";:,,; :,;,i;n|,i!l,l,:;:i,;i;i i i niin . n .imiiii ii^llt I' li ilili' ii,|llnl||!li "i^il 'it I t : i 1! Il il 1 nliii I lllll ! I JiiiiHiHiiHiii PA CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY FROM A FUND RECEIVED BY BEQUEST OF WILLARD FISKE 1831-1904 FIRST LIBRARIAN OF THIS UNIVERSITY : I868-1883 O^'-'Tg, Cornell University Library DA 670.W69S65 Wilton and its associations. 3 1924 028 038 218 This book was digitized by Microsoft Corporation in cooperation witli Cornell University Libraries, 2007. You may use and print this copy in limited quantity for your personal purposes, but may not distribute or provide access to it (or modified or partial versions of it) for revenue-generating or other commercial purposes. WILTON AND ITS ASSOCIATIONS. JAMES SMITH, AUTHOR OF " RURAL RECORDS," " ORACLES PROM THE BRITISH POETS," ETC., WITH ItLTTSTEATIONS ON WOOD, BY W. F. TIFFIN. SALISBURY; GEOEGE BROWN. LONDON: J. B. NICHOLS & SON, PARLIAMENT STREET. M.UCCC.LI. E.V. f\--R.B3Gt3. iSAMSBtJHT : JAMES BENNETT, PRINTEK, JOURNAL OFFICE. TO n MuMuuhit Mn. Wnhti, THIS ■WORK IS INSCEIBED WITH THE SINCERE EESPKCT THE AUTHOR. •^\^^^y. Cornell University Library The original of tiiis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028038218 I'UEl'AGE. Whatever measure of success this work may attain will be mainly owing, I am persuaded, to its illustra- tion by the pencil of Mr. Tiffin, with whom I esteem myself fortunate to have been associated in its produc- tion. For my own part, I have simply endeavoured to record a few of the picturesque incidents connected with the past history of Wilton, and certain of its more in- teresting associations in the most popular style I could command. I have abstained from encumbering the text by an enumeration of the various antiquarian, historical, and biographical authorities to which I have had recourse, as they will easily suggest themselves to the minds of those who are familiar with such sub- jects, and will be readily dispensed with by the general reader, for whom, indeed, the work is more especially intended. Writing at a distance from those invaluable stores of information to which a literary man has access in the metropolis, I fear I shall be found to have committed many oversights, which the learned antiquary will detect, and which I hope the extenuating circumstance I have mentioned will ex- cuse. J. S. Feb., Ibol. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS. THE COUNTESS OP PEMBROKE (two copies). THE EARL NELSON (TWO copies). THE RIGHT REV. THE LORD BISHOP OP SALISBURY. THE RIGHT HON. SIDNEY HERBERT, M.P. (two copies). A'Court, Colonel, Wilton A'Court, Admiral, Tamworth Andrews, John, Esq., Sarum Attwood, Francis, Esq., ditto Ay\v!a.vA,Mr.W.V.,ditto Baker, Colonel, ditto Bartlett, Mr. James, Epping Batty, George, Esq., London Batty, Mr. Joseph, ditto Bazley, Miss, Miljbrd Villa Bazley, Miss C, dJ«o ... Benett, John, Esq., m.p., Pyt House Bennett, Rev. W. C, Corsham ... Bennett, James, Esq , Sarum Bernard, C, Esq., ditto Blackmore, H., Esq., Wilton Blackmore, W., Esq., Sarum Blake, Robt., Esq., ditto Blake, Mr. F. A., ditto Bone, George, Esq., London Bouverie, Hon. and Rev. F. P., Sarum Brown, G., Esq., jun., di< Reynolds 192 No. Title of Picture. Painted by 107. The Nativity Theodora 108. A Landscape ... ... ... BaHolomeo 109. A Landscape ... ... ... Serghem 110. An Ancient Painting ... ... Anom/moris SINGLE-CUBE EOOM. (The Ceiling, representing the story of Doedalus and Icarus, painted by Gios. Arpino.) 111. Mr. and Mrs. James Herbert . . . Lel^ 112. Mrs. KiUigrew and Mrs. Morton VcmdycJc 113. Earl and Countess of Bedford . . . Ditto 114. Countess of Pembroke and her Sister Lely 115. Thomas, Earl of Pembroke . . . Wissing 116. Lady Catherine Herbert ... ... Kneller 117. Christ and the Woman of Samaria 6ms, Chiari 118. Margaret, Countess of Pembroke Wissing DOUBLE-CUBE ROOM. (The Ceiling painted by Tommaso, represents several stories of Perseus.) 