iS'A:'^'

One Shilling.

PFiriees

:„;!¦!

'%f

D^isboFOugh

and round it.

Illustrated.

^

._e5l.

Henry % Taunt, r.R,s.s,

V

¦4Wi'

Tt^c I^egatives o?

L 1

»Y2aiLE«'¥]MH¥IEIESIlir¥- From the
COLLECTION OF OXFORD BOOKS
made by
FALCONER MADAN
Bodley's Librarian

A^HKJ

)li TvA Sunee\i ot Ik dolswoldls. ^
OXFORD, its University 2c the Country round.
^ovns, JlHansions, Churches, & Scenes o| Country £i|e,
in the Counties of
Oxon. Berks. Bucks. Wilts. Glo'ster.
Worcester. Warwick. Leicester.
Northampton. Surrey, Kent. Hants.
Cornwall, &c. &c.

Oxford; Henry W. Taunt 2c Co

Princes Risborough Church and White Leaf Cross.

R Pretty Corner o? llea?g Backs.

finees MND ROWND IX.

including Monks Risborough, White Leaf Cross, the Kimbles,
Ellesborough, Hampden, Horsenden, Saunderton,
Bledlow, Chinnor, Lacey Green, Culverton, Loosley Row,
&c., &c.

JIIustratGd.

by
Henry W. Taunt, f.r.g.s.
"I
Photographer to the Oxford Architectural and Historical Society,.
and Author of the well-known Guides to the Thames,
&c., &c.

OXFORO.
fienry W. Jaunt & C©-
PRINCES RISBOROUGH,
S. ADCOCK, STATIONER, MARKET PLACE,

TAUNT & CO.,
ART PRINTERS, OXFORD,

The Index will be found on pcuje 73.

T935 2110

3>

vo e>.

The faest of thanks is rendered fay the Author to his many kind
friends, livho fay their information and assistance, have materially
contributed to the successful ccmpletion of this little work. ft is
intended to extend the book again and include the district to Wendover,
'Wycombe, Aylesbury, and possibly Thame, with many other illustraticns,-
and so render it a complete historical handbook to the whole ol this part
of the County of Bucks, and the Oxfordshire border adjcining. This will
be com.pleted in the spring of J9JJ.

White Leaf Cross. Risborough.

[\ pretty corner of L^afy ^^cks.

Where liills, and dales, and gloriou.s vv'oods,
Invite the weary, and the worn
To rest, or roam, and gather u])
jS^ew health, and strength, and energj-.
Thy story of the days of old,
AVith details of its hoary past
We'el tell, and thus to every guest,
Add pleasure to their welcome.
THE County of Buckinghamshire is sometimes thought to
represent the bust of an old Lady, with nut-cracker nose and
chin, in her neck being Princes Risborough, just beneath her
collar of hills, which forms one of the great charms of the old
Lady, It is one ol the south midland counties of England,
having Oxfordshire to the west, Northamptonshire to the north,
Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and Middlesex to the east, while
the bust stands on Berkshire to the south. The County is noted
for its Beech woods, which grow upon the hills and in the valleys
of the Chiltern range ; and these trees are utilized mostly for the

manufacture of chairs, the centre of the trade being at High
Wjrcombe, some eight miles south of Princes Risborough, and it
is a question whether from these Beeches the derivation of the
name of the County is taken. The scenery among these woods,
both on the hills and in the valleys, is very charming in every
way. The rides and walks along the tree shaded roads and
pretty paths are interesting and pleasant, and to visitors fond of
pure rural life, there are only a few counties in England that
will compare with the beautiful part of Buckinghamshire in
which Princes Risborough is situated.
The place itself, is one of the charming little Buckingham
shire towns which nestle in the shadow of the Chilterns, and it
is the centre of the district which is noted as much for its salu-
britv, or health giving qualities of its air, as it is for the interest
ing and charming countrv around it. The Chilterns Hills present
from the valley, the appearance of a high rampart running for
many miles along the horizon, here green with downy turf, there
clothed with their lovely beechwoods, which late in autumn are
rich In the extreme witli the gorgeous colours of the changing
foliage. The hills are often broken into deep recesses, some of
which (as at Velvet Lawn) are very beautifully edged with
hanging \voods, in which the Beech and Ash are prominent
beside the more lowly Juniper and Bo-x. The hills often attain
a height of 800 feet or more above the sea, and present all the
appearance of water - worn masses of chalk, of which they are
really composed.
The neighbourhood of Princes Risborough Is especially
rich In historical jjjterest, which dates back to early British times,
when perched upon the hills were the camps and strong-holds
and villages of the tribes, posted above and dominating the old
tracks or roads, known as the upper and lower Icknield way.
The former running along the heights, has been In the course of
centuries lost in places, yet here in passing Risborough a little to
the South the grass covered way is easily recognised, and
forms a place for a delightful ramble ; the latter skirting the
foot of the hills still runs from Norfolk the old Iceni kingdom,
through Cambridgeshire across Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire,
and is utilized in places as a main road which passes Risborough
to the north. This road then crosses Oxfordshire to the Thames,
which it fords near Streatley, and still continues under the Berk
shire hills, until it reaches the -w^est country and Cornwall,
forming one of the longest British tracks still existing in England.
Ainong the camps in the neighbourhood is Cymbeline's
mount, said to be the castle of the British King Cunobellne,
from ^vhom the villages of Kimble derive their name, nearer still
is the camp on Pulpit Hill, and further west, another on
Bledlow Down. But even before these objects of interests the
great cross at White Leaf hill, and the smaller one at Bledlow

Princes Risborough, White Leaf Cross from the Icknield way.

claim precedence, the gigantic proportions of the former make
it a striking object, even to the most casual observer. It is
splendidly visible from the railway for several miles, and no one
can fail to be interested in its grand appearance, while the
smaller Bledlow one, overgrown and hall hidden in the turf of
the hill to the west, may be even the older of the two. They
are both supposed to commemorate battles In Sa.xon times, or
perhaps the same battle, but history is entirely silent respecting
them, and tradition is the only guide, no record being known of
their origin. White Leaf is said to be derived from Wigllf, the
grandson of Woden, and father of Henglst and Horsa, or from
a King of Mercia of that name, while Bledelawe Is Saxon for
Bloody Hill.
Before the Roman Invasion of Britain, this part of the country
is believed to have been inhabited by a tribe or people called
CatyeuchlanI, whom Campden Identified as the CassII, the subjects
of Cassivelaunus. They were a powerful tribe and combined with
the Trinobantes actually checked the progress of Julius Csesar on
his first Invasion of Britain.
These Britons led a wild and roaming life amidst their hills
and forests, depending chiefly on hunting and fishing as a means
of subsistence ; they banded together in tribes and attached them
selves to their own chieftain. They were tall men, and their cloth
ing in times ol peace, was usually untanned skins ol wild beasts
slain in the chase, but in time of war they stained the naked parts
ol their bodies, ( arms, legs and thighs ) ^vIth a dark blue dye
from -woad, which gave them a ferocious appearance. They
shaved their beard except on the upper lip, which they allowed
to gro\v to some length, and their hair flowed down upon then-
backs and shoulders. They were distinguished for their good
natural capacity, their valour, and their pledged fidelity to aid
each other. In all cases of attack from without. Their to'wns
were an p,ssemblage of huts, sometimes partly sunk into the
ground, covered with turf or skins, and for the sake of security,
often hidden in the midst of woods, or occupying the summit of
the hills, and surrounded with palisades, or trees piled upon
each other, or by earthen ramparts and ditches. They seem to
have been able to fabricate warlike weapons from inetals. Their
arms were small targets with swords and spears, and in battle
they used a chariot -with short scythes of iron projecting from the
axles, which Inflicted terrible wounds and spread terror where-
ever they fiercely drove. The great mass of the people -were
practically serfs or slaves belonging to their chiefs. In later times
they were considerably under the control of the Druids, who had
gradually attained supreme control, and in their religion, the
worship of the sun and a number of deities held the chief place.
The Druids inflamed the people, and did their best to oppose
the Roman invaders, who at length were determined to destroy

them, and under Suetonius Paulinus a later Roman General, an
expedition was made against them, when many of their Priests
perished in the Isle of Anglesey ; subsequently great numbers
were massacred in the unsuccessful efforts of the Britons under
Oueen Boadicea ; after which their power and splendour declined.
A full account of the Druids will be found in " Rollright Stones,
the Stonehenge of Oxfordshire" by H. W. Taunt. It was
customary among the Britons to mark the last resting place of the
dead, by erecting mounds more or less elevated according to the
power or influence of the deceased. These British barrows
generally cover a rude chamber of rough stones often of colossal
dimensions, and manj' groups of stones have been found scattered
over various parts of our island, as well as other countries. In
these barrows the body Is sometimes found to have been buried
•entire, but in many cases it had been burnt, and the ashes de
posited in rude urns, often not baked but merely dri.ed in the sun.
After the Romans came and conquered England, this part of
Britain \vas included in the district called Flavia Cjesariensls ;
after the establishment of the Saxon heptarchy It became part
of the kingdom of Mercia, and In later times Avas Included in
the district called Dene Lege. Relics of Roman occupation have
been found at Princes Risborough, Kimble and Ellesborough,
near the latter are some strong earth works on the north side
of the Chilterns, and the foundations of a Roman Villa were
discovered at Terrick in that parish. From Bradenham to Lacy
Green are the remains of Grimsdyke, which here forms the
boundary of Princes Risborough parish. It maintains its course
by Redlands End through Hampden Park, and is met with In
places across the country to near Berkhamstead. Conjecture is
entirely at fault, in respect to the object which the ancient
Britons had in view, when they raised this immense line of
embankments. Whether for military purpose ; or as a Territorial
line, or as the boundary of tribes It still remains a mystery, nor
have we many records here of Saxon times, although some of the
names are evidently taken from Saxon holders of the land.
The Chilterns are said to derive their name from the Saxon
word Cylt or Chilt, meaning chalk, and were once so covered
with Beech woods as to be impassable, until Leofstan, Abbot of
St. Albans, cut them down because of the refuge they afforded
to thieves, and the stewardship of the Chiltern hundreds was
¦created to put down both the human and the animal wolves,
w^hich infested these forests.
To these Hills and the remains of the Forest which once
entirely enshrouded them, the charm of this district is due, and
yet not to these alone, the visitor will find among the people
who inhabit it, quiet courtesy and much good humour, with an
underlying sterling honesty and industry, which with the splendid
salubrity of the air makes a visit here an enjoyable time, to be
remembered and repeated at the earliest opportunity.

J5 ¦M 3
pO
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CL,

XT

Princes Risborough in I8S8,
frinces ^istiorougli,
Westling in the vale it stands
Beneath the hills.
Whereon the cross uplifted high
Looks down.
fRINCES Risborough is a quiet, clean little town, on the road
from Wycombe to Aylesbury, 8 miles south of Aylesbury,
7 miles from Great Missenden, and 38 miles from London..
It stands in the valley near the foot of the Chiltern Hills and White
Leaf Cross, and consists mainly of one principal street and market
place, with several other smaller streets diverging. In the High
street, the leading thoroughfare, are several private houses and
some good shops ; with more than one comfortable Inn. This-
street is broad, with raised pathways on either side, and at its
lower end is a quaint little brick market house with verandah
round it and clock cupola on the roof, built in 1824 by the
Grubb family, then owners of the Manor and Horsenden,.

while the lower story which Is open, was Intended to be used as a
corn market. There Is an Institute with Library on the left hand
side of the street.
At the top of the High Street is a cross road ; the turn to
the east leads to the Backs and the New road, which rises the
hill and crosses the upper Icknield way, running on to Green
Hailey and beyond to Redlands End and Hampden: that to the
west is Bell Street, leading to the Railway Station and Saunderton,
as well as Parkfield and the Wycombe road. Here standing
back from the street In its own quiet burial ground below the
Icknield Way is the Baptist Chapel, a square built building
without any pretensions to architecture, with a number of tombs
around it. The Baptists number among their members many of
the chief residents of the place. The community has been In
existence a number of years, the first gilt to them being when
this property was made over to Trustees in 1707 by Jane and
\\'illiam Cock, to which the addition of a house, garden and
orchard, were made by Thomas Cartwright in 1745, for the use
of the Pastor. The Chapel was rebuilt in 1804, and enlarged
in 1817. It has seating accomodation for about 400, and at one
time had several village stations connected with it. The Baptists
here were chiefly instrumental in starting one of the earliest
elementary schools in 1839, under the British and Foreign schools
society ; furnishing an undenominational education to scholars not
only of Risborough, but a number of villages round. It was first
held in the upper room ol a house, but a new school was built
in 1847 ''¦' *''^ corner ol Parkfield, which still continues its useful
work of training the young.
Further down Bell Street is the Wesleyan Chapel, built about
1870 and included in the Aylesbury Circuit, the foundation being
about 1834 ; beyond It Is a number of new houses, with others
still building, forming with those lying along the side of the
Wycombe road the pleasant suburb of Parkfield, the latest
addition to Risborough and reaching half way to Culverton.
The oldest part of Risborough is from the Market House
to the Church. In this Church Street are some veritable
remains of old Risborough, a few picturesque half-timbered
houses and cottages with overhanging upper stories, but a number
of old cottages near the Manor were pulled down to make -way
for the great malt house belonging to the brewery, which occupies
their site. Near the Church are the Schools, and from here by
the old Mount House Is a pleasant path across the fields to the
station road, the nearest way for foot traffic from this end.
The Town is well served by two main railways and several
side branches, the station lying west of the town and Parkfield.
The station and lines have lately been rebuilt and extended, and
now forms the Important junction ol the new combined Great

High Street, Princes Risborough.

Bell Street, Princes Risborough.

