YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Gift of the SCHOOL tof FINE ARTS YALE UNIVERSITY lUtttttuottt) 3JUtt$t*aUi». Oris. 0>f / J 6) "/"/'// 7 >/Ov /'/ /'//;.v7>: 7 A 4,a ,.>/„/ f'.L/,;',r/ C *'l.. //,;/,;. /,;;„ ",, f ',',/',„¦> ^ ¦ A»,Ao,f/ f -/ /// ('/"¦-'¦'"¦''S: ''>' t"' <''/¦"¦/¦"''" "/ //'/ ' //'"''/"'/¦'"/' //',,-J '¦" 'I i" />> t /<> " /'// t'/ / / A" BilMiiafliaia Ja/<.''/w'-'^/ by TTS-Z ' ftatfr/yw \ trrJArn'j/nv Sc Son- December ?A iSs.2 ¦ i "bv"11/ & :':.Ep ;.cb.lT! KENILWORTH ILLUSTRATED; OR, THE HISTORY OF 3H)e Castle, #riotp, anD Cimtcl) of Eentltjoortl). WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR PRESENT STATE. 54LI5& CHIS WICK: $rtnteti 6g ®. ZKa&ttttegJam, ©ollege f^ousse ; 1'OR MERRIDEW AND SON, COVENTRY'; JOHN MERRIDEW, WARWICK; AND W. AND T. RADCLYFFE, BIRMINGHAM. SOLD ALSO BY ¦LONGMAN, HURST, AND CO. RODWELL AND MARTIN, AND HURST, ROBINSON, AND CO. LONDON ; AND CONSTABLE AND CO. EDINBURGH. M DCCC XXI. TO THE RIGHT HON. THOMAS VILLIERS, EARL OF CLARENDON, ETC. ETC. ETC. &tw foiiminq llaflcs ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANTS, THE PROPRIETORS. 6 82 CONTENTS. History of Kenilworth Manor, Priory, and Castle 1 to 43 Summary of Royal Visits to Kenilworth 44 History of Kenilworth Church 45 to 54 Survey of Kenilworth Castle in 1821 v 55 to 63 APPENDIX. Biographical Notice of Robert Laneham 1 to 3 Laneham's Letter 5 to 43 Biographical Memoir of George Gascoigne 47 to 49 Gascoigne's Princelye Pleasures at Kenelworth Castle 51 to 80 Masques performed before Queen Elizabeth 81 to 99 Laneham's Letter,' and ' Gascoigne's Princelye Pleasures at Kenilworth Castle,' are correctly copied from the original Editions, in the Possession of William Staunton, Esq. of Longbridge House, near Warwick: and the Reprint of the latter Work contains the Printer's Address, and some various Readings from a unique Copy of an Edition, in Octavo, 1576, formerly belonging to Dr. Farmer ; and now'in the Collection of Mr. Staunton. The Masques are printed from a coeval Transcript iu a Volume of Manuscript Collections, by Henry Ferrers, Esq. of Baddesley Clinton, in the Possession of William Hamper, Esq. of Birmingham. LIST OF THE PLATES Page Portrait of the Earl of Leicester, to face the Title. Seals of Kenilworth Priory 9 Priory Gateway 10 Kenilworth Church 48 Monument of Mrs. Gresley 48 Plan of Kenilworth Castle 55 Gatehouse of Ditto 55 Fireplace from Leicester's Buildings 56 Cesar's Tower 56 from Clinton Green 56 The Strong Tower (or Mervyn's Tower of the Author of the Romance of " Kenilworth"), from the Pleasance and ancient View of the Priory from Buck's Print 58 Great Hall and Oriel ,... 59 Interior of Great Hall 59 Entrance to ditto 59 Leicester's Buildings 60 Lunn's Tower 61 The Water Tower 6*2 General View of Kenilworth Castle from S. E 63 Portrait of Gascoigne. Appendix 47 THE HISTORY OF KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE JDefore the Conquest, Kenilworth was a member of Stoneley, being antient demesn of the Crown ; and had, within the precincts thereof, a Castle situat upon the bank of Avon, in the woods opposite to Stoneley Abby. Which Castle stood upon a place called Horn Hill, but was de molished in those turbulent times of warr betwixt King Edmund, and, Canutus the Dane. By the Conq. Survey, it appears, that this which now beares onely the name of Kenilworth, was then in two parts; the one called Optoue, certified to contain three hides, being then held, immediately of the King by Albertus Clericus in pure Almes ; upon which were resident two Priests : the woods whereof conteyned half a mile in length, and four furlongs in breadth ; this being that part of Kenilworth which now the Inhabitants call the High Town, and situate upon the ascent on the north part of the Church. But the other, which in the same Record is written Chinewrde, and possest by Rich. Forestarius, did then contain no more than three virgats, 1 The following History of the Manor, Priory, and Castle, is extracted from Sir William Dugdale's Warwickshire, (Dr. Thomas's Edition, p. 236) to which the reader is referred for the respective authorities, it not having been thought necessary to encumber the present pages with them. The language of the text is that of the venerable Topographer himself, but the Notes are now subjoined by the Editor. Ii 4 THE HISTORY OF be brought to his Castle; viz. either to his Cellar, Kitchin, Larder, Graoary, or Hallgarth; as well as of all bought or given, either in Corn, Hay, Hoggs, Muttons, Bacon, Venison, Cheese, Fish, Wine, Hony, Wax, Tallow, Pepper, and Cumin, though they had 'been tithed elswhere before, as of his own proper revenue. Together with all his Lambskins throughout every his Mannours, as well those as should be kill'd to eat, as of others that might dy casually. To these large and munificent gifts, he added the Mannour of Hichenden in Com. Buck, which he had by the bounty of King Henry ; and the Church of Stone in Staffordshire, which he procured of one Enisan, within whose Lordship it lay, by the consent of Nich de Stafford, it being founded in his fee1. And besides these particulars did he likewise give to the said Canons, liberty to fish with boat and nets, one day in every week ; viz. Thursday, in redditibus, videlicet in blado et feno, in porcis et animalib ; multonibus et baconibus, venatioe, caseis, piscib ; vino et melle, in cera et sebo, pipere et cymino, q°ndocunq; et qQmacunq; ad castellu de Chenellewrda pvenerit, quamvis ea oia etia alibi decimavi. Preterea concessi ad pellicias fratru oes pelles agnoru, de oib ; manerijs rueis, sive shit in meo duio sive ad firma, tam de his que eduntur qua de mortuus. Hoc etia concessi eis ut quotiens porci ierint in pascioe ubicunq; mei fuerint ibm, et ipi suos dnicos porcos ponant. Similiter post festu scti Martini si ego meos in parco meo vel in haia vel in aliquo defenso posuero, ipsi quoq; suos in eisde locis mittant. Porcos vero hominu suor de olbus terris suis in alijs boscis meis ponant, et panagiu inde accipiant sicut ego de meis holbus accipio. Volo enim et firmiter concedo ut in his et in oibus alijs consuetudinib; ita lib'e et quiete teneant, sicut et ego melius et quietius de ipo rege meas consuetudines habeo. Hujus aute donationis et concessionis sunt testes, Symon epus Wigornien', Ricus Archidiac', Radulfus vicecomes, Raginaldus magister, et Rob't' Magister de Criklada, G'ger' decanus, Willms et Paganus capellani Wigor' epi, Sywardus de Ardena, Gaufr' de Petra futa, Engelgerus de Bohun, Willus de Bosovilla, Radus Dapifer et Willms filius ejus, Paganus filius Willi.— ( From Kenilworth Cartulary, Harl. MS. 3650. p. 1.) 1 Universis scte ecclie fidelib ; Galfr' de Clintoua sal.' — Sciant oes tam post'i qua p'sentes quod ego p redemptioe peccator meor, et pro salute dni mei Henr' regis, dedi et in elemosina concessi ecclie scte Marie de Kenilg' et Canoni'cis ibi deo servientib ; Maneriu de Hichend', cu oib : ptin' suis, libera et quietu de ol servitio et auxilio sclari, preter communia gelda regis. Et feci hec concession dni mei Henrici Regis ex cujus dono et dnio ide Maneriu teneo, asseusu etia et petioe Gaufr' de Sancto Roerio qui eaude terr' de Hichenden de me tenebat. Preterea concedo eisde canonicis ecclia de Stanes, cu oib ; ptin' suis in ppetua et lib'am elesmosina qua eis adquisivi ex dono Enisani, in cujus dnio, et assensu Nich'i de Stafford, in cujus feodo ipa ecclia fundata est. Hijs testib; Hugo de, Legr', Gaufr' Luvet, Radul' Pine' et Will' fil' ejus, Rico de Torn' Gudmund' ut Rog" Merula' de Hichend', Alex' et Ernaldo, et Rob'lo filio Pag', et multis alijs. Valete. (From Kenilworth Cartulary, Harl. MS. 3650. p. 3. J KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 5 his pool, here at Kenilworth. But other particulars, of him, worthy of Note, have I not seen any, except that false accusation of Treason made against him at Woodstock, where K. Henry kept his Easter in 30. of his raign. To him succeeded Geffrey his son and heir, Lord Chamberlain likewise to the King, as his father was, and possest of a great estate : for by the certificate of William, E. of Warwick, in 12. H. 2 it appears, that he held of him no less than XVII. Knights fees de veteri feoffamento. Which Geffrey wedded Agnes, daughter unto Roger Earl of Warwick, with whom he had in marriage ten of those 17. Knights fees; id est, a discharge from any service from them, except in some speciall cases: as also the Shivalry of this County, to hold to him and his heirs, in such sort, as he the said Earl, had held, or might hold it of the King : and was a great benefactor to this Monastery of Kenilworth ; not onely by confirming all his fathers grants thereto; but adding these particulars; viz the land at Newton, at the buriall of his father. The Mannour of Pakinton with the Church and Mill, there. The greatest part of Leminton with the Church and Mill. The Mill of Guy Cliff. The Cell of Bretford, with lands at Wridfen aud Wotton. The Churches of Wilmeleghton (now called Wormleghton) Her- berbury, Radford, and Budbroke, all in this County, with the Church of Stivecle in Buckinghamshire, confirmed to them by William Pipard. All which were likewise ratified by Henry de Clinton, son to the last specified Geffrey, Avho also gave thereunto the town of Tachebroke, with much more land at Wridfen : in consideration whereof the before specified Canons allow'd to him every day, during his life, two manchets, such as two of the said Canons used to have, and four gallons of their better beer, according to wine measure, which he was to have whether he were at Kenilworth or not, except on those days he had entertainment in the said Monastery; and if he should enter into a religious life there, then he was never to have them afterwards, nor was he to give them away, or his heirs or successors to claim any right in them. After whose death, Amicia de Bidun, his wife, released unto these Canons all her right of dowrie, which she had in the lands so given by her said husband '. * Many other grants of land and church patronage, by various benefactors, were, from time to time, made to this Monastery, and are recited by Dugdale. O THE HISTORY OF And of these their possessions, as they had ample confirmations by se- verall Kings of this Realme, so were the priviledges very great which they enjoyed by those Charters; viz power to keep Court Leet, Assise of bread and beer, authority to try malefactors within divers of their Lordships, and freedom from suite to the County and Hundred Courts, besides free warren in divers of their Mannours1. To these was added by King E. 3. that the Subprior and Covent should, during the vacancy, have the custody of the said House, and all the Temporaries appertaining thereunto, paying only to the King, his heirs and successors, for every whole year, cxvii li. ii s. viii d. Thus was their plenty very great, wanting nothing that might be usefull to them in a full and fit manner, even to the meanest conveniences : K. H. 3. granting them liberty to conduct spring water, by pipes, from a pure fountain which lay fit for that purpose, to the severall offices in the Monastery. Of tbe damages that this Monastery sustained, when the Castle was besieged in 50. H. 3. I purpose to take notice when I come to discourse of the same Leaguer, having in the next column inserted the names of all the Priors of this House, which I have met with. CATALOGUS PRIORUM2. 1. Bernardus, temp. H. 1. 2. Laurentius, temp. Regis Steph. 3. Radulfus. 4. Hugo. 1162. 5. Robertus — circa 1170. 1 The following general license to appropriate their churches is preserved in the Cotton MS. Claudius A. I. 34. British Museum : Lucii Papae epistola, ad priorem et canonicos de Kenelworth ; in qua ipsis indulget ut cum clerici aut sacerdotes suarum ecclcsiarum parochialium decedant, aut easdem dimittant, eas in manibus retinere, et ad proprios usus reservare, liceat. The letter begins, " LucI Papa pori & canonicis d Kenellw salt" — and concludes with " Dat' " Anagii xiiij kl Noveb." 1 So Dugdale: — but though it was at first a priory, it became an abbey before the Dissolution; probably (as may appear by this list) about the middle of the fifteenth century. KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 7 6. Silvester— 2 Joh. 7. Walterus — 7 Joh. 8. Henricus— 16 H. 3. 9. David— 23 H. 3. 10. Robertus de Estleye 51 H. 3. 11. Ricardus de Tynelesford 18 Febr. 1280. ob. 1293. 12. Rob. de Salle, defunctus 6 E. 2. 13. Tho. de Warmynton, 6 E. 2. 14. Will. Charlton— 9 E. 2. 15. Joh. de Peyto— 2 Id. April. 19 E. 3. 16. Thomas occurs 1340. 17. Henr. de Bradwey — 22 Aug. 1361. 18. Tho. de Merston— 8 R. 2. 19. Will, (or Walter) de Brayles— 11 Aug. 1400. 20. Tho. Kidderminster, prior— 12 Feb. 1402. 21. Tho. Holygreve— 5 Aug. 1439. 22. Tho. Savage prior — 1447. 23. Will. Wyrley— prior — 1455. 24. Joh. Yardley1, abbot, 2 Maii, 1458. 25. Rad. Maxfield— 11 Jan. 1494. 26. Will. Wall, abbot, 9 H. 8. 27. Simon Jekys, abbot, 29 H. 8. Joh. Lyster, prior 2. There remains a very great Bell yet hanging3 in the present Parish Church, made it seems by Prior Kederminster, who lived temp. H. 4. H. 5. and beginning of H. 6. time ; about which there is this Inscription in large Characters. gseBftc-sp .'>y ¦ .lS,M^31Lt^'©IS.'ii.)lM iilEALS and T 4DK1E H *rr? ;Vj '£- p IIP wjm- Aip'iL^A ¦h^'i,tj v-~ ... III c\:-/>it* Cnvm. I f tinted by W ¦"• T KsJclvi'fc KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 9 533li. 15s. 04d. per annum, over and above all reprises ; viz. in Quit rents, Synodals, Procurations, Pensions, stipends to Curats, charges of Anniversa ries, and yearly Fees to the Officers belonging thereunto, with the like. In which it appears, that there was weekly given in Almes to poor people for the soul of Geffrey de Clinton the Founder, half a quarter of Moncorne1, rated then at 5s. the quarter ; and three bushells of Barley made in beer, at the rate of 4s. the quarter. And on Maunday Thursday yearly distributed to poor people in ready money, bread, and beer, at the washing of their feet, lxxii s.2. The principall Officers belonging to this House, being at that time, Henry Marq. Dorset, high Steward, whose fee was cvis. viiid. per ami. Laurence Grey Receiver generall, whose Fee was viii. per annum, John Lodbroke Auditor, his Fee being liiis. ivd. per annum3. From the foundation to the dissolution of this religious House, were about 430 Years, it being surrendered 15. April 29. H. 8. by the then Abbot, Simon Jekys, and his brethren of the Convent, who were severally allowed Pensions for life4. 1 Moncorne, or Mong corn, mixt corn or maslin. The original words are " ex frumentum & siligiura. 2 From the same survey it appears, that the anniversary of Geoffrey de Clinton, and Henry his son, was yearly celebrated at the charge of 20s. ; as also that of Prior Thomas Warmyngton, the expense of which was 9s. 3 On a Taxation of the Clergy to the second part of a subsidy, in the preceding year [1534] the Abbot and Convent were rated Twenty five pounds. — Harl. MS. 594. 4 According to Edmondson the Arms of the Priory were " Argent on a chief azure, two mullets, or, pierced gules," being those of the founder ; but on the modern Seal of the Convent, (see the Plate of Seals, No II.) the Arms of England are given. From a memorandum in Dugdale's MS. Collections we learn, that the legend of the ancient Seal of the Priory (No. I. Plate of Seals) was as follows : — Sigillum ecclesie sce marie de CHINILEWRDA. The Secretum, or Counter Seal, (No. III.) bears this appropriate inscription :— Cera pates CELATQE CARTULAS CESARE VELAT. Which may be thus rendered : Letters the spreading Wax conceals, But broken their contents reveals. The Modern Seal appears to be of Italian design, and was probably executed at no very distant period before the dissolution of the Monastery. The impression from whence our engraving was made (No. II.) is appendant to a deed, dated 17 March, 29 Henr. VIII. in the possession of William Hamper, Esq. of Birmingham, by gift of the Right Hon. Lord Bagot. Its legend is s:coe MONASTERII : BTE : MARIE : DE : KENELLWORTH. 10 THE HISTORY OF Touching the Mannour of Kenilworth, which belong'd to this religious House I find, that it continued in the Crown till 6. Eliz. and then was granted to Rob. Earl of Leicester, at that time possest of the Castle, as I shall shew by and by. But the site of the Monastery, which had been given by K. H. 8. to Sir Andrew Flamok (a Courtier of those dayes) descended to Sir Will. Flamok his son and heir, who dyed seized thereof II. Julii, 2. Eliz. leaving Katherin his daughter and heir about three years old, afterwards marryed to John Colburn of Morton Morrell in this County Esquire. Which John, having bought certain Horses, stolen out of the said Earle's stables here at Kenilworth Castle, as was pretended, became so terrified by Leicester, that he quitted unto him all his right therein, upon easy tearmes, as I have heard1. ' Of the Priory Buildings in general, few relics have escaped destruction, excepting the Gateway (see the Plate) which closely adjoins the south-western side of the Churchyard; but in 1729, when S. and N. Buck published their view of the ruins, some considerable masses of substantial masonry were in existence. These exhibited four door-ways, three apparently of Norman, and one of the pointed style of architecture ; also a larger and loftier fragment, decorated with two stories of circular arches, the lower in an interlaced, and the upper in a ponsecutive series. The wall thus embellished, it is probable, formed part of the Priory Church; an Edifice, of which the only circumstances that have been retrieved are a notice in Bishop Langton's Register of an Ordination in December, 1340, of 83 Subdeacons, 112 Deacons, and 37 Priests, in it; and the Will of John Beaufitz, Esq. of Balsall, co. Warw. 22 Henr. VII. 1488, wherein he directs his body to be buried in this Church, before the Image of the blessed Virgin, in the passage to the door of the Choir, or where else the Abbot John Yardley shall think more expedient. The extract from' the Will, containing several particulars connected with this Monastery, is given verbatim from Dugdale's MS. Collections, Vol. E. I. as follows: — " I John Beaufitz of Balshale doe make my Testament, Corpus sepeP in ecclia Abbi6 de " Kenelworth coram imagine b'te Marie in transitura ad hostium chori, vel ubi d'ns Johez " Yardley Abbas dicti monasterii cogitet melius dxpedire." It'm I have delivered to ye said " Abbot & Convent ©ne basyn w,h an Ewre of silver to serve at the high Auter by the advise of the " said Abbot and Convent & he all his life to pray for me dayly in his Masse specially by name '',.. i r»'/i .yiu.uo.1 i,.y y „•/:¦, »n ,u/ )¦.',•/ l/yv.y./ y,|, ,ly l-»t"M".l "" '|*i"J-"'U ¦Ji.r.HMJLV'J? A'.'Siroi'M ;os ^UP^U 9p 1X3900 KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 11 KENILWORTH CASTLE. That this Castle was built by Geffrey de Clinton, Chamberlain and Treasurer to K. H. 1. I have already in my discourse of the Priory, by him then founded, sufficiently manifested ; where also I have spoke, both of his parentage, and what else, in relation to him, is notable: but, being a place of such extraordinary strength and largeness (as may be seen by the circuit, breadth, and depth of the outer moats, and that unparalel'd part thereof, called Cesar's Tower ; which by the thickness of its walls and form of build ing, appears to have been of the first foundation) continued not long to his posterity: for in 11. H. 2. the Shiriff accounted for the profit of the Park; and in 19. H. 2. it was possest and garrison'd by the King, his eldest son (whom he had Crown'd) then rebelling against him ; with whom Lewis K. of France, Rob. Earl of Leic. Hugh Earl of Chester, and many other great men, took part, as our Historians do declare. At which time there was layd in a C. quarters of bread corn, at viii, li. viii s. ii d. charge (being not then much more than 2d. a bushell ;) 20. quarters of Barley at 33s. 4d. An hundred Hogs at £7. 10s. Forty Cows, salted, at 4li. cxx. Cheeses at 40s. 25. quarters of salt at 30s. At which time C. s. were allow'd for making of a Gaol there. And the next year following, did the same Shiriff; viz. Bertram de Verdon, account large summs of money, for payment of the Souldiers, Horse and Foot, therein. :Tis true, that Geffrey de Clinton, son and heir to the said Geffrey the Founder, had it a while in possession again, as some words of his Charter, whereby he granted certain lands in Milverton, do import ; viz. Postquam Castellum meum & bonorem meum recuperavi ; but it remained with him scarce 7. years ; and, after that time was never out of the King's hands, till Henry 3. granted it to Sim. Montford E. of Leic. as I shall shew anon : for in 27. H. 2. the Shiriff accounted for the Ferm of the ward thereof (which I take to be such money as was payd by the married Sir Robert Bellyngham, knt. gave, in 1518, the Manor of Fenny Compton and certain land to the Abbot and Convent. of Kenilworth ; the particulars of which, and the conditions of the gift, are expressed at page 240 of the Hist, of Warwickshire. 