119. The Family Vandyok Vandyck (This Picture contains ten whole-lengtll portraits. The two principal, in a sitting posture, are Philip, Earl of Pem- broke, and his Lady ; on their right hand stand their five sons, Charles, Lord Herbert, Philip, William, James, and John ; on their left, their daughter Anne-Sophia, and her husband Robert, Earl of Carnarvon ; before them. Lady Mary, daughter of George, Duke of Buckingham, and wife of Charles, Lord Herbert ; and above, among the clouds, are two sons and a daughter who died young.) 120. King Charles I. and his Queen ... Vandych 121. William, Earl of Pembroke ... BiUo 122. The first wife of the second Earli ^. T,, ... > Ditto Phihp ...i 123. Three Children of Charles L ... Ditto 124. Duchess of Eiehmond and Mrgi Gibson the Dwarf i 125. Duke of Eiohmond ... ... Ditto 126. Countess of Castle-Haven. . . . Ditto 127. PhiUp, Earl of Pembroke ... Ditto 193 The panels of the Billiakd-koom are painted with hunting scenes, commonly attributed to Tempests, but, according to Aubrey, copies of that master's produc- tions from the pencil of Edmund Piers. In the LiBEAET are the following Paintings : — No. Title of Picture. 128. William, first Earl of Pembroke 129. Sir Caiarles Hotham 130. Dute of Montagu 131. Lady Rockingham 132. Frederick, Prince of Wales > Anne, Princeas Eoyal, the ( Princess Amelia, and the ( Princess Elizabeth ... . . . ■- 133. Sir Andrew Pountaine 134. Barbara, second wife of Thomas, -i Earl of Pembroke Fainted by Molbein Mlchardsoii Lely ' Zimmen las,! Roubillac Kneller 135. Pope and two architectural designs, are the following : — 136. Dogs 137. Flemish Nobleman 138. The Woman taken in Adultery 139. Sea Triumph 140. Virgin and Christ 141. Andromache fainting at the death of Hector 142. Discovery of Achilles ... 143. Fruit 144. Ark of Noah Jervas In the Dining -KOO.M Snyders Van Somer Jennari Lucca Giordano Procaccini L PHmatiecio F. Salmati JS£. Angelo di Campidoglio Griacomo JBassatw At either end of the room are some iine specimens of the horns and bones of the Moose Deer. THE GARDEN. Anciently the garden belonging to the mansion appears to have been laid out with elaborate skill, and to have been of much greater magnitude than at pre- o 194 sent. A rare volume is in existence (of which the copy now before us was sold at Bindley's sale for 56/. 14s. Od. !) containing twenty four illustrations of the former magnificence of this " pleasaunce," which is thus described : — " This Garden, within the enclosure of the new wall is a thousand foote long and about foure hundred in breadth, devided in its length into three long squares or paralellograms ; the first of which divisions next the building hath ffoure platts, embroydered ; in the midest of which are ffoure ffountaynes with statues of marble in theire midle, and on the sides of those platts are the platts of fia.owers, and beyond them is the little terrass rased for the more advantage of be- holding those platts, this for the first division. In 195 the second are two groves or woods ciitt with diverse walkes and through those groves passeth the river Nadder, haveing of breadth in this place 44 foote, upon which is built the bridge of the breadth of the greate walke. In the midest of the aforesayd groves are two great statues of white marble of eight ffoote heighth, the one of Bacchus and the other Flora and on the sides ranging with the Platts of fflowers are two covered arbors of 300 ffoote long and diverse allies ; att the beginning of the third and last division are on either side of the great walke two ponds with ffoun- taynes and two coUumnes in the midle casting water all theire heighth which causeth the moveing and turning of two Crownes att the top of the same and beyond is a comparttiment of greene, and diverse walkes planted with cherrie trees ; and in the midle is the great ovall with the gladiator of brass, the most famous statue of all that antiquity hath left : on the sydes of this comparttment and answering the platts of fflowers and long arbours are three arbours of either side with turning gallaryes communicating themselves one into another : att the end of the great walke is a portico of stone cutt and adorned with pilasters and nyches, within which are four figures of white marble of five ffoote high : of either side of the sayd portico is an ascent leading up to the terrasse, upon the