE1L, OTHERWISE ROWE^L, 53 of Joan Clmce to this office. From henceforward we meet with no ether names till 1535, when at the time of the survey of its revenues Margaret Loftus was prioress of this house. As it was suppressed shortly afterwards, this Lady, we apprehend, was the last who governed it. In 37th, of Hen. 8th, this Priory with the demesnes and all other lands belonging to it were granted to Henry Lee.** THE CHAPEL OF THE VIRGIN MARY. la the ordination of the vicarage of Rowell, St. Mary's Chapel in Rothwell, and the Chapel of Orton were decreed to belong to it : Moreover by an agreement bearing date 30th Oct, 1490, the Abbot and Monastic brethren of Cirencester obliged themselves to pay 20s yearly to a chaplain who should perform divine service in the said Chapel, which is now a dwelling house ; and according to a decree of Queen Elizabeth, the residence of the Master of the Grammar School. The Congregational, or Independent Chapel, Two centuries have elapsed since the strife of Puritan and Cavalier found angry vent upon the field of battle, and ihough for the sake of peace and unity it is desirable as little allusion as possible should be made to that disastrous season, it is altogether impossible for an impartial writer to discharge his task with fidelity, unless he be per- mitted to avail himself of such recorded facts as have become the inheritance alike of history, and posterity. Moreover, it is as little feasible to study unbiassed details of that sanguinary period, and yet fail to find much that is estimable in the self denying and sdfsacrificing principles of the 54 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON, Puritan leaders : whilst upon the other hand, it is equally certain that, the feeling which was at first one of religious enthusiasm only, was ultimately suffered to degenerate into one of dire revenge, whose reckless indulgence has stained indelibly the page of British history, with a Sovereign's blood. Time, which generally place human events in aspects differing from those in which they originally appeared, has not failed to exert its customary influence on a question, which, may now at least, be discussed with temperance. It has shewn us by the recent discovery of important, and unquestionable documents, that the first Charles, was by no means, the patriotic, frank, and honourable prince, bis warm adherents ever believed him ; and it is a great question whether the descendants of his loyal subjects, whose blood flowed in such profusion during that civil contest, would defend the integrity of the Monarch, with zeal correspondent with that ' evinced by their ancestors. With the season of those unhappy differences, their causes have also in a great measure departed ; and never perhaps* since the glorious Reformation, was there a period more calculated to enhance in the opinion of all thinking men, the value of those dying words of Lord William Russell ; uttered at the moment previous to surrendering his life upon an arena, the rancour of his enemies vainly strove to render one of ignominy \ if I wish all sincere Protestants may love one another, and not make way for Popery by their animosities'' 9 A very few years after the execution of Charles the first, the congregational covenant was entered into by the Protestant Dissenters resident in Howell, and its neighbourhood :— It was dated anno Domini 1656, .. • IN^ ■ j M^:>ely adjoining, the minister's house, and stabling for the accommodation of members of the congregation, residing at a dis- tance. On the left of the principal entrance is the - graveyard, containing, at piesent, but few me- morials with the exception of the following: Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Horam, who died 27th March, 1840. Aged 72. N.B. This was the first corpse interred in this burial ground. In connection with this religious body is the British School, an establishment well conducted, and numerously attended ; an auxiliary Bible Society ; and an association for the circulation of tracts of a religious character. WESLEYAN METHODISTS. The members constituting this small congrega- tion, appear to have first associated for the pur- 66 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. pose of religious worship, in the year 1825. In 1833, a neat Chapel was erected by them, in the Lady-well lane; to which a small burying ground is attached, although up to the present date no interment has taken place therein :. The number cf the Congregation is about 150, and the number of Children attending the Sabbath School ex- ceeds 50* THE M4NOR OF ROWELL. In referring so copiously as will be necessary in the course of this work, to that