12 THE HISTORY OF Country people, who were otherwise, to perform their service in person for the guarding of this Castle) as also for certain money that he received, in nature of rent, from such as had their abode therein. Which makes me conjecture, that some persons, for security to themselves and their goods, obtained leave, there to reside, whereby they might be preserved from robbery and mischief in those turbulent times. The next year following, he accounted for the Ferm of such ground as was within the compass of the fortifications. In 30. H. 2. for the charge of repayring the walls. In 31. for workmanship about the Goale there. In 33. for the ground within the Castle, and paunage of the Park. In 1. R. 1. again, for the ferm of the said ground. In 2. and 3d. for the custody and repaire thereof. And in the beginning of King John's time, Henry de Clin ton (grandson to the founder) released to the King all his right in the same; as also in the woods and pools, and whatever else belonged thereto, excepting what he had possession of at the death of K. H. 2. his father. Which Henry de Clinton had issue Henry ; who, being in the rebellion against K. John (at the later end of his raign) submitted himself, and returned to obedience in 2. H. 3. assuring the K. of his future fidelity ; whereupon the Shiriff had command to give him livery of those lands in Kenilworth, of his inheritance by right from his father. But after him I find little here, in Kenilworth of this family ; and so returning again to this Castle, do observe, that in 5 Joh. Hugh de Chaucumb (afterwards Shiriff of these Countyes, for divers years) was made Governour thereof (his predecessor in that command having been Hugh Bardulf) who continued in that place till 9. Joh. and then Rob. de Roposle (the then Shiriff) was put in his roome. In 13. Joh. Will, de Canti- lupe (Shiriff also at that time) accounted for 361. li. 07. s. 00. laid out in more building upon this Castle: as also 102li. 19s. 03d. for making a Chamber and Wardrobe. The next year following, 224li. for more building there : and in 17. Joh. (for he continued many years Shiriff) 402li. 02s. 00 more, for repaires thereoff. That latter end of King John's raign being very troublesome, in respect that divers of the Barons rebell'd against him, was doubtless the reason wherefore the King bestow'd such cost in building and repaires here about that time1; for it was then garrison'd with Souldiers, Raph de Normanvill 1 In the Aspilogia of the late Dr. Charles Combe, now the property of Joseph Dimsdale, Esq. is inserted the drawing of a large seal, bearing a shield of arms, and four djagons surrounding it, KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 13 being sent thither by the King as principall Officer, yet to be under the com mand of the beforementioned W. de Cantilupe, tbe King's Steward and Governour thereof, the King's son being tliere then, for safety, as it should seeme. In 3. H. 3. there was1 150li. 02s. 03d. accounted, for building up of a Tower thereof, which fell down at Christmass before. And in 5. and in 6. H. 3. more money layd out in repaires2. It seems that the said W. de Cantilupe (Shiriff of this County and Leices tershire; from 12. Joh. till 8. H. 3.) resided at this Castle; for, in 7. H. 3. command was given to those that sold the windefall trees in the Park, that they should allow unto him part of that timber, to repair the buildings wherein he dwelt which were ruin'd by the winde. And the same year, and the next, did the said Will, account for his charges therein, and other repaires3. But in 8. H. 3. the custody thereof was committed to John Russell. In 9i. H. 3. Rob. Lupus (or Low) then the Shiriff, accounted for the carriage of five tonns of wine, brought from Southampton and laid in here. And in 11. H. 3. Will, de Stutevill, for mending the Gaole and other things amiss, he having that year the Custody thereof, together with the Shiriffalty of these Countyes. In 13s. H. 3. Stephan. de Segrave (the then Shiriff) accounted for mending the banks of the pool, and in 15s. for repaires of the Castle. It seemes that under which the doctor has written the following explanation : " Jeffrey Fitz Piers, Earl of Essex, " Chief Justice of England, temp. K. John." This seal was found in Kenelworth Castle, Warwick shire. ' 3d and 4th Hen. 3. Et in operatione cujusdem Turelle Castri R. de Ken. q' corruit ad Natale d'ni A0. iiji0 Clu. ij° iijd. Mag. Rot. ' viz. 100s. in each year. 3 7th Henry 3. Et in operatione & reparatione Castri & domor' in Castro de Ken. xvij li & dim' marc' Et it'm in emendac'oe Aule in eodm Castro C*. 8th. Et in reparatione xxv" — also C. Mag. Rot. 4 9th Hen. 3. Et in cariagio v Tonellar' vini a Sichant' usq' Ken. s'z p vj dietas xlij. Mag. Rot. 11th. Emendacione Goale in Castra de K. & cujusdem Camera ib'm xiiij' 12th. Emend' domorum in C. de K. xii. s 13th. idem C Et in bayis vivarii de K. v marc' & dim.' 6 15th Hen. 3. Emendac' domor' in C, de K. Ca Et in rep'aco'e brecke turell' ca9tri de K. xv marc.' 16th Emendac' domor' C. de K. C 17th idem 1*. Et in rep' turris Castri R. de K. viz. plumbo, ligno & lapide xxxij li. 20th Et in calceta vivarii R. de K. rep'anda xlvij" viijd. Mag. Rot. 14 THE HISTORY OF some Malefactors had wont to be imprisoned here; for in 15. H. 3. Will.1 Bassett, and others, were constituted Justices for the Gaol delivery thereof. In 19. H. 3. the then Shiriff accounted 06li. 16s. 04d. fora fair and beautifull boat to lye neer the dore of the King's great Chamber, here2. In 21. H. 3. here was another Goal delivery. In 22. H. 3. Hugh le Poer, the then Gover nour, had command to deliver it to Walter Gray Archbishop of York, to the use of Ottobone the Popes Legate, to whom the King had then committed the custody of it. Which Ottobone was afterwards Pope, by the name of Adrian 5. the occasion of whose coming into England, and the stirrs there upon, our Historians do shew. Which Ottobone substituted Ric. de Gray, to keep it in his stead ; for by a Precept of the K. to the same Richard, bearing date that year, he is stiled Constable thereof. In 26. H. 3.3 much cost in building, and repaires, was bestowed here ; viz in seeling the Chappell with Wainscote, and painting it, making seats for the King and Queen, handsomely adorn'd, repairing the Tower where the bells hung ; making all the walls new on the south side, by the pool, (which I con ceive to be the same without alteration, that yet stands) beautifying the Q. 1 15th Hen. 3. Will. Bassett, Johes de Lodbroc & Will, de Wilmec' constituti sunt Justic' ad goalam de Ken. deliberandam apud Warewic in crast' Oct. sc'e Trinit' et mandat' est vie' Warr' &c. quod prisones ut venire &c. Pat. Rot. 21st. x marc' pro h'ndis iiij. Justic' ad gayolam de Ken. delib'andam. Mag. Rot. 2 The words of the original, as appear by Dugdale's own extracts in the Ashmolean Museum, are " in uno oriollo pulcro et competenti ante hostium magne camere Regis in Castro de K. faciendo vj". xvj\ iiijd ;" evidently shewing that the money was expended on a fair and sufficient oriel, porch, or entrance, to the King's chamber, and not in providing a boat, as Sir William very unaccountably supposes. 3 26 Hen. 3. Et in capella castri de Ken. lambruscand' & depingend' & pariete ligueo in ead'ni faciend' & duabus sedibus in ead'm R. & Regine & decentor depictis. Et in sede Regine in capella turris ejusd'm Castri que diruta est reficiend' & magna camera ejusd'm Castri coop'ienda & gayola ib'm cum Brethaschia in qua campane dependant omnibus in — etis ib'm reparandis. Muro etiam ib'rn ex p'te australi sup' vivarii quantu' necesse est prosternendo & reddendo. Et in Camera Regine ib'm lambrusc' & lineand' & fenestris ejusd'm Camere frangend' & majori- bus faciend', Et in Cameris Camere R. & Camere Regine rep'and' & quadam privata camera juxta cameram Regine, & quadam nova Cam'a in Balli'o versus vivariu' fac' & ea columpnis lapideis subfulcienda & muro ejusd'm Castri rep'ando & duobis portis ib'm rep'andis quodameciam muro intra intriusecu' & extriusecu' muru' ejusd'm castri faciend' quodam in nova porticu' ante cameram Regine cum quadam trappa faciend' quada' etiam fenestra in Capella R. ex p'te boreali & ponte tornitio fac' &c. Mag. Rot. KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 15 Chamber with painting, and enlarging it: the same year Gilb. de Segrave being made Governour thereof; who by his Letters Pat. dated at Windsore, 7. April, doth declare, that he was to keep it only during the King's pleasure, and not to deliver it into the hands of any one but the King himself, so long as he lived: and, that if the King should dy during his custody thereof, to yield it to Queene Elianor, for the use of the King's heirs : but in case the said Q. could not come in person, that then he would not deliver it to any except to some of her uncles, to the use of the King's heires, who were not in league with the King of France. And for his observance of these condi tions, he took a solemn oath upon the holy Bible in the King's presence. Howbeit, shortly afterwards, viz. in 28. H. 3. the King made Simon Mont- ford, Earl of Leic. Governour thereof; and in 32. H. 3. granted the custody of it to Alianore, his sister, then wife of the said Simon, to hold during her life: about which time the woods belonging to it, lying near the road betwixt Coventree and Warwick, were very thick (which now are all gone) wherefore, in 34. H. 3. the Constable hereof had command to cut down six acres in breadth, of the underwood there growing, for the security of passengers. In 38. H. 3. the King granted it to the said Sim. Montford Earl of Leices ter, and Elianore his wife during their lives: which Earl, being of a most haughty and ambitious spirit, was the principall ringleader in that great rebellion of the Barons, begun in 42. H. 3. at which time they put themselves in armes, held a Parliament at Oxford, by force; and compel'd the King's assent to their unjust and dishonourable Ordinances. Which fire, so kindled, never ceased flaming, more or less; till it was quenched with the blood of those conspirators in the battail at Evesham 49. H. 3. as our Historians, especially Math. Westm. who hath written most largely thereof, manifesteth; to whom I refer my Reader for more full satisfaction, in regard I must con fine my self to what relates chiefly to this County : wherein I shall observe, that in 48. H. 3. after the King had got Northampton, and that good success seemed to attend him, having there taken divers eminent prisoners ; many of the Northern Barons likewise coming into his aid, John Giffard, a Knight of much valour, but one of the most desperatRebells, was sent by Earle Symon, with divers otlier, to this Castle, to be Governour thereof: which, as the same Historian reports, the said Earl of Leic. had wonderfully fortified, and stored with many kindes of warlike engines, till that time never seen, nor heard of in England. Who, being come thither, and having suspition, that the fidelity 16 THE HISTORY OF of the then Earl of Warwick (Will. Mauduit) was firm to the King, he sur prized Warwick Castle most deceitfully; and, carrying the said Earl, with his wife and family, prisoners hither, demolished a great part of his Castle at Warwick, least it should be of advantage to any of the Royall party. The particulars touching the battail of Lewes, which hapned shortly after; where the Barons prevailing, the King and Prince were made prisoners: as also of the divisions which grew amongst the Chief of those Rebells after they had got all in their power. Of the contrivance how to get the Prince out of the Earl of Leic. hands, who had him then with the King a prisoner at Hereford Castle; and of his escape aud suddain raysing an Army, I must not stay here to relate : but hasting on to what concerns this place, shall observe, that Montfort Earl of Leic. understanding that many came into the Prince, and how his power dailey increased, sent his younger son Simon into the North, to hasten away the Barons of that rebellious pack, residing in those parts ; who brought up thence almost 20. Banners, with a great multi tude of Souldiers to this Castle, where they made their station for a while, and hence went to Winchester ; but, having spoiled that City, made a sudden return to this place again : whereof notice being given to the Prince, then at Worcester with his Army, by Ralph de Ardern of this County, at that time one of the Rebells party (who imploy'd a woman, called Margoth, that cunningly travailed in man's apparell) he made a shew as if he would have march't to Salisbury; and, to colour the business, sent certain Foot, with accoutrements for horse, before: but when he wrought to the way thwarting the Countrey towards Kenilworth, hasted thitherward ; and coming pri vately in the night time to a deep valley, neer this Castle, armed, and ordered his men ; which, whilst he was doing, he heard a great noyse that made them fear their enemyes had taken an Allarm, and were then ready to fall upon them; but it hapned to be nothing else than certain carriages going out to fetch victuall for the Rebells, which they took, making use of their fresh horses; and so, entring the town and the Monastery, surprized a great number of their enemyes with very little slaughter. Of which number were XV. that bore Banners ; whereof these were the chief, Gilbert de Gant. (Rob. de Vere) Earl of Oxford, Will, de Montchensey, Ric de Gray, Adam de Newmarch, Baldwin Wake, Walter de Coleville, John de Gray son of Ric. de Gray, and Hugh de Nevill, with their Horses and Armes, whom they carry ed prisoners to the Castle of Worcester. But young KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 17 Sim. Montfort lodg'd that night in the Castle ; and so, with those that were there, secured themselves : the Prince making so suddain return to Worcester, that Montford had no notice thereof; but, expecting to joyn with those Forces which his son had brought out of the North, hasted from Hereford towards Kenilworth, passing Severn in the twilight where it was fordable ; and, staying two days at Kemsey neer Worcester, on the third came to Evesham. Whose motions being observed by the Prince, he divided his Army into three parts, whereof himself led one, Clare Earl of Glouc. another, and Rog. Mortimer the third: and, marching towards Evesham, fromwards the north, made shew, as if, coming from hence, it had been the forces of young Mont fort, with the northern Barons before specified ; for the better disguising of which business, he caused the Banner of young Simon, with the rest that he had taken, to be carryed in the front of his Army ; and so hasted to get the top of the hill, neer Evesham, there to embattle. But this approach of the Prince (saith the same Author) was discovered by one Nicholas, a Barber to Montfort Earl of Leic. who, being skilfull in the knowledge of ensignes, told the Earl that his son's Forces were coming, for he knew their Banners. Howbeit Montfort, suspecting the worst, and fearing to be circumvented, sent the Barber to the top of the Abby steeple, to take a clearer view of them : who was no sooner come thither, but he found it quite otherwise : for the Prince had then taken down those colours of theirs, and erected his own Banner, with the Banner of the Earl of Glouc. on the one side, and that of Mortimer towards the west : which when the Barber saw, he cryed out to the Earl, and told him how it was ; who forthwith making all hast he could to draw out his Army, encouraged them, with confident expressions, that it was for the laws of the land, yea, the cause of God, and Justice, that they were to fight. But afterwards not finding himself able to withstand Prince Edward's forces, he said, Let us commit our souls to God, for our bodies are theirs. But God, that sometimes permits rebellious Subjects to prevail in many wicked attempts against their Soveraigns ; making use of them, only, for a while as his chastising rod, for speciall respects ; to manifest to all the world, that he owned them not in these their unchristian enterprises, brought upon them swift confusion : For the Welch, even before the battail began, betook themselves to flight ; of which, many were drown'd in the river Avon ; and the rest of the Rebells strength, after a sharp skirmish, was overpowered, so D 18 THE HISTORY OF that few escapt the present slaughter, that the same day were not taken prisoners. The principall persons that lost their lives in this battail were, Simon Earl of Leic. Henry Montford his eldest son, Hugh le Despenser, Raph Basset of Drayton, Thomas de Estele, Will, de Maundevile, John de Beauchamp of Bedford, Guy de Baliol, Rog. de Rowele, Will, de Eboraco, Ric. Trussell, Will, de Bermingham, Walt, de Creppings, Rog. de St. John, and Rob. Tregoz. Divers other persons of quality, with a multitude of the. common sort, being then also slain. Of those that were wounded and taken prisoners these were the chief; Guy de Montford, a younger son to the said Earl of Leic. John Fitz John, Henry de Hastings, Humfry de Boun the younger, John de Vescy, Peter de Montfort jun. and Nich. de Segrave. This was done on the Nones of Aug. (id est, 5 Aug.) Anno 1265. 49. H. 3. After which victory, many places of strength were rendred to the King; but Sim. Montfort, one of the sons of Earl Simon, continuing still in this strong Castle, received in divers of those that fled from the battail, with other the friends and followers of them that were slain, who were much imbittered for the death of their kindred and familiars, whereby he grew to be very powerfull, sending abroad his Bayliffs aud Officers like a King ; his Souldiers spoyling, burning, plundering, and destroying the Houses, Towns and Lord ships of his adversaryes ; driving away their cattell, and imprisoning many ; forcing them to what fines he pleased, for their liberty. Which course of domineering he held on, from the feast of S. Martin (which is about xi. Nov.) in 50. H. 3. till Midsummer following, that the seige began. But the King, being thus, by the Victory at Evesham, redeemed ; and restored to his Regall power, having call'd a Parliament at Winchester (wherein that great City of London was, for its malevolent adherence to, and assistance of the Rebells, deprived of its antient priviledges ; and all that had been active for them, or their furtherers, disherited, and their estates bestowed on those that had stood firm to the King, according to their severall demerits) considering well what further mischiefs might befall the whole Kingdom, unless the insolencies of those, which were in this Castle, should be restrained, their numbers dailey increasing, made preparation to march into these parts, for the timely reducing thereof. And having fitted himself with an Army, came to Warwick, staying there a while for more forces from several parts. In this interim, it seemes, Simon Montfort the younger, before mentioned, KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 19 considering, that without the help of a powerfull Host, to raise the siege of this Castle, then approaching, he could not long hold it, stole privately away, and got into France, there endeavouring to obtain forces in aid of that rebel lious remnant yet unsubdued in England, leaving Henry de Hastings Gover nour hereof in his absence, whom he encouraged to hold it out stoutly, giving him assurance, that within a certain time he should be releived. But when that assistance, which the King expected, was come to him (amongst which was Osbert Giffard, who brought the Posse Comitatus of Oxfordshire) and Reginald, fil. Petri, the like for this County, he set forwards towards Kenilworth, with Banners and Ensignes displayed; and, on the morrow after the feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist, begirt this Castle on every side; where taking care to have all fit supply of Victual for his Army, he com manded the Shiriff of Norf. to cause 36. tuns of wine to be brought hither from Lenns, which were rought for his use by Purveyours there : but, being desirous to avoyd the spilling of more blood, he sent a gratious message to those that held it; whose hopes were such, either upon young Montfort's promises, or diffidence so great, knowing what mischiefs they had done, that they did not onely slight the Kings offers, but maimed the Messenger, and with much resolution defended themselves against all the assaults that were made, having Engins that cast forth stones1 of great bigness ; and making bold and frequent sallies, did very much mischief: neither could the Sentence of Ottobon, the Pope's Legate, who was there in the Camp, nor the K. power, any whit daunt them. The K. therefore, that those, whose estates were thus by the Parliament at Winchester utterly confiscate, and given away (as 1 have already said) should not, through desperation, betake themselves to such wayes of revenge as might have imbrewed the Kingdome in universal streames of blood for a long time; of his gratious disposition, advising with his Councel and tlie said Legat, caused a convention of the Clergy and Laity of the Land here at Kenilworth ; who elected xii persons of the most potent Nobility and prudent Prelates, to whom power was given to make a certain determination touching the estates of those that were disherited, they being accordingly sworn to what might be most convenient. Whereupon the K. with the Clergy and ' Many of the stones cast by these engines (probably the mangonel) still remain in difterent parts of the Castle yard and preciucts: their form is circular, somewhat rudely worked; and they generally measure upwards of twelve inches in diameter. 20 THE HISTORY OF People, before mentioned, did likewise swear, that they would inviolably observe the said Decree. The persons thus chosen being Walter Bronescombe B. of Exeter, Walter Giffard B. of Bath and Wells, Walt. Cantilupe B. of Worcester, [Thomas Carren,] B. of S. Davids, Gilb. de Clare, E. of Glouc. Humfrey de Bohun E. of Hereford, Philip Basset, John Baliol, Rob. Walraund, Alan la Zouch, Rog. de Somery, and Waryn de Bassingburne; the Articles whereof I shall not need to insert, in regard that they are publickly printed: but the sub-^ stance of them was to this effect. That every person disinherited might redeem bis lands by a pecuniary Fine, according to the nature of his offence ; which Fine should be paid unto those that then possest them, so that the same were not above 5 years value at the most, nor under 2 at the least ; except the wife and children of the E. of Leicester, concerning whom the K. referr'd himself to the K. of France ; and excepting Rob. Ferrers E. of Derby, who was to pay 7 years value of his lands; and excepting Henry de Hastings, and those that maimed the K. Messenger, who were to be imprisoned 7 years, or submit to the K. mercy. This was that memorable Decree called Dictum de Kenil worth by all our Historians and Records ; for in the K. Camp at the siege of this Castle, was it by Proclamation published Prid. Kal. Nov. an. 1266. 