steps whereof instead of ballasters are sea monsters casting water from one to the other ; from the top to the bottome and above the sayd portico is a great reserve of water from the grotto." The several compartments thus described, together with the fountains, groves, statuary, arbours and plats of flowers, are pourtrayed in detail by the artist to whom we owe the volume just alluded to. His name, o2 196 as appears from the inscription on the first plate, was Isaac de Caus, and he is surmised to have been a brother of the architect of the same name. Aubrey adds the following particulars: — "The grotto is paved with black and white marble; the roofe is vaulted. The figures of the Tritons, &c., are in bas relieve, of white marble, excellently well wrought. Here is a fine jeddeau and nightingale pipes. Monsieur de Caus had here a contrivance, by the turning of a cock, to shew three rainbowes, the secret whereof he did keep to himself; he would not let the gardener, who shewes it to the strangers, know how to doe it ; and so, upon his death, it is lost. The grott and pipes did cost ten thousand pounds. The garden is twelve acres within the terrace of the grott." — " The top of one of the niches in the grot, as one sings there, doth return the note A re, lowder, and clearer, but it doth not the like to the eighth of it." The garden, now occupying the site of the pleasure grounds described above, has been laid out in the Italian style from designs by the Countess of Pem- broke. Looking westward from the Library Terrace the eye rests — in summer time — upon a charming specimen of floral broidery, of which art has supplied the pattern and nature the rich and various colours of which it is composed, — in their harmonious combina- tion and arraLgement producing a singularly agree- able eifect, which is heightened by the masses of surrounding foliage ; while " In the midst, fresh whistling through the scene, The lightsome fountain starts from out the green. Clear and compact ; till at its height o'errun It shakes its loosening silTer in the sun;" 197 and the lengthened vista is terminated by the porch, known as " Hans Holbein's," and which originally led into the great hall of the mansion. At that season, too, when " this brave o'erhanging firmament" assumes its deepest tinge of blue, and every breath of air is laden with the perfume of unnumbered flowers, and the fountain rings out its chime of liquid cadenced music, and full-throated birds are thrilling their leafy coverts with a passionate burst of song, the Italian garden at Wilton will assist the imagination of the visitor who desires to " realize" the picture conveyed in the delightful verses of Ariosto : — Zaffir, rubini, oro, topazi e perle E diamanti e crisoliti e jacinti Potriano i fiori asBimigliar, ohe per le Lieta piagge v'avea I'aura dipinti; Si verdi I'erbe, che possendo averle Qua giil, ne foran gli smeraldi vinti; N& men belle degli arbori le frondi, E di frutti e di fior sempre fecondi. Cantan fra i rami gli augelletti raghi Azzurri a bianchi e verdi e rossi e gialli, Murmuranti ruscelli e cheti laghi Di Umpidezza vincono i cristaUi. Una doloe aura che ti par che vaghi A uu modo sempre, e dal 3110 stU non falli, Eacea si I'aria tremolar d'intorno; Che non potea nojar calor del giorno : E quella ai fiori, ai pomi e alia verzura E h odor diversi depredando giva E di tutta faoeva una mistura Che di soavit^ I'alma nutriva. The New Church. A stranger, visiting Wilton for the first time, cannot fail to be struck with the singular beauty and novel 198 design of the superb structure, which, by the muni- ficence of the Eight Hon. Sidney Herbert, has been erected in lieu of the old parish church. Only one other instance of the application of Lombardic archi- tecture to ecclesiastical purposes is to be met with in this country, viz., Streatham Church, which is much less ornate and picturesque than the sacred edifice, dedicated to SS. Mary and Nicholas, at Wilton. The following description of the structure (which origi- nally appeared in the Salisbury Journal) is suffi- ciently accurate to justify its transference (with some few additions and omissions) to these