"Central Line, with the new express route of the Great Western
from London to Birmingham and the north. Besides these main
lines there are branches to Oxford via Thame, to Watlington,
and also to Aylesbury, the latter joining the Metropolitan Railway
there. These additions have so entirely altered the Railway here,
that the once little station has grown to be a bustling junction ;
which in all probability will, at no far distant date, lead to a
considerable increase In the size of the town. There are numerous
trains to and from London, both to Marylebone and Paddington
stations, and the lares are very moderate.
The Post Office is in High Street, and has arrangements for
Telegraph, Telephone and E.xpress deliveries, beside the usual
business ; it is open from 8 a.m. till 8 p.m. weekdays, and
on Sundays from 8.30. to 10 a.m. only. There are three
deliveries of letters and five despatches of mails.
Risborough, anciently called Risberge or Ryshberg, is
one of the three Hundreds of Aylesbury, which were
Elesberie, Risberge and Stane ( now Stone ). Risberge Hundred
Included Princes and Monks Risborough with Sudcote,
Bledelei, Horsedune, Wendoure, Weston-Turvllle and Begrave,
( Bedgrove ).
Princes Risborough at the time of the Norman Survey, was
one of the crown Manors, and in later times it is said to have
been the residence ol Edward the Black Prince, who held the
Palace. At the west end of the Church-yard, at a place called
the Mount, which was anciently enclosed with a moat, are a
number of banks and trenches, and this is the supposed site
of the Palace or Castle. The site and lands having been granted
to the Hampdens in the reign of Elizabeth, descended with
the rest of the estates to the Earl of Buckinghamshire, the
decayed mansion, writes LIpscombe, which had long been in a
neglected condition -was taken down In 1824 ; no vestige now
remains of the Palace of the Black Prince, and only one small
cottage of the habitation belonging to the Canons of Notley
Abbey, who held the Rectory and Church. Mr. Wise, calls the
supposed site of Prince Edward's Palace, a Saxon Camp ; but
this is evidently a mistake.
Domesday tells us : - Riseberge was Earl Harold's vlll. It
is and was assessed in the time ol King Edward and after, at 30
hides. There is land for 34 plows. In the demesne are 20 hides
and there are 4 ploughs on it. There 30 villeins with 12 bordars
"have 20 plows. There are 3 serfs and 2 mills worth 14s 8d.
Meadow is there for 7 plows, woodland for 1000 swine. In all
it pays yearly 47 lbs of bland silver about 16 pence. It used to
pay 10 lbs by tale. To this Manor belongs and belonged a
certain burgess of Oxeneford paying 2s. There is besides a
salt worker of Wieg ( ? Droltwitch ) who rendered ( ? ) loads of
sa.lt. And In the same Manor was and is a certain sokeman

^3
holding ¦ 3 virgates. He could indeed sell ( his land ) but yet
he has done service to the sheriff.
In the i2th. century the family of De Riseberge, had
taken their name from this Manor, but this is all their records.
Henry III. gave the Lordship to his brother Richard, King
of the Romans, but at the death of Edmund, Earl of Cornwall
in 1300, it reverted to the Crown, and was settled in dower
on Queen Margaret. In 1330, John of Elthan, Earl of Cornwall,
had a grant of the Manor. In 1532, Henry VIII. on the
dissolution of Notely Abbey, granted this Manor then called
the Abbots hold, and also the Rectory and Church to the Dean
and Canons of Christ Church, Oxford, but it was afterwards
surrendered to the Crown and regranted by Edward VI. to
Robert King, Bishop of O-xford. In 1550 the Manor was settled
on the Princess Elizabeth, and In 1581 she as Oueen, granted
hoth the Manor and Lordship with the Rectory and Church to
Robert Wake,, of London. The Manor formed part of the dower
of Queen Anne, Queen of James I. and after her death, reverted
to Charles Prince of Wales, and to his heirs the Kings ol
England for ever, but has since been sold by the crown and has
passed through various hands until at the present time it is
uncertain who is the rightful Lord of the Manor. The property
of the manor Avas sold about 50 years ago, with the exception
of the Market House which was claimed by the late Mr. Humphrey
Bull of Aston Clinton, -^vho claimed to be Lord of the Manor ;
.but this has now been taken possession by the Parish Council.
Henry VIII, granted a market on Wednesdays (which has
been altered to Saturday and now Is Thursday,) and fairs 3 days
at the feast of the Nativity and on St, Geoige's day. There is
also in the Rectory, the remains of a charter granted by Elizabeth
in 1597 in confirmation of an earlier one by Henry III. which ex
empted the inhabitants from serving on juries, and gave them
free toll to other markets, but these privileges were abolished
.some years ago. The fairs now are May 6. and October 21.
Princes Risborough parish is 8j miles in length. In 1820,
2,900 acres of common land was enclosed, the poor being given
a certain portion in lieu of their ancient rights, the income from
which Is now distributed annually in gifts of Coal.
Brook House now called the Manor, was the property of Mr.
Penton, who was visited by Queen Elizabeth when at Hampden,
The old house was distinguished by rude caryatides, which
supported its projecting windows, and there -was a curious niche
within called Queen Elizabeth's oven. The present Manor, a
farm standing to the east of the Church, is a fine 17th. century
house, with old fashioned brick walls and entrance and a good
fireplace in one room.
Still further on down the lane beyond the Church and Manor
is the ' Old Vicarage ' probably the last remains of the Monk's

14

buildings, a picturesque cottage, still retaining its old outside
built chimney, the top part of which is octagonal stone work,
and a tall old Yew
. r- stands in the gar-
" '¦'*^^^ den which though
- ¦ bright and green,
is from age hollow
within. The Monks
ofNotlev near
Crendon, held this
Manor ; In one or
two deeds Abbot's
Risborough Is men-
tioned, which
appears to have
been the property
held by this mon-
The Old vicarage. Risborough. astery, who sup
plied service to the Court or Mount as it Is now called, as well
as holding the Rectory of the Church, and the ' Farma Notley'
was founded in 1 162 by Walter GIflard, Earl of Buckingham and
Emengard his wife. The first charter was given by Henry II.
and confirmed by John. At Risborough at the dissolution they
held ' Flrma maner et Rector ' and this was valued at £ 40 per
annum. It was the richest of all their possessions except Crendon
which was worth £8. 4. 4. per annum more. The ruined Abbey
of Notley is now a farm in a charming situation on the banks of
the River Thame, between Crendon and Haddenham.
By the bequest of some former possessor of the Manor
there was provided annually a fat bull to be killed, and a boar to
be made Into brawn, four bushels of wheat and four bushels of malt
to be made into bread and beer ; the whole to be distributed to the
parishioners, " in large pieces, smoking hot from the copper, at
five o'clock in the morning, for breakfast on Christmas Day."
This custom having become an intolerable nuisance, the Lord of
the Manor took Counsels opinion, which stated that " he was
not bound by the custom, there being no tie on the estate to
cover the expense," While this practice lasted it was productive
of much Intoxication and riot. " The poor paraded the town
during the whole night preceding the distribution, with an
incessant clamour. On the Christmas morning they marched in
crowds to the iManor, and on the doors being opened, they rushed
to the feast prepared for them with so little decorum and for
bearance, that often, they inflicted wounds on one another with
their knives. The whole of the remaining portion of Christmas
Day is also stated to have been spent by many of them in public-
houses. These assemblies often comprised many strangers from a
distance, as well as parishioners."

Princes Risborough, Site of Palace and St. Mary's Church.

i6
The street leading northward from the Market House, really
a continuation of the High Street is called Duke Street, it con
tains some good shops and is one of the principal thoroughfares.
Through it lies the way to the roads running to Ajdesbury,
Thame, and Wendover ^vith the villages between. The road
bifurcates at the end of the town, that to the right leading to
Monks Risborough and the north and east, while the road to the
left leads to Long Wick, Thame and Oxford.
St. Mary's Church, the ' Church of Our Lady, Risborough,'
has Nave and Chancel, north and south Aisles, and -^vestern
Tower and Spire. It has been nearly all modernised at various
times, except part of the arcading of the Nave, the columns of
w^hich are composed of chalk. The Church now presents the
appearance of an Early Decorated Church, but there are a few
remains of earlier work, mostly in the south Aisle. The Chancel
is spacious with a lofty but plain arch opening to the Nave,
and small side shafts only. The East window has three lights,
-with geometrical tracery in its head, and has lately been filled
¦with stained glass to the memory of the late Rector. A Piscina
with double bason and credence table, Is in the S. wall, and a
window is utilized as a Sedile : the Chancel roof is open, re
placed when the Chancel was restored about i860. The Chancel
has two windows on the south side and one on the north, of
Dec. work, but all have different mouldings, and there Is a large
organ chamber with organ. Outside in the south -wall. Is a small
square headed low-side window, blocked. The arcade of the Nave
has seven arches on each side, the two to the east being smaller
than the rest, these are carried on a round rebuilt column : the next
four on both sides are octagonal with very poor mouldings, and
the last pair are quatrefoil, all the arches being pointed. This
arcade and the south Aisle seem to be all that Is now left which
belonged to the earlier Church before restoration. In the clere
story there are five circular lights on each side, but old pictures
ol the Church, show them to have been square in daj's gone by,
and there are no traces now of the rood loft which then existed.
The Aisles were built about 1220. Tlie north Aisle has four
windows and appears to be later in date, probably owing to the
restoration. The south Aisle is older and has several features worth
notice. The east window of the south Aisle has two lights
with engaged circular columns on each side, close by it Is
a piscina, and by its side a stall, both under rich cinquefolled
canopies, supported by shafts, while low down along the wall are
four Decorated recesses with trefoil headings and side shafts. The
first window In this Aisle Is a lancet with three lights deeply re
cessed and a double row of slender shafts of Purbeck marble, sup
porting pointed arches with plain mouldings. The pulpit Is of
carved Oak on a modern stone base. The western arch Is grace-

ful and loftjf, opening into the new tower, and separated
by an Oak Screen from the Nave. The south door of the
Nave is early Dec. with engaged shafts on each side, the hood
mould having groups of leaves as finials ; while over the porch
is a Vesica with the Lamb and Flag.
The exterior ol the Church is Flint with stone dressings,
it has high pitched tiled roofs, and plain parapets to the Aisles.
The old Spire fell down in 1803 and considerably damaged the
Church, besides destroying the peal of bells, it was replaced for
many years by an iron-clad Spire about a hundred feet high
¦with a ball and vane, this and the Tower ^vere taken down and
rebuilt in 1909. The present Tower is of Flint with stone dress
ings, having four square headed windows of three lights with
bold but elegant tracery, the parapet is of chequered flint and
stone, and surmounted at each corner with a figure ; from this a
graceful Spire rises, but the eight lights around it seem too many,
and make it heavier in appearance than it would otherwise be ;
the Architect was J. O. Scott. An epitaph to an old Clerk who
is burled in the Church is quoted : -
Under this seat there is a Clark,
Who is enclosed in tbe dark ;
Who often times did sing God's praise.
And now at last did end his days.
Culverton.
Culverton, on the RIsboro' and Wycombe road is a farm
and two or three cottages down In the valley. It Is first men
tioned In 1247, when Stephen sone of Hugh of Calverton held one
hide of Philip sone of Oliver. He had formerly paid one mark
per year, but this was then varied to a clove gilly-flower.
John de Toxle afterwards held it of the King in chief, in the
14th. century.

While Leaf Cross from Risborough.

The Last Load. White Leaf Cross.

Iceaf Cross.

THE first and most prominent of all the sights of Risborough
whatever may be its date or symbol, is White Leaf Cross.
It is in sight nearly everywhere, as it is engraven on the ever
lasting Chiltern Hills, and overlooks the \vhole of the great \'ale of
Aylesbury lying at its foot. Its gigantic proportions tower up
from the Valley nearly to the summit of the hill on which it Is
cut, and the sacred symbol of its shape, its bold outline, with the
glowing whiteness of the material In which It is formed, all
help to make It so conspicuous that it is the first thing which
is noticed by every visitor, and even those who pass along by
rail. It can be seen from so great a distance and from so many
places that it is quite a familiar object to all the country
round ; this gigantic " Sign of the Son of Man," yet it is at
once one of the most remarkable of the many monuments of
antiquity. Indeed we may even go so far as to claim for it, that
there exists no more remarkable memorial In the land ; and even
the White Horses of the west and south are dwarfed in com
parison with this gigantic Cross. Pilgrims for ages have looked
upon it with reverence, as they passed along the ancient Icknield
way at its feet, on their way to the Holy Rood at Wendover or
the Shrine of St. Osyth, or some other of the noted spots to
which Pilgrims resorted ; and it has been kept in its pristine
beauty for mrnv a century.

19
The Cross, as will be seen from our illustrations, is of a Latin
form with a pyramidical base ; it is cut in the chalk hill locally
called White Leaf, in the parish of Monks Risborough, and
belongs to the Hampden estate. Its height Is a little over 230
feet from the base, which again is 340 feet long, the length of
its arms being 100 feet and their width a full 20 feet. The size
of the pyramid or triangle seems to have been enlarged within
the present century, as the dimensions recorded in early times
were smaller than at present given. It can be reached on foot
from Risborough by the first turning out of the New Road
across the fields, or along the upper Icknield way which runs
near the foot of the Cross ; but if driving or motoring, the
best road to it is by the main road to Monks Risborough, and
then taking the turn to the right which crosses the Icknield way,
leading to Green Hailey and Redlands End, and so on to Hampden.
It is a climb to the top of the hill; although younger members of the
district, often make light of the descent and slide down the steep
chalk pitch in as many seconds as it takes minutes for us to sur
mount it, but when once the top is reached, one of the most
glorious panoramas anywhere is spread out before the climber.
Behind is a noble stretch of breezy down, covered as all these
Chilterns are with a close springy turf, amid which many a
wild flower peeps up on its short stem, and turns its bright
eye up to the sky. The pure invigorating breeze sweeping up
the vale from the western sea, is most refreshing after the heat
of the climb this summer day ; and the glorious prospect which
unfolds itself, makes ample payment for the toil of climbing.
Both to north-east and south-west the long line of hills stretch
away until they are lost in the distance, while the Vale lies
spread out at our feet like a carpet in all Its rich beauty.
The hills ol Brill and Wittenham stand out against the sky ;
here and there a white Church or tower, peeps from among
the trees in the valley. The town of Aylesbury with its Church
crowns a rising ground to the northward, far away beyond is
a blue line of hills nearly lost at times in the shimmering haze ;
while nearer. Beacon Hill, and the camp of the old British
King Cunobellne stand out with the monument to our South
African soldiers on Coombe Hill behind,
.\t our feet lies Monks Risborough with its beautiful old
Church ; further west is the town of Princes Risborough, with its
new Spire In the centre of some trees, and the steam of a train
rushing along the great bank behind ; while to the south is
Bledlow hill, with the Icknield way winding along below it, and
beyond all, the Vale of White Horse as far as the eye can reach
across Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and on again. The fields are
spread out like a plan, their size, and shape, and crops, are all
revealed ; here and there is a rick standing on one side by the
hedge, a remnant of the last year's harvest ; while from cottages

the smoke curls up, to add life to the charming landscape. It Is all
so homelike, so thoroughly English in Its character, that one
wonders why so many endure the discomforts of modern travel
abroad, when they have such lovely scenes and localities as this at
home. And then just below us Is the great White Cross, -whose
dimensions are scarcely realizable unless one essays the track
a-down it ; but this once accomplished, the wonder that the Cross
can be seen as far as Oxford, and Brill, and the hills beyond, is
entirely removed.
We have already touched upon its history, -vvhile authorities
differ as to its origin ; some making it the record of a battle, and
dragging in Danes and Saxons, Henglst and Horsa, Cunobellne
and the Britons, and other heroes of those ancient days ; but
we prefer to look upon it as a perfectly peaceful memorial
the -wayside Cross of the Monks ol Canterbury on -whose property
It was situated, and we read ' In 829 Wylaf King of the Mercians
gave Brokewell to the Church of Canterbury.' Thus it may
be the -work of Algar Stalre, or his predecessors who held it for
the Monks ; it was In his possession after the Conquest. Before
the enclosure, the cross -was scoured by public contributions, and
never -without a merry making ; but in the enclosure act of 1829
the rents ol two fields were set apart to keep it in repair, and
this has been done by the Earls of Buckinghamshire, the
owners of the manor. Thus preserved It Is a monument for all
time, and although its origin may be lost it is without question
the grandest memorial of its class throughout the land.
Black says :- " Through these beech -woods, strewn ^vith
dead leaves and matted with briar and bracken, I joyously Avent
until I issued upon the summit of the hill ; upon the steep side
of ^vhIch Is cut the great White Cross that can be seen all the
way from Oxford. The old grand picture of that Intervening
plain was once more before me ; Princes Risborough, with its red
tiled houses and its Church, lying down there under the faint
blue smoke of the village ; the long white road leading on to
Bledlo\v, the comfortable farmsteads smothered among orchards,
then the great patchwork of fields with their various colours, the
red and brown fallow, the dark green of the young clover, the
fine tint of the ^vheat, here and there already yellowed with
charlock ; the sharp black lines of the hedges gradually getting
closer and fainter as the eye rose to the horizon, and there be
coming a confused mass of misty streaks. On the right, the
remote uplands with their larch plantations, and here and there a
white house shining in the sun. Down on the left the continuing
lines of the chalk hills, rounded and smooth where they become
visible from the dusky stretches of the beech woods, and far off
in front, hall lost in the shimmer of light along the edge of the
sky, the blue plain of Oxfordshire, undeterminate and vague."

Princes Risboroughand the Yalley, from White Leaf Hill.

^Soldiers ivlounc. t<i5Dorough.

Walks round l^iskrough.