valuable Survey, known as Domesday Book; it may not be altogether superfluous to remind the reader, briefly, of the state of the country, and its mixed population of victors, and vanquished, at the period of its compilation. The invincible Norman with wise policy, made little or no sudden alteration in the internal division, or government, of his newly ; acquired territory. Florence of VVorcester, thus enumerates the motives which induced William the first,aboutthe year 1030, to appoint a commission, consisting of Henry de Ferrieres, Walter Gitfard, Adam, brother of Eudes the Seneschal, Remi Bishop of Lincoln, with several officers of the Exchequer ; who were directed to visit personally and carefully report the condition of the subdued country; — and ihe mutations of property conse- quent upon the conquest. u He wished to know into what hands, through the whole extent of the country, the manors of the Saxons hid passed ; how many Saxons still kept their inheritances, by virtue of private treaties concluded with himself, or with his barons; how many acres of land there were in each rural domain ; what number of acres sufficed for the HUNDRED OF HOTHWELL, OTHERWISE ROWDLL. 67 maintenance of a man at arms, and how many men at arms there were in each county, or shire of England, &c , &e." This Inquisition of Territory, which extended over six years, resulted in the production of that accurate record Domesday book. As it is my purpose to give such extracts from this compilation, and any documents ofa similar characier, which may refer to the various parishes now compiised within the hundred of Rowell, a short glossary of some of the terms peculiar to the Anglo Saxon era, may materially assist their perusal, and will be given in an appendix. DOMESDAY BOOK Rex tenet Rodewelle, et Overtone in Rodewelle Hund. lbi sunt viii Hidoe et iipart. Terra est XL Carvcat, in dnio sunt iv Carvcat et dimid. lbi molinnm de ix solid, et iv den; et viii acroe prati Hnic Manerio pertinent ha?c Membra Lodintone Clen^one Draetone Arningvorde Dereimrg Kt-ihuerse Ox end one Clipestone Cranesleg Burtone Terra est xix Carvcat inter totum. lbi sunt XL vii Sochamanui habeiites xviii TRANSLATION. The King holds Rowell an d Orton in Rowell Hundred There are 8 hides and 2 parts. The land is 40 Carvucates, of which, 4% are in demesne. There is a Mill value 9 shillings & 4 pence ; and 8 acres ol meadow land To this Manor belong these Members. Loddington O I endon Dranghton A r tiling worth Desborough K el marsh Ox end on Clipston Crausley broughton The land on the whole is nineteen Carvcates— 1 here are 47 Socmen, having 1» 68 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. Camcatas, Hoc Manerium Rodewelle cum appendicibus tempore Regis Edvardi, valuit xxx libras, modo L libras. Carvcates. This Manor of Howell with its appendages in the time of Kins Edward (Confessor,) was worth £30 now 50 pounds. Sufch. nearly eight centuries since was the extent of the Manor of Rowel!, then held by the King in person. So far as with any degree of accuracy they could be indicated, we have already traced its various transmissions from the eleventh, to the seventeenth century, when we find it purchased from the Crown by Edward Hill Esqe. as cuisorily mentioned at page 5. This gentleman was des- cended from an ancient family, which settled here in the reign of James 1st, having originally been located in Somersetshire, as appears from the annexed. PEDIGREE. Sir John Hill of Houndsden Somerset, ob 1341 Martin Hill, 12th in descent from Sir John- Roger Hill temp. Hen. 6- — a daughter of Lord Willoughby, Francis Hill John Hill Edward Hill who in the reign of James -Susan, d of E. Lamb Esq. Essex. HUNDRED OP ROTHWELL OTHERWISE ROWELL 69 1st purchased the manor of Kowell, including those known as Saunders and Buckingham, with all royalties, free warren, (i e. right of killing and taking game upon all lands within the Hun- fired manorial court, and in sho l every fendal pri- vilege ordinarily annexed to a royal manor, as well as all Emoluments and privileges connected with the Lordship of the Hundred. Edward Hill, born at High- am Ferrers 1635. died at Kowell, Aug. 1, 1705. — Nathaniel Hill _ Gtorge Hill King's Ancient beigt. at law.— —Susan d. of John Maunsell, Espr. Th orpe Maisor. —Susan d. of Stephen Loddington, Esq. — Ann Barbara Med- lycott, heiress of Cottingham: w -And had issu~>, 1st Anne, married Thos. Cecil Maunsell of Thorpe MaUor, E Sqe . who died before he SIp! K' V 11 !' 