pages : — " The church is raised on a terrace, with a noble fiight of steps 100 feet long, and a platform 20 feet in width. The centre entrance of the east-front forms an open -recessed porch within a rich archway, which contains four columns on each side. Over this centre entrance is a series of small circular-headed arches, forming a sort of exterior gallery at the back of the one within, and producing a good deal of relief and richness. Immediately above it is a very large rose window, of elaborate design^ set within a square, whose spandrils are sculptured with the emblems of the four Evangelists. The lofty campanile tower is connected with the south east angle of the building, by a vesti- bule or cloister, whose elaborately carved open arches and columns present a pleasing contrast to the breadth and solidity of the other parts. On the same side of the church, at the west end, is a projecting porch (or vestry), which naturally increases the play and pic- turesqueness of the composition. Upon entering the rich door in the east front, already described, we pass between two screens of twisted columns, dividing the gallery staircases from the centre porch. Immediately 199 opposite to this entrance is placed the Font, a massive structure of black and variegated Italian marble. It is carved with lions' heads at the corners, and the basin is richly foliated. The pedestal is of white marble, in panels, inlaid with vine-leaves in black marble. 200 The whole is raised on a black marble plinth. A very handsome gallery extends across the western end, richly carved in Painswick stone, and supported on beautiful marble columns of various colours, with alabaster capitals. Near the southern end of the gallery is the entrance from the campanile and corri- dor : it is a projecting door-case, formed by two twisted columns of black marble, with pilasters richly inlaid with panels of ancient mosaic work, in gold and colours. A fine Elizabethan monument, with figures kneeling, brought from the old parish church, is com- bined with the upper part of this doorway with very happy effect. Beyond this, the first side window in the aisle is filled with ancient stained glass of Flemish workmanship ; and the corresponding window in the opposite aisle is also filled with ancient stained glass, with kneeling figures, and several ancient coats of arms. The pulpit is of stone, inlaid with panels of marble, and glittering with rich mosaic work, having also four t\Yisted columns wholly composed of ancient mosaic, and supported by the black marble columns with alabaster capitals. The roofing of the nave and aisles is of open timber work, stained to imitate dark chestnut. That of the former is supported by massive stone columns, with elaborately-carved capitals, each of different design. The floor of the nave is composed of slate, inlaid with a border of various colours. The chancel is approached by an ascent of six steps: and the floor is composed of tesseras of various colours. A further ascent of three steps, of deep red marble, leads to the inner chancel or apse, in which stands the altar: the floor is composed partly of tesseraa, and partly of marble of various hues. The Eeredos is composed of twisted columns of red marble, supporting alabaster 201 arches. The pedestals of the columns are decorated with panels of ancient mosaic work, of which a con- siderable quantity is placed in various parts of the church, and was brought from Rome, where it origi- nally formed part of the decorations of a church erected six or seven centuries back. In each com- partment of the Reredos are stone seats. The walls and ceilings of the chancel harmonise in colour with the surrounding decorations. The upper part of the centre apse is perforated with seven windows, filled with ancient stained glass, illustrative of Scripture subjects. On each side of the altar, but close to the walls of the chancel, is placed a low twisted marble column decorated with mosaic work, intended to support lights. The apse of the southern aisle contains an ancient alms-chest, of wrought iron — a piece of rich and curious workmanship. The apse is perforated with five windows, filled