THE field paths round Risborough, are many of them very
charming, and passing in places through -svoods 8ic. where
no carriage roads exist, have beauties of their own ; there
are several which should not be missed by visitors. The one Inch
Ordnance map has many of them dotted in, and will be found
very servlcable for reference. The following are interesting.
No. 1. To White Leaf Cross and Cadsden. Turn across the
fields by the first foot path out of the New Road at the top of
High Street, this leads into the Upper Icknield Way, along this
to the left, then the first to the right leads to the foot of the Cross.
( The road to right here leads to Green Hailey and Hampden
Common.) Up side of Cross. Note views from top. Over the
hill leads to the Cadsdens, or through the -\vood to Green Hailey.
Back down the hill by Soldiers' Mount.
No. 2. To Hampden. The second foot path on the New
Road leads up the hill and along road to right to Green Hailey,
at the last house take road through wood to Hampden Park ;
footpath to left leads to Hampden House and Church. Back ;
path from Church, South, leads to Hampden Common ; turn to
right over Common along road to Redlands End, then path
through wood, down hill to Brimmers Bottom farm, along New
Road to Princes Risborough.
No. 3. To Loosley Row, Lacey Green and Speen. First
left path turning out from Bell Street to stile, footpath by the
hedge (other path leads to Culverton) past Wardrobes, up hill
Into roadway to Loosley Ro-w, then up hill again to Lacey
Green, through the village, ( don't forget Grims Dyke, Road

23
near schoolroom to left ) go to Darvils hill, down to Flowers
bottom, then up hill again to Speen. Back, road to right
leads to the Pink & Lily, then down hill to Brimmers farm
and home by New Road.. There is also a pretty walk back
along Grims Dyke itself, from Lacey Green, to Redlands End
and latter part of No. 2.
No. 4. To Horsenden, Bledlow, & Bledlow Cross. Turn
across below Risborough Church, take path across fields and
railway to right, to Park mill ; then turn down road and through
the avenue of trees to Horsenden, ( path through park past
Horsenden house leads to Saunderton, ) path at Horsenden turns
out of the road by the Church, through gateway to Bledlow, up
the hill road, turning to right at Poor Law Schools, past the
Church, and along the Green past the Red Lion ; cross the road
and then a footpath leads across fields to Walnhill and Bledlow
Cross. Paths up the hill everywhere, to the Tumuli, and on to
the woods, or down to Chinnor : back by road or train.
No, 5. To Meadle, Owlswick, Askett. &c. Leave
Risborough by Duke Street along left road, over stile opposite
Gasworks ; path straight on leads to Monks Risborough Mill, and
by the railway to Askett. Path turning off shortly to left, leads
to Chadwell Hill and Owls-«ack ; path after passing under
rail-way bridge by Risborough Mill, leads across to Meadle, Avhich
can also be reached from Owlswick or Askett.
There are other footpaths besides these Indicated, and
those persons who are fond of a field ramble, will have
no difficulty in gratifying their wish. In nearly every direction
from Risborough.

WainhtU and Bledlow Cross.

^4

Horsenden,

TL little west of Princes Risborough is Horsenden, the little
T\ Church of which can be seen from the railway. When
Domesday was compiled, the Manor was held by Ralph, under
the Earl of Morton, but afterwards a family deriving its name from
the place became possessed of it, and from them it passed to Robert
de Braybroke, and then to the Kentwoods, Brecknocks, and
Leynhams. In 1480 It was purchased by John Moreton, afterwards
Bishop of Elv and Archbishop of Canterbury, who was created a
Cardinal by Pope .\lexander XL It passed through several other
hands, and eventually to Sir John Denham, the poet, Avho wrote
the poem ol ' Coopers Hill ' The house was surrounded by a
moat, and in the civil war it was by the owner garrisoned for
the King. In consequence of this and other services rendered
to the royal cause, the Manor &c. -was sequestered In 1654, but
It was afterwards restored to Sir John Denham, and was sold by
him to John Grubb Esq. of Great Kimble. John Grubb the
purchaser came from a Hertfordshire family ; the first of -whom
married Joane, the daughter of Sir Richard Radcliffe, who was
slain at Bosworth Field. The estate, manor, advowson &c,
continued In this family until 1841, when It was sold for £63,000
to the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. afterwards passing
into the hands of the Partridge family. Mrs. Leonard Jacques is
the present owner of the manor.
Horsenden House was rebuilt on the site of the old manor
house in 1810, and a part of the moat of the original mansion still
remains. The house Is approached on the north side by an
avenue of trees a quarter of a mile in length, and it is surround
ed by pleasure and garden grounds in which there is a piece of
ornamental water.
St. Michael's Church, visited by Brown Willis In 1728,
consisted then of a Nave, and Chancel with -western tower.
In 1765 the Nave being represented ' to be decayed, having
been erected more than 500 years ,' was pulled down with the
exception of the Chancel, and the patron John Grubb Esq. re
built the tower at the west end of the Chancel, which has from
that time served as a parish Church. The Church is lighted by
four Perp : windows of three lights ; and one at the east end
having lour lights.
The old Chancel Screen of Oak with the Rood Cross above
is still at the w^estern end of the Church, and close by is a squint
no-w blocked. A Piscina and Sedile is in the south wall, and the
Reredos centre is a vesica shaped carving of the crucifixion.
There are several tombs to the Grubb family, one with a long
inscription. The Rector of Horsenden is also \'^icar of Ilmer,

SS, Mary and Nicholas, Saunderton.

Saunderton,
TT quiet little place is Saunderton, just over the Railway from
1 y Risborough by road, but from Horsendon it is approached
by a pretty path across the domain by the House there,
which brings the visitor to Saunderton Mill, Farm and Church. It
is a curious parish, being a narrow strip of land no less than seven
miles in length, ^-et only a couple of furlongs broad ; and still
more curious it had until the 15th. Century two Manors, two
Benefices, and two Churches. The Conqueror gave one of these
Manors of Santesdone to Bishop Odo and the other to MIlo
Crispin. Domesday records :- In Santesdon, Roger holds of the
Bishop 5 hides. There are 3 serfs and i mill, meadow for i
plow and woodland for 55 swine. It Is and was worth 100s., in
King Edward's time £6 This manor a man of Earl Leofwine
held and could sell. In Santesdone Osbert holds of INliles 5 hides.
There is land for 5 plows, on the demesne are 3 plows, and 13
villeins with 5 bordars have 3 plows. There are 2 serfs and 2 mills
worth 8s., meado\v for i plow and woodland for 50 swine. It
is and was -worth lOOs., in King Edward's time £ 6. This manor
Alric a man of Earl Harold held and could sell.
The two Churches were respectively St. Mary and St. Nicholas,
and in Richard I. the family of Saunderton held that of St. Mary
until about 1543 when it passed to John de Brecknock. This
man also purchased the other Manor from the Daj'rells who held
it, and thus the two became united. Later Sir John Lyneham
bought them, and his \vidow sold them to Bishop Moreton, who
-was afterwards Primate, Lord Chancellor, and a Cardinal. The
estates -were again sold ; this time to the Donne family, while in
1593 Saunderton was conveyed to Sir R. Dormer, its present
owner being Lord Dormer.

36
Ch. Ch. O.xford, received some lands here from Henry \'in.
which are now known as Saunderton Grange, and in days gone by
there were more than one barro^w on this estate, but some have
been levelled and have disappeared.
The Church of St. Nicholas Is said to have stood to the
^vestward of the present Church, at a place which \vas called
Great .Saunderton. The ground on the south side of the Church
appears to have foundations below it, and in a garden to the
eastward a stone coffin was found. Part of the Church farm
house near the Church, is ancient. The older church of St. Mary
of which a picture hangs in the Vestry, \vas mostly Dec. In style,
with a Chancel Arch of Oak, and a Screen ( part of which is
included in the present edifice ) of the same material. The Pulpit
was of Oak wth a sounding board above. The Church had a
three light east wlndo-w filled with stained glass.
The present Church of St. Mary and St. Nicholas is a grace
ful little edifice, rebuilt in 1887 on the site of the older one. It
has Chancel and Nave, shingled wood western bell turret, and
south porch, mostly early Dec. in style ; but there is one of the
older -windo-ws -with square head left in the South -wall of the
Chancel ; the ^vestern end has a two light windo-w with a
single light above ; and the framework carrying the three bells
mostly belonged to the older Church.
The Font is earljr, a large scolloped bowl similar to that at
Monks Risborough, above the scolloping being stiff-leaved foliage.
One small remnant of a brass is inserted in the south -wall, which
seems to be all that remains of the memorial of Isabella
Saunderton, who died c 1430. There Is just the head and body
of the lady, with her hands raised in prayer ; all the rest is gone.
The Piscina In the Chancel found in an earlier restoration, has
its bottom slab cut away. The east window is of three lights -with
geometrical tracery.
In the Church is a list of Rectors, dating for Saunderton St.
Mary, from 1327, and for Saunderton St. Nicholas, from 1376 :
then for the two united Churches from 1459 to the present time,
the first Rector being Richard de Ellesbury, 1327.
At Lodge Hill, some distance south of the Church, Lipscombe
places the old house. This hill rises to 687 feet and has a group
of sycamores on its summit, with the legend that if a detour is
made seven times round and the persons say " Burn the Devil,
Burn the Devil ", as they go, that first Brimstone avIU be smelled
and 11 the circuit is continued Satan himself -will appear. The
Workhouse of the Wycombe Union w^hich comprises 33 parishes
is at Slough in this parish, on the side of the road leading
to West Wycombe ; the older one being at Bledlow, now utilized
as the Poor Law Schools.

The Lyde, tsiealou

Bledlow.

" They who live and do abide,
Shall see the Church fall into the Lyde.
And they who live and do remain,
Shall see the Church built np again."
BLEDLOW though only a little village, actually boasts two
Railway Stations, the older one being on the Thame and
Risborough branch, and the newer one called Bledlow Bridge,
on the Risborough and Watlington.
Bledlow and Bledlow Ridge lie quite to the south -west of
the County, the parish being 7 miles long ; it is spelt in Domesday
Bledelawe, meaning bloody field or hill, and the name is supposed
to have its origin from a battle fought here. The chief point of
interest is the Cross, cut in the turf on the hill ; It is of Greek shape
-with four nearly equal arms, and this is supposed to commemorate
the battle in which the Pagans or Danes were overcome by the
Christians ; it possibly may be the same battle, the scene of
which is sometimes laid at White Leaf Cross, but here below
the hill in a glen called the Warren, skeletons have been found
and there is more than one tumulus on the hill Itself.
The Cross is small compared to the larger White Leaf Cross,
and is said to have been formed, by cutting out squares of six
feet of turf, of which there -were five In the shaft, and five in the
side arms, making the measurement 30ft. by 6ft. each way ; its

present measurements however are more than double this, they
are, the shaft 69ft. 4in. and the arms 74lt. 3in. while the width
of each is 13ft. The Cross is cut on the side of the steep hill,
above the Upper Icknield British Way and the road running up
Walnhill ; and is simply the turf cleared away leaving the
white chalk below. The turf Is very rich in flowers, yello^v
Fingers and Thumbs, purple Shepherd's Thyme, Knap-weed, and
Harebells, are thickly scattered among the Juniper bushes which
have sprung up everywhere, but the roads leading past the Cross
are simply grass tracks, or -worn Into deep ruts, as though
centuries of wagons had ploughed their -way up them without
the slighted trace of any repairs.
That this part of the country was early populated, is proved
bv the Neolithic Implements which have been found in the
Warren, and the historian Matthew Paris expressly saj'S ;- " That
victory was obtained over the Danes by the Saxons." In 911 the
Northumberland Danes Invaded Mercia, when their Kings Eowels
and Walden were routed and these chiefs slain. In 995, anotlier
battle seems to have taken place when the Danes from the east
coast passed through Mercia to Cricklade. King Edward pursued
them, but being deserted by the Kentish men, a rather Indecisive
and bloody battle was fought. Either of these may have been
the particular one commemorated by the Cross.
The view from Bledlcw Hill is very extensive, on one side
is the wood, with the Warren and the village and church of
Bledlow among the trees : beyond is Risborough with White Leaf
Cross, and In the distance the hills as far as the eye can reach.
All down the valley are villages and hamlets, mostly masked in
the deep green trees, Chinnor and Henton and many others ; then
to the south west the hills again, and Wittenham Clumps right
down the vale. It seems as if one can fairly see over an infinite
space, and the slight haze to-day which half hides it, onlv adds
to this impression without in any way shortening the distance.
There is more than one manor at Bledlow, one was held before
the Conquest by Edmer .\tule, he was a Thane of King Edward ;
afterwards this Manor, consisting of 30 hides of land was given by
the Conqueror to his half brother Earl Mortain, but the Earl's
grandson, having rebelled against the King was banished, and his
possession confiscated to the Crown. It then came into the hands
¦of the De Gournay's or Gurney's, and one of them gave part of It
to the Abbey of Bee in Normandy, reserving part of the estate but
when the property of the Alien monasteries was seized, this part
of the Manor came again Into the hands of the Crown. Henry
VI, granted a manor to his uncle John Duke of Bedford, who died
possessed of it In 1435, leaving the King his Nephew as his
next heir, and this monarch bestowed this Manor of Bledlow on
Eton College which he founded. No less than six hamlets form
Bledlow, and there was evidently more than one Manor, as we

Bledlow Cross from the lower Icknield Way.

3°
find In the 15th. Century a record that a Manor was held by
the Hampden family, which by marriage passed to the Paulets,
then by sale to the Corhams, and through other hands to Mr.
Robert White of Chinnor the present owner. Lord Carrlngton
Is also the possessor of a manor at Bledlow.
Bledlow Church dedicated to the Holy Trinltj^, stands on
the edge of a cliff overhanging a deep ^voodv glen called the
Lyde. This romantic dell Is rather precipitous at its upper part
and Is covered with trees ; In it rise springs of pure water from
the chalk, which are formed into Watercress beds at the bottom
of the dell, and uniting make a stream called by the same name
as the glen. It Is owing to these springs that the Lyde has been
formed, and this has given rise to the well known rhyme.
The north east corner of the Church is but a vard or t\\-o
from the edge of the chasm, but the restored foundations make
it most probable that the Church will stand for many a long
year yet. The murmur of the Avater here adds its music to the
rustling trees, and at the bottom end a quiet lawn leads to a
pleasant house, past which the stream glides on Its way to Pitch
Green mill, the first in its course.
Bledlow Church dates mostly from the 13th. Centurj', but
some earlier remains have been found during the last restoration.
It has Nave and Chancel, a broad south Aisle and a narrower
north Aisle, a south Porch and a tall western Tower, the lo^wer
part of -which is E. E., -with a Dec. upper story and a saddleback
roof. On the east side of the Tower and the east Nave wall Is
the E. E. string course of the old roof of the Nave, but the roof
has been flattened at a later period and the clerestory built. In
side, the Chancel arch is small and plain, with an east window
of three Lancet lights, filled -with stained glass quiet and restful
in Its tone ; many of the other Avindows are 14th. Cent, and In
the south Aisle Is a rich window of that period of unusual
shape and tracery. There are two lancet windows in the
Chancel, one with transoms, the others are Dec. The Nave has
an arcade of four bays, with stiff leaved foliage encircling the
caps of the round columns. A fine early Oak Screen crosses the
Chancel arch, and above the arcade Is a Perp. clerestory with
open oak roof The south Aisle has for its Altar piece a
painting of Christ taken down from the Cross, with the two
Marys and the Disciples weeping; by an Artist named Wale. In
the south wall is a Piscina, and two recesses similar to those at
Princes Risborough. The Font is early and scalloped, with a
rim beneath the large basin ; similar to others in the neighbour
hood. The tower arches are massive, fairly large, and open to
the Church ; the west window being of two lights widely splayed.
At the east end of the north Aisle is a two-light square headed
\vindow, and by its side a niche with canopy, the head and
figure of which are gone. The Pulpit ol Oak on stone base

Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow.