51. H. 3. though the persons elected met at Coventree, in respect of conve- niency for lodging, and otherwise, that could not be had in the Army. And on the morrow after, being the Feast of All Saints, it was confirmed by all the Prelates of England, not onely by their corporal Oaths, but under their Seals ; which they (being specially convocated by the Legate before men tioned) affixed unto it. Which Legate made publick Declaration thereof in the Pulpit of the Collegiat Church in Warwick, the very next Sunday following, the K. and his Councel, with a great auditory of all states and degrees, being then present. These things being performed, the K. forthwith sent special Messengers to the besieged in this Castle, and to those that had fled and possest themselves of the Isle of Ely, amongst which, young Simon Montfort was one, tendring them mercy upon the Articles before specified: but they all returned answer, that they would not submit thereto ; first, because they had no voyce in choosing any of those that were makers of the Decree ; and secondly, for that they held the Decree it self intolerable. At which the K. being much KENILWORTH MANOR, PKIORY, AND CASTLE. 21 moved, took a firm resolution to storm the Castle ; and for that purpose, by his special Writ, bearing date 20. Nov. commanded the Shiriff of this Shire to bring all the Masons and other Labourers within his precinct (which we now call Pioners) with their Hatchets, Pickaxes, and other Tools, to meet at Northampton upon the day of S. Lucia the Virgin (viz. 11. Dec.) next following, to receive his further commands therein : but so it fell out, that in short space, not only their Victual within the Castle grew very scant, but a pestilent disease raged so amongst them, that many dyed; insomuch as the K. (by special providence) sending again to them, and offering, that if they did render it, he would receive them to mercy; they proposed, that in case he were content they might send beyond sea to Sim. Montfort, and receive a certain answer whether he could come to relieve them by a fixed day or not, they were resolved, if he did not come accordingly, to yield it up: and that, in the mean time, all acts of hostility on either part should cease. Whereunto the K. advising with his Councel, assented. And the same agreement being proclaimed through his Army, Messengers were accordingly dispatcht to Simon : but the Flux, and other grievous diseaseSj increased so much amongst those in the Castle, that they, which were not tainted, were loth to hazard the infection, and so, before the Messenger's return, delivered the Castle upon Articles to the King, viz. that Henry de Hastings, then Governour, with all the rest that were therein, should have 4 dayes time to carry out all their goods, and go freely away, with Horse, Arms, and all accoutrements, throughout any part of the Kingdome. The principal persons that so held it, besides the said H. de Hastings, were Sir John Hastang, (Lord of Lemington) Ric. Amundevile (Lord of Berkswell) Sir John de Clinton (Lord of Colshill) all in this County; Sir John de la Ware, and John de Eston ; every of whom, wilh the rest, had the K. Letters of safe conduct, dated 13 Dec. to go to their own houses, or stay where they pleased within this Kingdome, till Candlemas following, carrying themselves peaceably. The same Author saith, that Sim. Montfort, and his Mother the Countess, got away privately but five dayes before the Castle was delivered, and fled beyond Sea : but when he so got out of the Castle, is somewhat uncertain : for by what I have said already, it appears, that he was in the Isle of Ely, the K. Letter Pat. bearing date Jan. xvi. after the render of the Castle, importing as much. Which render was upon the Feast day of S. Thomas the Apostle, so that the seige lasted full six months. 22 THE HISTORY OF Whereupon the K. took his journey, the next day, to Osney (near Oxford) and there celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of our Saviour with great joy. But this seige was very prejudicial to the Canons of Kenilworth, and did impoverish them much: for in September after it was begun, though they allowed the K. 300 quarters of Corn, and many other things, that the rest of their goods might be protected, yet were they not free from the Souldiers oppression ; so that to releive their wants, by his Letters Pat. bearing date the 24. of Jan. next ensuing the render of the Castle, he recommended the same to all their Tenants, requiring them to contribute in such manner thereto, as they would expect that God should bless them, and himself give them thanks. Neither did the Monks of Stoneley, avoid the burthen of this Leaguer; but all the recompence they had, was, that the K. confirmed their Charters. There is no question but that the charge of this seige was very vast : for in 53 of this K. reign, Will. Bagot, who had been Shiriff for 6 years before, was allowed upon his account ,£75. 13s. 9d. for 255 quarters of Wheat, 52 Oxen, and 173 Muttons, which he then took up, and sent in out of this County : and it is not to be doubted but that, besides what the Countyes adjacent suffered by extravagancies of the Souldiers, they sent in proportion able provisions, or money. All that \ have else found memorable relating thereto, is the delivery of the Sword called Curtina (which is used to be carryed before the K. of England at their Coronation) unto the Keeper of the K. Pavilion here, on Sunday next after the Feast of S. Margaret, [50 Hen. 3, 1266]1 the K. being then in the Camp : as also that the Queen accompanyed the D. of Brunneswik from Windsor Castle hither, the said D. then marrying the K. Neece in his presence. And lastly, that Philip Marmion, being Constable of this Castle, immediately after the seige, carryed away divers Arms, Lead, Iron, and other things, to the then value of xl. But, after the Articles for render hereof were so signed, as, aforesaid, the K. staid not long ere his disposed of it: for on the 16 day of the same month, his Charter bears date at Warwick, whereby he gave it unto Edmund his younger son, and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten ; reserving to himself the advousons of the Priory of ' 50 Hen. 3. Rex, &c. Sciatis q'd frater Alanus de Calweton monachus de Cest' liberavit mag'ro Rob", custodi papilionu' n'ror' Curtinam n'ram apud Ken: die d'nica prox' ante festum b'te Marga- rete virginis A". reg°. n'li 1°. Rot. Pat. KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 23 Kenilworth and Abby of Stoneley. And in short space conferred certain priviledges unto him here, viz. on the 28 day of December ensuing, Free chase and Free warren in all his demesn lands and woods belonging to this Castle. And the next year following, a weekly Mercate upon the Tuesday ; and a Faire yearly, to last for 3 dayes, viz. the Even, day, and morrow after the feast of S. Michael. Which Edmund was E. of Leicester and Lancaster, viz. of Leicester, created 25. Oct. 49. H. 3. (after the death of S. Montfort, slain in the battle of Evesham) and of Lancaster, 31. Junii, 51. H. 3. And in 7. E. 1. held this Castle in demesn, having two Mills standing upon the water of the Pool belonging thereto; [8 acres of meadow] and several Freeholders which held of him by suit of Court and fealty. As also two woods, one called the frith, and another the Park[es,J then Common, and containing 300 acres according to the large measure. At that time it was certified, that his Park here con tained 40 acres of wood, and the Pool1 half a mile in length, and a quarter of a mile in bredth ; as also that he had here a Court leet, Gallows, Assize of Bread and Beer, with a Mercate on the Tuesday. The same year I find, that there was a great and famous concourse of noble persons here at Kenilworth, called the Round table, consisting of an hundred Knights, and as many Ladies ; whereunto divers repaired from forreign parts for the exercise of Arms, viz. Tilting, and martial Tourna ments; and the Ladies, Dancing; who were clad in silken Mantles, Rog. Mortimer, E. of March being the chief, and the occasion thereof. Which Exercises began on the Eve of S. Mathew the Apostle, and continued till the morrow after Michaelmas day ; the reason of the Round table being to avoyd contention touching precedency, a Custome of great antiquity, and used by the antient Gauls, as Mr. Cambden in Hantsh. from Athenseus (an approved Author) observes. As for other memorable matters relating to this place, the enlargement of the Park hath next priority, which was begun by Thomas E. of Lane, (son to the before specified Edmund) for it appears, that in 30. E. 1. John Peche, then Lord of Honile, near adjoyning, released his right of Common there, so ' In the Magna Britannia, article Warwickshire, p. 878, it is observed that this county used to be celebrated for breams, a fish of " great esteem and price in antient times, of which the King had a " pool at Kenilworth." And it is observable, that the accounts of the Trinity Gild in Coventry fur nish several instances offish bought from Kenilworth. 24 THE HISTORY OF that the said Earl might hold it up inclosed with ditches and pales ; saving to him the said John and his heirs Common of pasture for his Hogs and Cattle in two places, viz. Merebrock and Bernet, and in all other places not inclosed at the making of that release. But after this, viz. in 15. E. 2. Tho. E. of Lane, (beheaded at Pontfract) being for his rebellion attainted, and thereupon his lands and possessions confiscate, John de Somery (Baron of Dudley) and Raph Lord Basset of Drayton, were appointed to seize this Castle for the K. use (as by a special Precept dated at Tutbury 12 Martii appeareth) which, withiu 4 days follow ing, was committed to the custody of Ranulph Charun, then his servant : howbeit, 24 Maii after, he removed the said Ranulph, and made Rob. de Stoke Governour in his stead. In 16. E. 2. John de Hastings had the custody of it; and the next year, Odo de Stoke: which Odo held that command so long as his unfortunate Master had any power ; for in Febr. (which was towards the latter end of the 19 year of E. 2.) the K. discerning those clouds, which shortly after raised the flood of rebellion to such a height, as that himself was miserably overwhelmed therein, commanded the same Odo, then his Constable thereof, to take and retain as many able men as he should in his discretion think fit, for the garrisoning thereof. But, alas, all too late, such was the defection of most of the Nobles in their allegiance to him (the cause whereof was principally attributed to his being so much swayed by the Spensers) insomuch as the giddy multitude were easily stirr'd up to appear in Arms for any design which favoured of Refor mation : whose strength and assistance, when the great ones had got, they made no other use of it, than the deposal of their rightfull King, upon which in short time ensued his barbarous Murther. But the circumstances of this tragique business I must not stand here to tell, our Stories being large enough of it: howbeit, that which relateth to this Castle, I will briefly touch ; which is, that the K. being seized upon in Wales by Henry E. of Lane, (brother and heir to the before mentioned Thomas, who was beheaded) and others, was, by the said Earl, forthwith brought hither, viz. in Dec. 20. of his reign : where he had not long staid, ere news came to him, that in a Parliament held at Westm. on the morrow after twelf day, he was deposed, and his son, young Edward, elected King in his stead, being then but 14 years of age. Which wofull tidings being accom panied with a Message from the same Pari, (for so they called that headless KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 25 meeting) proposing to him the renouncing of his Regal Dignity and Crown, and permitting his said son to reign, otherwise they would do homage to his son, and proceed in what they had begun ; the distressed K. knowing no remedy, told them, that seeing they would reject him, he was glad that his eldest son might be received. Which answer of his being returned by the same Messengers, they proclaimed the new King on the 20 of Jan. and set out Proclamations in his name, declaring to the People, that K. E. 2. had made a voluntary and free resignation of his Regal Dignity to his eldest son, whom within few dayes after, they formally crowned at Westm. But they, who had prosecuted their wricked contrivances against their rightfull K. thus far, thought all was not safe except they went further; and therefore gave it out, that the deposed King was too much observed and respected ; so that, about Palm Sunday following, he was committed to the custody of Sir Tho. Berkley, and Sir John Matravers, who hurried him from hence privately to Berkley Castle in Gloucestershire, where their horrid in tentions towards him wrought perpetual jealousies in their heads, that he would be rescued ; which caused them closely to carry him from thence to Corf castle in Dorsetshire. And, to the end it should not be certainly known where he was, kept him in perpetual motion to one secret place or other, till about the Feast day of S. Mathias the Apostle, that they most barbarously murthered him, with a spit red hot thrust up into his body at the Fundament, at Berkley aforesaid1. 1 The following extracts from Smythe's " Lives of the Lord Berkleys," A. D. 1618, (a valuable manuscript in the possession of William Veel, Esq. "of Alkerton, county of Gloucester) will exhibit a few particulars relative to this period, which have escaped the notice of our general historians. " The Accompt of William Aside, receiver to the lord Berkeley, accomptinge for a yeare from " Michaelmas Anno xx™°. of Edw: II. to the same feast in the first of Edw: III. sheweth, that hee " received to this lord's Use 700D£>. de Camera scaccarii domini Regis, out of the receipt in the " King's Exchequer, for the expenses of the house of the King's father whilest hee was at Berkeley ; " and hath in his said accompt an allowance of xxxj". jd. payd by him to Sir Thomas de Gournay " sent to Nottingham from Berkeley by this said lord Berkeley with his letters to advertize the " Queene, and the Kinge her sonne, of the death of the late Kinge his father, there. And 15th " May the same year, an allowance of 500,£. more from the Kinge, payd him by John de Langton, " keeper of the Castle of Kerfilly, for the same cause. " The Accompts of the Reeves [Stewards] of Hame & Alkington, & of other Manors of this " lord's, neere Berkeley Castle, expressly shewe what provisions & acates they sent from their " severall granges & manor-houses, from the fifth day of Aprill, then being Palmsunday, when at " supper tyme the Kinge was first brought prisoner to Berkeley Castle, untill his death there, the " xxj8t. of September following. E 26 THE HISTORY OF But I return to the succession of this Castle. In 1. E. 3. Henry brother and heir to Thomas E. of Lane, (beheaded at Pontfract, and attainted, as I have already shew'd) was restored to the Earldomes of Lancaster, Leicester, &c. and all his brother's lands, whereof this was part. Which Earl dyed at Leicester, 19. E. 3. and was there buryed, leaving issue Henry his son, " And the Accompt of this said lord's receiver for the yeare following, in 2 Edw: III, sheweth " what hee payd for dyinge of the white canvas into black, for coveringe of the chariot wherin the " body of the Kinge was carryed from Berkeley Castle to Gloucester, what the cords, the hors- " collers, the traces, & other necessaries particularly cost, used about the said Chariot, & " conveyinge of his body thence to Gloucester, in uno vase argenteo pro corde dicti domini Regis " patris reponend. for a silver vessell to put the King's hart in, xxxvij8. viijd.; in oblations at seve- " rail tymes in the Chappie of the Castle for the Kinge's soule xxjd.; in expenses of the lord Berke- " ley's family goinge with the King's body from Berkeley unto Gloucester xviijs. ixd.; and many " the like particularities. " The Lord was allowed Five Pounds by the day for the King's expenses, whitest he was in his " keepinge at Berkeley, and for soe long tyme as his body remayned there after his death.'' Horace Walpole, in a letter to the Rev. Win, Cole, Aug. 15, 1774, giving an account of a visit to Berkeley Castle, says, " The room shewn for the murder of Edward II. and the shrieks of an " agonizing King, I verily believe to be genuine. It is a dismal chamber, almost at top of the " house, quite detached, and to be approached only by a kind of footbridge, and from that descends " a large flight of steps that terminate on strong gates ; exactly a situation for a corps de garde. " In that room they shew you a cast of a face in plaister, and tell you it was taken from Edward's. " 1 was not quite so easy of faith about that: for it is evidently the face of Charles I." — {Letters from the Hon. H. Walpole, London, 1818, p. 103.) In the same communication to his antiquarian friend, Mr. Walpole observes, that " on seeing the " monument of Edward the Second, in Gloucester Cathedral, a new historic doubt started, which " (he adds) I pray you to solve. — His Majesty has a longish beard ; and such were certainly worn " at that time. Who is the first historian that tells the story of his being shaven with cold water " from a ditch, and weeping to supply warm, as he was carried to Berkeley Castle ? — Is not this " apocryphal?" Without solving the latter of these questions, it may be answered, that the incident alluded to is related by Stowe, on the authority of Thomas de la More, " a worshipfull Knight, that then lived, " and wrote in the French tongue what he saw with his eies, or heard crediblie reported by them " that saw, and some that were actors,'' and that a reason for taking off the Monarch's hair is given by the historian, whose account hereafter follows, which may sufficiently reconcile the doubt of Mr. Walpole : — " Devising to disfigure him that hee might not bee hnotvne, they determine for to shave " as well the haire of his head, as also of his beard : wherefore, as in their journey they travailed " by a little water which ramie in a ditch, they commanded him to light from his horse to be " shaven, to whorae, being set on a moale hill, a barbar came unto him with a bason of colde water " taken out of the ditch, to shave him withal], saying unto the King, that that water should serve " for that time. To whome Edward answered, that would they, noulde they, he would have warme " water for his beard ; and to the end that he might keepe his promise, he began to weepe, and to " shed teares plentifully." KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 27 created E. of Derby, 16. Martii, 11. E. 3. (his father being then alive) Earl of Lincoln, 20. Aug. 23. E. 3. and lastly, Duke of Lancaster, 6. Martii, 25. E. 3. which D. dyed seized (inter alia) of this Castle, the Tuesday next after the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lady, 35. E. 3. leaving his two daugh ters, his heirs, viz. Maud then 22. years of age, and Blanch 19. and was buryed in the Collegiate Church at Leicester, of his own foundation. Which Maud became the wife to Will. D. of Bavaria, E. of Henault, Holland, &c. and Blanch, of John of Gant, fourth son to K. E. 3. who, shortly after, was created D. of Lancaster, viz. 13. Nov. 36. E. so that upon partition of the lands of the said Henry Duke of Lancaster, this Castle (inter alia) came to Blanch. Which John of Gant began the Structure of all the antient buildings here, now remaining, excepting Cesar's tower, with the outer walls and turrets, towards the later end of R. 2. time, it seemeth : for, in 15. R. 2. I find, that the King did appoint John Deyncourt, then Constable hereof, and his Leiuteuant ; as also Robert de Skyllington, Mason, to hire Diggers of stone, Carpenters and Labourers, to the number of xx. persons ; and to provide stone, timber, tile, and all other necessaries, for the use of the said Duke in his buildings here. Which Record, above cited, doth also agree with the tradition of the Inhabitants, by whom the same part of the Castle is, to this day, called Lancaster's buildings. But this John D. of Lane, having issue Henry, sirnamed Bullenbroke (by reason of his birth at Bullenbroke in Lincolnshire) afterwards King of Eng. by the name of H. 4. (upon the deposal of King R. 2. as is very well known) this Castle came to the Crown, and is contained in the Act, amongst other the possessions belonging to the Dutchy of Lancaster, that were united to the Dukedome of Cornwall in the Pari, of 1. H. 7. Whose son and successor, K. H. 8. bestowed much cost in repairing thereof; removing that building erected by K. H. 51. near the tail of the Pool in a low marish ground 1 Stowe relates, upon the authority of Thomas de Elmham, that " King Henry [5th] kept his " Lent in the Castle of Kenelworth, [Anno 1414] and caused an harber there to be planted in the " marish, for his pleasure, amongst the thorns and bushes : where a foxe had harbored, which foxe " he killed, being a thing then thought to prognosticate, that he should expell the craftie deceit of " the French King, besides which also hee there builded a most pleasant place, and caused it to bee " termed Le plesant maris or the pleasant marsh. King Henry the eight bestowed great cost in " repairing Kenelworth Castle, caused the said banketing house to be taken downe, and part of it " to be set up in the base court at Killingworth. In this Lent season, whilst the K. lay at Kenel- 28 THE HISTORY OF (thereupon called Le plesans en marys) and setting part thereof up, in the base court of the Castle, near the Swan tower. In the Crown it continued till Q. Eliz. by her Letters Pat. bearing date 9. Junii, 5. of her reign, granted it to Robert Lord Dudley; and his heirs. Which Robert (being one of the sons to John Dudley D. of Northumberland) was, upon the 28. of Sept. 6. Eliz. created Baron of Denbigh, and the next day following, Earl of Leicester1; and having obtained this noble seat, " worth messengers came to him from the Dolphin of France named Charles, with a present of " Paris balles, for him to play withall, but the K. wrote to him, that hee would shortly send to him " London balles, wilh the which he woulde breake downe the roofes of houses." Edit. 1614, pp. 344. 