with ancient stained glass. The apse of the north aisle is similarly perforated. The floor of this latter is occupied with a monumental sarcophagus to the memory of one of the Pembroke family ; and the walls of the aisle conti- guous are partially occupied with marble monuments to members of the same family, finely sculptured by Westmacott, transferred hither from the old church. The separation between the chancel and nave is marked by two very lofty scagliola columns, in imitation of black-and-gold marble. Between the aisles and the chancel are placed columns of black-and-gold marble, each in one block, 18 feet in height, with capitals of alabaster, and bases of white marble. The rose window at the east-end is filled with ancient stained glass ; and the doors throughout this superb temple have panels of ancient carved oak. The height of the 203 campanile is 100 feet, and in it are hung a peal of six bells, brought from the old church. The remaining dimensions are as under : — From the western porch to the chancel apse, 120 feet; width, 53 feet; width of nave between the columns, 24 feet ; height, 57 feet ; aisles, 13 feet wide, and 24 feet high. An historical interest attaches to the Caepet Factoey at Wilton from the circumstance that here was manufactured the first carpet that was ever made in England, under the direction of Anthony Duffosy, who was brought from France by the ninth Earl of Pembroke, for the purpose of establishing a factory and teaching the art and mystery to the work people engaged. About 1740 a patent was granted to the proprietors for the exclusive privilege of making carpets in England, but the letter of the law was soon evaded by a firm at Kidderminster, who having made themselves acquainted with the process used, esta- blished looms upon the same principle, and substituting the bobbin and ball for the bobbin and anchor, kept on the " windy side o' the law," and proved formidable rivals to the original patentees. Since the period of its first establishment at Wilton, the manufacture of carpets has been carried on with varying success. In 1767 there were not more than from sixty to eighty persons employed in the business; thirty years later, when Mr. Britton wrote his " Beauties of Wiltshire," he estimated the number engaged to exceed one thousand; at the present time Messrs. Blackmore find employment for upwards of one hundred persons, chiefly young females, from the town and neighbouring villages, and the Persian, Turkey, Axminster, and Wilton carpets manufactured by the firm have attained a deservedly high reputation. 203 On a recent visit to the factory we found some beautiful specimens in process of manufacture for the Royal Apartments at Windsor Castle, together with three others intended for the Exhibition of All Nations (the first designed by a Scotch, the second by a French, and the third by a German artist) which bid fair to maintain and extend the high character of the Wilton fabrics, and, by stimulating the demand for them, to give a lasting impetus to a manufacture interesting in itself and highly beneficial to the town and neighbourhood. Wilton Worthies. Mention is made by Aubrey of the following in- dividuals, natives of or resident at Wilton, as having been " men of mark and likelihood " in their time : — " Davys Mell, born at Wilton, was the best vio- linist of any Englishman in England : he also took a fancy to make clocks and watches, and had a great name for the goodness of his work. He was of the King's musick, and died in London about 1663. " Bell, of Wilton, was sagbuttere to King Charles the First, and was the most excellent artist in playing on that instrument, which is very diflicult of any one in England. He dyed about the restau- ration of the King. " Mr. Adrian Gilbert, uterine brother to Sir Walter Raleigh, was a great chymist, and a man of excellent parts, but very sarcastick, and the greatest bufibon in the nation. He was housekeeper at Wilton, and made that delicate orchard where the stately garden now is. He had a pension, and died about the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First. " There lived in Wilton, in those days, one Mr. 