3111 Cockajne, of Rushton Hall From the devisees in Trust of this lady, ( t0 whose ry (intended to complete the Edifice) was r the residence of the keeper of the building, le staircase has been converted into a gaol, or ;k-up, for the temporary custody of offenders. In 1 27, a fund was raised for the purpose of repairing ^ foundations, and the surplus was applied to the graving of a fine view of the building, and an ;ompanying pUte, containing an outline of the raldic sculptures, both of which are to be seen 78 CpUNTY OF NOBTHAMPTON, in Mr. Bakers magnificent History of this County, it is againevincmg strong symptous of dilapidation and unless some conservative fee'ing is shewn by the fashes particulary interested in its silent rec >rd of the gentle blood of their ancestors, it is not improbable that the present generation may wit- ness its decay beyond all power of reparation. JESUS' HOSPITAL. This Excellent Charity was founded in the reign of Queen Elizabeth by Owen Ragsdale, of whom the following brief account was written by his Executor, and one of the first Trustees of his Hospital. the; life of. Owen Ragsdal Gentn. Founder of Jesus Hospital in Rowel I, written in Latin by Ferdjnanctq Pulton, Gent; His Executor, and translated into English by the Reverend Mr. J. Cattell, Vicar. Owen Ragsdal, son of Henry Ragsdal, of Knyton,in the County of Nottingham. Gent, and Elizabeth his wile. When he was but a youth, and being of a good genius, arid with respect to his age, very well in- structed in the rudiments of good literature, was chosen scholar of Magdalen College, in Oxford, b) the assistance of his uncle, Owen Ogglethorpe, whc then was President of the said College, but after- ward made Bishop of Carlisle. There for som< time he plied his studies to very good purpose even till he went out Bachelor of Arts As soon a the University, for the sake of his ingenuity, ha< HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL, OTHERWISE ROWELL. 79 adorned him with that degree, the Bishop then dying, the inhabitants of Kovvell desired him to*-- come to them ; there wilh great pain» and happy- success, he instructed the youth in learning, and good Manners; and after he had spent some years in teaching school, which he performed with great applause, for the improvement of his own learning he returned again to Oxford; and in Lincoln College betook himself to the study of the Civil Law. While he was there a good estate fell to him by inheritance, in Yorkshire, by the death of his uncle, Andrew Og&lethorpe, who died without issue. A second time he is called from his academical studies, to take possession of the same. Not long after he returned to Rowell, and married JYIary, widow of Richard Hamden, Esq , daughter of Edward Osbom, of Kelmarsh, Esq., a virtuous and frugal wpman ; and with a wife, God gave him plenty of all things. He sold his estate in Yorkshire, and purchased in Nonhamptonshire. From that time he was counted by those among whom he lived, a man of great authority and esteem, so that he was almost constantly employ- ed in managing, and making up matters of weight and moment; all which he undertook so prudently and managed so justly, and faithfully, that he pro- cured himself the love and commendation of all ranks, and sorts of men. In the abundance of wealth which God gave, he retained a humble, and grateful mind toward God; hiving this ex- pression often in his writings and discourse. c< He that is mjghty, hath done great things forme." ~ It was his custom to be hospitable according 80 COUNTT OF NORTHAMPTON. benefit others i„ j. Common wealtl , y of m '^ sons. He restore th* m.^i^ *_ t^ fe ,. P.* He restored the Market to Rowell, which bad aded and was let, and built a marke no USe e dowe7 n th e e XP G enCe ' "* J?™*' adoined > -d endowed the Grammar School ; gave a sum of inoney towards the repair of th'e'pansh Zcl Be, having no ch.ldren of his own, by his last wi adopted poor for h 1SSO rs and heirs ; and orde ed Zl°:C l 1° ^ bUlU f ° r them ' ™« lh.t P-ri of h s wealth which remained, he gave to his wife, his kindred and fnends, and divers pious uses. He o d /H D a: C e ;» the lst ' A ' D - »»»■ » ?* •* ^ar »nH;^ G f ntl ^ en by the wiU of °™n Ragsdale appontedas Trustees, were, An. 38Eliz. incSpor, Gove I ^7 Fa T' Under thb denomination of Governors of Jesus Hospital, Rowel, and a few years afterward proceeded ,o enact a Code of Regulations for the dicipline and management of the Charity, of which a brief abstract is annexed hereto. Preamble ^ Statutes, Rules, and Orders, con- cerning the Nomination, Election, Governmcnt.Mainienance.Diiecticn, Punishment, Expulsion, and Re- moving of the particular bodies, part of the Corporation of or resident in, or resorting unto Jesus Hospital, in Rowel, in the County of North- ampton made and agreed upon by Ihomas Tresham, George HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL OTHERWISE ROWELL 81 1st. 2nd. \l. 3rd. Expulsion of Principal. 