5. 1 The Earl was a professed encourager of learning, and some reliques of the Kenilworth library are still existing in the possession of the Right Hon. Lord Willoughby de Broke, at Compton Verney; viz. Domenichis Italian Translation of Paulus Jovius, quarto, Venetia, 1560, and a duo decimo volunie, containing the following Italian tracts : D'avila, La Guerra di Alemagna . . Vinegia . . 1549. Historia Boemica Vinegia . . 1545. Le Vite de i dieci Imperatori . • 1 -%t- ¦ -.^.. ,. ™ i ™ r vinegia . . 1544. Vita d ezzelino Terzo da Romano . } Both the volumes are impressed on, the side with the crest of the bear and ragged-staff, and the initials R. D. The life of this arrogant nobleman is too well known to require repetition here. By his enemies he has been termed a " terrestrial Lucifer ;" and even the most impartial of his biographers con fesses that he was " a very bad man, though possessed of many great accomplishments." In a coeval manuscript copy of Parsons's celebrated Libel, called " Leycester's Commonwealth," A. D. 1584, belonging to the Right Hon. Earl Talbot, at Ingestrie, county of Stafford, are the fol lowing verses, written on a fly-leaf, which may be acceptable to the reader. Non est bonum ludere cum Sanctis. Read then, but not to speake againe, Speake, but not what thou readest here : Newes for to learne all men are faine, But wiselie fewe that newes can beare, No table-talke is herein taught, In their owue wordes are nianie caught. L'e' The Ragged-staffe that staye was to the state, As some men thought, is bent another way, As here is taught : so fickle is the fate Of those that ofte doe beare the greatest sway. Let all take heede how they aspire too hie, For when they fall, of all, they lowest lie. KENILWORTH, MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 29 spared for no cost in enlarging, adorning, and beautifying thereof; witness that magnificent Gatehouse towards the North ; where, formerly having been the backside of the Castle, he made the Front ; filling up a great proportion of the wide and deep double ditch, wherein the water of the Pool came. And, besides that stately piece on the southeast part, still bearing the name of Leicester's buildings, did he raise from the ground two goodly towers at the head of the Pool, viz. the Floud gate, or Gallery tower, standing at one end of the Tiltyard, in which was a spacious and noble room for Ladies to see the exercises of Tilting and Barriers ; and at the other Mortimer's tower, whereupon the Arms of Mortimer were cut in stone ; which doubtless was so named by the E. of Leicester, in memory of one more antient, that stood there formerly ; wherein, as I guess, either the Lord Mortimer, at the time of that great and solemn Tilting, formerly mentioned, did lodge ; or else, be cause Sir John Mortimer Kt. prisoner here in H. 5. time, was detain'd therein. The Chase he likewise enlarged, impaling part of Blakwell within it; and also a large nook, extending from Rudfen lane towards the Pool: which, The stately Beare, that at the stake wold stand 'Gainst all the mastives stoute that cold come forth, Is musled here and ringed with one hand, Yea vile reputed and of little worth. Great Robin, whome before all cold not take, Is here by Sheppeards' curres made for to quake. Thus may wee learne, there is noe Staffe so stronge But may be broken into shivers small ; No Beare so fierce, the cruell beastes amonge, But age, or cunning ginnes, may worke his fall. Lett noe man trust in earth to find a place Which can preserve him from a fowle disgrace. Trulhes or untruthes whats'ere they be Which here you reade, yett not in vaine Read over these, and you shall see That this doth prove the greatest gaine, To be contentt and not desire ; For all doe fall that doe aspire. Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur. Per T. E. 30 THE HISTORY OF being then a wast, wherein the Inhabitants of Kenilworth had Common, in consideration thereof, he gave them all those fields called Priors fields, lying- north of the Castle1. I have heard some, who were his servants, say, that the charge he bestowed on this Castle, with the Parks and Chase thereto belonging, was no less than 60 thousand pounds. Here ; in July, an 1575. (17. Eliz.) having compleated all things for her reception, did he entertain the Queen2, for the space of xvii dayes, with excessive cost, and variety of 1 Parson's, the Earl's great accuser, after stating his oppression of his tenants at Denbigh, adds — " the like proceeding hee used with the tenants about Killingworth, where hee receiving the said " Lordship and Castle from the Prince, in guift of twentyfoure pounds yearely rent, or there about, " hath made it now better then five hundredth by yeare : by an old record also, found by great " fortune in the hole of a wall as is given out (for hee hath singular good luck alwayes in finding " out records for his purpose) by vertue whereof, hee hath taken from the tenants round about, " their Lands, Woods, Pastures, and Commons, to make himselfe Parkes, Chaces, and other com- " modities therewith, to the subversion of many a good family, which was maintained there, before " this devourer set foot in that countrey." — Leycester's Commonwealth. 2 The Queen had several times previously visited her favourite Leicester at Kenilworth Castle, though with less ceremony and expense. The MS. Annals of Coventry record that the Queen came to that city on Saturday the 17th of August, 1566 ; stayed there the 18th, " and on munday " hir grace ridd forth at the spoil street gate and so to Killingworth, whither hir grace willed the '' maior to come with his brethren ou the next tewsdaye. And on tewsday the maior and his " Brethren did ride to Killingworth and were well entertained and at theyr departing the maior " with all his Brethren kissed her hand, and so she giving the maior great thanks with all " his brethren they departed, and so she made the recorder knight the same daye demaund- " ing what lands the maior might spend, so it was supposed if he might have dispended to " the value of iiij" a yere he had been knighted. Also the queene gave to the maior and his " Brethren 30ty bucks wdl were deliv'ed." Leicester borrowed c£50. on this occasion from the Corporation of Coventry, as appears by the following item in the Treasurer's accounts, " 1566 It' " lent to my lord of lecesf. iij die Augusti I1'." The Coventry MS. Annals above referred to, mention in 1568, that " in this yere the queene came to killingworth unlooked for." No other notice of this royal visit to Kenilworth has been met with, but it is worthy of remark, that in the speech of the Lady of the Lake on Elizabeth's entering the castle at her great visit in 1575, she says, " Til now that this your third, arriuall here." In this year also the city of Coventry made no fewer than three presents to the earl of Leicester. 1568, 19 March payed for a yock of fatt oxen & xx" fatt wethers given to my lord of leicest' xx'1. 22 May the like xxiij1' vij". 15 decr. A yoke of oxen & a hogshead of wyne for my lord of leicester xv" viijs Some idea of the influence which Leicester possessed in Coventry may be formed from the fol lowing list of presents to him at other times. 1569 5 March two clothys yeven to my lo of leicr xiij" vjs viijd 1570 25 Jany A yoke of Oxen 7 13 4 12 July 2 Oxen 12 0 0 1575 2 July A yoke of Oxen and 20 sheep 21 6 8 KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 31 delightful! shews, as may be seen at large in a special discourse thereof then printed, and entituled, The Princely pleasures of Kenilworth Castle ; having at her first entrance a floating island upon the Pool, bright blazing with Torches ; upon which were clad in silks the Lady of the Lake, and two Nymphs waiting on her, who made a speech to the Q. in meeter of the antiquity and owners of that Castle, which was closed with Cornets, and other loud Musick. Within the basecourt was there a very goodly Bridge set up, of xx foot wide, and lxx foot long, over which the Queen did pass ; on each side whereof were posts erected, with Presents upon them unto her, by the Gods, viz. a cage of Wild fowl, by Silvanus ; sundry sorts of rare Fruits, by Pomona; of Corn, by Ceres; of Wine by Bacchus; of Sea fish, by Nep tune; of all habiliments of War, by Mars; and of Musical Instruments, by Phoebus. And, for the several dayes of her stay, various and rare Shews and Sports were there exercised, viz. in the Chase a Savage man, with Satyrs : Bear baitings, Fireworks, Italian tumblers, a Country Bride ale, with running at the Quintin, and Morrice dancing. And, that there might be nothing wanting that these parts could afford, hither came the Coventre 1576 For the cost of 4 Oxen given to the Earl of Leicester 12 0 0 1577 15 Novr pd for 4 oxen given 6 July last to my Id of Leicr. on his being at Ke nilworth 20 0 0 1578 20 Aug: 20 Weathers 10 0 0 1579 4 Nov. 2 Oxen . . . : 13 0 0 1581 a yoke of Oxen 13 10 0 pd to mr. Maior towards the charges of my lo of leic'8 dyner xxiij" vjs viijd In this year S'. Mary Hall was painted, and as a further compliment to Leicester, his arms were displayed upon the wainscoat. 1582 2 white oxen 12 0 0 1584 23 May 20 Weathers and 2 Oxen 30 13 4 In addition to these attentions from tbe city rulers, many instances occur of " supplications to " my lord of Leycesf," and minor presents from the various companies in Coventry. The Queen was also at Kenilworth in 1572, as appears by the Black Book of Warwick, a curious volume in the possession of the Mayor and Corporation, from whence these extracts are taken: — " That Monday night [August 12lb] her Ma'y. tarryed at Warwik, and so all tuesday. On " Wensday she desired to goo to Kenelworth, leaving her houshold and trayne still at Warwik, " And so was on Wensday morning conveid thorough the streates to the North gate, and from " thens thorough Mr. Thomas Fisshers groundes, and so by Woodloes, the farest way to Kenel- " worth, where she rested, at the chardges of the L. of Leycester, from Wensday morning till " Saturday night, having in the meane tyme such princely sportes made to her ma'1', as could be " devised. On Saturday night very late her maty. returned to Warwik.'' (Fol. 69.) — " On Monday [19 \] her maiesty taking g'. pleasure in the sport she had at Kenelworth, wold " thither agayn, where she rested till the Saturday after, and than from thens by Charlecot she " went to the lord Compton's, and so forwards. (Fol. 70. b.) 32 THE HISTORY OF men, and acted the antient Play, long since used in that City, called Hocks tuesday, setting forth the destruction of the Danes in King Ethelred's time; with which the Queen was so pleas'd that she gave them a brace of Bucks, and five marks in money, to bear the charges of a Feast. Besides all this, he had upon the Pool a Triton riding ou a Mermaid 18 foot long; as also Arion on a Dolphin, with rare Musick. And to honour this Entertainment the more, there were then Knighted here Sir Thomas Cecill, son and heir to the Lord Treasurer; Sir Henry Cobham, brother to the Lord Cobham ; Sir Francis Stanhope, and Sir Tho. Tresham. The cost and expence whereof may be guest at, by the quantity of Beer then drunk, which amounted to 320. hogsheads of the ordinary sort, as I have credibly heard1. Shortly after which, viz. the next ensuing year, he obtained, by the grant of the said Q. a weekly Mercate here upon the Wednesday, with a faire yearly on Midsummerday. But this great Earl (who bore no little sway in his time, as, besides our Annals, some yet living can testifie) having wedded the Lady Lettice, daughter to Sir Francis Knolls, Knight of the Garter, Treasurer of the Houshold to Q. Eliz. and widow to Walter E. of Essex, wanting by her any surviving issue, by his last Will and Testament, dated at Midleburgh in Zealand, 1. Aug. an. 1587. (being then General of the English Auxiliaries for the United Provinces) gave it to Ambrose E. of Warwick, his brother, for life2, and the inheritance to Sir Robert, Dudley Knight, whom he then 1 " Concerning Kenelworth Castle, and some of the preparations made by the Earl against the " Queen's coming thither, one in those times writes, ' That in this castle there are sufficient to " furnish 10,000 soldiers, of all things necessary for horse and man ; beside all munition, and " artillery brought thither when her Majesty was there, never carried back again.'' (Strype's Annals, vol. ii. p. 391-394.) Under a former year, 1570, this historian had observed, that "plots " and disturbances had so awakened the Earl of Leicester, that, whether it were for his own safe " recess, or the Queen's, or for the bringing of the Queen of Scots thither; he had now many " workmen at his seat called Killingworth Castle, to make it strong : aud furnished it with armour, " munition, and all necessaries for defence." (Strype's Annals, vol. i. p. 579.) A Letter to the Countess of Shrewsbury, dated London, last day of August, 1570, contains the following paragraph : " Thei say my Lord of Leceter hathe many worke men at Kyllingworthe to make his howse " stronge, and dothe furnishe it w'. armour, munition, and all necessaries for defence." — Lodge's Illustrations, vol. ii. 49. 1 The Attorney General Popham, in a letter to Lord Burghley, dated March 14, 1589, in answer to an enquiry respecting this Castle and other property, then late belonging to the Earl of Warwick, observes, that " about a yeare and more sythens Her Ma", comanded me and Mr. Solycytor to be " acquaynted w"\ the causes then in contraversy betwene the Earl of Warwyke and the Contesse " of Lecester ; at wch. tyme the Earles other Consell informed us that the Contesse claymed a KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 33 thought not proper to stile his lawfull son, and to his heirs. Which Sir Robert, (being a person of great learning and parts) coming to the possession of it within little more than a year after his father's death (for his Uncle surviv'd him no more) made it his seat1; and endeavouring to assert his legitimacy, which as to very many stood somewhat dubious, in regard of his said father's marriage with the before specified Countess of Essex, during the life of the Lady Douglasse his mother (widow to the Lord Sheffeild, and daughter to Will. Lord Howard of Effingham) but, failing thereof, travelled into Italy, where he past away his right therein unto the late Prince Henry ; the story whereof, with the circumstances, forasmuch as 'tis memorable in sundry respects, I shall here succinctly deliver. About the beginning of K. James his reign, this Sir Robert having marryed Alice, daughter to Sir Tho. Leigh of Stoneley Knt. and considering with himself, that in case he made good his legitimacy, not onely the title to the Earldome of Leicester, as heir to his father ; as also that of Warwick, for want of issue by the before specified Ambrose, his uncle ; together with the dignity of Lord L'isle, would rightfully accrue to him ; but likewise the Castle of Warwick, with divers fair Lordships in this County, by vertue of an entail upon his said uncle's first advancement to that honour ; did, by reason of that great Plague at that time in London, obtain a Commission from the Archb. of Cant, out of his Court of Audience, directed to Dr. Zachary Babington, then Chancellour of Litchfield, and other, for examining witnesses to prove his said father's marriage. But no sooner was it discerned by the before specified Lady Lettice, and her friends, that the consequence thereof would much reflect upon her, then that they procured Sir Edw. " joynf. in Kyllingworth Castle, by gen'all wordes comprysed in a conveyns' made unto her by the " Earl of Lecester off certen other man's in Warwykesher' in wcl'- ther were gen'all wordes off all " other the landes tentes and heredytamentes of the same Earl in the Contey of fVaryke : wherby we " conceated that the Earles menyng was not to passe Kyllyngworth unto her, for yf he hadd so " ment he wold haue comprysed that, beyng hys pryncypall house, by speciall name, and not to " have passed it away by suche gen'all termes. After wch. I hard the Coutesse off Lecester was " contented to forgoe her tytle to Kyllyngworth to the Earl of Warwyke, wch- maketh me suspect " the Earl of Leicester hadd it in fe simple, but I wyll cause serche to be made w"1. asmuche " spede as I may for the p'tyculer estates off them, and theryne informe yor. L. [Lordship.]" Lansdowne MSS. Vol. lxii. No. 37. British Museum. ' On the 5 June, 1600, a daughter of Sir Robert Dudley, born in Kenilworth Castle, was bap tized by the name of Douglass, as appears by the Church Register. Best's Narrative, MS. F 34 THE HISTORY OF Coke, the K. Atturney general, to exhibit a Bill in the Star Chamber against the same Sir Rob. and Dame Alice his Lady ; as also against the said Lady Douglasse Sheffeild (for so she was called) then wife of Sir Edw. Stafford Kt. and against the before mentioned Sir Tho. Leigh, Dr. Zach. Babington, and divers other; charging them with no less than combination and con spiracy to defame the said Lady Lettice, and unjustly to entitle himself to those Honours, &c. And, upon the petition of the Lord Sidney, procured a command from the Lords of the Councel, not onely to stop the said proceed ings at Lichfield, but to bring all the depositions there taken, to remain within the said Court of Star Chamber in the Councel chest. Nevertheless did they vouchsafe Liberty to the said Sir Robert to examine Witnesses in that honourable Court, in order to the making good of his legitimacy. Whereupon, by full testimony upon oath, partly made by the said Lady Sheffeild, and partly by divers other persons who were present at her marriage with the before specified Earl, it appeared, that she having been first contracted in Cannon Row, within the City of Westminster, about two years before, was solemnly wedded to him, in her Chamber at Asher in Surrey, by a lawfull Minister, according to the form of Matrimony by Law establisht in the Church of England, in the presence of Sir Edward Horsey Knight, that gave her in marriage; as also of Robert Sheffeild Esq; and his wife, Dr. Julio, Henry Frodsham Gent, with five other persons, whose names are there specified : and that the Ring, wherewith they were so marry ed, was set with five pointed Diamonds, and a table Diamond, which had been given to him the said Earl by the then Earl of Pembroke's grand father, upon condition that he should not bestow it upon any but whom he did make his wife. And moreover, that the D. of Norf. was the principal mover of the said marriage; but that the said Earl, pretending a fear of the Q. indignation, in case it should come to her knowledge, made her vow not to reveal it till he gave leave ; whereupon all her servants were commanded secrecy therein. And further was it likewise deposed, that within two dayes after the birth of the said Robert Dudley (who afterwards was born at Shene in Surrey) and there christned by a Minister sent from Sir Henry Lea, having to his Godfathers the Earl of Warwick, his Uncle, with the same Sir Henry, and Godmother the Lady Dacres of the South (by their Deputies) the said Lady Douglasse received a Letter from the Earl (which one Mrs. Erisa, but then Lady Parker, read) wherein his Lordship did thank God for KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 35 the birth of his said son, who might be their comfort and stafFe of their old age (as are the words of the said Letter) and subscribed, Your loving Husband, Rob. Leicester. As also, that the said Lady was after this served in her Chamber as a Countess, untill he commanded the contrary, for fear the marriage should be disclosed. Other depositions there were many, by several persons, testifying what the said Earl himself had said in relation to this his son ; as of one Owen Jones, who swore, that attending upon the said Sir Rob. Dudley at Offington in Sussex, when he was but ten years of age, and at School, the E. of Leic. came thither to see him, and said, Owen ! thou know'st that Robyn my boy is my lawfull son ; and as I do and have charg'd thee to keep it secret, so I charge thee not to forget it, and therefore see thou be carefull of him. Divers other expressions from the said Earl, testified by sundry credible persons, all tending to the same purpose: as also of what Ambrose E. of Warwick, his brother, had uttered in like kind, could I adde, were it not for brevities sake. But that it may appear what was the true cause that the Earl so declining his lawfull wife, durst not publickly own this his son, I shall observe from the same depositions ; viz. his marriage with the before specified Lady Lettice in her life time ; with whose beauty he became so captivated, that he endea voured to perswade the said Lady Douglasse to disclaim the marriage abovementioned, offering her no less than 700Z. per ann. in the close Arbour of the Q. Garden at Grenewich, in the presence of Sir John Hubaud and George Digby, in case she would so do ; and, upon her refusal, terrifying her with protestations, that he would never come at her, and that she should never have peny of him. It seems that the said Lady Douglasse had then the custody of her son; for I find it deposed, that the Earl tendred her 1000/. to deliver him unto Sir Edw. Horsey, Captain of the Isle of Wight, to be conveyed into the said isle, there to be brought up by him, which she refused. And there wants not strong suspicion, that, being doubtfull lest the life of the same Lady Douglasse might minister discourse of this foul play, he designed to dis patch her out of this world : for certain it is, that she had some ill potions given her, so that with the loss of her hair and nails, she hardly escap'd death ; which being discerned, to secure her self from the like attempts for the future, she contracted marriage with Sir Edw. Stafford Kt (a person of 36 THE HISTORY OF great honour and parts, and sometime imploy'd as an Embassadour into France) whereof, afterwards, most sadly repenting, she said, that she had thereby done the greatest wrong that could be to her self and son. Having thus manifested what is observable in reference to Sir Rob. Dudley's legitimacy, let us now see the Catastrophe. For after these fair hopes in obtaining what he aimed at, there M'as not onely a stop to all further proceedings in the before specified cause, but a special Order by the Lords, that the Depositions should be sealed up, and no Copies taken of them without the King's special licence. Which unexpected dealing so astonished him, that he forthwith resolved to quit the Kingdome ; and, to that purpose, obtaining licence to travel for 3 years, went into Italy ; whereof his adversaries taking advantage, procured his Summons to return by a special Privy Seal ; unto which not obeying, this Castle and all his lands were seized on to the K. use, by vertue of the Statute of Fugitives; and soon after surveyed, as by what I have here added, to the end that the greatness and state thereof may the better appear1. THE CASTLE OF KILLINGWORTH SITUATE UPON A ROCK. Circuit 1. The Circuite whereof within the walls conteyneth 7 acres, upon which the walls are so spacious & faire that two or three persons may walke to gether upon most places thereof. Building .... 