204 Boston, a Salisbury man (his father was a brewer there), who was a great chymist, and did great cures by his art. The Lady Mary, Countesse of Pembroke, did much esteeme him for his skill, and would have had him to have been her operator, and live with her, but he would not accept her Ladyship's kind offer. But after long search after the philosopher's stone, he died at Wilton, having spent his estate. After his death, they found in his laboratory two or three bas- kets of egge shelles, which I remember Geber saieth is a principall ingredient of that stone." We will conclude the present chapter by a com- pendious summary of the various particulars collected with so much learning, care, and diligence by Sir Eichard Hoare, in illustration of the History of Wilton, and which do not admit of their being conveniently embodied in the preceding chapters of this work. Royal Charters. Charters of incorporation and liberties appear to have been granted to this town by Henry 1, John, Henry 3, Edward 3, Richard 2, Henry 4, Henry 5, Henry 6, Edward 4, and Henry 8. Mint. In common with other towns, Wilton " had a mint, but the coins struck here are not common. Three pennies of Henry 2, with the mint mark of Wilton, were found, with many others, a few years since, in Lincolnshire, and each of them struck by different artists ; their weight is 22 grains each, and the in- scriptions on the reverse are, I. Aschetil. on. Wilt. ; 2. Lantiee. on. Wiltn. ; 3. Willem.on. Vilt. Some pennies of Salisbury were also found with them. I 205 believe no other productions of the Wilton mint- masters," adds Sir Richard, " have yet been disco- vered, and that the collector may safely reckon them among the nummi rariores." Guild of Clothiers and Weavers. A guild or company of " Clothiers and Weavers," resident in Wilton or within four miles round, was incorporated by Royal Charter a.d. 1699, at the pro- curation of John Gauntlett, Esq., m. p. The arms of the Company are. Azure, on a chevron Argent, three roses Gules between three leopards' heads, each hold- ing in the mouth a shuttle Or. Supporters : two wiverns Ermine the wing of each charged with a rose Gules. Crest : a leopard's head, with a shuttle in the mouth, and crowned Or. Motto : weave trust with truth. Churches. In confirmation of Leland's statement, that Wilton once possessed twelve churches, Sir Richard Hoare supplies the following list, the institutions to these churches being recorded in the Registry of the Diocese : — ■ 1. The Conventual Church of St. Edith. 2. The Church of St. Mary, now in ruins. 3. The Church of St. Michael, South-street. Last presenta- tion, 1498. Site unknown. 4. The Church of the Holy Trinity. Last presentation, 1465. Site unknown. 5. The Church of St. Nicholas, West-street. In ruins before 1435, in which year the parish was united to the Priory of St. John's. 6. The Church of St. Nicholas in Atrio. Rebuilt in 1445, and in existence at the Reformation. 206 7. The Church of St. Mary, West-street. Last presentation in 1420 ; and the parish united to the Priory of St. John's, in 1435. 8. The Eectory of Ditehampton, otherwise the Church of St. Andrew, of Wilton. In existence at the Beformation. Site unknown. 9. The Vicarage of Bulbridge. In existence at the Keform- ation. Site unknown. 10. The Chapelry of Netherhampton. Church still in existence, 11. The Church of St. Michael's, in Kingsbury. United in 1435 to the Church of St. Nicholas in Atrio. Site unknown. 12. The Church of St. Edward. Returned as a Eectory in 1383. Site unknown. Besides these, churches or chapels appear to have been attached to three of the four hospitals which formerly existed in Wilton. In 1383 the Eegister of Bishop Walthani shews that there were eleven churches still in being, " which sup- plied employment and emolument to no fewer than twenty clergymen" whose rames are recorded in the document referred to. The Chartulaey of Wilton, now preserved among the Harleian MSS., contains copies of the following grants to the monastery of Wilton and otherwise : — 1. Grant of North Newton to Athelhelm, by King Alfred, A.D. 892. 2. Grant of ten hides of land at Fovant, by Edward the Elder, A.D. 901. 