4th. Gascoign, Ferdinando Pulton, and Oliver Farrer Esquires: being the now survivors of those that in the Letters patent of our late sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth bearing date the 29;h day of June in the 38th year of her reign, be named and ap- pointed to be the first Governors of the goods, possessions, and revenues of the said Hospital, and thereby also authorized to make and ordain Statutes, Rules, and Orders for the same, A Principal to be elected by the Governors or a majority of them. Relates to the eligibility of the Principal ; must be 40 years of age at least ; of good name and credit aforetime ; and never indicted for any treasonable or felonious crime, nor vehemently suspected of the same; of good health, and unmarried. For any offence previously enu- merated, marrying, embezzling Hospital Funds. No person to be eligible as Prin- cipal having a Freehold or Copyhold Estate of greater annual value than £4. or having an anunity Exceeding 20 Nobles per annum, or having personal property exceeding one hundred Markes in value unless such party previous to his election shall 82 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. 5th. Duties of the Principal. surrender to the governors one third of such his Estate. These, which formerly extended to the collection of rents, and their disbursement to the purposes of the charity ; as to the personal super- vision of the Inmates of the Hospital are now much curtailed. An agent having been appointed at a fixed salary on the 2nd. Feb. 1841. for management of the Estates. The duties now required from the Princi- pal are as follow. To keep a Register of the Governors Assistants, Principal andlnmates of the Hospital, withthe dates of their appointment, admis- sion and decease. To give notice in a form duly prescribed of any vacancy by death, or expulsion. - To see that the statutes enacted by 1 he governors be duly enforced, or give notice of their infringement. To keep the Hospital in good re- pair, apartments therein clean and wholesome. To keep the keys of the Gates, and cause them to be shut every night at nine of the ' Clock, and opened at four o'clock in the morning, if it be day otherwise not until day-light; without reasonable and special cause. To be himself continually resident at the Hospital, not being absent more than one day in a HUNDHED OF ROTHWELL OTHERWISE ROWELL 83 6th. Principals Deputy. 7th. Death of the Principal 8 th. Government During the interval be- tween the death of one and the elec- tion of an- other Prin- cipal. 9th, Election oi Inmates month without special licence of of the Governors. During the unavoidable absence of the Principal, his deputy to be appointed by the Governor irom among the poor inmates. On the death, resignation, or expulsion of the Principal, the old- est inmate of the Hospital (by elec- tion) to look up and seize with all convenient speed all monies, goods, and papers in the custody of the deceased, and inform the governors of the death of the said Principal. During the time which shall elapse from ihe death of one Prin- cipal and the entering upon residence of his successior, the duties to be performed by the senior, elected Inmate. 10th. Eligibility of Inmates. Governors to nominate in rotation within thirty days of receiving notice of vacancy. Must have lived in good repute afore-time; free from dangerous and infectious disease; unmarried. Not less than forty years of a^e; not blind; nor so lame as to be unable to 84 (20UNTY OF SOUTHAMPTON. walk to church. Nor an Idiot, Lunatic, or one bestraught of his wits; must have continually resided in one of these three hundreds viz. Rothwell, Orlingbury, or Corby, for the space of three years at least be- fore his admission, excepting only kinsmen of the Founder, who shall ever be eligible for admission, wheresoever their residence. Stipend of Originally five pounds per an. the Principal with residence, &c ; but now rais- ed to £35 per an. with commodious house, garden, &c. Of the poor Six shillings per week, with lodg- Inmates. ings coals, garden, &c. I4th. The Principal, Poor, and Sick Attendance Men, shall every Sunday, Holiday, at Church. ( and Festival day throughout the year, assemble themselves in the said Hospital, and then go to ihe Church together ; the Principal going before and the poor and sick men following after, two, and two, in orderly, and decent manner; all attired in their best apparel, and as near as may be in one uniform fashion; of gowns; or cloak, and caps. And in like manner there sit as near together as