32
was a present from the villagers to the Vicar in 1901. The
Tower from the outside Is of four stories, the top one being sur
mounted by a moulded parapet beneath which is a fine corbel
table with masks ; the belfry openings are twin lancets with
quatrefoils and hoodmould. There are traces over the Chancel
arch of wall paintings, and also on the walls of the Nave, the
latter has a vine design, while In the north Aisle is a St.
Christopher. In the Chancel is a Piscina and Credence niche,
and a brass to William Hern, Vicar, 1535. The Church in 1384
belonged to the Abbey of Grestein In Normandy, it was then
dedicated as the ' Church of the Holy Spirit,' and passing from
the Abbey to the Crown was in 1443 appropriated to Eton. It
has lately undergone complete restoration. There is a Wesleyan
Chapel in the village.
Pitch Green, one of the half-dozen little hamlets or
greens which form Bledlow, is a rather picturesque spot on the
side of the road leading from Watlington to Aylesbury. There
is an inn, an old farm or two, some cross roads and the Lj^de
stream. The Lyde at Pitch Green used to drive an old mill, the
successor to that built by the Monks. There is still some pic
turesque brick buildings left, witli the mill head utilized for
watercress, and Its tail ^vater as a duck bath. Formed in the
brickwork of the house is an old Monk's Cross ? possiblv a
dedication mark. The mill had an overshot wheel and ground
corn, it had two feeders, one quite at the top of the old wheel
for high water \vhlch drove it over one way, and the other for
low water, part of the way down the wheel, which drove it
reverse as a breast wheel, part of the old machinery with its
wooden cogs is still in situ, but Is of a very antiquated character.
The Lyde here is a little chalk stream running under the road^
close to the Farm and Inn.

Pitch Green Mill, on the Lyde.

Bledlow hi

Bledlow l^idge.

THIS Is another of the hamlets of Bledlow some three miles
south of the old Church, a scattered village on the ridge
along which runs the road from Thame to London. It con
sists of only a few cottages, some detached farmhouses, a windmill,
school, and Church, but stands in a pleasant position looking over
Into the valleys, to its neighbour Radnage on the one side and
Saunderton Lee on the other. Here one is fairly among the hills;
the Chiltern woods are to be seen in every direction, and Chiltern
flowers bloom bv the road side and In the hedges ; among them
being the sweet smelling Honeysuckle, with its lovely red and
-svhlte and cream trumpet shaped blossoms ; the Hawkweeds, and
Harebells, and Dog Roses, and Ladj-'s Slippers, with the -white
fluffy blossoms ofthe Travellers Joy, or 'Honesty' as the country
people call it ; and in the middle of summer the sweet tasted little
wood Strawberries, a dish of -which sweetened and eaten with a
spoon, is of quite equal flavour to the cultivated ones.
Bledlow Ridge once contained an ancient Chantry Chapel
which lapsed to the Crown in the reign of Edward \'I., but
nothing is known of its foundation and even its very site Is lost.
The present Church is a modern edifice of flint with stone
dressing in E. E. style, with Dec. windows East and West, plain
and unpretending, but well looked after. It has Nave and Chancel
and bell turret, and is dedicated to St. Paul. It has one curiosity,
the case of an old Barrel Organ at the west end, with its carved
miniature gilt pipes, and the holes showing it had sl.x stops. Its
music is gone, and the case is empty, except for the caretaker's
tools hidden inside. By the Church is the School, well attended,
and on the other side a picturesque old -wooden windmill at
which grist is still at times ground ; quite a remnant of the past.
Bledlow Ridge was formed into a separate ecclesiastical parish
about 1868. There is also a Wesleyan Chapel.

34

Kenton.

\\ff^ cross the boundary into O.xfordshire on the road to
yY Chinnor, and the turn down to the right leads to the little
hamlet of Henton, now mainly the property of Magdalen
College, 0.\ford. It is only a farm or two, a dozen cottages and a
bve road which leads down to a green and there ends, passing the
little corrugated-Iron Mission Church on the way. But in olden daj's
when the great mansion of the De Malyns' stood there. Is was of
more importance, and even now the remains ol the great moat
which surrounded their house, although some of it is filled up
and farm buildings built over. Is of such magnitude as to tell
the tale of their past in the fullest measure. For more than an
eighth of a mile long and perhaps seventy or eightv feet wide,
the moat, filled with water still, extends along the north side of
where the house stood. It is fed by some little streams which
find their way into it as of old, but there are no traces of the
house, this has been entirely removed. Henry de Malvns seems
to have obtained Henton In c.1370, but the family died out with
Reginald Malvns in 1430, and only their brasses In Chinnor
Church are left to remind one of their past greatness ; the propertv
passed to the Barentyns of Little Haseley, who themselves have
also passed awav. Chapel field or Chapel place In the village, is
said to denote the site of the Chapel belonging to the house, the
tradition of which is, that It was allowed to be erected only, on
condition that the villagers attended Chinnor Church on several
arranged times each vear. Henton is ' truly rural ' in its
surroundings and very pretty ; when leaving the village note
Bledlow Cross on Walnlode Hill, which Is seen in combination
with one of the old cottages.

35
Chinnor.
eHINNOR Is a typical south Oxfordshire village, built practically
round a square of roads in a charming situation, in the valley
below the Chilterns. It has a railway station on the Wat
lington branch of the G. W. R. with motor trains, and is a comfort
able little place, with a beautiful Church and quiet streets, more
than one inn, and sundry small but useful shops, the post office being
in the centre of the High Street, Years ago It was one of the
chair-making places, but this has dwindled away to a couple
or so of turning shops where legs and such like parts are made ;
a pile or two are to be seen drying in the open air before the
shops, the usual precaution taken ' to prevent their sprouting '
Avhen the parts are brought together to complete the chair. Lace
also, which ^vas one of the staple trades was extensively carried
on round here a hundred years ago, and a lace feast was held
every fortnight in the place, ¦when the lace makers brought in
their lace for sale from the villages around, but this too has
passed away and only a few of the older folk now carry on the
making of lace, which is bought up by the agents for London
^varehouses, and by some of the Ladles of the neighbourhood,
who have been doing their best to revive the trade.
The Church dedicated to St. Andrew, appears at first sight
to be entirely Dec. but the bottom part ol the tower, tower arches,
west door and windows above, are E. E. with plain chamfer
mouldings and general character ol that style. The Church has
Nave and Chancel, North and South Aisles, with western saddle-
backed Tower, south Porch with groined roof, clerestory to Nave
and high pitched roofs. It Is built of flint with stone dressings. The
Nave, probably the original length of the Church with an apse
only, has five bays in its arcades, with round columns and
masks to the hoodmoulds, the Clerestory has two-light Dec.
windows. Both the Chancel and the Aisles are probably of the
same date, a little later than the Nave, the former is large, has
a three-light East window with geometrical tracery, and no less
than sl.x; large side windows. Both the Aisles have two-light
windows to the East. Gurgoyles stand out from the Aisle
parapets, and are now utilized for the spouting. The Chancel
arch is lofty and good, there are the remains of the Dec. Rood
Screen with a Piscina on the respond of the arch. In the Chancel
are three level Sedilia and a Piscina under ogee arches ; and a
small square-headed low side window widely splayed within.
The painter of the Altar piece is unknown, but the other
eight paintings in the Chancel, and the four on the walls of each
Aisle are by Sir James Thornhlll, and represent Christ and his
Apostles. The Church is very rich in brasses, and empty matrices show

St. Andrew's Church, Chinnor, from South West.

37
that at one time there were even more. Many of them are in the
west end of the south Aisle, ( those of the Malyns family being
specially good, owing to their having been preserved behind
some woodwork in the north Aisle, ) but there are also three
brasses mounted in the wall of the Chancel, one of these Is a
Cross with a centre head. Both the Pulpit and the Font are
modern. At the west end of the north Aisle is an effigy with
crossed legs, and in the south Aisle a tomb canopy with a
floriated cross slab inserted, close by being another Piscina. The
To^wer is of four stories, the lo^^ver part being E. E. as already
noted, the upper one is later and there is a bold corbel table
with masks below the saddle roof.
The latest addition to the Church, thanks to the efforts of
the present Vicar, is a fine Organ standing divided on both sides
the chancel, and so arranged as to encroach but very little on
the view. It was built by J, Binns of Leeds, the case being
designed by Mr. Oldrid Scott, the console is detached and placed
near the Screen, the bellows occupjdng a chamber outside the
southern part of the Chancel. The action Is tubular pneumatic
and there are in the Great Organ six stops, in the Swell six, and
in the pedals three, beside couplers and acessories ; and It is so
voiced as to fill the Church with a volume of tone-sound ^vith-
out being oppressive in its full power.
From Chinnor roads lead to Thame, Watlington, a hill
road to Bledlow Ridge, Radnage, and Wycombe, and the one ¦we
have traversed from Risborough. From the Hill Chinnor presents
the appearance of one of the villages lying in the valley, half hidden
among its numerous trees and a glance from that point forcibly
tells the story, what a pleasant place it is, and in what a
charming spot it stands.

I^ladnage,

To the west of Bledlow Ridge, reached by a field path
which runs plump down Into the valley. Is Radnage ; a little
secluded village with a farm or two, half a dozen houses dot
ted about in the corners of the green fields, and nearer to the Ridge
the old Church peeping from behind its sheltering trees ; with
what appears to be the Rectory close by. The Church dates
from Norman times, with Nave and Chancel and a massive
looking centre tower, but is mostly E. E., -with two-light Dec.
windows inserted later. The East window of the Chancel is
three lancets, but the roofs have all been lowered and thus the
tower looks too massive in proportion to the Church, Were
there fewer trees around it, the scene from the hill down the
valley with the Church as a centrepiece, would be very striking ;
even now it is pretty, but lacks the charm it would then have.

S(. Christopher The Crucifixion with the Trinity.
Quaint old carvings in Ilmer Church, Bucks,

39
Jllscot and l^ongwick.
W\OWN Duke Street the north west road out of Risborough,
Jj leads to Thame, first passing Alscot, a farm and house in a
pleasant hollow, and then crossing the lower Icknield way
reaches Longwick, one of the hamlets belonging to Risborough-
Longwick, well named. Is a straggling, stretched out village, with a
cottage here, and an inn there, and gardens between, scarce two to
gether anywhere; a Wesleyan Chapel standing out by the road side,,
and a Baptist Chapel hidden behind the greenery ; no Church
beyond the Mission School, but it is a pleasant little place long
drawn out, with the new line of the G. W. R. forming a broad
back bone behind it. There is a large flour mill at its southern
end, but the village has no history whatever as far as we could
learn, or what there may be is included in Risborough.
Ilmer,
TLMER Is a pretty little secluded village just on the
borders of Oxfordshire, a short mile off the main road be
tween Longwick and Kingsey. Up 'till within the last year
quietness reigned supreme, but this is no'w broken by the rush of
express trains along the high bank of the G, W. R, which threads
the village. It has a little old Church to which at the late restor
ation a shingled bell tower and tall tapering spire also of shingles
has been added, and standing on a little elevation by the village
green is very picturesque with trees around, among which a ven
erable old elm stands in God's acre and shadows the edifice
itself. The Church was given in 1203 to the monastery of Stodely
and ¦was held by the Nuns until the dissolution. It has Nave
and Chancel, in the interior the original oak screen on a stone
base divides them, and the Font is octagonal and plain. On
the south is an early round headed door blocked up, and by it a
quaint two-light ¦window with a rude chamfered upright in the
centre, and a splayed arch inside. In the Chancel is a small low
side window and opposite, ornamenting the splays of a larger one
are some early carvings, not large but very interesting. The one
represents the Crucifixion with figures on either side of the Cross,
and above, a larger figure overshadowing our Lord, probably
intended to represent God the Father, above whom again is the
Holy Dove. On either side of the higher figure are bosses not
unlike roses, which may be some heraldic emblem, or the
Sun and Moon, and there are some animals at the sides
of the bottom of the carving. The other carving represents a
giant figure of St. Christopher crossing a stream, which is nearly
up to his knees, carrying Our Lord on his right shoulder and
supporting himself with a tree in his left hand. His legs are bent

40
as with the enormous weight, while on the bank to which he is
crossing is another small figure, with a lantern and something
also above. These carvings appear to be chalk, but are consider
ably mutilated. The living Is in connection with Horsenden.
Domesday mentions It thus. In Imere, Robert holds of the
Bishop of Bayeaux four hides, there Is land for five plows. On
the demesne are two, and eight villeins with one bordar have
three plows. There Is one serf and a mill worth 20/-. From
fisheries 500 eels, meadow for two plows, woodland for 50 swine.
In all it is worth £7. -when received £4. and as much in King
Edward's time." Robert and his descendents after him held Ilmer
by the sergeantry of keeping the Kings hawks. Then it passed
through various hands Into those of Sir John de Molyns, afterwards
by marriage to the Hastings family and from them to the
Dormors and the Earls ol Chesterfield.
Ilmer can be reached across the fields from Bledlow station.
There are two or three pretty bits for an Artist here round
the Church and the farms with their old wooden buildings. The
Manor stands back from the road a short distance from the
Church.

North Paper Mill.

Monks HisDorougn Church from North.

Monks l^istiorougfi.

fRO.M Princes Risborough, the north east road leads toAylesbury
and Wendover, passing first of all the little village of Monks
Risborough which derives its name from the Monks of Christ
Church, Canterburjf, to -whom the estate ¦was given by Aschwine
( or Escwi, ) Bishop of Dorchester, about 993. This Bishop was as
famed for his valour as for his piety and beneficence, in 992
when all the ships of war were gathered together at London to
resist the Danes, Bishop Aschwine was one of the commanders of
the fleet ; and his effigy is still on one the Altar Tombs in
Dorchester Church, Oxon.
At the time of Domesdaj', Riseberge belonged to Lanfranc
Archbishop of Canterbury, and is included among the manors which
the conqueror restored to the Monks. It ¦^vas held at the time
of the conquest by Algar Stalre, constable of England, and
standard bearer to Canterbury Abbey, and LIpscombe argues,
that if the ancestors of Algar held Risborough at an earlier
period under the Monks, and enjoyed the high office which he
exercised, the setting up the figure of a Cross on a high hill
here, immediately after the conversion of the Britons from
Paganism, must appear very appropriate. A Cross being the
standard of the Church and Prior}', the office of standard bearer
of the Church rendered this family guardians of that emblem of
their faith, and thus the Cross on White Leaf may have been

42
originally designed as a memorial of the property acquired here
by the Monastery, and not as a trophy of victory.
There is an interesting series of charters still in existence
relating to the Manor of Monks Risborough, which -was bestowed
on the Monastery at Canterbury as already stated, and held by
them until the reformation. It is possible that the Archbishops
had a residence at Monks Risborough early in the nth. Century,
but there seems no evidence that a cell of the Benedictine Monks
was ever built here, although the site of buildings is yet to
be traced on the north side of the Church with some fish ponds
and a dove-cote ; the latter is still used for its original purpose,
and by its doorway is evidently of very early date.
Domesdav records :- The Archbishop himself holds Riseberge.
It is assessed at 30 hides. There Is land for 14 plows. In the
demesne are 16 hides and on it 2 plows. There are 4 serfs,
meadows for 6 plows, woodland for 300 swine. In all it is -worth
£16. and In the time of the Confessor £16. This Manor Algar
the Staller held of Ch. Ch. Canterbur)', but with the condition
that he could not alienate It from that Church,
After the dissolution the Manor was in 1541 granted to
Francis Bryan and his heirs for ever, and after, like many other
Manors In this neighbourhood, It passed to the Hampden family ;
but the property In this parish is now considerably divided.
Monks Risborough has some pretty old cottages, at some of which
Lace is still made, it runs partly along the side of the main road.
Monks RisborOUg-h Church, dedicated to St. Dunstan of
Canterburj', Is a remarkably fine Church, consisting of Chancel,
Nave, North and South .\isles. Clerestory, a Tower at the
western end with turret, a North Transept and South Porch. The
general design of the Tower and some of the details are good
E: E. but late ; the west doorwav, some ol the windows and the
Aisles are Dec, but large Perp. windows are inserted In places,
and the Chancel and Clerestory and Nave roof are Perp. The
Nave has 4 baj's with octagonal columns, the Chancel arch be
longs to the earlier part of the Church ; and between the Chancel
and Nave Is the original Dec, Rood Screen nearly complete, the
lower part of which has nine panels left, out of the original
twelve, painted with figures of the Apostles or Saints. The East
window is Dec. ¦svith three lights, but the other four windows in
the Chancel are fine Perp. The Clerestory Is fairly lofty, on
either side are four three light square headed windows with
battlements above, the North Transept is also Perp. and in its
east wall Is the remains of a 15th. Centurv canopied recess. The
front of the porch has a deep niche, within are stone seats and
the remains of the stoup, and the south door is old with ornamental
scroll hinges. The tower has a plain parapet supported by a good
block cornice, and contains 6 bells.