2. The Castle with the 4 Gatehouses all built of free stone hewen and cutt, the walls in many places of 15 and 10 foot thicke, some more, some lesse, the least fower foot in thicknes square. Covering .... 3. The Castle and 4 Gatehouses all covered with lead, whereby it is subject to no other decay than the glasse through the extremity of weather. 1 The survey of the Castle and Possessions at Kenilworth here given, is a verbatim copy of the Cotton MS. Vespasian F. ix. being the document consulted by Dugdale, but not printed by him in the original spelling, and having an omission in the tenth article. KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 37 Roomes .... 4. The Roomes of great State within the same & such as are able to receave his Maty the Queen & Prince at one tyme, built with as much uni formity and conveniency as any houses of later tyme, and with such stately sellars all caried upon pillars and architecture of free stone carved and wrought as the like are not within this king- dome, and- also all other houses for offices aun- swerable. Chases & Parks . . 5. There lieth about the same in Chases and Parks £.1200 _p ann, £.900 whereof are grounds for pleasure, the rest in meadow & pasture thereto adjoyning. Tennants and Freeholders. Kingswood. Copses. 6. There joyneth upon this ground a parklike ground called the Kings wood, with 15 several coppisses lyeng altogether conteyning 789 acres within the same, which in the Earle of Leicesters tyme were stored with red Deere since which the Deere strayed, but the ground in no sort blemished, having great store of Tymber & other Trees of much valewe upon the same. Poole .... .7. There runneth through the said grounds by the walls of the said Castle a faire Poole conteyning 111 acres well stored with fish and fowle which at pleasure is to be lett round about the Castle. Tymber & Woods . 8. In Tymber and woods upon theis grounds to the valew (as hath been offered) of £.20000 having a convenient tyme to remove them, which to his Matic in the Survey are but valewed at £11722. which proportion in a like measure is held in all the rest upon the other valewes to his Maty. Compasse .... 9. The Circuit of the Castle, Manors, Parks, and Chase lieing round together conteyne at least 19 or 20 miles in a pleasannt countrey, the like both for strength, state, and pleasure not being within the Realme of England. 38 THE HISTORY OF Survey 10. Theis lands have been surveied by Commission15 from the King and the Lo : Privy Seale with direcions from his Lp. to findeall things under the true worth, and upon oath of Jurors as well as freeholders as custumary Tenants, which course being held by them are notwithstanding surveied and returned at £38554. 15s. Out of which for Sr. Rob: Dudleys contempt there is to be de ducted £10000. [and] for the La: Dudleys Joyn- ture which is without ympeachment of wast, whereby shee may fell all the woods which by the survey amount unto £11722, what shal be thought reasonable. £. s. The Totall of the Sur-^ In Land . . 16431 9 vey ariseth as fol- > In Woods . 11722 2 loweth, viz. ) The Castle . 10401 4 His Matie: hath herein the meane profitts of the Castle and premisses through Sr Robt: Dudleys contempt during his life or his Ma": pardon. The Revercon in fee being in the Lo : privy seale1. 1 There is a valuation of the Castle of Kenilworth in the British Museum, Cotton MSS. Tiberius, E. viii. evidently made about this period, but the signature and date are so much iujured by the fire in the Cotton Library as to be illegible. The Manors of Kenilworth and Rudfin were valued at the same time, the former at 21,010(7. 16s. the latter amounting to 38,554/. 15s. The valuation of the Castle is as follows : — Castle of Kenelworthe, &c. The Circuit whereof within the utter walls cont. 6a. 3r. 14p, Valew Although most of ye wals In frestone at 2s. 6d. the tun Tuns are of very great thicknes & cariadge 703574 . . yet this computacon riseth but at 4 foot throughout in In woorkmanship digging & thicknes of Hewen stone. laieng at 20d. each tun . . Arched vaults & pillers of frestone valued at . . £. s. d. 9196 15 0 £. s. d. 6670 14 4 £. 834 KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 39 But it was not long afterwards, that" Prince Henry, affecting it as the most noble and magnificent thing in the midland parts of this Realm, made over- Paving of freestone at 2d. the Feet foot 14540 . . Timber in ye buildings at 8s. Tuns the tun 1185 . . All ye pipes for caridge of Lead all ye buildings being ye water from ye cundit hed cover'd therewith at £12. Tuns lb being 3 qrs of a myle distant the tun I24sj 80 . is in the title of Lead. Iron bans of windowes &c. 2991 at Id. the pound Waight waighte 19565lb . Casern'3 for windowes at son- Casemts drie rates 193 . . Glasse in windowes besides scocheons of ye Kings Armes & of other noblemens at 3d. Feete y* foot 8617 . . f The chamber of p'nce is of Carved & Imbossed wainscott verie curious woorke wains- & inlaied in chymney peecs, cotted with the doores & portals & otlier play nerwains- the portals also. cot valued at . A Chimney pece & pells I presence? . «. . chamber. S tuchestone in the p'nce with one of Allablaster curiouslie wrought in ye privy chamber, & one other of frestone in the great chamber valued at , A fountaine of white marble, engraven round about with storie woork with the Queenes seat of freestone both being in the garden valued at A clocke Bell which waieth 500lb waight & the clocke . valued at Coppers & brewing vessels in the Castle valued at £. s. d. 121 3 4 £. 474 £. s. d. 1494 8 6 £. s. d. 163 0 10 £. s. d. 86 2 0 £. s. d. 107 14 3 £. s. d. 813 5 9 £. 300 £. 50 £. 30 £. GO 40 THE HISTORY OF ture by special Agents to the said Sir Robert of a desire to obtain his title thereto by way of purchase. Whereupon, in consideration of 145001. to be paid within the compass of a twelvemonth unto the said Sir Robert or his Assigns, certain Deeds were sealed bearing date 21. Nov. 9. Jac. (an. scil. 1611.) and Fines levyed, setling the inheritance thereof; as also of the Mannour and lands in Kenilworth, together with those of Rudfen, Balshall, and Long Itchington, upon the said Prince and his heirs: but with condi tion, that the same Sir Robert should, during his life1, hold and enjoy the Constableship of the said Castle by Patent from the same Prince. Howbeit, Prince Henry departing this life, there was not above 30001. of the same sum ever paid, as I have heard, and that likewise to a Merchant which broke, so that it never came to Sir Robert Dudley's hands. Never theless did Prince Charles, as heir to his brother, hold the possession thereof; and in 19. Jac. obtain'd a special Act of Pari, to enable the Lady Alice, wife to the said Sir Rob. in regard she had a joynture therein, to alien all her right unto him, as if she had been a feme sole: which accord ingly she did by her Deed bearing date 4. Maii, 19. Jac. in consideration of 40001. assigned to her out of the Exchequer. And being thus come to Pr. Charles, as hath been shew'd, the custody thereof was, by Pat. dated 15. Martii, in the first year after he came to the Crown, granted to Rob. E. of Monmouth, Henry Lord Carey, his eldest son, and Tho. Carey Esq ; together with the Park and Chase during their lives, and the longer liver of them, with the fee of xiid. per diem, and an annuity of xls. per ann. for repairing the walls and buildings, to be paid by the K. Receiver of this County, in whose possession it rested [till the murther of K. Ch. I.2 A.D. 1648-9. when Oliver Cromwell gave the whole Mannor 1 By the following extract from a cotemporary MS. copy of Bp. Corbett's " Itinerary into the " North, 20 Aug. 1618," it appears that at that time some old servants of the Earl of Leicester resided at the Castle, who were probably retained by Sir Robert. " Killingworth. The Keeper of the Castle was from home Soe that halfe mile wee lost, yet when we come, An hoast reciev'd us tliere, (wee'l ne're denye him My Lord of Leysters man) the Parson by him, Who had, noe other proofs, to testefye Hee serv'd that Earle, save age, and baudery." 1 The following is extracted from a MS. Volume in the Land Revenue Office, entitled, " In- KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 41 to several Officers of his Army1, who demolished the Castle, drained the great Pool, cut down the King's woods, destroyed his Parks and Chace, and divided the lands into Farms amongst themselves, and so continued pos sessed thereof till the Restoration of K. Charles II. when the Crown ventories of Goods, &c. of King Cha. 1st," made under authority of Acts of Parliament passed in 1649 and 1651. " Certaine Goods inventoried in Kennellworth Castle — Two Breweing Falts valewed att 3 0 0 Two Cowlers 100 One small Leaden cisterne 2 10 0 Sixe plancks for Tables 0 15 9 A Bell in peeces in ye possession of Mr. Tanner . . . . 19 0 0 An interesting anecdote of Richard Shuckburgh, Esq. who was confined a considerable time in this Castle during the Civil Wars, is related by Dugdale, Vol. i. p. 309, Hist, of Warw. It may also be remarked, that, in 1642, Charles I. returning from Warwickshire to Nottingham, placed two companies of foot and one of dragoons in Kenilworth Castle ; but in a few days, having intelligence that the power of the Rebels in that county increased, and might besiege the Castle, sent two troops of horse and one of dragoons to fetch them off, in which service Mr. Dugdale was their guide. — Life of Sir Wm. Dugdale. Rapin states, that Charles I. rested one day at Kenilworth, coming from Birmingham to Edgehill fight : and in Best's MS. narrative it is noted, that, in 1644, "The King's army came and lodged " in the Church." The same circumstance is also recorded of " Cromwell's army" in the succeed ing year. ¦ From an Account of Kenilworth Church, &c. by Mr. Best, the vicar, A.D. 1716, entered in the Parish Register, it appears that these Oliverian Officers were as follows : Colonel Haukesworth. Major [Richard] Creed. Captain [Benjamin] Phippes. Captain Ayres. Captain [Richard] Smith. Captain Mathews. [Captain Robert] Hope. Captain Palmer. Captain Clarke. Captain Coles. Haukesworth converted the Gate House into a Residence, and drained the famous Pool. Hope and Palmer enclosed a fourth part of the Commons, called the King's Woods, from the Inhabitants, and took it as their own free Estate !— In 1657, these Petty Lords (as the Vicar terms them) with some of the Parishioners, made a survey of all the Lands in the Manor, and in the following year, viz. June 14, 1658, in great pomp and ceremony perambulated the boundaries of the Parish : — but on the Restoration of Charles II. in 1660, they " soon scampered away." G 42 THE HISTORY OF renewed the Leases to the Daughters of Henry Lord Cary E. of Monmouth, which being near expired before the death of the said King, he granted the reversion of the whole Mannour to the Right Honourable Lawrence Lord Hyde, whom he created Baron of Kenilworth Castle, and Earl of Rochester, and to his heirs for ever : whose son the right honourable Henry Lord Hyde, the present Earl of Rochester, is now the worthy owner hereof1.] But one thing have I yet further to observe touching the before specified Sir Rob. Dudley, and then I shall proceed : which is, that having thus setled himself in Italy, within the Territories of the great D. of Tuscany, of whom he had extraordinary esteem, he was so much favoured by the Emp. Ferdinand the second, as that, being a person not onely eminent for his great learning and blood, but for sundry rare endowments as is very well known, he had by Letters Pat. from his Imperial Majestie, bearing date at Vienna, 9. Martii, 1620. the title of a Duke given unto him, to be used by himself and his heirs throughout all the Dominions of the sacred Empire. [Whereupon he was generally called Duke of Northumberland, which title as John his grandfather bore, though forfeited by Attainder, in the first year of Queen Mary; so did he whilst he lived, and his eldest son Charles after him, whom he had by Elizabeth the daughter of Sir Robert Southwell, of Wood Rising in Com. Norf. Kt. a very beautifull Lady, who went with him into Italy in the habit of a Page and there married him. He was a person of stature tall and comely ; also strong, valiant, famous at the excersise of tilting; singularly skill'd in all Mathematick Learning, but chiefly in Navigation and Architecture, a rare Chymist, and of great knowledge in Physick. 1 So said by Dr. Thomas. The Earldom of Clarendon devolved on this Henry Earl of Rochester by the death of his cousin Edward, the third earl. He had a son Henry, Viscount Cornbury, who died a few months before him, in 1753. On his death tbe titles became extinct. The Earldom of Clarendon was revived, in 1776, in the person of the Right Hon. Thomas Villiers, second son of William Earl of Jersey, who, in 1752, married Lady Charlotte, daughter to William Capel, Earl of Essex, by his first Countess, Jane, the third but eldest daughter, who lived to maturity, of the abovenamed Henry Hyde, the last Earl of Clarendon and Rochester. — His Lordship died in 1786, and was succeeded in his title and estates by his eldest son, Thomas, present and second Earl of Clarendon; to whom the Proprietors of this Work most respectfully beg to acknowledge their obligations, and to whom the Public at large (particularly those who view with admiration the interesting reliques of former times) are deeply indebted for the care with which his Lordship has preserved the venerable ruins of Kenilworth Castle : — " Majestic in decay." KENILWORTH MANOR, PRIORY, AND CASTLE. 43 His merits were so highly esteemed by the great Duke of Tuscany, as that he allowed him a yearly stipend of little less than a thousand pounds sterling. He erected a noble palace in the City of Florence, and his daughters by the wife he took thither, were all of them married to several Princes of the Empire. He died at a Palace of the Dukes of Florence, within two or three Italian miles distance of that City, in September 1649. and his body resteth in the Monastery of Nuns at Boldrone, except it be removed to the Church of St. Pancras in Florence, where he raised a noble Monument for his wife, with purpose to be there interred himself1.] ' To the preceding account of Sir Robert Dudley may be added the following extracts from original letters of the period, in the Talbot Collection. The first is written by Rowland White, to the Earl of Shrewsbury, and is dated " Court, 13 May 1605. " The greate cawse in the Starrchamber between my La. Leicester and Sir Rob'. Dudley was " ended & censured upon Friday last. The matter of marriage was not handled at all, only the " practise was proved in the proceedings. The deposicons to be suppressed and cancelled; the " witnesses suspected and disgraced ; the bill and answer to be sealed wth. the seale of that court, " and soe put by till the court call for them." On the 7th of June following P. Sanford writes thus to the Earl of Shrewsbury, from Baynard's Castle :— " In the Starchamber the LL". were lately moved to alter the order made ag'. Sr Robert Dudley, " especially in two pointes ; the one, that wher his witnesses were censured as suspected, now they " should be sett downe only as ' subject to suspicon ;' the other, that wher the Earle of Leycest' " landes were said to be reverted to the Crowne, it should be only ' supposed to be reverted.' " These thinges, because they seemed much to pjudicate ye legitimation, were farre pressed; but " the order was entered as it was first sett downe, upon the speeches especially of the E. of Salis- " bury, the Lo. Treasorer, & Chief Justice, the E. of North, holding hardly for the contrary." The last extract to be given is from a Letter, dated, Sutton, 6th July 1605, and written by Sir Francis Leake to the same nobleman. " I am sorie for Sr. Roberte. Dudleye's greatt overthroe, because I was muche bounde in dewtie " to hys father; and yf he doe marrie M". Sothewell ytt ys felonie by these laste statutes." The elopement of this lady, and Sir Robert Dudley's subsequent marriage to her, completely ruined his prospects in England, by affording King James a new plea for the unjust seizure of the Earl of Leicester's estates. She lived several years with him in Italy, and bore the title of Duchess of Northumberland. The following summary Account of Royal Visits to Kenilworth will, it is presumed, close this portion qf ihe Work with some propriety. Henry III. in his 51st year, 1266, in person attended, the siege of the Castle; vide p. 19, ante. Edward II. in December, 1326, was brought to the Castle a prisoner; vide p. 24. Anno 1377, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, retired hither with his suite on the crowning of Richard II. Henry, Prince of Wales, writes to his father Henry IV. on 4th of Sept. (year unknown), " Escrit en v're chastel de Kenilworth." Henry V. 1414, kept his Lent at the Castle; vide note 1, p. 27, ante. Henry VI. 1437, kept Christmas there. Henry VI. and his Queen, in 1449, removed from London to Kenilworth on occasion of Cade's Rebellion. Henry VI. and his Queen, in 1450, rode from Coventry to Kenilworth on the Tuesday after Michaelmas Day. Henry VI. in 1456-7, came from Kenilworth to Coventry on Friday, 11th of February; and on the following day the Queen came " rydyng behynde a man." 1457- On Corpus Christi eve (13th of June) Queen Margaret came from Kenilworth to Coventry; Tuesday, 16th of August, the King made the same journey; and on Wednesday, 31st of August, they both visited that city, coming from Kenilworth. Richard III. was at Kenilworth, 4th of July, 1483, and in 1484 kept his AVhitsuntide there ; being also at the Castle, June 6, and Oct. 18, in the same year. Henry VII. in April, 1487, removed from Coventry and celebrated Whitsuntide at the Castle; in 1493 he came from thence with his Queen, at Whitsuntide, to Coventry ; and he was also at Kenilworth on the 25th of June. Henry VIII. From the circumstances of his removing the " pleasaunce," vide p. 27, and a part of the Castle being called " Henry 8th Lodgings," it is evident that this monarch also visited Kenilworth. Elizabeth visited the Castle in 1566, 1568, and 1575; vide note 2, p. 30. James I. in 1617, came to view the Manor. Prince Henry visited Kenilworth in 1619 and 1621. Prince Charles was there in 1624. Charles I. appears to have been at Kenilworth in 1642, vide extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts; and also lay there one night, with his army, in 1644. KENILWORTH CHURCH. 1 his, according to Dugdale, is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and the list of vicars from 1300 to the dissolution of the monastery, given by him, shows that the prior and convent were the patrons ; but who was the donor, and at what time they became possessed of the advowson does not appear, though it probably was granted by the Clintons. In 1291 it was valued at eight marks, and the vicarage at one mark; but by the survey 26 Henry VIII. it seems that the vicar had only a yearly stipend of 6/. 