they may, quietly and devoutly all the Service time : And at the end of Service shall return from the church together in order as aforesaid. HUNDRED OF ROTHWELL OTHERWISE ROWELL Sb 15th. Care of the Founder's tomb. 16th. Employment ofthe inmates 17th Residence of Inmates. Tlie Principal ofthe said H, spital and every of the said poor and sick men, shall have special care and re- gard, ihatthe tomb in Rowed church of Owen Ragsdale, Esquire deceas- ed, Founder of the said Hospital, and the epitaphs, superscriptions, wall-, pavements, and other things thereunto annexed, be kept whole, safe, bright, and clean: and if any thing therein shall hereafter be de- cayed, impaired, defaced, or blem- ished, the Principal shall cause the same presently to be repaired, at the charge of th* said Hospital, &q. Every poor and sick man remain- ing within the said Hospital shall according to his age, health, and strength, on the working days, do some labour or work for and towards the increase of his living, and bv no means shall give himself to idleness, drunkenness, vagrant life, or be T - g in g- No poor man admitted into this Hospital, to lie forth there of any night without license ofthe Govern- ors, nor with such leave more than four days in one month, or twenty days in one year. Neither is any stranger not being ofthe Corporation to be suffered to lodge in the said house above one night in a quarter of a year. H3, 86 18th. Injuring the Hospiial or Appurten- ances there- unto. 19th. Beading of the Statutes COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. Ordains that such damage or in- jury shall be repaired as speedily! as may be convenient, at the q$* pence of the party causing it. The Statutes to be for ever here- after read openly and distinctly, twice annually in the chamber of the Principal and in the presence of the poor men, on the feast day of St. Michael the Archangel, and on the feast day of the Annunciation of ihe blessed Virgin Mary at two o'clock, P.M. 20th. On admission of each inmate,; Disposal of he is to resign all his goods to the Gupdsofthe use °f the Hospital, after his Inmates. decease; receiving therein ajlife in? terest only. In 16185 the interests of this Charity were prin? cipally committed to The Right Hon. Visct. Culler* Sir Roger Norwich and Sir Lewis Palmer, Barts, In 1703 provision was made for an uniformity in the dress of the inmates by Sir Justinian Isham, Sir Erasmus Norwich, and Sir Lewis Palmer', Bart§. HUXDRKD OF ROTHWEI,!,, OTHERWISE ROWELL, 87 In 1765. the vice of drunkenness appears to have required particular controul, as we find a decree to the following- import — " Every man belonging to this Society, getting drunk, shall be fined 2s. 6d. fur each offence ; and 3s. more if he be led home ; sixpence to be paid out of it to those who conduct him. Zedud' &OodAi/a/j czoc'//i Esq*" es »- At the present daU (]849j the Governing Corporation is constituted as follows. Governors (1849.) SirJ Palmer, Bart. Carlton* T. P. Maunseil, Esq. M.P 1 horpe Malsor, Allen Young:, JE«q. Oilinsbury, Sir A De Cupel Broke, Bart. Great Oakley Ge.rTrey Palmer Esq Carlton. trith a body of assistants, frOrri whom, in the event of the death or resignation of a Governor, his place is supplied. Assistants (1849.) W. S Rose, Esq. Cransley, W. T. Maunseil, Esq. Thorpe MMsor Allen Young, Jun. Esq. Orlingbury, W. De Capel Broke, Esq. Harboroushj The Revd. G. E. Maunseil, Thorpe Rectory THE FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. The foundation of this Institution may very fairly be considered among the earliest fruits of the Reformation. The monastic and conventual establishments having been suppressed in the reign of Henry 8th, a portion of their revenues were next appropriated to the endowment ot Churches, and Scauois ; and there is little doubt that the small [L.oFC. HUNDKEDOF ROTHWELL OTHERWISE HOWELL 89 c l,apel of St. Mary, which the reduced population ol the town no longer required, was converted to a secular use, and became the Grammar School. Of this indeed we have positive evidence, as it was certified that in the 2nd year of Etiwil, 6th. " the chapel was thus employed; and that in ad- dition to its original endowment there was given by divers unknown persons in land and tenements £4. 