Monks Buildings and Church, Monks Risborough, Bucks.

44
This living has been over and again the stepping stone for
high dignity in the Church. Three Archbishops, several Bishops,
Deans &c. all rose from the Rectory here, and in fact the number
who have done so seems extraordinarv. The Hampden family
are Lords of the Manor.
Askett a mile further along the road is a few houses round
a little green, an Inn by the road side, and is one of the places
where ducks are reared in large numbers for the London market.
Aylesbury ducks are noted as being a very toothsome delicacv,
and all along the valley can often in the spring be seen in large
numbers of many sizes, waddling together in their enclosure at
the slightest chance of a square meal. They are reared from the
egg by hens or incubators early In the vear, and in the short
space of Eight or Ten weeks are grown enough and fatted read}'
for market, thousands of them are reared In this way, and this
industry furniahes the small farmers and cottagers with an additi
onal source of income, the ducks being mainly looked after by the
women folk at home. The great feature is to get the pick of
the market bv the earliest ducks of the season, when a good
price is obtained for them.
Meadle, another pretty little hamlet a little further on from
Askett, has among others quite an interesting farm, and from
Its connection with the Quakers ; the old farm is still called
after them. The house has been considerably modernized since
John White lived here and Thomas Ellwood visited him ; but the
old staircase still remains, and in the small cellar, is a spring
of clear water. Close by the house is an oblong patch of ground,
which is pointed out as the site of the meeting house.
"Here Quakers gathered at close of day,
To worship their Lord in their quiet way,
And in their vision of days to come.
Saw, this should be liberty's chosen home,
AYhere every varying chord should blend,
And in one sweet pray'i" to God ascend."
We have collected all we can of the story of the Quakers
at Meadle, and have included it in the chapter ' Nonconformity
in Buckinghamshire' in the largest edition ol this work.
One of the outlj'Ing hamlets to Monks Risborough is
curiously named OwlSWlck. It has a farm or two and a little
Inn but no history attached to it, except one item in connection
^vith the Quakers.
The other hamlets of Monks Risborough, Cadsdetl, and
White Leaf, He under the hill which bears the great Cross, they
are both pleasant little places in the summer, and their cottages
are beautifully situated.

3

<

Pulpit Hill Camp jrom Cadsden, Bucks.

Sreat KimWe,

\J IMBELL Magna, Chenebella, Cunebell, Kimebelle or Kiinbel,
/v. as it Is varlousK' spelt In early \vritings. The Manor of
Chenebella belonged to Walter GIfford at the time of
Domesday, but was held under him by Hugh, and in 1197 Robert
Patnoff, granted lands here to the convent of Missenden. In
the 13th. century the family De Kenebells, took their name
from the place. In 1331 Robert le Fitzneel, died, seized cf
the manors of both Great and Little Kinebell, and in 1386 It
belonged to Hugh, Earl ol Stafford. In J 414, John Duke of
Bedford, the King's uncle, had a grant of free warren in his
lands here, with market and fair in Mursley, Kimble, \\'vcombe

r

47
and^ Woburn, the Abbot and Convent of Missenden had the
privilege of free warren at a later period, and from their patent,
it appears that Richard Fitzneel had the same right in the reign
of Edward I., The Manor of Kimble belonged to, and was the
seat of Sir Walter Upton, Knt. in the r4th. century, and his only
daughter Avice married Richard Hampden, youngest son of Sir
Reginald Hampden. His grandson who Inherited the estate In
right of Avice, married a very rich heiress, Elizabeth, daughter
of Sir T, Singleton of Hartwell ; but the male heirs of the family
died out, and the line of Hampden of Kimble terminated.
There is more than one British Camp in this neighbourhood.
In front of Pulpit wood is a hill camp, which has a central cop
with an irregular circle of rampart enclosed by a fosse, and to the
north and east a double line of earthworks. In the enclosure
were found flint flakes and chippings, indicative of a Neolithic
factory, and an indication that this was really a prehistoric camp.
The other called Cymbeline's Mount we have treated more fully
under Little Kimble.
Great Kimble Church dedicated to St. Nicholas, stands on
an artificial mound, probably the remains of a tumulus, and Is
mainly Dec. in style. It has Nave and Chancel, Aisles and
western Tower, south Porch, and two Chapels North and South
of the Chancel, the latter a tasteful little Chantry rebuilt in 1876
and added to in 1904 by the then Vicar. The Nave Arcade of
4 bays is Dec, with a Perp, Clerestory, and flat timber roof, but
the corbels above the arches sho\v signs of an earlier one. There
are some good mouldings on the caps of the octagonal columns
and the Chancel Arch, the east windo-w has three lights and is
filled with geometrical tracery, while the Chancel is raised four
steps and is separated from the Church by an open Oak Screen
with panels. The Font is similar in style to Monks Risborough
and Bledlo\v, ¦with an escoUoped bason, and stands on a pedes
tal in the centre of the Nave. The Tower arch inside springs
from corbels with heads, and opens to the west -windo^^v which
is splayed and has two lights. The Tower is Dec. and both it
and the Nave are battlemented, it is built of chequered squares
of flint and stones, but is not of great height. The position of
the Church at the turn of the road is very charming, but it is
being allowed to gro-w up and its many beauties will in a short
time be too much hidden in greenery.
Nearly 300 years has now elapsed, since the patriot Hampden
assembled in this Church, the residents on his estate and In the
neighbourhood, to lay before them his resolution not to pay the
Tax of the Ship Money; and here thus began the opposition,
which afterwards led to the Revolution and Commonwealth, and
the death of the King. We have told his story more fully in the
description of Great Hampden.

mm

Great Kimble Church, from the road.

49
The Vicarage is nearly opposite the Church ; beyond the
turn is the Bear and Cross, a pleasant and useful Hotel, the
Village is small and scattered like most of the villages here
about. Nearly all the property at one time belonged to
the Hampden family, and we can easily see how it was, among
his own people and advocating the popular cause, the gallant
Patriot was the revered Hero of his time,
A short distance down the road and Little Kimble Church
is reached.

At Little Kimble.

Icittle Kimble.

THE Manor of Little Chenebell was held by Albert under
Turstin Fitz-Rolf at Domesday. In Henry VI, it came into
the possession of the Hampden family, from whom it passed
in marriage to Sir George Paulett ; his grand-daughter took
it by marriage to Oliver St, John, and eventually about 1600 it
was sold to Richard Waller of Coleshill. It has passed through
several hands since, but the Manor now^ belongs to the owners
of Hampden, as of old.
The Church dedicated to All Saints, stands at the corner of
the roads, and is an E. E. and early Dec. edifice with Nave and
Chancel, north and south Porches and western Gablet with 2
bells. It has a number of noticable features, among them being
the early windows on the north side, both single and double
with wide splays on the inside, and the three later ones in the
south wall. There is also a low side window on the north side
of the Chancel, but the east window has been restored ; a piscina
is in the east wall, and a lew early tiles on the floor near the
Oak bench. The Chancel Arch is squabbed, another piscina is
in the south wall of the Nave ; the Pulpit, Lecturn, and Reading
Desk are all of Oak,

5°
The walls are covered in places with wall paintings, one
of Avhlch seems to be the usual St. George and the Dragon, the
Font is plain, round, and ancient ; the Nave roof is an open
timbered one. The \vest -window is Dec. of three lights, and
appears to be the original one. A visit to this Church should
certainly be made by anyone in the neighbourhood, nor should
either Great Kimble or Ellesborough be missed.
Kimble is included in the Chequers Court estate, and a
private road leads through the domain ; the village lies down in
the valley to the north, and has a railway station on the
Risborough and Aylesbury branch.
To the east of the Church are some pools formed by the
little streamlet, fed by springs rising just above, which here are span
ned by a little three arch bridge, beyond being Velvet Lawn, so
named from the luxurious quality of the mossy turf in the dell,
the loveliest place possible for a summer pic-nic. Many a pleasant
day, thanks to the owners of Chequers Court, have been spent here.

Veluet Lawn.
" This spot is embellished by nature in a very extraordinary
manner," writes Lipscombe, and the eminences as well as the
valley are partly clothed with Box and Beech trees through
which wdnding paths lead to the summit of the hills, from which
the prospects are most extensive and rich." At times festivals of
various kinds have been successfully held in this pretty spot.
Beacon Hill overlooks the scene and a field path leading across
the Chequers Court domain from Ellesborough to Longdown en
ables the visitor to see most of the sights of this district even
when Chequers Court itself is closed as it sometimes is.
Cymbeline's Mount. On the lower slopes of the Chilterns
to the east of Velvet Lawn is Cymbeline's Mount or Kimble
Castle, an ancient camp said to have been the stronghold of the
British King Conobelin, and coins of his reign have been found.

53
Cymbeline's Mount rises gradually at first from the present road,
but afterwards more suddenly to a considerable height, occupying
the projecting point ol a small hill between two deep recesses in
the bosom of the great ridge of the Chilterns ; one of which forms
the well known Velvet Lawn. Behind it, the hill again rises
sharply and forms another well known landmark called Beacon
Hill. The prospect from this and the neighbouring downs is
extensive, and very beautiful.
Cymbeline's Mount is thus formed. At the north extremity
of a parallelogram, surrounded by a ditch now about 7ft. in
depth, and i8ft. wide, is a cone or mount about 20 yards
higher than the rest of the enclosure, encircled by the trench
of equal dimensions some 140 spaces in circumference ; the
descent on the north side towards the Icknield way is very
steep and the ditch on this side a mere ledge in the hill,
¦while towards the south the fortified lines are carried out
about thirty-five yards, and connected by another transverse
ditch about fifty-five yards long. To the east of the mount
the works seem to have been extended down the hill, but
are there lost. The trees are now encroaching considerably on
the earthworks, and unless soon carefully removed -will event
ually eat up and destroy the ^vhole of them, which ¦will be
an unfortunate occurrence, as It is one of the most remarkable
and best defined camps in this part of the Chilterns.
On one occasion a cutting was made through about half
the centre of the cone of Cymbeline's Mount, but nothing peculiar
was found except pieces of very coarse bro'wn and black pottery, a
Boar's tusk, quantities of oyster shells, and some bones apparently
chose ol animals.
A small barrow on the summit of the hill above Velvet
La^wn ^vas also opened, and some fragments of bone, pieces of
charcoal, a horse's tooth, and pottery of the same kind as that
found In the camp, were alone discovered. These were embedded
in the centre chalk, with a few fossil shells and some iron
pyrites only.
Some years ago a Roman tesselated pavement was discovered
in a meado^v at Little Kimble, and in 1855 investigation revealed
fragments of tiles, oyster shells, bones, and pieces of coloured
stucco, and a solid mortar foundation laid on ragstone and
yello^w sand. The edge of the mortar had been rounded off, and
its upper surface covered with stucco and painted red. In all
probability it was part of a Roman Villa, and Lady Frank-
land Russell, afterwards extending the excavations, found a
quantity of tesserae, and other relics of the Roman period.
The whole of the ground near the spot has the appearance
of covering the remains of buildings, and there is every indication
that a considerable Romano-British Town, stood on this spot.

53
The road between Great Kimble and Ellesborough formerly fol
lowed the track of the old upper Icknield way, which may still be
seen skirting the foot of the hill below Cymbeline's Mount, but
the present road alter leaving Great Kimble Church, bears away
down the hill to the left of Little Kimble Church, turning then
to the right towards Ellesborough : while the old road had
Cymbeline's Mount with the entrenched camp close on the right,
and the Roman town on its left within a few yards. Many of
the old relics found are preserved by the Bucks Archaeological
Society at Aylesbury, and with them other relics which have
been found at various times in this neigbourhood.

(5oId Goiii of Curiobelin.
This is a photograph of a Gold Coin of Cunobelin or Cymbeline,
the British King from whom tho Kimbles derive their name. On
the obverse is a horse, with tlie inscription CUA''0, and the reverse
has an ear of bearded wheat, with the letters CAMU ; denoting the
place of coinage as Camulodonum, his royal city, ( now Maldon in
Essex.) The Coin is in the Bodleian Library.

Ellesborough and Goombe Hill.
ELLESBOROUGH is a village on the Wendover Road, about 3^
miles from Risborough. The main part of the village is where
the roads join at Butler's Cross, but generally It Is very scat
tered and among the hills. In Domesday it is spelt Esenberge, and
was held by Fitz-.Vnsculph, after the Norman Invasion. In 1405
Thomas la Zouch died seized of the Manor of Eislinburgh, and
from him it passed to the family of Pole. Jeffrey Pole died
possessed of it in 1479, and by his will it came to his son
Richard ; he married the unfortunate Margaret, Countess of
Salisbury, who as ^vell as her son Henrjf, Lord Pole, \vas after
wards attainted and the estates forfeited to the.croAvn. King
Henry the VIII. granted the Manor of Ellesborough to Sir John
Baldwin, for £623. 18. 5. and this estate subsequentlj' passed
to the Pakingtons. The Manors In the parish, with Chequers
Court and other land, descended to Sir Robert Russell Bart, and
at his death, to Sir Robert Frankland Bart, -who took the name
of Russell. The Manor of Chequers is said to have taken its
name from one of its ancient o-wners, John de Scaccarils ( or of
the exchequer) about the reign of King John, and from then
through sundry marriages Into the Russell family, passing after
wards to Lady Frankland Russell.
The neighbourhood of Ellesborough abounds In antiquities.
The old British roads called the Icknield ways, enter here by a
double course, the southern track which is higher than the northern
passes close to the hills, which seem to regulate its course, the
other seems to run nearly parallel with it on the lower ground.
Here they are Intersected by another old trackway, running
nearly in a direct line from Aylesbury southward to Hampden,
the point of Intersection In this parish is called Butler's Cross,
from an old possessor. Roman coins of the lower Empire and
other fragments of antiquity have been found here, while there
are traces of Roman occupation below the Chilterns.
According to Leland, St. Osyth, was born at Quarendon, and
brought up with her Aunt at Ellesborowe, In Chilterns. She was
the daughter of Frithwald, a Mercian Prince, and bj' her father
compelled to marry Siberus, a Christian King of the East Angles,
though she had vowed to lead a life of celibacy, but on the day
of marriage she obtained the consent of her husband to perform
her vow, and her husband gave her the manor of Chich, near
Colchester in Essex, now called St. Osyth, where she built a
Church and monastery, over which she presided many years.
In an Incursion of the Danes Inguar and Hubba, she was beheaded.

Ellesborough Church, and Almshouses.