13s. 4d. paid by the prior and convent. On a taxation of the clergy1, in 1533, to the second part of a subsidy, the vicar, Sir John Pultney, was rated 4s. 5\d. whilst the abbot and convent were charged 25Z. A. D. 1563. In the certificate2 of Thomas Bentham, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, touching the names of parish churches with the number of households throughout his diocese, the Church of " Kenelworthe" is stated to have one hundred and ten households attached to it. 15703. The Earl of Leicester entered into a composition with the parishioners for their right of common in the woods, park, and chace, which he then enclosed for his own use and pleasure, and in lieu thereof gave them one hundred acres of ground, called Prior's Field, and the liberty to enclose about two hundred acres to make them two common fields for tillage, now called Prior's Field and Furzon Field. At the same time he endowed the vicarage with the great and small tithes of all the freehold and copyhold estates, being the old common fields and enclosures within the manor. In his time the said earl repaired and beautified the chancel, took down its high roof, and substituted a flat one covered with lead, putting battlements round it, and his crest of the Bear and Ragged Staff on the apex of the east end, where once had been a cross. He also wainscotted the chancel with oak, and gave a silver-gilt chalice and cover4. 1 Harl. MS. 594. * Idem. 3 Best's Account of the Church, &c. * The Bear and Ragged Staff still remain, and the Chalice and Cover form a part of the present church plate, as docs the flagon, bowl, &c. given in 1638 by Alice Duchess Dudley; a condition accompanying the latter gift, that if the plate was at any time " changed or made away with," it should be lawful for her heirs " to challenge the worth of it from the parish." 46 THE HISTORY OF 1624 \ Alice Duchess Dudley, according to the trust reposed in her by her daughter Alicia Dudley, augmented the vicarage by the gift of certain lands at Manceter in this county, of the yearly rent of twenty pounds. 1638 '. The said duchess gave a large gilt flagon, a gilt bread bowl with a cover, and a gilt chalice and cover, valued at sixty pounds. 1644 '. The Countess of Monmouth (daughter of Lord Carey, Earl of Monmouth) gave a large high silver and gilt chalice with cover. By Act of Parliament in 1706, says Dr. Thomas, the tithes, 13s. 4 d. per annum, were discharged, and the clear yearly value returned to the governers of Queen Anne's bounty was 34/. The impropriator allows 12/. per annum, besides the small tithes, It is a well attested fact that the ancient deeds and writings of the parish were lost by having been put for safe custody into the hands of one Thomas Devis, a substantial freeholder and great puritan; after whose death, in May l66l, they were carried to Atherstone by some of his family, and their contents being principally Latin, they were considered as useless parch ments, and destroyed ; the broad seals appended to the deeds being given as playthings to the children. To the list of vicars2 given in Dr. Thomas's edition of Dugdale, may be added the following: Thomas Lucas .... 1740 Robert Sumner .... 1773 Samuel Butler, D.D. . . 1802 The latter gentleman is also head master of Shrewsbury Grammar School, and well known in the literary world for his learned and valuable publications. EXTRACTS FROM THE CHURCHWARDENS' ACCOUNTS. 1616. Amount of Receipts . ... 15 9 4 " Pawnage [pannage] for the Chase xls" This item occurs regularly. Payments. Inp'mis att Coventry at the Archbyshopes visitac'on for the booke of Articles & fees i'j" vjd Item for mending the Clocke ham'er iiijd Item for a Carpitt for the Communion table xiij8 Item for joyninge the same table iijs ' Best's Account of the Church, &c. ' From the parish documents it appears that Anthony Wodhul was vicar in 1653, and that he held that appointment twelve years. KENILWORTH CHURCH. 47 1618. Item pd to the Ringers when the Kinge was at Kenellworth ij5 viijd Item pd for unsealing ' the Church dore when the King was heare xxvij8 vjd 1622. Item paid for ringing when the prince came v8. 1624. Item paid to my Lord Caryes ffootman for bringing the letter for the plowing x' Item pd for making the petic'on to my Lord Carey for our trees xijcl 1625. Item to the ringers for the princes highnes when he was last at Kenellworth vjs Item payd for Ringing for Kinge Charles ijs It'm for a bound (bond) makyng and wrytting my ladey Duddles gefte to the vicker iij8 1629. Ite' paid for mendinge the Abbie bridge beinge the Church-way xxa 1631. An order made May 8, that no parishioners shall have more than 3 peals after their decease viz. one at departure, one before and one after burial with the great bell : the peals not to exceed an hour, and if more than 3 peals to pay 12d 1635. Inter alia " for the crosse at the Est end of the church" 1627. The Abbey bridge repaired, a large quantity of timber cut down upon the church land and prepared for it. 1640. Item spent upon the ringers at the Earl of Monmoth his coming to Kennellworth ij8 1643. Spent on ye ringers to drinke when the Kinge was here and on his holy day 3s. 6d. For or. charges goinge to my Lord Brooke two severall tymes about ye safeguard of y° plate 5s. 1645. for mending ye pewes after ye Armie Is. Qd. 1646. for makyng fayre the Church after generall Cromwell's Army was here ,5s. 1649. for making cleane the Church and chancell when the Scots lay there 5s. 1650. Item spent at warwicke when the neapperes [neighbours] went too Sir Simon2 Archer to see what he could shew us aboutt our toune Is. lOd. 1655. Item spent upon the Captaines3, at Hancoxes & at Cannings when wee went to move them to give some timber towards the making of a frame for ye bells "Is. 1657. Various entries about new casting the Bells and an agreement with the Bell founder — old bells broken. Also charges for timber for the new bell frame, and items concerning the receiving of the new bells. Bryan Elridge was paid " for castinge ye 5 bells" 8/. making up what he had before received 361. 10s. Md- that in 16.56 ye old bells being foure in number and containing in weight all of them, one 8t fifty hundred were cast into five bells as followes viz'. The 1st bell 6 hundred & l61i ye clapper yrof 25 li. The 2nd bell 9 hundred St 2li f clapper yrof 27 li. * Probably the western entrance closed with lath and plaister, and opened to admit the king in greater state. % Sir Simon Archer was an indefatigable collector of topographical information, with which he greatly assisted Sir Wm. Dugdale, as that writer acknowledges. 3 Vide p. 41, ante. 48 THE HISTORY OF The 3rd bell 8'hundred & an half & 13 li ye clapper yrof 30li The 4th bell 1 1 hundred & 10 li ye clapper yrof 36 li The 5th bell 15 hundred & 13li ye clapper yrof 42 li 1665. To John Price towards making the font 30 July 7s. Qd. — and again 7s. 6d. N.B. During the Usurpation a wooden turned pillar was made for the basin. 1673. The " Abbey Bridge" was this year washed down and destroyed by a flood, part being carried to a great distance. 1675. It' paid to Mr. Jo. Smith of Warwicke for a Cake to p'sent to or. Earle & his Countess for their love to us in the timber 5s. 1679. It' spent when we fetched the Lady Dudleys gift from Stonely Is. Id. The gifte of Kenellworth pishners towards the repayres of St. Paules Church in London 1633 In allxxxj8 vjd An item occurs in the Churchwardens Accounts 1633 of xijd " spent at Stanley when " wee went to pay in our money for the repayre of pooles." DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH. The present entrance to the Church is by a porch ranging with the north aisle, having a floorless room above it. The original entrance was under a fine Norman l arch in the west side of the tower, consisting of three successive mouldings ; the first fluted, the second of birds heads, and the third a fret, surrounded by a nail-headed band : an ornamented square enclosing the whole, having patera; within the spandrils. The Church2, of which the exterior is shown in the plate, consists of a nave, with north and south aisles, divided by pointed arches, and a chancel. In the south wall of the chancel are three plain pointed niches, the usual seats of the priest, deacon, and subdeacon in the times of the Roman Catholic ritual. MURAL MONUMENTS IN THE CHANCEL. Against the east wall a beautiful monument by Westmacott, in white marble, to the memory of Caroline, wife of Richard Gresley, Esq. represented in the annexed engraving. On the north wall. Arms, azure a lion rampant argent. Crest, a demi-griffin gules, holding a battle axe or. 1 This door-way is engraved by Carter, in his Ancient Architecture, Part 1, Plate XXXI.; also in the Antiquarian Itinerary. And a private etching has been recently made by Joseph Boultbee, Esq. 1 An engraving of the Church, from a drawing by Moses Griffiths, is given in the Gentleman's Magazine lor Aug. 1787; and the same plate is also used in the first volume of Nichols's Progresses of Queen Elizabeth. It is likewise engraved in Ancient Reliques, vol. ii. ^9AAA'AA^Ar'A$S^m. Dra.wnffy- J.lflartm icoln a. Skttck iyW.Green. K3EMH.W®Mr5!n CHOTLSCIHI „ liiririin%bHiii/Wir/W*i If A T It.iJrhfi': 1 /¦! Km./^ii -J .)'/¦// Covci.u i TA HiJIClffiAlli.ID) «E§LEY ESQ? 77us Al/tk i/f~M™Cn:-.ici 's Mrruj7//<:nl.u;. f/„ /J;,j/v/) iTf 'A',/://'iiy/f/~; ,&,./>; ,t,<1 ,;< far Jim xxmy. ia r,yn;,-,ri;. -r,:s ly Who departed this Life, on the 18th of October 1772 in the 39th year of his age. His afflicted Widow Judith Bird Has caused this Monument to be erected As a Memorial of their conjugal affection, and of her irreparable loss. A small tablet records the death of the said Judith Bird, September 22, 1806, in her 79th year. . INSCRIPTIONS UPON SLABS IN THE CHURCH. Mary Cleeve, died Septr. 15 1748 aged 71. Sarah Leaper died 29 May 1793 aged (37. Francis Yardley 11 Oct1" 1696 aged 59 and Elizabeth, his wife, daughter of John Marshall 24 Aug'. 1709- William Dunton buried 25 Aug'. 1679- Clara, wife of Will™. Dunton, March 20 1702, aged 70. Will"1- son of Will™. Dunton, Sept. 26. 1715, aged 35. Thomas, son of Thomas Bayley aged 2 years, Sept. 10, 1706. H 50 THE HISTORY OF Mr. James Pheppes, died 2nd May 1674. Willm. son of Anthony Power Gent", died 25 Decr 1715 aged 2 years Henry another son died Sep 12 1717 in his second year. In the windows of the chancel there only remain of the arms noticed by Dugdale, Nos. 4 and 5. MURAL MONUMENTS IN THE NAVE. On the North Wall. Near this place lie deposited the remains of Mary Williamson who departed this life March 24'" 1793. aged 60. The sacred ties of Friendship she never violated ; She possessed a greatness of mind and understanding which would have done honour to the most exalted station. Filial and Fraternal love in her shone conspicuous. How loved how valued once avails thee not To whom related, or by whom begot ; A heap of dust alone remains of thee, 'Tis all thou art, and all that man shall be. D. O. M. Gulielmus Phipps L.L. D. Per viginti Annos in Curia de Arcubus Lond. Advocatus. Summa Probitate Ingenij Acumine Morum suavitate Eloquendi Lepore Omnisq. politioris Doctrinaj Scientia Conspicuus. Exiguum hunc Lapidem (Modestia; & Humilitatis Exemplar) Gulielmo Patri, Marthae sorori sibiq. Hie Natis Hie sepultis Testamento Suo erigi jussit. Ob'. VI. Martii A. D. MDCCXXVII Et JEtat. Sua; LH. Antonius Power Nepos & Hasres P. Gulielmus Pater, natus XXII Julii MDCXLV. Ob'. IX Aug. MDCXCI. Martha Soror, nata VII Jan. MDCLXXIIII0. Ob'. VII Julii MDCCV. KENILWORTH CHURCH. 51 On the South Wall, upon a Brass Plate. Reader, Contemplate thy own Mortality, In the Remains here before thee Of the Revd. Mr. William and Mrs. Ann Best. The Former, With Indefatigable Vigilance, For Fifty Years Vicar of this Parish : The Latter, For Fifty Years and one, his Wife. Not one Wife in Fifty; Not one Mother, Not one Mistress of a Family, Not one Neighbour, Not one Christian in Fifty Has she Left behind her better than herself. Fourscore Years and Ten Was the good Old Age, to which she lived. 1748 The Year of our Lord, In which she died. Eight Years after the Death of her Husband. In the Year 1740 And of his Age Seventy Five. Filial Piety in their Son William, Doctor of Divinity. Devoted this Plate. To the Memory of his Dearest Parents. An: Dom : 1753, iEtat. Suaa 58. At the Foot of this Pillar lyeth the Body of Penelope Wife of Richard Chamberlaine Gent. Daughter of the Revd. Wm. Best Vicar of this Church. She dyed March 20th. in the 31"' year of her Age and of our Lord 1721. 52 THE HISTORY OF INSCRIPTIONS UPON SLABS IN THE NAVE. Mrs. Rebecca Bird, wife of John Bird Esqr. June 7 1760 aged 65 Elizabeth Bird, wife of Wilberforce Bird died August 5th. 1780 aged 23. In Memory of John Biddulph Esqr. late Lieutenant Colonel in the 3,d. Reg' of Foot (or Buffs) who died June 4th. 1798 in the 75th Year of his Age And also of Patrick Don Esqr. formerly a Captain in the same Regiment who died February 21. 1811 in the Ninety fourth year of his Age. Will™. Phipps Gent", died 9 Aug' 1691 in his 46lh year Wm Phipps his Son, doctor of the Civil Law, died March 6, 1 727 in his 52 year Thomas, son of Samuel and Hannah Malkin died 16 July 1771 aged 19 Samuel Malkin Gent", died 31 July 1773 aged 61 Sarah, wife of The Revd Thomas Lucas died 26 June 1749 in her 33rd. year. In memory of The Revd Thomas Lucas Vicar of Kenilworth who departed this Life ye 26 of September 1773 aged 57. Rhoda Relict of the Revd Thomas Lucas died 15 Feby 1791 aged 73 SOUTH AISLE. The only mural monument in this aisle bears the following inscription — Beneath, is interred the Body of William Butler Gent". Who for several years was Steward to the Late and Present Lord Hyde and the Late and Present Lord Leigh of Stoneleigh, and served them in that capacity until the 14th of Feby 1760 on which day He departed this Life in the 70"1 year of his Age. KENILWORTH CHURCH. 53 He now awaiteth a Joyful Resurrection at the last Day. What manner of Man He was That day will discover. Also Mary Relict of the above Wm Butler died the 21st of Feby 1773 in the 74th year of her Age. INSCRIPTIONS UPON SLABS IN THE SOUTH AISLE. Sarah, wife of Samuel Butler, died 27"' March 1776 in her 25"1 year Samuel Butler, died 5 Aug' 1807 in his 75th- year And in the adjoining Vault Mary, Relict of Samuel Butler, who died 10 Jany 1820, aged 69 years. Penelope Chamberlaine, died March 20 1721 William, son of Edmund and Elizabeth Best and grandson of the Revd. Wm Best, died March 21 1749-50 in his 20th year Elizabeth, wife of Edmund Best, died Novr. 26 1733 in her 33rd year IN THE WEST CROSS AISLE. George Lucas Boswell, born 28 Octr 1787 and died Sepr 28 1791 Georgiana Boswell, born 15 decr 1791 and died 12 Novr 1811 Walter Boswell, died Decr 31 1814 aged 21. The Font is circular, with T. B. W. D. I. P. 1664 upon it. Some particulars respecting this Font will be found in the extracts from the Churchwardens' Accounts for 1665, given in a preceding page. There is also a small organ, purchased by subscription for seventy guineas, about seven years since. Before closing this description of the Church it may be necessary to take some notice of a coffin-plate which was dug up in the south aisle, in 1776, upon opening the ground for a vault, and the rather because an account of it has been printed in the Encyclopaedia Britannica, under the article Longevity, though with a slight error in the name of the person. The plate was of sheet iron tinned, or, as some accounts say, plated with silver, and bore the following inscription : — Mr. James Bowles. Obijt Aug8'. ye. 15tb. 1656 JEtatis 152. Such is the reading of a facsimile tracing of the .inscription, evidently in letters of that period ; but though great pains have been taken to recover the plate itself, which was taken 54 THE HISTORY OF KENILWORTH CHURCH. to London many years ago by Wm. Stokes, the person who dug it up, it appears to be irrecoverably lost; and the strong suspicions that exist as to a fraudulent insertion of the numeral 1 before 52, in the age of the person, cannot receive that confirmation which there is great reason to believe an examination of it would produce. No entry in the Parish Register records the burial of such a person in 1656, nor does any name at all resembling Bowles occur for many years prior and subsequent to that period. I „tr ^v L^ L.^%- \t Lii'\^ L-:4 I :>-' SO 200 2(?(?^ ¦ L Swan Ters ¦ 1 .' f the Kitchens. Garden. . trong Tower Gerte-b, ¦ ¦¦'¦ i - ffall . 0 _Z urm 's Tower , ] ¦: • . . ffatt . Stables . ¦nee Chamber. 0 i! ¦ Tower. F Zobby andSiazr- case to da. 3 2? tad of water passage from, tbe Lake. Or Privy Oiamicr. ¦ ¦¦¦ '¦ ¦ A/.', eicester's Buildings . T jlfortzm-crs Tower . A'-Roi'Dud.^.-; i*y Tilt yard. try 8* Lodgings Stairs lean vaulted chambers 3 Inner ¦ t upper end trftbe &rea£J5a.ll. K Pie,.; . ¦ ¦ I "¦"¦? }^^} A^As-: - "Mo a-t PLAIT ©F From a Drawing byJIJeayef. in tbe possession .rf'&TSkjrp 8c in^ssttsi.e; subsequent corrections k discord es . Birmin£].ai,i/2/,4,&>W fy WkTBatllhfrr i ir.U March I'' //'"/ iui.klyliV GATE -HOUSE. l^n-nnyWi /WV/iVA l\rtfjfxidc/vffei-0y3ferr^kir ScSon Coventry. Fnnted "by W * X fis dctoi ft A SURVEY OF KENILWORTH CASTLE, A. D. 1821 ; IN ELUCIDATION OF THE ENGRAVED PLAN AND VIEWS 3Jn tije pwswt q&oxk. Castrum amplissimutn, pulcherrimum, munitissimum. Camden. On entering the area of the Castle by the modern approach from the north, the first object of notice is THE GATE-HOUSE, built by the Earl of Leicester1. On its south front is a shield with the arms of Beauchamp; and its S.W. turret contains a circular staircase, the steps of solid oak, leading to the several stories and to the roof, where the other turrets end in small apartments. — Its present door is on the W. side, to which has been added a porch from Dudley's Lobby, having in the spandrils of the arch the initials R. L. On the Gate-house being converted into a dwelling-house by Hawkesworth, one of the Oliverian officers mentioned in page 41 (note), its original arched-way of twelve feet wide was closed, and divided into two rooms, of which the inner one, lined with oak wainscot, bearing the Ragged Staff in many places, contains the chimney-piece repre sented in the accompanying Plate. The lower part is of Alabaster, and, being " curioslie wrought," is probably that which belonged to the Privy 1 See its S. W. aspect in the Plate annexed, and Plan at the letter N. 56 A SURVEY OF Chamber, and is so described in the valuation at page 39 (note). It has been richly decorated with gilding, and besides the devices exhibited so accu rately in the engraving as not to require description, the smaller shields are charged with double-tailed lions, the ancient arms of Dudley, and the date of \\ appears in the turn-up of the initial L. on the right hand. The motto of droit et loyal is in bold relief, but that of vivit post funera virtus is in intaglio, and seems to have been added after the Earl's death. The upper part of oak, no less curious for its elaborate design and carving, was probably taken out of the Presence Chamber. (See the Valuation, as before). It bears the initials E. R. in honour of the Virgin Queen ; and the centre tablet shows marks of having held a shield, on which we may conjecture that the royal arms were displayed. Following the local situation of the buildings of the Castle itself, as laid down in the Plan, and with strict accordance as to their chronological order, we commence with CESAR'S TOWER, which, to use the words of Dugdale, page 11, " by the thickness of its walls "and form of building, appears to have been of the first foundation" in the time of Henry I. Its exterior from the S. E. is given in one of the Plates annexed, and the interior is shown, " amidst the war of elements," in the view from Clinton Green. Unlike many other Norman Keeps it had no dungeon, at least no receptacle of the kind has been discovered, though an examination has been made for the depth of seventeen feet down to the natural bed of gravel. The place of confinement for prisoners in early times, (pages 13 and 14,) must therefore have been in one of the corner turrets ; but at a later period the Strong Tower, hereafter to be described, would afford suitable accommodation. The north side of this stupendous Keep is totally down; having been destroyed either to reuder it untenable for military purposes, or by the Oliverian officers, for the value of the stone'. Horace Walpole, in his Anecdotes of Painting, vol. ii. p. 152, note, speak ing of the " trifling singularity" with which Lincoln's Inn Fields was laid out in the exact dimensions of one of the pyramids,' observes, that " this would have been admired in those ages, when the Keep at Kenilworth Castle • " The Castle in the late Civil Wars was demolished by those who purchased it of the Pariia- " uient, with design to make money of the materials." Gibson's Camden. < : ?• > A 1 1 "51 ]jrav>n by W.~We3iall. A._rl_A EvT£Wri }!A)AM iTIE 0\S>T3LE , CKSAK'S TOWIKM. NTi,myh.im/W/-'/.-«W^' /f .?- Tli.UrljiT,' .<: by Ufni.lw \;i,,,j t'ownlri Trin'td WW 3: I V , J Jj-ffc Draamtrv- J VBaxber. -Endowed W^jll"1 ha JoMte CIESAIK'S TOW1EK from J VV X- T.Radclyire KENILWORTH CASTLE. A. D. 1821. 