2s. 9d ; out of which was deducted 13s -8d.» and to the poor 4s 2d. In 1684 (24 Chas. 2nd.) the Commissioners for the inspection of Charities investigated the con- dition of the Rowel I Grammar School, revised the list of Trustees, filled up such vacancies as had occurred by death or otherwise, and placed the Charity on an efficient footii g. The interval which has since elapsed has however been sufficient to reduce it to more than even its pristine ifcondition of inutility, and neglect. A miserahle show of education of the most elementary character is kept up; but for all really practical purposes the intent of the foundation is at present altogether lost sight of. A subscription has been raised, and measures taken for restoring the perverted funds to the accomplishment of the original object ; but owning to the adoption of certain injudicious and offensive measures the attempt has been deprived of powerful aid which would otherwise no doubt have willingly been afforded towards effecting so laudable an object. The Charitv is at present we believe under ex- amination in the Court of Chancery ; the issue of which it is fervently to be hoped will result in the restoration of its advantages 10 the youth of they 90 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. town. On the scite of £t. Mary's Chapel stands a decayed house used as the residence of ihe master, and his place of instruction, but no truce of the original edifice now remains. Other Charities in Howell, are thus given in " Whellan's History of Northamptonshire/' A.D. Donor. object anl. value 1726 Mrs. Mary JVlaunsell, School .. 29 4 2 1590 Owen Ragsdale. . Jesus Hospl. 431 Hunt's Charity.. Poor 36 |0 1728 Mrs. Agnes Hill Six Widows 28 1727 Cooper (rent) . . Bread to poor 3 Revd. Jos. Bentham ditto f* 10 u Poor's Land ditto 8 1714 T. Ponder Six Widows 6 2 6 1730 Saml. Tebbutt(rent) 6 Bibles to poor Children 1 10 1653 R.Andrews Esq. (£i60) Poor Losi APPENDIX. Chancel — p. 12, et seq. Daring the passage of the preceding sheets through the press, the contemplated repairs of ths Chancel have been carried out with infinite judg- ment and unbounded liberality, such of the hatch- ments as would admit of reparation have been re- varnished, the tattered cloth renewed, the escutcheons themselves replaced upon the Chancel walls, which have been thoroughly cleansed from plaister, and altogether the contrast between the pure simplicity of ancient art, in the Chancel, and the incongruous mode of restoration adopted a few years since in the body of the church, is a strong proof of the rapidity with which correct principles, HFNDRED 0¥ ROT II WE'LL OTHERWISE ROWBL1. 91 of Church Architecture are gaining ground among us. The following inscriptions have been brought to lh>ht, during the restoration ol this portion of the sacred building : — i Here lyeth ye body of Elizabeth Lodington, relict of Stephen Lodington, of Lincoln, Gent, She was of ye eminently pious Family of Harriss, of Kirton, near Boston, in the County of Lincoln, God gave to her faiiu-r. ftobert Harriss, Gent, whose oily daughter and heir she was, a truly wise and understanding heart, to consider ye Poor, their various wants, and sufferings, Familys, and Persons, Widows, and Fatherless especially. Many he prevented from povertre, many he recovered out of it, some to a flourishing state. He freely lent, freely gave, as need required* Goods, Cattle, Monie, sometimes large sums, and even land to many, for lives : To y£ Church for ever. The lost and benighted Travailers he sought and sav'd when almost dying, yet feared not ye cold that brought his own death whilst directing 3C0 men stopping a seabreach to save his country from Invndation His funeral lext, chosen by the " The blessing of him that was read)' to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heait to sing for joy ■ 29 .- 13 92 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON. WILLIAM db ROTHWELLE p 3 14. The passage at page 3, in which an allusion to the death of this priest will be found, is liable to misconstruction : The date of his decease is not engiaven on the brass, but it is believed on the authority of the Vicarial roll to have occurred at the time specified, bince ihe brief notice of the brass and epitaph at page 14 was written, the singularly learned work of the Rev, O. H. Hartshorne, a Fellow of the Antiquarian Society,and Rector of Cogenhoe, in this county, on Sepulchral Monu* ment has been placed in my hands ; and it would be an act of injustice to its accomplished Author, to abbreviate his notice of the monumental record under discussion. It will be seen there is a very material difference between the documents cited by this Gentleman and others of probably equal authenticity. " The earliest (brass) in Northamptonshire, is that of Laurence Seymour, Rector of Higham Ferrers (1339). That to William de Rothwell, at Rothwell, who died Archdeacon of Essex in 1361, comes next. He was instituted incumbent of the Vicatage of Rothwell about the year 1320, and successively became Archdeacon of Essex and Prebendary