56
and her body, afterwards removed to Aylesbury, and then back
again to Chich, was the means of many a miracle being performed.
St. Peter and St. Paul Ellesborough Is a charming restored
flint Church ¦with stone dressings, standing on a high knoll above
the road near the top of the rise. At the entrance gate is a
Calvary ' to the sacred memory of those who repose in the Church
yard.' The Church has Nave and Chancel, Sacristy, South Aisle,
and Western Tower, the latter four stories high, and in its fine
position is a striking object which can be seen for many miles
across the vale, while from the top of its Tower a noble vle^w
all round can be obtained. Over the south porch are the two
Saints to whom the Church is dedicated. Both Nave and
Chancel are lofty and wide, an arcade of 4 bays divides the Nave
from the Aisle, the columns of which are chalk, and this local
material is used considerably in the structure of the walls. Tbe
style of the Church is Perp : and the open timber roof a good
one in that style. The Pulpit is of Oak \vith figures, the
Reading Desk is formed by an Angel with a scroll, also carved in
Oak. The Reredos is a triplet with groups of figures, gilt, and
canopies over; representing the Manger with Angels and the star f,
the Crucifixion, with St. Mary and St. John; and the adoration
of the Magi ; there is also a Piscina and Credence bjf the south
Chancel window. The Font is Dec : with sunk panels and is,
covered by an Oak pyramid.
A noticeable brass is that to Thomas Hawtrey, 1544,
and his wife Sybell, ¦with 11 sons and 7 daughters. In the south
aisle is a fine monument beneath an ornamental canopy, to
Brigetta Croke, the lady is lying at full length and resting her
head on her left hand, while in the other she holds a book. Each
of the corbels in the Nave have carved heads, and also the
string course running round the tower arch, the latter being that
of a pope or bishop, A rood cross hangs from the Chancel arch..
There is a group of picturesque cottages by the Church, and
on the other side of the road the almshouses founded by Dame
Isabella Dodd, the inmates of which have their share of the
house and a weekly stipend. The Rectory is the house passed in
rising the hill.
A path leads across the Chequers Court estate from the
Church to Longdown Hill and Cadsden, running near to the
camp on Pulpit Hill and the rifle range there. The greater part
of the village with the inn is at Butler's Cross, and there are
other hamlets belonging, at Chalkshire and Terrick, but they
have little to notice, although at one period the remnants of a
Roman Villa ¦were unearthed at the latter place.
At Butler's Cross the main road from Aylesbury crosses,
this Upper Icknield way we are traversing and just beyond Is
Combe Hill, rising about 8iift, above the sea, the highest in.

57

the county. At its summit is an obelisk with four supporting-
corners, erected in memory of the Buckinghamshire Regiment who
fought in South Africa. On it is the following inscription :-

The Memorial on Combe Hill — Chilterns.
"This memorial "was erected by pu'blic subscription raised under .t resolution
proposed by the Lord Lieutenant, and unanimously passed by the Magistrates of
the county of Buckinghamshire in Quarter Sessions assembled, in honour of the
Men of Bucks, "who, at the Empire's call laid do^wn their lives during the war
in South Africa, leos-iaoz."
DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORA.

Chaquers Court.

';.¦;.%<.' .^¦.::r;r:(.:

Chequers Court, Bucks.

Chequers Court. To the south from Butlers Cross through
charming country, ( the road through the park is only open to
those who are privileged ) is Chequers Court, a charming
Elizabethan mansion, ^vhich at one time was of great interest
for its collection of relics of Cromwell, now in part dispersed.
It Is beautifully situated in a romantic spot, a valley In the
big table land of the Chilterns about a mile south of Kimble
Church, amid hills crowned to their summits \vith Beech trees.
Interspersed with Box and Holly. Its name Chequers was prob
ably derived from its first tenant. The name of Helyar de
Scaccarils, or of the Exchequer, appears as a witness to a charter
of 1187 to the Abbey of Missenden, By marriage, early in the
thirteenth century it passed to the Hawtreys and remained In
that family until the end of the fifteenth, the house being re
built about 1566. The property afterwards passed to the
Russells, and in 1857 to Sir Robert Frankland who assumed the
additional name of Russell. It is now held by Mr. A. H. Lee
M. P. for the Fareham divison of Hampshire, who has lately
made considerable reparations to the house, revetting to its
original style. The stucco which disfigured it has been cleared
off and the original brickwork again appears. Mullioned windows

59
have replaced the sashes, the sham battlements and the clock
turret has been cleared away, and where the central courtyard
was, is now a spacious hall, finely arranged with panelled walls,
a musicians gallery at one end, and stained glass windows with
arms of the families who have held the place. It still contains
portraits of Cromwell, his sons and daughters, and several of his
followers ; with many other portraits of the past and present
owners of Chequers. The interior of the house is mostly restored
to its ancient state, and this has been done in such a tasteful
way and so thoroughly, that it has probably never been more
charming than it is at present.

Chequers Court from North.

Icoosely l^ow.

i OOSLEY Row hamlet Is delightfully situated on the hill to
Irt the south of Risborough ; the best way to it being past Cul
verton and along a pretty up-hill road. There is only a farm
or two, a house and a few cottages, with an Inn said to be one of the
oldest in the county ; but the place is mentioned in the Fine
Rolls in 1482 ^vhen messuages and lands in Lousele-ro^w passed
betw^een Thomas Kwtwylde and Richard Redhole. A small iron
foundry has existed here for a number of years. There are some
pretty peeps down the valley, and in one, Risborough Spire can
be seen rising up among the trees.

The Windmill. Lacey Green.

Ixacey Sreen.

" The Autumn haze lay soft and still.
On Wood and mead and upland farms,
On the brow of tho hill the great Windmill,
Slowly and lazily swung its arms.
While in bright sunlight the valley la3%
Until in the distance it died away,"
I ACEY Green stands on the hill above Loosley Row, on the
In summit ol which is a picturesque Windmill some 750 ft. above
the sea level, which forms a landmark for miles around.
From this is an extensive and beautiful panorama of the valley be
low with Bledlow Ridge on the other side, the views reaching Wind
sor Castle and the Surrey Hills to the south, the plantations and

Grims Dyke and High Wood Bottom.

62
buildings of Stow to the north, and in other directions
stretching over Bedfordshire, Middlesex, and Hertfordshire, and
Including a vast range of country. The village is a scattered one .
as most of these upland villages are ; part of it lies round the
old green now utilized as gardens for the cottages. In dry times
there is a lack of pure drinking water, and the ponds are some
times even, utilized for the supply. It derives its name from a
family who resided there, and possessed considerable property in
the neighbourhood. A turn along a roughish road leading out below the green
and past a very deep pond, leads to Grims Dyke and High- Wood
Bottom. From the hill the Ditch Is seen running down into the
hollow and up again, losing itself in the wood beyond. The
little farm nestles in the orchard on the rise beyond the dip, and
from the many Quack ! Quacks ! It is easy to form the idea that
it is utilized as a duck farm as well as the usual run of agriculture,
Grims Dyke Is a considerable deep trench sometimes ac
companied by a ridge, which runs across the county of Bucks
for several miles. It is found at Bradenham, and can be traced
from thence to Lacey Green and beyond, forming there the
boundary of Risborough Parish, while there is an additional
ditch of the same character leading down the hill towards Ward
robes, an old estate on the side of the hill below Loosley Row,
It is to be traced by Redlands End through the Hampden estate,
and onward towards Great Missenden. Crossing the valley It
again appears near King Ash in Wendover parish, and is again
met with above Berkhamstead. A large and well marked part
of 'Grims Dyke' begins at Mongewell near Wallingford, running
down to the Thames, and from thence stretching all across
Oxfordshire to Nuffield and BIx near Henlejr, but whether this
and other lengths in Berkshire all belong to the same work is
not certain. For what It was intended, whether as a military
defence, or the boundary of the Mercian kingdom, or of some of
the tribes, is not known ; it Is altogether a stupendous piece of
work and must have been carried out by the various tribes that
inhabited the land. In some places it is called " The Devil's
Ditch " ; as in olden times everything of this class was attributed
to His Satanic Majest)'.
Lacey Green Church dedicated to St. John the Evangelist,
was built by subscription in 1825, as a Chapel of Ease to the
Church at Princes Risborough, and was designed to supply
Lacey Green, Speen and Loosley Row. Its architecture is not
pronounced, but it has had a Chancel added, which is its
one redeeming feature in the interior, and it also possesses a
window decorated with 28 panels of painted glass, containing
the arms of the see of Lincoln and the chief benefactors to the
Church, a complete list of which Is given in LIpscombe. On the
wall also Is one of the George IV. Lion and Unicorn pictures.

63
The road which leads down the village goes on to Speen,
Naphill, and Hughenden, the road to Speen turning sharp to the
left at Flowers bottom. Then comes the hill. It is too steep
for the road to go straight up, so half way up it takes a right
angle and returns to nearly its former direction until the little
village is reached.

Speen Vdlage
Speen,
^7 PEEN is a pleasant little place, larger than some of the
j^^ other small villages, but with nothing to detain one. It is a
growing place and has actually a ¦west end, ¦with some of
the new red and ^vhite villa residences which seem to spring up all
over the best bits of the country. Turn here at the handing post
by the pond and take the road north to Hampden,
Betw^een Speen and Hampden Common the road lies along
side a fir wood and although the Outside of this is green. If
you look through it, the lower part gives one the idea of a dead
wood. The firs are planted about a yard or so apart, and
although they have shot out as they grew up, the want of air
and light, and moisture, have made the little shoots die off, and
there they hang withered, and grey, or fallen, and only one dead
tone is seen. Even where a tree has not shot up so fast as the
others it has been smothered by the rest, and there it is, dead.
The beech wood a little further on furnishes a pleasant contrast to
this, the trunks of the trees being more apart and not straight
up together, leave room and light, so the small under boughs
still bear green leaves, while the grass grows beneath and the
vista is tinged with colour and looks alive, a strong contrast to
the deathly scene of the Firs.

Hampden Common,

Hampden Gommon.

How very pleasant these Buckinghamshire Lanes are with then-
high flowering hedges and tree shaded greensward on either
side of the centre track. Sometimes they run alongside a
broad open wood of beech, with little ups and downs, and
peeps here and there along the valley ; or past a prett3- thatched
cottage or two, standing back from the road in their own gardens ;
and where cross roads are, there is also the ever ready " handing-
post " telling the way. It only requires fine weather to enjov
this country, and driving, or walking, or cycling about in the
clear fresh air makes one so hungry that everything In the shape
of food is enjoyed, and that heartily. And there are so many
things to notice, uncommon flowers, strange birds and butterflies,
country people and even the children at play as they come out
of some road-side school, and run and race and shout with glee
at their fellows, both boys and girls all seem well fed and happy.
This road brings us to Hampden Common, and what a charm
ing spot it is. Right among the beech woods, with giant trees on
the outskirts, under the broad shade of which is room for pic-nics
by the score ; the lower part beyond the gate filled with wild
flowers and bracken, among which raspberries and dewberries and
blackberries In their season, are to be found all growing in pro
fusion; and a little further on, a nice cup of tea can be got at
the cottage by the pond, along the side of the pretty lane
which leads to the great House and Church.

Sreat Hampden House and Cfiurcfi.
" Sliade of might}' warrior dead
You who nobly fouglit and bled
Teach our hearts like yours to burn
Lawless power like j'ou to spurn
Teach us but like you to wield
Freedoms lance and Kreedo-Jis shield."
JN a lovely park among the beechvi^oods, some 4 miles east
of Princes Risborough lies Great Hampden House and Church,
the former the home, the latter the last resting place of the
Patriot John Hampden, ^vhose strenuous opposition to the raising of
the ship monej', and his sad death from the wound received dur
ing the skirmish in Chalgrove Field, are well known episodes
in our English history. Hampden is easily reached from Ris
borough by Brimmer's Farm and Hampden Common, or If on
foot, through the woods direct^ and Is one of those places
which should not be missed by every lover of their country. The
nearest railway station is however, that of the Metropolitan
Railway at Great Missenden, on the direct route from Baker
Street to Aylesbury.
From Hampden Common the way winds along through a
prett^y Buckinghamshire lane until the Lodge is reached, ¦when
a sharp turn is made to the left through the gate, and a
couple of furlongs on is the Church and House. But if you
are Interested in antiquities, do not forget the old Danish Camp
not far from the turn of the road past the Smithy, or If preferred
it can be reached across the field to the south of the Church.
Great Hampden Manor in the time of the Conquest be
longed to Baldwyne, who was succeeded by Osbert, and It Is
more than probable that both these men were ancestors of the
family of Hampden, who have held the property for several
centuries, Lipscomb quotes from a long vellum roll in their
possession, dated 1579, which states that the Manor of Hampden
¦" has contynued in the possession of one family by the space
of more than 600 years, who takyng their name of the place
whereof they were Lordes, grew thereupon to be called bj'
the second name of Hampden." It then shows that the conqueror
gave Hampden to one of his followers named Fitz-Ansculf, when
¦Osbert of Hampden was Lord — " who whether it were by money

66
or some other meane of friendshipp so purchased the good-will
of the said William, that he suffered the said Osbert to contynewe
in quiet possession of his said Lordeshippe of Hampden." Baldwin
de Hampden (son of Osbert) held this Manor in the reign of
Henry I. and the estate continued In the family till it became
extinct in the male line by the death of John Hampden Esq. in 1754.
Robert de Hampden, son of Baldwin, and Bartholomew his
son, and also Sir Reginald, who was created a knight, added to
their properties by their marriages, and several later members of
the family filled the office of Sheriff of Bucks. William Hampden,
M. P. for East Looe, married in 1592 Elizabeth, second daughter
of Sir Henrj' Cromwell, Aunt of Oliver Cromwell, and It was
this lady's eldest son who was the celebrated John Hampden,
commonly called the Patriot. He married first Elizabeth, daughter
of Edmund Simeon, Esq. of Pyrton, Oxon, by whom he became
possessed of the family mansion there, in which he sometimes
resided. He married secondly the Lad}' Letitia Vachell, but the
family came to an end in 1754, when John Hampden, the then
possessor, died. The property has since passed into the hands of
the Hobarts, Earls of Buckinghamshire, who have taken the name
of Hampden In addition to their own.
Great Hampden Church is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen,
and Is mostly Perp. in its stvle. It has Nave and Chancel,
North and South Aisles, Tower at the South West corner of the
Church, and south Porch. The Chancel Arch is bold, and on
each side from the Aisles are two long squints, the east wlndo^w
is of three lights filled with stained glass, to the memorv of the
Patriot, raised by subscription in 1898, and on either side Is an
ornamental niche. The Nave, Dec. in style, has 3 bays to the
South Aisle, and 4 bays to the North, with hoodmoulds over the
arches, having crowned heads or Bishops as finials ; the Clerestory
having two-light windows. The Pulpit and Reading Desk
with the seats are of Oak, the latter being old and ornamented
with linen pattern. The west window is Flamboyant In its
tracery and is filled with modern glass, the principal figures
being John Williams, Bishop of Lincoln on the left ; the patriot
John Hampden in centre, and Robert Lenthall, Rector, on the
right. The Porch is large and contains the remains of the stoup
and the stone seats. The lower part of the tower is E. E. but
the top Perp : the Church and Tower underwent restoration
about twenty j'ears since, when the old roughcast on the outside
was removed and the stonework repointed. In the Chancel the
Hampdens for many generations have been buried, but not in a
vault, and their brasses are on the floor ; there is also a fine
monument at the east end to Admiral Kempthorne and Anne
his wife, who was daughter to John Hampden, while the large mon
ument to the Patriot, with the genealogical tree of the familv,
occupies the wall between the windows. It consists of a sarcoph-
gji|> " The keys of the Church .are kept .it the f.irm across the field south west
of the Church.

67

agus between two weeping boys, one holding a staff with thfe.
Cap of Liberty, the other a scroll inscribed 'Magna Charta'; above is
an oval medallion with a representation in relievo of the fight in
Chalgrove Fie'd : in which Hampden is seen falling from his
horse ; a village ¦with its Church is in the background ; above
this being a tree, on the branches of which are suspended
shields with armorial bearings of the family. The inscription
begins

JOHN HAMPDEN
XXIIlItli, hereditary Lord of Great Hampden,
and Burgess for Wendover in three parliaments &c.
This was erected about 1750, before this no commemorating
word showed where the Patriot was laid.