57 " was erected in the form of a horse-fetter, and the Escurial in the shape of "• St. Lawrence's gridiron :" but the architect of the Keep deserved no such sarcasm, as a reference to the Plan will satisfy the reader. Its walls are in several places no less than sixteen feet thick, and all its parts are on the same scale of durability. The upper windows have been altered on the exterior from circular headed openings to square ones, corresponding in style with Leicester's other works. The turrets at each corner were evi dently much higher originally, as the range of loopholes indicate, above which would rise the battlements. The clock was fixed in the S. E. angle (see Laneham's Letter, Appendix, page 38) ; the places where the dials were fastened remaining still visible. In this angle is also the well, the entrance to which, to prevent accidents, is closed ; though not until the well had been thoroughly emptied, and its depth and construction ascertained, in the year 1819. It is seventy feet deep from the ground floor of the Tower, and from thence it passes upwards, in the thickness of the wall, to the second floor, a space of twenty feet more, making together ninety feet. It is three feet wide at the top'and four feet at the bottom. The water issues from a fissure of the rock, about two feet above the bottom : it is a strong spring, and rises about ten feet. The well is quoined down to the rock, about sixty feet, and then for ten feet is made perfectly round and smooth through the rock, which is of red sand-stone. Nothing of consequence was discovered in it. The great staircase occupied the N. E. angle ; but in the corresponding turret at the S. W. there seems to have been another staircase of later con struction leading to the chief apartments. Some paintings in fresco on the plaster, in imitation of recesses with trefoil heads, are seen higher up this turret, an indication possibly of its having been the chapel mentioned by Dugdale, in page 14. The original entrance to the Keep was on the west, to which an ascent was gained either by a flight of steps exposed to obser vation on the outside, or by a small subsidiary tower, as at Rochester and other ancient Castles. The place of this staircase or tower is now occupied by an arcade of Leicester's time, with the remains of a date of .. 70, for 1570, which, by some stone steps recently laid open, led under an arch of an earlier period into THE GARDEN. Of this appendage of general grandeur of the Castle, with its aviary, foun tain, &c. no better account can be given than by Laneham> who saw, it in its i 58 A SURVEY OF splendour, Appendix, page 37, and is confirmed in part by the before-men tioned Valuation in page 39, of this History. To the west of the arcade the remains of THE KITCHENS are discernable, by an oven and other culinary arrangements, though the principal walls are levelled to the ground. The ivy here spreads luxuriantly in many a " gadding spray" from stems of enormous growth, as it does in several other parts of the Castle, with various profusion, but always with grace and effect. Still following the order prescribed by the Plan we next come to THE STRONG TOWER, or part of Lancaster's Buildings, so called from John of Gaunt, iu whose time it was erected (see page 27), though, without a shadow of historical authority, " the Wizzard of the North" has given it the name of Mervyns Tower, by which appellation it will no doubt be known for as many years to come as his book contains pages1. The View annexed is from the most picturesque point of observation2. A slightly-pointed arch gives entrance to a groined apartment, of one large and two smaller divisions. The inner one is engraved in Plate XLIII. of Carter's Ancient Architecture, and its pointed vaulting and uniting torus noticed as very peculiar, though that able artist seems to have mistaken the date of the building. This small room has a perforation in its S. wall, through which a sliding beam once passed, to barricade the door to the Sally Port in the adjoining vault beneath the Great Hall. A single room of the second story, by this access, has been partially cleared. It is also groined, and has a closet at the N. W. angle. Near the window of this apartment are two coats of arms scratched in the stone. First, Between three cross crosslets a bend charged with three pheons. Above it, in black letter, t)l&tt&* Edmonson, in his Heraldry, gives argent on a bend sable three pheons of the field, for Bland of Kippax Park, in Yorkshire; and for Bland of London and Yorkshire the same, only the pheons Or. ' The Proprietors of the present Work cannot lose this opportunity of expressing their acknow ledgments to " the Author of Waverley," for the obliging terms in which he has spoken of their undertaking, in the third volume of his Kenilworth, page 86. 2 On the same plate is a reduced copy of Buck's view of the Priory Remains, in 1729, mentioned at page 10, note 1. <;fm lit->- 111 i I IHi ¦MMs ."¦; Hll*1, '.' limit ' * > - -' I iipliiil AAr Ai I ' a: mm -is- 1 ' Vi KENILWORTH CASTLE, Strong Tower fronv Ike Tlcasafice. . Sflifli ,i.f w \^yi|i ijii'ii imi ill B IENI1WOITI, Jlcmaixs of Trwry-O-turck. from afrutt by Buck.ulM.172g. Birniin.a-m fu/jlithed by WlrLOadfytti /¦ hyMa-ridar ISori. Coventiy OctrfiSm Trmted. by W & I. Raddyfe. 'A < P ~ <4 < i A &k a ¦- w 'M p. n m M ;__' ^— • ^" 1 "'"* IDrawn ~by~W &re em. ¦j-rt i br^'Al- KeccviTc EFTRAICCE to GREAT MALTL IJ„m,njh.W«rf/«/W bril', I I i;*Jrbilik.t"V/.VJf:';tall A.i'-A.. .I'bifr-ived \y W K iJt'iyfi' LUFWS TOWEI . hjrmm£hD.in 7ii/>Uvfail fy lfl\7:A'.*Jr/vrrr K hy Merritlat ,•. :Sm Ct.vcnhy Pirit-IbyWS- i hjaHvffe KENILWORTH CASTLE. A. D. 1821. 61 SIR ROBERT DUDLEY'S LOBBY, AND HENRY VHIth's LODGINGS. These are levelled to the ground. The view of the Castle in its entire state, A. D. 1620, referred to Appendix, page 37, note 1, represents them directly ranging from Leicester's Buildings to Cesar's Tower, including the gate of entrance from the Base Court to the inner one; but the plan, copied from Dugdale, notices a remarkable obliquity, and it has been deemed proper so to let it remain until better evidence shall come to light upon the subject. THE WALLS, TOWERS, &c. The walls, encompassing an area of seven acres, were, according to the survey in page 36, " so spacious and faire that two or three persons might " walke together upon most places thereof," and their present appearance justifies this description. They were protected by a breastwork, and had a Sally Port in their W. angle, opposite the barricadoed doorway under the Great Hall. Remains of fireplaces are to be seen in several parts of the walls, round which slight temporary barracks for the garrison were no doubt set up, when the wall required manning, or the number of soldiers was too large for reception within the body of the Castle. There are n<3 relics of the buildings of the Plaisance, though their situation in the Plan is shown at K. near SWAN TOWER, a square building of about seventeen feet within, of which only the lower story is left. Its name may be derived from the swans upon the lake resort ing to it, or some shelter for them being placed there. LUNN'S TOWER, is polygonal, about twenty-one feet diameter within, has three stories, the two uppermost with fireplaces, and on the outside a turret staircase. — See the View. 62 A SURVEY OF THE STABLES. The lower story of this range of buildings is of stone : the lofts are of brick and timber pane-work, each compartment having a diagonal piece of timber in it, rudely imitating the Ragged Staff". THE WATER TOWER. This is a most curious building, and well deserves the attention of the architectural antiquary. (See the Plate annexed.) The ground floor is a square of about twenty feet within. The second story has a fireplace, and there are stairs communicating with the top of the tower, which must have had a parapet for defensive purposes. Near the Water Tower is a ROOM IN THE WALL, which may possibly have been the Guard House. It contains a fireplace and a locker, and has also a narrow passage leading to a loophole. MORTIMER'S TOWER. " Whereupon, says Dugdale, (see page 29,) the arms of Mortimer were cut " in stone, doubtless was so named by the Earl of Leicester, who raised it " from the ground, in memory of one more antient, that stood there formerly; " wherein, as I guess, either the Lord Mortimer, at the time of that great and " solemn tilting formerly mentioned, did lodge ; or else, because Sir John " Mortimer K1. prisoner here in Henry V. time was detained therein." It has been lately cleared of its rubbish, and appears to have had an arched passage through it of ten feet wide, with a small room on each side for the residence of domestics. From Mortimer's tower we enter THE TILT-YARD, which is about 395 feet long, and from forty to fifty wide, within its walls, forming what was once the head or dam of the lake. It is now intersected by a deep ravine, through which the undetained stream flows down the valley. The stone work of its sluice in part remains. i. :£r .* iHlf IiiKB l-j. 191 . "*,>\ ... WATEE TOWER. ¦3:-m:yi.im,J'ce~. sice/ 7-y ,V £/.',¥ ertljnTe. Jk iyMen; '..-;«.• J.-JenCa-CZy. Mrmry/ltfS20 .//v^.Vj-'-^-.-/"^/ il. AA>AAs, A n KENILWORTH CASTLE. A.D. 1821. 63 At the other extremity of the Tilt- Yard stood THE FLOOD-GATE, OR GALLERY TOWER, which is reduced to a wall on the E. side, forty-five feet long, in the direct line of the tilt-yard, and thence turning westward, with a slight angle, to the distance of thirty-eight feet more. Dugdale informs us, see page 29, that it was built by the Earl of Leicester, and contained " a spacious and noble " room for Ladies to see the exercises of Tilting and Barriers;" but the gallery itself does not appear to have been erected, if the following item of Leicester's will, preserved amongst the Sydney papers at Penshurst, in Kent, and " wrytten with his owen hand the first of August, in Myddel- " borow, 1587," can be supposed to relate to it — " Yf yt shall please my " Lord and brother to buyld out the gall... which I once intended, then to " take such tymber as shall be valeyed " From this tower a bridge, the foundations of which may be still seen, was thrown across a dingle to the Brays, a pleasant knoll (see Laneham's Letter, Appendix, page 9), deriving its name from " Bra, Brae, or Bray," a word used in Scotland to the present day, nearly in the same sense as the English brow. The Brays, from whence the general exterior view is taken, was defended on the east by two round towers about twenty-eight yards apart, between which was the chief entrance to the Castle until the Earl of Leicester built " the mag- " nificent gate-house towards the north" (see Dugdale, page 29), and turned the back of his proud residence into the front. Here, however, Queen Elizabeth entered when the Castle stood in all its glory ; and it is certainly by far the most interesting approach for modern visitors to its ruins. ROBERT LANEHAM. It is to be reoretted that we possess no further account of the lively and facetious writer of the following Letter than is incidently contained in the letter itself; but his communicative disposition has furnished numerous hints respecting himself, from which we may clearly collect the following facts : — That he was a native of Nottinghamshire, and went to St. Paul's School, as also to " St. " Antoniez," where he was in the fifth form, and read Esop, Terence, and "Virgil. It seems he was originally destined for trade, and that his master's name was Bomsted, a mercer in London, in which city he probably resided early in life, though born in the county of Nottingham. Here he evidently formed acquaintance with other respectable tradesmen besides his friend Humphrey Martin, mercer and merchant, to whom his printed letter is addressed, as he particularly commends himself to Master Alderman Pullison, to Master Thorogood, and to his merry companion Master Denman Mercer. As a merchant-adventurer he traded into " sundry countries," amongst which he particularly enumerates France and Flanders ; but as he mentions Spanish as well as French and Dutch in the foreign languages he had acquired a knowledge of, it seems probable that he visited Spain also. To these accomplishments he added dancing and music, playing (according to his own account) on the guitar, cittern, and virginals : he sang also, and appears to have been a gallant with the ladies, and a bon vivant with the men, loving sack and sugar, or else, according to his own confession, he should not " blush so mooch a dayz," " I am woont (says he) to be jolly & dry a mornings ;" and in his remembrances to his London acquaintances, he names especially his " good old " freend Master Smith, Custumer, by that same token,- — — ' Set my hors up too the rack, and " then let's have a Cup of Sak.' He knoes yc token well ynough, and will laugh, I hold ye " a grote." He mentions his love of reading, and, that his friend may not marvel to see him " so " bookish,'' describes his education, adding, that when at leisure from the Councel, he reads 2, ROBERT LANEHAM. various books ; " storiez (says he) I delight in ; the more auncient & rare, the more like-sum " unto me." And the truth of this is abundantly shown in his letter. Whether his " adventures" proved unsuccessful, or his mercurial disposition ill suited the regular habits of a merchant trader, is not apparent ; but that one or other was the case may well be guessed : and it appears that some time before the queen's visit to Kenilworth he became a protegee of the munificent and powerful earl of Leicester, by whose influence he was made " Clark of the Councel Chamber door, and also keeper of the same." Nor did his patron's kindness rest here; for Laneham very gratefully relates, that, besides this, the noble earl gave him apparel from his own back, got him allowance in the stable, and helped him in his licence of beans, whereby (although he does not much use it) his good father is well relieved by being permitted to serve the stable : and thus adds he, I now go in my silks, that else might ruffle in my cut-canvas ; ride on horseback that else might manage on foot ; am known to their honours, and taken forth with the best, that else might be bid to stand back. How he carried himself in this office is ihua described with much naivete in his own words. When the Councel sit (says he) I am at hand ; if any make a babbling, " peace," I say ; if I take a listener or a prier in at the chinks or lock-hole, I am bye and bye at the bones of him ; if a friend come, 1 make him sit down by me on a form or chest— let the rest walk a gods name. With the companionable qualities before described, it is not surprising that his society was sought after, and that he was admitted into the company of his superiors ; accordingly we find that many afternoons and nights, during the stay of Elizabeth at Kenilworth Castle, he was with Sir George Howard, arid sometimes at Lady Sidney's chambers ; but always amongst the gentlewomen, " by my good-will." To his old companions in London it seems he was known by the appellation of the black prince, and to evince his knowledge in Spanish, he concludes his description of himself at the close of his letter by the term, " El prencipe Negro." Whether the present is the only instance of his authorship may perhaps be questioned, though the grounds are merely conjectural : but in D'Israeli's Quarrels of Authors, vol. iii. p. 271, et seq. is the copy of a very rare poetical tract, describing with considerable force the Revolutionists of Queen Elizabeth's reign, entitled, " Rythmes1 against Martin Marre- " Prelate," in which is the following stanza : — And ye grave men, that answere Martins mowes, He mocks the more, and you in vain loose times, Leave Apes to Doggs to baite, their skins to Crowes, And let old Lanam lashe him with his rimes, The beast is proud when men wey his enditings ; Let his workes goe the waie of all wast writings. It seems not very improbable to conjecture, that, amongst the various qualifications of our Laneham, a talent for versification was included, and his powers of satire and ridicule cannot be doubted, for these he possessed in a supereminent degree. No poet of the name of Lane ham occurs in Ritson, or is noticed by any other writer. 1 In Herbert's Ames, p. 1689, this tract is intituled " A Whip for an Ape, or Martin displaied." KUJ5KBT I.AMUHilK. , ,j Perhaps it may not De quite irrelevant to remark, that, in 1574, Queen Elizabeth granted a licence to James Burbage, John Perkyn, John Lanham, and two others, " servaunts to the " Earle of Leycester," to exhibit all kinds of stage-plays during pleasure in any part of England. And in a chronological series of the Queen's payments for plays acted before her, taken from the council-registers, is the following item :— 15 March 1589-90, to John Dutton and John Lanham, two of the Queen's players, for two interludes; showed before her, on St. Stephen's day, and Shrove Sunday last, 20 .. 0 .. 0. The coincidence of a John Laneham being a player under the licence and protection of the earl of Leicester, in 1574, (and undoubtedly of eminence in his profession), is remarkable, and seems to point out the person as being a relative, or, at least, connected with the author of the descriptive letter : but materials are wanting to trace the particular nature of the connection. The very rare and interesting " Letter," a faithful reprint of which follows, is a small octavo, consisting of eighty-seven pages in black letter, and without date or printer's name. There are a few minute variations in different copies of this work, which have led to an hasty conjecture that there were two editions ; but it will be found that the variations consist only of verbal corrections made as the work passed through the press, and that in fact there is but one edition. Entry into SSSTEIEWD3E3132I (Q&STTMg, A,US„ WW I hi}>hshed by J Merridtw Warwick kip, in w 'n.aivv . Junc,L.132*< A LETTER: Whearin, part of the entertain ment untoo the Queenz Maiesty, at Killingwoorth Castl, in Warwik Sheer in this Soomerz Progress 1575. iz signified : from a freend officer attendant in the Coourt, unto hiz freend a Citizen and Merchaunt of London DE REGINA NOSTRA I L L TJ ST R ISSI M A Dam laniata mat vicina ah Regna tumultus, Lata suos inter genialibus ILL J diebus, (Gratia Diis) fruitur : Rupantur Sf ilia Codro. Untoo my good freend, Master Humfrey Martin Mercer After my hartie commendacionz, I commende mee hartily too yoo. Understande yee, that sins throogh God 8c good freends, I am placed at Coourt heer (as yee wot) in a woorshipfull room : whearby, I am not onlie acquainted with the most, and well knoen too the best, and euery ofiicer glad of my company : but also haue poour, adayz (while the Councell sits not) to go and too see things sight worthy, and too be prezent at any sheaw or spectacl, ony whear this Progresse reprezented unto her highness : And of part of which sportez, hauing takin sum notez and obseruationz (for I cannot bee idl at ony hand in the world) az well too put fro me suspition of sluggardy, az too pluk from yoo doout of ony my forgetfulnes of freendship : I haue thought it meet too impart them unto yoo, az frankly, az freendly, and az fully az I can : Well wot yee the blak Prins waz neuer stained with disloyaltee of ingratitude towarde ony, I dare bee his warrant hee will not beginne with yoo that hath at hiz hand so deeply dezerued. But heerin, the better for .conceyuing of my minde and instruction of yoors, ye must gyue mee leaue a littl, az well to preface untoo my matter, az to discoors sumwhat of Killyno-woorth Castl. A Territory of the right honorabl, my singular good Lord, my Lord the Earl of Leyceter : of whooz incomparabl cheeryng and enterteynment thear untoo her Maiesty noow, I will shew yoo a part heer, that coold not see all, nor had I seen all coold well report the hallf: Whear thynges, for the parsons, for the place, time, cost, deuisez, straungnes, and aboundauns of all that euer I sawe (and yet have I been, what under my Master Bomsted, and what on my oun affayres, whyle I occupied Merchaundize, both in Frauns and Flaunders long and many a day) I saw none ony where so memorabl, I tell you plain. The Castl hath name of Killingwoorth, but of truth grounded uppon feythfull storie Kenel- Hftning= woorth. It stonds in Warwykshyre, a Ixxiiii myle northwest from London, and az it wear in gSi. the Nauell of Englande. foure myle sumwhat South from Couentree a proper Cittee, and a lyke distauns from Warwyk, a fayre Sheere Toun on the North : In ayr sweet and hollsum, raised on an eazy mounted hill, iz sette eeuenlie coasted with the froont straight intoo the East, hath the tenaunts and Tooun about it, that pleasantly shifts, from dale to Hyll sundry whear wyth sweet Springs bursting foorth : and iz so plentifullie well sorted on euery side intoo arabl, meado, pasture, wood, water, & good ayrz az it appeerz to have need of nothing that may perteyn too liuing or pleazure. Too auauntage hath it, hard on the West, still nourisht with many liuely Springs, a goodly Pool of rare beauty, bredth, length, deapth, and store of all kinde fresh water fish, delicat, great and fat, and also of wild fooul byside. By a rare situacion 8 KENILWORTH ILLUSTRATED. and natural amitee seemz this Pool conioyned to the Castlz that on the West layz the head az it wear upon the Castlz boosom, embraceth it on either side Soouth and North with both the armz, settlz it self az in a reach a flightshoot brode, stretching foorth body and legs, a myle or too Westward : between a fayre Park on the one side, which by the Brayz is linked too the castl on the South, sprinckled at ye entrauns with a feaw Coonyez, that for colour and smallnes of number seem too bee suffered more for pleasure then comoditee : And on ye oother side, North and West, a goodlie Chase ; wast, wyde, large, and full of red Deer and oother statelie gamez for hunting : beautified with manie delectabl fresh &, umbragioous Boowz, Arberz, Seatz, and walks, that with great art, cost, & diligens wear very pleazauntly appointed : which also the naturall grace by the tall and fresh fragrant treez & soil did so far foorth commed, az Dia?ia herselfe might have deyned thear well enough too raunge for her pastime. The leaft arme of this pool Northward, had my Lorde adoourned with a beautifull bracelet of a fayr tymbred bridge, that iz of xiiii. foot wide, and a six hundred foot long : railed all on both sidez, strongly planked for passage, reaching from the Chase too the Castl : that thus in the midst hath clear prospect ouer theez pleasurz on ye back part ; and forward, ouer all the Toun and mooch of the Countree beside. Heertoo, a speciall commoditee at hand of sundrie quarreiz of large building stone, the goodnes whearof may the eazlyar be iudged, in the bilding and auncienty of the Castl, that (az by the name & by storiez, well may be gathered) waz first reared by Kenulph, JFIorileg. an<^ n's voung sun an(^ successor Kendm.: horn both indeed within the Ream heer, but yet of 225221 ^ tne race of Saxons : and reigned kings of Maichlond fm tbp yrtn of oour Lord. 798. too 23. yeerz toogyther, aboue 770. yeer ago. Although the Castl hath one auncient strong and large ©nil. Keep that iz called Ceazarz Tour, rather (az I have good cauz to think) for that it iz square and JMalmesi. j^ foorme(j after the maner of Cezarz Fortz then that euer he bylt it. Nay noow I am a littl in, Master Martin ile tell you all. This Marchlondj that Storyerz call Mercia, is numbred in their bookes, the foourth of the seauen Kingdomes that the Saxans had whilom heer diuided among them in the Ream. Began in Anno Domi. 6l6. 