of Croprych Ferring and Yalmeton, (Hallaughton f) and Confessor to the King, which indicates that he was a person of importance. The style of art is rude, and so far as execution and design are concerned, it is a work assignable to the ab^ve period. The Scripture underneath. Ftfcb&tt) OF fcOTI WEtr OTHERWISE ROWELL V3 as the inscription was called, is incised in two parallel columns. On the right side it is thus ) '■ Nunc Xre te peto. Misere queso qui venisti redime pMitum noli dapnare me tUu redeptu." On the left side : " t Pur l'aime William de Rothewelle qi cy est sepule jadis Erchidakn de E*sex, Provendier de Croprvch, Ferry ng:. and Yalmeton, anoine Pnetx au Rov de glorie. qe de lui elieyt pyte en honour de qi devoutement dites Pa er noster ei Ave." As William de Rothwelle was appointed Arch- deacon of Essefc by the Kin*: June 20 ? 1351, (Pat. 25. EI-II. p. 2) and John de Barnet his successor, Nov 30, 1361 (v, Le Neve, p. 190) the date of this Pothwell brass therefore must be assigned to the year 1361." iL Funeral Monuments in Northamptonshire b? the Rev C. H. Hartshorne, M.A. F.S.A. Cambridge. Parker, and West Strand, Lon- don, p. 58. THE AUGUSTINE NUNNERY. P. 51. and seq, In this month of October (1849) it became necessary to take down a considerable poition of the residence of Mr. J. M Cole known as " the Nunnery" ; and which, as is mentioned in a 1* preceding page, occupied the site of the conventual establishment, suppressed by Henry 8th. In the course of the excavations required for the found- ations of the new buildings, the position of the convent burying ground was satisfactorily indi- 94 COUNTY OF NORTHAMPTON cated by the discovery of numerous skeletons, lying at an ♦ qnal distance beneath the surface, not mure than three feet in depth (probably the soil had been at some time lowered, as the oxignal interments must have been at a greater depth) and in some in- stances two or more bodies o*~ 3 ><*i< c ^ moderate price. The only two we have at present received, are the " Poetical History c the Familv of Maunsell," and the " Witches of Northamptonshire," who were execute' in 1612. These two are as beautifully and&s carefully prepared as need be, and are don up in "crayon wrappers" in excellent^aste. If the rest of the series are as good a these examples are, collectors will have reason to be proud of them as an acquisitit to their libraries.— The Reliquary, Quarterly Archaeological Journal. I. The Witches of Northamptonshire, Who were all executed at Northampton the 22. of Iuly last. 1612 28pp. 2/ London, 1612 II. An Account of the Tryals, Examination and Condemnatioi of Elinor Shaw, and Mary Philips, (two notorious Witches) a Northampton Assizes, Wednesday, the 7th of March, 1705. 8pp. 1 III. A True and Faithful Account of the Births, Educations and Conversations of Elinor Shaw, and Mary Philips, (the tw( notorious Witches) that were Executed at Northampton, on Satur day, March the 17th, 1705. 8pp. 1/ London, 170; IV. A Brief History of Witchcraft. With Especial Reference to the Witches of Northamptonshire i Illustrations. 18pp. 1/ North impton, 186( V. Account of the Remarkable Case of the Duchess o: Bedford, who was charged with having by Witchcraft fixed th: love of the King on her Daughter Queen Elizabeth. 8pp. 1/6 [1470 VI. Relation of a Memorable Piece of Witchcraft At Welton, near Daventry. 8pp. 1/ VII. The Barby Apparition. Communicated by Sir Charles Isham, Bart, in a Letter to Henn Spicer, Esq. 16pp. 1/ VIII. The Gunpowder Treason. Trials of the Conspirators, with an Account of their Arraignmen and Execution. Also, History of the Gunpowder Plot. By Kinc James. 40pp. 1/ IX. The State of Northampton from the Beginning of the Fire Sept. 20th 1675 to November 5th. 12pp. 1/ London, 1675 X. Relations of Remarkable Fires in Northamptonshire, From the XI. to the XVIII. Centuries. Illustrations. 24pp. 1/ XI. Northamptonshire Topography : An Historical Account of what has been done for Illustrating the Topographical Antiquities of the County of Northampton By Richard Gough. 24pp. 1/ XII. Poetical History of the Family of Maunsell. With Preface and Notes by George Baker, Esq. 8pp. 1/ XIII. Index to Places in Baker's History of Northamptonsh 12pp. 1/ ^^V XIV. Architectural Description of the Triangular Lodge ai KusHTOtf. With Notes of the Parish Church and of the Tresham Family. By Rev. W. D. Sweeting, M.A. Plates Sf Plan. 14pp. 1 XV. A True Relation of Colonel Cromwels Proceedings against the Cavaliers. 8pp. 1/ A Relation of the Siege of Burghley House by Cromwell. V mshire NORTHAMPTON : TAYLOR & SON, 22 GOLD STRE LONDON: J. R. SMITH, 36 SOHO SQUARE. (W.) Library of Congress Branch Bindery, 1903