68
Hampden House, which Is sometimes open at holiday
times has its main front towards the East, looking down the
long avenue called the Glade, which Is crossed by the road
from Butler's Cress to Wycombe. At the further end of this
Glade are a pair of lodges dignified by the name of the pepper
boxes. The front consists of a centre and two wings with half
round turrets between, and is now partly covered with greenery.
The south front is the oldest part ; it has an embattled
tower and lately some early windows have been uncovered on this
side ; it faces a garden which when our visits were made was
one blaze with Begonias of various brilliant colours. The
greater part of the wings are battlemented and this Is continued
round the Western front, which is shaded by two immense
Cedars and contains the principal entrance. In front of this
and extending a mile or two through the woods towards Ris
borough, is the Queen's Gap cut by Griffith Hampden when
Queen Elizabeth visited him in one of her progresses, ' for her
more commodious access.'
The house was mostly rebuilt in 1754, but there are still
some parts left of the earlier one, and among these are the old
Hall with Its Oak panelling and gallery and its large open
fireplace, over which is the portrait of the Patriot ; the old stair
case with its fine Inlaid work and pictures ; the Patriot's Study,
the room \vhere the demand for the payment of the ship money
¦^vas made and refused, and where the writ was served upon him
in default. The very table in the latter room Is said to be the
same, as well as some of the other furniture. Other parts ol the
House have been modernized, but In these rooms there is still
Grinling Gibbon's exquisite carving and the beautiful chimnev-
piece in marble. The dining room has been extended by the
addition of Queen Elizabeth's bedroom, into a grand apartment
with supporting Corinthian columns and Indian panel decorations
while the centre of the billiard room Is graced by a fine picture
of Hobart Pasha, one of the later members of the family who
upheld the family traditions, and left a manly name behind.
The house has many old traditions, one that King John
visited here, another that on one occasion when Edward 111, and
the Black Prince were here, and the Prince and his host were
exercising in some feats of chivalry, a quarrel arose In which the
Prince received a blow, which occasioned him and the King to
quit the place in wrath, and to seize on three valuable manors
as a punishment for the insult. The story gave rise to the stanza,
Tring, Wing, and Ivinglioe,
Hampden of Hampden did forego,
For striking of ye Prince a blow,
And glad he might escape so.
But there do not seem any records to support the story,
Griffith Hampden, as already noticed, entertained Queen Elizabeth

Hampden House, Bucks. The Home of John Hampden.

here, and King James honoured Hampden with a visit later, and
Knighted its owner. We hope in our larger edition to add to
this description, and also to the story of John Hampden the
Patriot, who Avas one of the first opponents to the raising of the
ship money ta.x b^' Charles, and took a foremost place both in
Parliament and In the County of Bucks, as a champion of popular
rights. The levy of Ship money on the Inland counties ¦^vas a
stretch of prerogative which even in the time of the Armada had
never been attempted, and Hampden after consulting the most
eminent constitutional lawyers of the time, determined to incur
the expense and probable danger of testing the case. It was to
wards the close of 1636 that this great cause came on in the
Exchequer Chamber, before all the Judges of England ; the
arguments occupied many daj's, and the court took considerable
time for deliberation. The opinion ol the bench was clearly
divided. So clear was the law In favour of Hampden, that
though the judges held their situation only during the royal
pleasure, the majority against him was the least possible. Five
of the twelve pronounced in his favour, the remaining seven gave
their voices for the writ.
The effect of the decision was to intensify the public indig
nation, but at the same time It made Hampden a marked man,
and the estate and person of every man who opposed the court
were at Its mercy. This being so, Hampden determined to leave
England, and accompanied by his cousin Oliver Cromwell, thev
took passage In a vessel ¦which lay in the Thames and were
actually on board, ¦when an order in Council prohibited the
vessel from sailing. Hampden and CromAvell remained, to fight
the popular cause at home. \\'hen the Parliamentarians raised
troops John Hampden embodied his regiment of Buckinghamshire
Infantry, which by Its steady valour proved itself worthy of the
County to which it belonged, as the men of Bucks have many
times since.
Hampden seems to hare been staying at Pyrton Manor
near Watlington, the home of his first wife, when the news came
to him that Prince Rupert was making a raid through the vallev
of the Chilterns, had attacked Chinnor and burned the village,
and was making his way back with his booty and prisoners to
O.xford, via Chislehampton Bridge. Hastily collecting all the
cavalry he could, although he was not their commander, he
designed to delay the march of the cavaliers until Esse.x could
take measures for cutting off their retreat. He came up with
Rupert at Chalgrove Field, and a fierce skirmish ensued. In the
first charge, Hampden was struck in the shoulder by two bullets,
which broke the bone and lodged in his bodj' ; then his troops
lost heart and gave way, allowing Rupert to retire unmolested.
Hampden with drooping head and hands leaning on his
horse's neck moved feebly out of the battle, and there remains an

JOHN HAMPDEN S STUDY, WHERE HE BEFU

TO PAY THE SHir MON

Hampden House, Bucks.

7^
affecting tradition that lor a moment he made an effort to make
his way to his old home at Pyrton ; but the enemy lay in that
quarter, so making his horse jump the brook, he turned towards
Thame, then the head quarters of the Parliamentarians, where he
arrived In great agonv. The Surgeons dressed his wounds, but
there was no hope ; yet he bore the pain with the utmost
fortitude, and after writing several letters concerning public
affairs, and sending a last message to head quarters, prepared
himself to die. To the last his intellect remained unclouded, and
when all -ivas nearly over, he lav murmuring faint prayers for
himself and the cause for which he died. His last words were
' O Lord save my Country.'
He ¦^vas buried in the Church at Hampden. His soldiers,
bare-headed, ^^Ith reversed arms and muffled drums and colours,
escorted his body to the grave, singing as thev marched, the
XC til Psalm. The house In which he died in Thame still stands,
and a monument has been erected near the spot where he was
shot, in Chalgrove Field.
One more memorial of the Patriot exists to the east of
Hampden House, by the side of the road leading to Prestwood ;
it can be reached by foot across the fields from the Lodge
gate. It is an obelisk with cross on top, erected In 1863 In
the corner of the identical field over which the action relating
to the ship money tax was fought. On it is this inscription
written by the late judg."; Sir W. Earle.
" For these lands in Stoke Mandoville, John Hampden
was assessed in twenty shillings Ship Jloney, levied by
command of the King, without autliority of law, the 4th. of
August 1C35. By resisting this claim of tlic King in legal
strife he upheld the right of the people under law, and
became entitled to grateful remembrance. His work on
earth ended after the conflict in Chalgrove Field, the
18th. June 1643. and he rests in Great Hampden Church."
This is the statesman and patriot described by the historian
Green as " a man of consummate ability, of unequalled power
of persuasion, of a keen intelligence, ripe learning, and a
character singularly pure and lovable," whilst Macaulay refers
to him as "the man who would have been, had he lived,"
Jhe Washington o[ England.

Index,

Alscot 

39.

Icknield Way ... J. 10.

28.

54

Askett 

23
Kimble Great .. 46.
to
49
Aylesljiiry Ducks
44.
ICimble Little , . 49.
to
53
Bledlow
•2:!. 27.
to.
32.
Lacey Green . . 23. 60.
tl)
63
Bledlow Cress
fi.
27.
28.
Longdown Hill
5/
Bledlow Ridge
27.
33.
Ijongwiok
37
Buckinghamshire
3.
Loosley Row 
23.
59
Butlers Cross
54,
57.
Mealde
23.
44
Cadsden
00
44.
57.
Alonks Risborough 41.
to
44
Chequers Court
58.
59
iVotley Abbey 
13.
14
Cliiltern Hills
4
7.
Owlswick 
23
44
Chinnor
35.
37.
Pitch Green
32
Coin of Cunobelin
¦-'•St.
Princes Eisboroiiuli 4. 8.
to
17
Coombe Hill
57.
Pulpit Hill Camp 
46.
47
Culverton
17.
Radnage 
37
Cj'mbelines Mount
4.
50.
Redlands Fuel
7
Ellesborougli ...
54.
to
57.
Roman remains
7.
52
Grims Dyke . . .
7.
02.
Saunderton
25.
26
Hampden Common
64.
Speen 
23.
63
Hampden Great
22. 65
to
72.
Terrick 
7
Hampden John
70.
72.
Wainhill 
23
Henton
34.
Walks round Risborough
"20
23
High Wycombe
4.
White Leaf 
44.
Horsenden
23.
24.
White Leaf Cross 18. to.
2->
41
Ilmer 
38.
39.
40.
Established 1835. Telephone : 131x.
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Booksellers.

An inspection of their large Stock of Books in all classes of
Literature, is invited. The prices are plainly and
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Catalogues of Classical, Theological, Historical, Economic,
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"Capital little books by which Mr. Taunt, the Oxford photographer, has done so
much— by pen and camer.a— to encourage an intimate and inteUigent interest in
Oxfordshire and the Midlands"— The Times.
BY Henry W Taunt, f.r.g.s.
Many years Photographer to the Oxford Architectural and
Historical Society.
PUBLISHED BY HENRY W. TAUNT & CO.. OXFORD,
Sold of all Booksellers.

Taunt's Illustrated Map and Guide to the River Thames from
Thames Head to London, -witii Map in Sections, two inches to a
mile, from direct Surveys by the Author, combined with Guide giving
every information required by the Tourist, the Oarsman, and the Angler ;
as well as to the Canals and Rivers in connection. Illustrated by over
a hundred Photographs.
Ten thousand Copies sold. Seventh Edition in Preparation.
A copy of this Guide has been accepted by H.M. The King,
" With Taunt's Map and Guide any Oarsman can flnd his way down the Thames
as easily and comfortably as if he had been born on one of its green banks. It is
really a handsomely got up volume of over two hundred pages, illustrated with
numerous photographs, and containing accurate and detailed descriptions of everything
requisite. We should say that it is as essential as the boat for a successful journey."
New York Heralti.
Taunt's Pocket Map and Guide to the Thames.
16mo., Oblong. Two-and-Si.vpence. Twelfth Thousand.
"We have nothing but the most cordial praise for Mr. Taunt's delightful, useful
and artistic Guides."
"Taunt's Map and Guide to the Thames is invaluable."
Iff ley Mill and its Story, Illustrated, by Henry "W. Taunt, f.r.g.s.
3rd, Edition enlarged and extra illustrations. Demy 8vo. Sixjience.
The first Edition sold out the day it was published.
"To the many thousands of persons interested this narrative of the history and
ownership of the Mill for 800 years, is a valuable souvenir." Oxford Times.
"Mr. Taunt deals fully with the historical associations of the place as well as its
picturesque surroundings, and excellent photographic illustrations add to the interest
of the brochure." South Bucks Free Press.
Companion to IfHey Mill. Just Published.
Iffley Manor, Church and Village, by Henry AT. Taunt, fully
illustrated, Demy 8vo. Sixpence.
The History and deseripton of the very ilne Norman Church, the
story of the Manor, and Rectory, with tlie May-day festivities &c.,
all fully illustrated from direct photographs.
"A complete Guide to Iffley, with its companion of "Iffley Mill."
"A visit to Iffley is made doubly interesting by Mr. Taunt's very pretty
and comprehensive little book."

Just Published
The Oxford Poems of Matthew Arnold, ( The Scholar Gipsy,' and
'Thyrsis,'; Illustrated, to which are added The Hinkscys near Oxford,
with the story of Ruskin's Road makers, and Rambles with Jlatthew
Arnold, with Guides to the Country the poems illustrate. Portrait,
Ordnance Map, and 76 Photographs, by Henry W. Taunt. I'.u.G.s.
Demy 8vo. Three and Sixpence.
".Another of the capital little books hy which Mr. Taunt, the Oxford photo
grapher, has done so much — by pen and camera — to encourage an intimate and
Intelligent interest in Oxfordshire and the midlands. " The Times.
Comets Historical and Marvellous, With the story of Halley's
Comet and its numerous appearances from the earliest ages to the
present time, by P. De. Regis, and Henry W. Taunt, Illustrated.
Demy 8vo. .Sixpence.
"The story of the Comets makes facinating reading and the artistic illus
trations add both to the interest and value of the little book." Oxfoi'd Times.
The Four Noses at Brasenose College, Oxford, by H. Hurst Vj.X.
with Photographic frontispiece. Published by Henry W. Taunt & Co.,
Oxford. ]"2ino. Sixpence.
"An interestmg story of the very curious Xoses of B.N.C. with a very capital
l^hotograph of them for the frontispiece."
Fairford Church ivith its celebrated 'Window^s, Leehlade and
the district round them, by Henry W. Taunt, F.R.G.S. Third Kdition
enlarged. Small Svo. with Plan of "Windows and Xiiie Photographic
Illustrations, One Shilling.
" -^ more useful guide to this neighbourhood cannot he imagined."
Abingdon, Ancient and Modern. The story of its .\bbe\^ and
Cross, tlie Town and Churches, Christ's Hospital, the Bridges &c.
A complete guide to Ancient and Jlodern Abingdon, by Henry W. Taunt,
witli Plan and Illustrations. Ready. Small Svo. One-and-Six])eHCe.
"Those persons — their name is legion — who have used the illustrated hooks of that
warrantable artist, Mr. Taunt of Oxford, in their voyages on the Thames, will have
noted that he is not only a sun-painter, a philosopher and friend, but also strongly
imbued with antiquarian tastes. It will be good news to them to learn that Mr. Taunt
lias almost ready for the press a careful, chatty, and well-illustrated work on ".Incient
and Modern .-Vbingdon." This sleepy but beautiful old town, with its ruined abbey,
its Christ's Hospital, and its many ancient -buildings, is fragrant with legends and
traditions, and of these Mr, Taunt has collected a great number. Having seen an
advance copy of the work, I pronounce it worthy and entertaining." Country Life.
Goring, Streatley and the Neighbourhood, including uhe Thames
from "Wallingford to Reading, Cheap Edition with general Jlap and
three River Maps, Photographic frontispiece and other illustrations.
Complete Guide, by Henry "W. Taunt, Small Svo. Cloth lettered, 122 pp.
Two Shillings nett.
".\ hook which to the utility of a Tourist's Handbook adds many attractions which
such publications usually lack.'' Reading Mercury.
Mr. Taunt is well kno"\\Ta as a guide philosopher and friend in all things concern
ing the River. His work on Goring, Streatley Ac, is an authority on the subject, and
its success has induced him also to issue this cheap edition, which will he likely to
induce many of those who read it to visit the delightful spots about which he writes,
Oxford Times.

Godsto-w with its Story of Fair Rosamund, Medley, "Wytham
and Binsey, by Henry "W. Taunt, F.R.G.S. Small Svo. Paper. Profusely
illustrated and Map, 2nd Edition, Sixpence.
"In this little book the history n.nd legends of one of the most picturesque and
charming districts near Oxford, are skillfully retold. The illustrations are numerous
and specially interesting." Oxford Chronicle.
" This little work is admirably illustrated by map and photographs. The letterpress
is from the pen of Mr. Henry W. Taunt, and he handles his subject with characteristic
brightness and ability." Wilts and Glo'ster Standard.
"Written by the same hand as the well known Thames Guides, which every
.American who runs down the river always carries, this hke that book, contains
everything wanted, written in a most pleasing and graphic style."
Do^vn the River to Nuneham and Abingdon, Small Svo.
By Henry W. Taunt. Map, Plan and Illustrations. Eightpence.
"Mr. Taunt's charming little Guide "Down the lliver to Xuneham and .Abingdon,"
is an earnest of what the larger one will he." Sunday Times.
"This is another of the delightful handbooks to river scenery by Mr. Taunt, and
is illustrated with photographic views. Every visitor will do well to secure this chatty
account of the scenery and antiquarian features." Oxford Times.
Kirtlington, Oxon. Ancient Ivirtlington. St. JIary's Church, The
Park and House. Royal Kirtlington, the .Manors and their owners.
The Village witli some scenes of Country Life. Illustrated with Camera
and Pen by Henry W. Taunt, lf.u.(i.s. Demy Svo. 2nd Edition. Eancy
Cover. One Shilling.
"Mr. Taunt is always springing welcome surprises upon his Oxfordshire friends,
and has now brought home to his readers the interesting village of Kirtlington. Style
and study have vied with each other for supremacy and the result is ti most tasteful
and interesting publication." Oxford Times.
"There is no need to tell over again the story of Kirtlington which Mr. Taunt has
lately told in the capital little handbook which he wrote and illustrated with
photographs  The Church also has been exhaustively written of, and the photograph
of the fresco on the North wall, is the best thing in the book." Zoe in Oxford Times.
Magdalen To-wer on May Morning. By Henry "S\'. Taunt, 4th Ed. just
published, enlarged, with new scenes. The story of the singing on
Magdalen Tower, with Jlusic, Latin Hymn, and Translation, Fully
Illustrated with direct Photographs, Svo. Sixpence.
' Another edition is to hand of Magdalen Tower on May-morn, one of the interest
ing booklets of Mr. Taunt. It is the most complete record published ot the May-
morning ceremony." Oxford Times.
"Magdalen Tower oh May-morning is a charmingly illustrated brochure on the
delightful old custom of welcoming May in with a chorus of praise at 5 a.m. from the
top of Magdalen Tower, Oxford." Penny Illustrated Paper.
"The brochure is interesting and complete." Oxford Chronicle.
The Boar's Head at Queens College Oxford, on Xmas Day,
with the authorized words and music, illustrated with Photographs,
by Henry "W. Taunt, F.B.G.s. Small Svo. 2nd Edition with additions.
Sixpence. "Mr Taunt is indefatigable in collecting the records of ancient customs and
illustrating them, weaving their stories into charming little brochures like his "Boar's
Head Ceremony at Queens College," which is in every way complete."