139. yeer after Horsins and Engist, continued in the race of a 17. kings. a. 249. yeer togyther : and ended in Ann. 875. Reyzed from the rest (sayz the book) at first by Pendaz prezumption : ouerthroun at last by Buthreds Hascardy1, and so fel to the kingdoom of the West Saxons. JStertia. And Marchlond had in it, London, Mildelsex, heerin a Bishoprik. Had more of Shyrez : Gloceter, Woorceter, and Warwik, and heer in a Bishoprik. Chester (that noow we call Chesshyre) Darby and Staffoord, wheruntoo one Bishop that had also part of Warwyk and Shrewsbery, and hiz See at Coventree, that waz then aforetime at Lychfeeld. Heretoo : Hereford, wheriu a Bishoprik that had more too iurisdiction, half Shreusbury, part of warwik and also of Gloceter, and the See at Hereford. Also had Oxford, Buckingham, Hertford, Huntingdon, and halfe of Bedforde ; and too theez, Norhampton, part of Lecyter and also Lincoln, whearunto a Bishop : whoz See at Lincoln Citee that sumtime before waz at Dorchester. Heertoo, the rest of Leyceter & in Nottingham, that of olid had a speciall 1 Hascardy. Fr. Hasarder. Hazard, adventure. LANEHAM S LETTER. 9 Bishop, whooz See waz at Leyceter, but after, put to the charge of the Archbishop of Yorke. Noow touching the name, that of olid Recordes I understand, and of auncient writers I finde, iz called Kenelworth. Syns most of the Worths in England stand ny untoo like lakez, and ar eyther small llandz, such one az the seat of this Castl hath been & eazly may bee, or is londground by pool or riuer whearon willoz, alderz, or such like doo gro : Which Althamerus writez precizely that the Germains cal Werd: Ioyning these too togither with fflpon the nighness allso of the woords and sybred1 of the toongs; I am the bolder to pro- 142. '^i noouns, that az our English JVoorth, with the rest of oour auncient langage, waz leaft us from (j^/!!!?..1?8 the Germains : eeuen so that their Werd and our Woorth iz all one thing in signifiauns, common ttyat toe 1 1 • t 1 t 1 work. too us both een at this day. I take the case so cleer that I say not az mooch az I moought. aajurit Thus proface ye with the Preface. And noow to the matter iMermut Ox Saterday the nyenth of July, at long Ichington, a Toun and Lordship of my Lords, wormwood within a seauen'- myle of Killingworth, his honor made her Maiesty great cheer at Dinner, tart, So and pleazaunt pastime in hunting by the wey after, that it was eight a clock in the evening ear W00rth. her highness came too Killingwoorth ; Whear in the Park, about a flight shoot from the Brayz & first gate of the Castl, one of ye ten Sibills, that (wee reed) wear all Fatidicts and Theobulcz, Sifipl. (az partiez and priuy too the Gods gracious good wilz) cumly clad in a pall of white sylk, pronounced a proper poezi in English rime and meeter 3 : of effect hoow great gladnesse her goodnesse prezenze brought into euerie steed whear it pleazed her too cum, and speciall now into that place that had so long longed after the same : ended with prophesie certain, of mooch and long prosperitee, health and felicitee : this her Maiestie beningly accepting, passed foorth untoo the next gate of the Brayz, which (for the length, Jargenes and use as well it may so serve) they call noow the Tyltyard, whear a Porter, tall of person, big of lim & stearn of ®f>« ^or= coountinauns, wrapt also all in silke, with a club & keiz of quatitee according : had a rough speech full of passions in meeter aptly made to the purpose : whearby (az her highnes was cum within his warde) hee burst out in great pang of impatiens to see such uucooth trudging too and fro, such riding in and out, with such dyn and noiz of talk within the charge of his offis : whearof he neuer saw the like nor had any warning afore, ne yet coold make too himselfe any cauze of the matter, at last upon better vieu and auisement, az hee preast too cum neerar, confessing anon that he found him self pearced at the prezens of a personage so euidently expressing an heroicall Soueraintee ouer all the whole estates, & hy degreez thear besyde, callmd hiz stoniz4, proclaims open gates and free passage to all, yeelds up hiz club, hiz keyz, hiz office and all, and on hiz kneez humbly prayz pardon of hiz ignorauns and impaciens : which her highnes graciouslie grauntiug, he cauzd his Trumpetoourz that stood uppon the W)eVltum= wall of the gate thear, too soound up a tune of welcum ; which, besyde the nobl noyz, was ?c 0lus' so mooch the more pleazaunt too behold, becauz theez Trumpetoourz, beeing sixe in number, wear euery one an eight foot hye, in due proportion of parson besyde, all in long garments of 1 Sybred — kindred. Saxon. z In other copies, erroneously, " three mylcs." 3 These verses are given hereafter in Cascoigne's l'rinccljc Pleasures. 4 Stoniz — astonishment. Fr. estmmer. 10 KENILWORTH ILLUSTRATED. sylk sutabl, eache with hiz syluery Trumpet of a fiue foot long, foormed Taper wyse, and straight from the upper part untoo the neather eend : whear the Diameter was a 16 ynchez ouer and yet so tempered by art, that being very eazy too the blast, they cast foorth no greater noyz nor a more unpleazaunt soound for time and tune, then any oother common Trumpet bee it neuer so artificially foormed. Theese armonious blasterz, from the foreside of the gate at her highnes entrauns whear they began : walking upon the wallz, untoo the inner : had this muzik mainteined from them very delectably while her highness all along this tiltyard rode lEaUpof u> unto the inner gate next the base coourt of the Castl : where the Lady of the Lake (famous in king Arthurz book) with too Nymphes waiting uppon her, arrayed all in sylks attending her highness comming : from the midst of the Pool, whear, upon a moouabl Hand, bright blazing with torches, she rioting to land, met her Maiesty with a well penned meter1 and matter after this sort : first of the auncientee of the Castl, whoo had been ownerz of the same een till this day, most allweyz in the hands of the Earls of Leyceter, hoow shee had kept this Lake sins king Arthurz dayz, and now understanding of her highness hither cumming, thought it both office and duetie, in humbl wize to discouer her and her estate : offering up the same, her Lake and poour therein, with promise of repayre unto the Coourt. It pleazed her highness too thank this Lady, Sc too ad withall, we had thought indeed the Lake had been oours, and doo you call it yourz noow ? Wei we will heerin common more with yoo hereafter. This Pageaunt waz clozd up with a delectable harmony of Hautboiz, Shalmz, Cornets, and such oother looud muzik, that held on while her Maiestie, pleazauntly so passed from thence toward the Castl gate : whearunto, from the baze Coourt ouer a dry valley cast into a good ©JjeoriBge. foorm, waz thear framed a fayre Bridge of a twentie foot wide, and a seauenty foot long, StauEtipatr graueld for treading, railed on either part with seave posts on a side, that stood a twelue foot 5)0 a sunder, thikned betweene with well proportioned Pillars turnd. Upon the first payr of posts were set, too cumly square wyre cagez, each a three foot long, Sgluanus too foot wide and hy : in them, live Bitters, Curluz, Shoouelarz, Hearsheawz, Godwitz, and pr^im s. gucn j^e jeinty ByrclSj 0f the prezents of Syluanus the God of foul. On the second payr, too great Syluerd Bollz, featly apted too the purpoze, filde with Applz, Pearz, Cherriz, Filberdz, Walnuts fresh upon their braunchez, and with Oringes, Poungamets, ^omona. Lemmanz, and Pipinz, all for the giftz of Pomona, Goddes of frutez. The third pair of posts, in too such syluerd Bollz, had (all in earz, green and old) Wheat, ffiercs. 3. Barly, Ootz, Beanz, and Peaz, az the gifts of Ceres. The fourth Post on the leaft hand, in a like syluered Boll, had Grapes in Clusters whyte and red, gracified with their Vine leauez : the match post against it, had a payree of great whyte syluer lyuery Pots for wyne : and before them two glassez of good capacitie, filld full : the ton with whyte Wine, the two other with claret : so fresh of coolor, and of looke so louely smiling to the eyz of many, that by my feith mee thought by their leering, they could have foound in their harts (az the euening was hot) to haue kist them sweetlie and thought it no sin : 3Bacd)U8.4. and theez for the potencial prezents of Bacchus, the God of wine. 1 This will be found iu Gascoigne's account, as delivered. LANEHAM S LETTER. 11 The lift payr had, each a fair large trey streawd a littl with fresh grass, and in them Coonger, Burt, Mullet, fresh Herring, Oisters, Sanion, Creuis, and such like from Neptunus, God of JJtptunus. the Sea. On the sixth payr of Posts wear set two ragged stauez of syluer, as my Lord giuez them in armz, beautifully glittering of armour thereupon depending, Bowz, Arrows, Spearz, Sheeld, Head pees, Gorget, Corselets, Swoords, Targets, and such like for Mars gifts, the God of JWars. 6. war. And the aptlyer (me thought) waz it that thooz ragged staues supported theez Martiall prezents, as welj becauz theez staues by their tines seem naturallie meete for the bearing of armoour, as also that they chiefly in this place might take upon them principall protection of her highnes Parson, that so benignly pleazed her to take herbour. On the seauenth Posts, the last and next too the Castl, wear thear pight, too faer Bay braunchez of a fourfoot hy, adourned on all sides with Lutes, Viollz, Shallmz, Cornets, Flutes, Recorders, and Harpes, az the prezents of Phcebus the God of Muzik for reioysing the mind, Phoebus. 7. and also of Phizik, for health to the body. Ouer the Castl gate was there fastened a Tabl beautifully garnisht abooue with her highness armes, and featlie with Iuy wreathz boordred aboout ; of a ten foot square : the ground blak, whearupon in large white Capitall Roman fayr written : a Poem mencioning theez Gxids and their giftes, thus prezented untoo her highness : which, becauz it remained unremooved, at leyzure 8t pleaze I took it oout, as foloeth \ AD MAIESTATEM REGIAM Iupiter hue certos cernens TE tendere gressus, Ccelicolas PRINCEPS actutum conuocat omnes: Ohsequium praestare iubet TIBI quenq' benignum. Unde suas Syluanus aues, Pomonaq fructus, Alma Ceresfrnges, hilarantia vina Liaus, Neptunus Pisces, tela Se tutantia Mauors, Suaue melos Phcebus, solidam longamq' salutem. Dij TIBI REGINA ha>c(cu SIS DIGNISSIMA^refe: Hac TIBI cum Domino dedit se fy werda Kenelmi. All the letterz that mention her Maiesty, which heer I put capitall, for reuerens and honor wear thear made in golld. But the night well spent, for that theez versez by Torchlight, coold not easily bee read, by a Poet thearfore in a long ceruleoous garment, with a side 2 and wide 1 We learn from Gascoigne that these verses were written by M. Paten. z Side and wide slcevez. Side or syde, in the north of England, and in Scotland, is used for long, when applied to the garment; and the word has the same signification in Anglo-Saxon and Islandic or Danish. " The Erie Jamys with his Rowte hale " Thare gert stent thare Pavillownys, " And for the Hete tuk on syd Gwnys." Wyntowns Chronicle, Vol. ii. 339. The wide and long pocketed sleeve, called by heralds the manchc, was much in fashion in the reign of Henry IV. Stowe, in his Chronicle, p. 327, temp. Henry IV. says, " This time was used exceeding pride " in garments, gowries with deepe and broade sleeves commonly called poke sleeves, the servants Mare them " as well as their masters, which might well have been called receptacles of the devil, for what they stole, 12 KENILWORTH ILLUSTRATED. sleeuez Venecian wize, drawen up to his 'elboz, his Dooblett sleeuez under that Crimzen, nothing but silke : a Bay garland on hiz head, and a skro a in his hand, making first an humble obeizaunz at her highness cummyng, and pointing untoo euerie prezent as he spake : the same wear pronounced. Pleazauntly thus viewing the giftes, az shee past, and hoow the posts might agree with the speech of the Poet, at ye eend of ye bridge 8c entree of the gate, waz her highness receiued with a fresh delicate armony of Flutz, in perfourmauns of Phcebus prezents. So passing intoo the inner Coourt, her Maiesty (that neuer ridez but alone) thear set doun from her Pallfree waz conueied up to chamber : when after, did folio so great a peal of gunz, and such lightning by fyr work a long space toogither ; as Iupiter woold sheaw himself too bee no further behind with hiz welcum, then the rest of hiz Gods : and that woold he haue all the countrie to kno ; for indeed the noiz and flame were heard and seene a twenty myle of. Thus much Master Martin (that I remember me) for the first daiz Bien venu. Be yee not wery, for I am skant in the midst of my matter. SanBag. On Sunday : the forenoon occupied (az for the Sabot day) in quiet and vacation, fro woork, &, in diuine seruis & preaching at the parish church : The afternoon in excelent muzik, of sundry swet instruments and in dauncing of Lordes & Ladiez, and oother woorshipfull degrees, uttered with such liuely agilitee & commendabl grace : az whither it moought be more straunge too the eye, or pleazunt too the minde, for my part indeed I coold not discern : but exceedingly well was it (methought) in both. At night late, az though Iupiter the last night, had forgot for biziness, or forborn for curtezy & quiet, part of hiz wellcoom untoo her highness appointed ; noow entrins at the fyrst intoo hiz purpoze moderately (az mortallz doo) with a warning peec or too, proceding on with encres, at last the Altitonant displeaz me hiz mayn poour ; with blaz of burning darts, flying too & fro, leamz of starz coruscant, streamz and hail of firie sparkes, lightninges of wildfier a water and lond, flight & shoot of thunderboltz ; al with such countinauns, terror and vehemencie ; that the heauins thundred, the waters soourged, the earth shooke ; and in such sort surly, az had we not bee assured of the fulmieant deitee waz all hot in amitee, and could not otherwize witnesse his welcomming unto her highnesse ; it woold have made mee for niv part az hardy az I am, very veangeably afeard. This a doo lasted while the midnight waz past, that well waz mee soon after when I waz cought in my Cabayn ; And thiz for the secund day. JWunBap. Munday waz hot, and thearfore her highnesse kept in a till a fiue a clok in the eeuening ; " they hid in their sleeves, whereof some hung downe to the feete, and at least to the knees, full of cuts 5c " jagges, whereupon were made these verses [by Hoccleve] " Now hath this lond but litill ncde of Broomes, " To sweepe away the fylth owt of the strete, " Sithyn side slevys of penyles G roomes " Will it up lyk, be yet dry or wete." Again, in Fitzherbert's Booh qf Husbandrie, is the following passage : " Theyr cotes be so syde that they be fayne to tucke them up when they ride, as women do theyr kyrtels " when they go the market.'' 1 Skro — scroll. laneham's letter. 13 what time it pleazzd her too ryde foorth into the Chase too hunt the Hart of fors ; which foound anon, and after sore chased, and chafed by the hot pursuit of the hooundes, waz fain of fine fors, at last to take soil. Thear to beholld the swift fleeting of the Deer afore with TOjt ijunt= the stately cariage of hiz head in hiz swimmyng, spred (for the quantitee) lyke the sail of a ship : ^°t J* the hoounds harroing after, az they had bin a number of skiphs1 too the spoyle of a karuell2 ; ioxs- the ton no lesse eager in purchaz of his pray, then waz the other earnest in sauegard of hiz life : so az the earning3 of the hoounds in continuauns of their crie, yb swiftnes of the Deer, the running of footmen, the galloping of horsez, the blasting of hornz, the halloing & hewing of the huntsmen \ with the excellet Echoz between whilez from the woods and waters in valleiz resounding, mooued pastime delectabl in so hy a degree, az for ony parson to take pleazure by moost sensez at onez, in mine opini5, thear can be none ony wey comparable to this ; And speciall in this place, that of nature iz foormed so feet for the purpose in feith Master Martin if ye coold with a wish, I woold ye had been at it : Wei the Hart waz kild, a goodly Deer, but so ceast not the game yet. For aboout nien a clock, at the hither part of the Chase, whear torchlight attended ; oout of the woods in her Maiestiez return, rooughly came thear foorth Hombre Saluagio, with an SCfitsauage Oken plant pluct up by the roots in hiz hande, himself forgrone all in moss and Iuy ; who, for parsonage, gesture, and utterauns beside, coountenaunst the matter too very good liking, and had speech to effect : That continuing so long in theez wilde wastes, whearin oft had he fared both far and neer, yet hapt hee neuer to see so glorious an assemble afore : and noow cast intoo great grief of mind, for that neyther by himself coold hee gess, nor knew whear else to bee taught, what they should be, or whoo bare estate. Reports sum had he hard of many straunge thinges, but brooyled thearby so mooch the more in desire of knoledge. Thus in great pangz bethought he, Sc cald he upon all his familiarz Sc companioz ; the Fawnz, the Satyres, the Nymphs, the Dryades, Sc the Hamadryades, but none making aunswear, whearby hiz care the more encreasing, in utter grief Sc extreem refuge calld he allowd at last after hiz old freend Echo, that he wist would hyde nothing fro him, but tel him all, if she wear heer. Heer (quoth Echo). Heer, Echo and art thou thear ? (sayz he) Ah hoow mooch hast thou relieued ©ti>. ' Skiphs— skiffs, ship-boats, or small light boats. * Karuell— carvdl or caravell, a small ship. 3 Earning — noise or cry. Sax. girran, to make a noise. 4 Tourberville, in the Noble Art of Venerie or Hunting, 4to. Lond. 1611, has an entire chapter of " cer- '' taine observations and subtleties to be used by Huntsmen in hunting an Hart at force," and gives us the words of encouragement to the hounds as follows : — " Hyke a Talbot, or Hyke a Bewmont, Hykc, Hyke, to him, to him !— " There he goeth, that's he, that's he, to him, to him !— " To him boyes, counter, to him, to liim ! " Talbot, a Talbot, a Talbot !" Such is the cry, " And such th' harmonious din, the soldier deems " The battle kindling, and the statesman grave " Forgets his weighty cares : each age, each sex, " In the wild transport joins!" Somervile. 14 KENILWORTH ILLUSTRATED. my carefull spirits with thy curtezy onward. A my good Echo heer iz a marueiloouz prezenz of dignitee, what are they I pray thee, who iz Souerain, tell me I beseech thee, or elz hoow moought I kno ? I kno (quoth shee). Knoest thou sayz hee : Mary that iz exceedingly well : why then, I dezire thee hartily to sho mee what Maiestie (for no mean degree iz it) haue wee heer : a King or a Queen ? A Queen (quoth Echo). A Queen sayez hee ? Pauzing and wisely viewing a while ; noow full certeynlie seemez thy tale to be true. And proceeding by this maner of dialog with an earnest beholding her highnes a while, recounts he first hoow iustly that foormer reports agree with hiz present sight : toouching the beautifull linaments of coountenauns, the cumly proportion of body, the prinsly grace of prezenz, yfc graciouz giftz of nature with the rare and singular qualities of both body and mind in her Maiesty conioynd, and so apparant at ey. Then shortly rehearsing Saterdaiz acts ; of Sibils salutation, of the Porters propositi5, of hiz Trumpetoours muzik, of the Lake ladies oration, of the seauen Gods seauen prezents : hee reporteth the incredibl ioy that all estatez in the land haue allweyz of her highnes, whear so euer it cums : eendeth with presage and prayer of perpetuall felicitee, and with humbl subiection of him and hizzen Sc all that they may do. After this sort the matter went, with littl differens I gesse, sauing only in this point ; that the thing which heer I report in unpolisht proez, waz thear pronounced in good meeter and matter, very wel indighted in rime. Echo finely framed most aptly by answerz thus to utter all \ And I shall tell yoo master Martin by the mass, of a mad auenture : az thiz Sauage for the more submissiS, brake hiz tree a sunder, kest the top from him, it had allmost light upon her highnes hors head ; whearat he startld and the geiitlman mooch dismayd. See the benignitee of the Prins, as the foot men lookt well too the hors, and hee of Generositee soon callmd of himself, no hurt, no hurt : quoth her highnes. Which words I promis yoo wee wear all glad to heer, Sc took them too be the best part of the play.