Blenheim Palace and Woodstock. "What to see and how to see
it, by Henry Vt\ Taunt. ( Under the direct sanction of His Grace Th&
Duke of Marlborough.) A descriptive and historical guide, with Plan,
and a number of Illustrations. Svo. Paper Sixpence.
" The letterpress is full of interest and useful to visitors, but of still greater interest
is the many photographs with which it is artistically and lavishly illustrated. It makes
an excellent souvenir as well as a useful handbook." Oxford Times.
Blenheim Palace, "Woodstock &c. Their story and some of the
Scenes around them. Contains beside the above, historical reminiscences
of Royal Woodstock Palace and Park from earliest times, the Story of
the Dukes of Jlai-lborough, with an extended account of tho great Duke
and his battles, illustrated, the Roman Yilla, &e. With Frontispiece
of His Grace the Duke of Marlborough, K.(i. Svo. Cloth Gilt. 3 plans,
50 illustrations, One-and-Sixpence. Just published.
See opinions of the 2"'cs.s A-r., iie.xt prifje,
The Rollright Stones. The Stonehenge of Oxfordshire, with
its Folk-lore, and full deseripton and guide to the neighbourhood,
with some account of the Ancient Druids, and their Sagas rendered
into English, by Henry W. Taunt, F.R.G.S. Demy Svo. Cloth lettered.
Plan, Eleven full page Photographic illustrations, and Ten smaller
ones. 72 pp. One-and-Sixpence.
'The latest and in some respects the most important and interesting of the valu
able series of historical and antiquarian Guide Books prepared by Mr. Taunt, who
has done his work with his usual thoroughness." Oxford Times.
" This very interesting book should be read by all Druids, especially those who are
students of our ancient predecessors. It is profusely and beautifully illustrated. The Druid
>S'ee iie.rt pncje also.
The Rollright Stones. Che.ap Edition, I'aper, with fewer illustrations
One Shilling.
Dorchester (Oxon) and its Abbey Church, with a complete
guide to the neighbourhood, by Henry W. Taunt, F.R.G.S. Illustrated
with Plan and original Photographs. Demy Svo. 2nd. Ed. One Shilling.
"Mr. Henry W. Taunt our well known .Antiquary, has laid all lovers of Historical
objects under fresh and greater obligations, by the production ot his excellent little
book, "Dorchester and its Abbey." The book will have many appreciiitive re.iders.
Oxford Chronicle
"The first edition was praised and sold out, but the second edition is even
better than the earlier one. It has more details, more pictures, and is the verv
took every one who visits Dorchester Abbey and this neighbourhood requires."
Notes & News.
" A Pretty Corner of Leafy Bucks."
Princes Risborough and round it, including, iionks Risborough
White Leaf Cross, the Kimbles, Ellesborough, Hampden, Horsendon'
Saunderton, Bledlow, Chinnor, Lacey Green, Culverton, Loosley Row &c'
by Hexry W. Tal-nt f.r.g.s. Demy Svo. Illustrated. One .Shiliinn- '

OPINIONS of the PRESS.
Frum tlie Daihj Telegraph, Oct. 22nd, 1009,
Blenheim and AVoodstock, The Rollright Stones,
(OXFORD: TAUNT, Is, 6d. net each.)
All visitors to Oxford are acquainted with Mr. Henry W. Taunt's
excellent photographs, which, before the advent of the cheap picture-
postcards, were the favourite souvenirs of Eiglits Week taken home
by "sisters, cousins, and aunts." The smaller company of enthusiasls
who are interested in archicology, however, know that Mr. Taunt's
skill is by no means confined to his camera, and that he is a well-
known local authority upon the history, not only of the University
town, but of all the most attractive villages along the Thames Valley.
And when he combines his art as a photographer with his erudition
as an archaeologist, he may be relied upon to furnish his readers with
volumes of genuine charm and permanent value.
The two neat books before us are admirable examples ot his
literary and artistic skill. They are beautifully produced, with a
profusion of good photographs, and the letterpress is bright and
soundly informative. The first of the two volumes deals with the
historic associations of Blenheim and Woodstock, and would serve as
an ideal guide-book to the Intending visitor. The views in Blenheim
Park are particularly good, and some of the interiors are full of rich
detail. The second volume carries us back to the twilight of British
history, giving a clear and yet learned account of the famous Rollright
Stones, " the Stonehenge of Oxfordshire," which lie about three miles
north of Chipping Norton, and are the inevitable subject of much
quaint and curious lore, Mr. T^uht gives a ground plan of the old
Druidic circle, and an ox>pl itnation of its origin, illustrated with photo
graphs of all the principal groups. He even includes translations from
the old Sagas, admirably rendered into modern English verse. There
can be no doubt that these well-equipped volumes will enjoy a groat
vogue in the neighbourhood to whose service they are designed.
From the O.xford Times, Auq, 14th, 1909.
"In this book Mr. Taunt tells the story of Blenheim and Woodstock,
in a lively, interesting manner that makes it attractive. There is an
historical account, a description of the Palace and the contents of
the State Rooms, a ground plan of the Palace, the rare old ballad
of " The Lite and Death of Fair Rosamund," a description ot the park,
an account of old Woodstock and the glovemaking which is its chief
industry, a chapter, with portraits, on the Dukes ot Marlliorough, and
a description, with ground plan and illustration of the tesselated paving,
ot the Roman Villa at Northleigh. The letterpress is full of interest,
but it is probably the illustrations that will make the book most
popular, for some of them are unique. An excellent up-to-date portrait
of the present Duke, from a photo by Lafayette, forms the frontispiece;
among the numerous illustrations, are old and new views of Woodstock,
bits of the park, the High Lodge, the east, south and west fronts of
the Palace, several views of the interior, old Woodstock Palace in 1700,
representations ofthe Battle of Blenheim, etc. We can commend the
book to all who are interested either in the place or the family through
whom it has become famous."
From His Grace thr Dckb of Marlborocigh.
Blenheim Palace
Dear Mr. Taunt, 27th. September 1909.
You are indeed kind to send me a copy of your book on
Blenheim and Woodstock. I have been reading it through with the
greatest pleasure, and I have derived much information from it ot
which 1 was quite unaware. With many thanks.
Believe me, Yours sincerely
(Signed) Marlborough.

Mew 32i"ies of hiisforical Handbook^, IKustrafcd.
The River Thames from Oxford to ^Vallingford, with the
Towns and Villa? 'S ou its banks, including .-Vbingilon, Dorchester &c.
I'.y Henry W. Taunt, f.r.g.s. Illustrated with Maps and Photographs.
Svo. Cloth Gilt. 18(t pp. 3 Maps and Plans, 28 Illustrations. Six Shillings.
The River Thames through the Chiltern Country "Wallingford
to Reading, including Goring, Streatley, and the Neigh btuirhood.
By Henry W. Taunt. F.R.G.S. Illustrated with JSlaps and Photographs.
Second Edition. Svo. Cloth Gilt. 125 pp. 3 Maps, 30 Photograjihic
Illustrations. Six Shillings.
The River Thames, Staines to Henley and Reading, includ
ing Windsor, Maidenhead, Marlow &c. I!y Henry W. Taunt, f.r.g.s.
Illustrated with Maps and Photographs. Svo. Cloth Gilt. 6 Maps and
Plans, 37 Illustrations. Six Shillings.
These three books make a complete Thaiues Historical Guide fro;n
Oxford to Staines.
" When you want to know anything about a place, procure one of Taunt's Guides.
He is one of the most painstaking of Collectors, a genuine .-Vntiquarian, and the folk
lore of a district seems to come to him without any difficulty. We "were delighted
with his new hooks, well "written, printed, and illustrated in such a "way as to make
them worth double the modest price at which they are issued." Telegraph.
^Jew lllusfrated Photograph j3ook^.
One Shilling each nett.
Bach with a concise Guide, ( some with Plans,) and a number of Scenes
of the place and district, in Orn. Gilt blocked Covers. Demy oblong,
by Henry W. Taunt, f.r.g.s.
Blenheim Palace and "Woodstock, with some scenes in the
Park &e. 2S Illustrations. 2nd. Edition with additions.
Charlbury Oxon, and round it, including Cornbury Park,
Ditchley &c. 21 Illustrations.
Chipping Campden, Glo'stershire. A Gem ot the Cotswolds.
27 Illustrations.
Beaulieu Abbey and round it, with some scenes in the New
Forest &c. 3rd Eflition with Plan ot Abbey and 27 Illustrations.
Netley Abbey and round it, with scenes on Southampton Water,
new Plan ot Abbey and 30 Illustrations.
Witney Oxon and round it, Minster Lovell, Stanton Harcourt &c.
including the story of 'Blankets while you wait. Prom Sheep's back
to Blankets in a day.' 21 large and 20 small Illustrations.
St. Giles' Fair the popular Oxford Carnival, and its Story, illus
trated with photographs by Henry W. Taunt, 13 Illustrations, Demy
oblong, Paper, Sixpence.

Iq PrcparaHoq.

Fairford Church and its ^Vindo-ws. A fully and richly illustrated
book, the text by the Rev. F. R. Carbonell, Vicar ot Fairford, (he
illustr.ations by Henry W. Taunt, the well-known veteran photographer
of Oxford. Crown 4to. Art Paper. Ready shortly.

with the
OXY-HYDf]CGEN LANTERN
AND CINEMATOGRAPH,
Suitable for all
Classes.
Over
1200 LECTURES
AND ENTERTAINMENTS
HAVli: BEEN
SUCCESSFULLY GIVEN
BY
Mr HENF^Y W, TAUNT, FRGS,, 3cc.
Mr, TAUNT'S Lecture on the THAMES ran at the
London Polytechnic over 200 Nig-hts,
Lantern Slides of Oxford, The River Thames,
ENGLISH SCENERY, LIFE SCENES, &c.
THOUSANDS OF SLIDES IN STOCK. ON SALE OR HIRE.
Slides made and Painted.
Full Particulars on Application.

gmrrr W. ^ctitnt $c ^o., ®^f0r^.

,SV(' (ilau ne.vt purje.

-7^^ ':

New Book in Preparation,
Profusely Illustrated,

Old Castle Tower.

Oxford, past and present,
its Story for a Thousand Years.
by
Henry W. Taunt, f.r.g.s. &o
Photographer to the Oxford Architectural and Historical Society.
Author of the well-known Guides to the Thames.
&c., &c.
This book will embody all the best of a number of large
collections of Oxford, into Demy 4to volumes of some 230 pages
each, ranging from A.D. 912 to the present time, and Illustrated
by 500 tc 600 Photographic Illustrations, including a number of
full size plates, as well as maps and plans &c. They will be
ornamentally bound so as to form a charming gift book and the
price to Subscribers will be One Guinea per vol.
Prospectus free.
May we be favoured with vour name as a Patron and Subscriber.
Henry W. Taunt Sc <Zo.,
RIVERA WORKS, COWLEY ROAD, OXFORD,
Five minutes walk beyond the Tram Terminus, at the
big Aspen Tree.
YOU are cordially invited to pay us a Visit

Established 1806,

H. S. BRAZELL,
family Grocer, provision jVIcrcbant,
porh Butcher, and General Stores,
POST OPPICE, BL-EOL-OiA£,
Every article sold in R, S. BRHZeivJv'S
establishment is carefully selected, arid as Quality is always the
true test of cheapness, this Is specially considered.
Articles of everyday consumption, such as
5eas, Su^a\?, Cottee, ^ams, '^guUs,
like, 5ay\oca, Spices, "^acoti,
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will be found STAND-OUT Value.
A trial Order is respectfully solicited,
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Lowest Quotations submitted with pleasure for Ground or Cake
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Church St.
Princes
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Telephone :- No. 4, Princes llisboi"OU;ih.

FRESH WROUGHT COALS DIRECT FROM COLLIERY TO CONSUMER,
AU descriptions of Cannock, Leicester, 1)ei-l)y, Wi^an, and Wclsli
t'oal for Honse, Steam, and Smitlis' purposes; Ponndi-y .and Gas Coke,
Agricultural, and olher Salt, delivered to any Ktation per Truck Load
at the lowest prices for Casli, nioiitli following delivery.
Goods and Parcels Carting Agent,
to the Great Western and Great Central Railways,
Joint Committee,
at PRINCES RISBOROUGH and HADDENHAM.

DUKE STREET, PRINCES RISBOROUGH.

Tlie Shop for value for Money.

^?

P©SS &
1RAPER8, CLOTHIERS, & BOOT IACT0R8,
A large and well assorted Stock
o? f^eliable Goods irp all Departmerpts,
Pucks Lace. — A choice assortment of Pillow Lace
Handkerchief Borders, Lace Collars etc.
Made in the surrounding villages.
Tailoririg Dept, — A Large selection of the newest
patterns in Suitings, Trouserings & Overcoatings.
K Specially — 0ur 30/- Suit to measure.
Style, Fit, and Workmanship Guaranteed,
Local Depot for Rcl^ille Serre, litd,
HIGH CUKSS CLEKNERS St OVERS,
Goods despatched Daily.

ESTABLISHED OVER A HUNDRED YEARS

' SilMUELi flDCOGK,
FAMILY GROCER &. PROVISION MERCHANT,
Ut>NS ^GEl4T and ST^T\OUER
Princes Risborough.
This is the old established Business where YOU can
get a supply of the greater part of your needs
to make your stay in this district a very pleasant one.
pil Geods are carefully selected,
©[ excellent qaality and reasonable price.
iV U«^e assoietrnttvl ot IJlscuUs and dlxocoUles
ot Via ^csl }A&kacs.
For the friends at Home, come and inspect our selection of
PHOTOGRAPHS and POST CAROS o^ \.V& Ovslncl,
by TAUNTS ol Oxford

0

Pi

Date Issued

Inclu

-«e«

o:

IN

^.lea.

^p

4

r ratives,

^r»

-E.

No otW^-ri-rrrTras^^xicn-a TiTiB^ collection onoraSHaiBye-gone
Oxford, the negatives of which have been accumulating
for the last FIFTY YEARS.

HENRY W. TAUNT & Co., OXFORD.
Pliotogranliic and pine ^rt printing Works.
RIVERK, COWUEV ROKD.
Five minutes walk beyond the Tram Terminus
at the big Aspen Tree.

SauxiVs Ttiolojieaiplis
and ?\cluiea ?osl Cauds
of
Princes Risborough,
and the District round it
arc by far the best
and the largest seiectioo.
An entire new series is just published,
jdcnry W. Taut\i ^ Co.,
I^ivera Work^, Cowley Road, Oxford,