3. Grant of North Newton to the Monastery by Athelstau, together with five hides at Oare, a.d. 933. 4. Grant of Burcombe by the same donor on condition that prayer should be continually made for the redemption of his sister Badflede, A.D. 937. 5 and 6. Grant of SwaUowcliffe to the Thane Gai-ulfe by 207 Edmund the Elder, a.d. 940, and of Wily to Ordwolde, hia Theigne, same date. 7. Grant of South Newton and Prustfield to Wulfgar, his Theine, a.d. 943. 8. Grant of three hides of land at or near " EoUandune," by Edmund to ^Ifgythe the nun, "for God's love and for her prayers," a.d. 944. 9. Grant of five hides of land, at Didlington, by Edred to Wulfric, his Thegne, a.b. 946. 10. Grant of ten hides at West Knoyle, by Edred to iElfhe- alie, his Theine, a.d. 948.. 11. Grant of the same land by Edwy to Wilfred, his faithful vassal. T.y. 12. Grant of one hide at Wiuterbourne, and another in the Isle of Wight, by Edred to vElfsige, his goldsmith, a.d. 949. 13. Grant of four hides at DidUngton, and one hide at Fdding, by Edwy to iElfred, his Theine, A.D. 956. 14. Grant of four hides of land by the Fear-tree on the Nod- dre by Edwy to a kinsman. v.T. 15. A similar grant to Wistane, his faithful servant. 16. Grant of ten hides at Kemsing (Kent), by Edwy. 17. Grant of ten hides at Upton Level, by Edwy, to jEthered, his Theine, a.d. 957. 18. Grant of six hides at Langford, by Edwy to Byruric, his Theine, A.D. 956. . 19. Grant of twenty hides at Stanton (Fitz Bernard) by Edwy to Bishop Osulfe, a.d. 957. 20. A magnificent grant of one hundred hides of land at Chalk, by Edwy to " God Almighty, St. Mary, and the venerable con- gregation in the Minster, at Wilton," a.d. 955. 21. Grant of Chilmark to Wulfsig, and his wite by Athelstan. T.Y. 22. Grant of ten hides at South Newton, ten at Sherrington, twenty at Deveidll, three at Baverstock, three at Frastfield, and ten at Watohingwood (Isle of Wight), by Edgar to the Monas- tery, A.D. 968. 23. Gi'ant of two hides at Fugglestone to the Monastery by Edgar, a.d. 968. 24. Grant of three hides at " Avene" by Edgar, to a chamber- lain, named Winstan, a.d. 972. 208 25. Grant of ten hides at Kennett, by Edgar to jElflede, A.D. 9V2. 26. Grant of confirmation to the Monastery by Edgar, a.d. 974. 27. Grant of St. Benedict's Church at Wilton by Etheldredto vEthelnothe, his Thegne, a.d. 988. 28. Grant of two hides and a half of laud, at Ditchampton, by Edward the Confessor to Thorth, his Thegne, A.D. 1045. The notable maledictions which were threatened against all who should violate these charters indicate considerable familiarity with the vocabulary of curses on the part of the scribes employed, and in one in- stance there is a remarkable admixture of the terrors of the heathen Tartarus and of the Christian hell. We must not conclude our notice of these charters without adverting to the explicit, expressive, and even poetical character of the land-marks mentioned in them. Thus the boundaries of the ten hides at Knoyle are defined as commencing at the Old-dyke, and running from thence to Cygean-cottage, to Cuffe's knoll, and on to Broad-lea, Wolf's-brook, Spring meadow. Winter-bourn, Nunnen-down, Scarped- down, Laverock-down, back to the old dyke. In other grants occur such epithets as the following : — The hollow spring, the watery hollow, the heathen sepulchre, the black graves, Anne's-thorn, the knotty cross, the otter's-hole, the winding marsh, the winding ford, the reed-way, the flax-down, the hoar apple-tree, the path of stiles, the rugged hill, the grey stone, the sweet apple-tree, the great thorn, colt's-hill, the long sedges, milking meadow, horse-well, Byrhtferth's tomb, &c. &c. Abbesses of Wilton. The researches of Sir Richard Hoare have brought to light the names of the following ladies who enjoyed 209 the Abbey of Wilton, and who must necessarily con- stitute but a small portion of those who were actually elevated to that dignity : — Alicia, Temp. Henry II. Maria, Temp. Rich. I. Ascelina, Temp. John Margaret, Temp. Henry III. Matilda de la Mare, Temp. Henry III. Juliana Giifard, Temp. Edw. I. Constimtia de Percy, ad. 1321. SibiUa Auoher, a.d. 1361. Johanna, a.d. 1407. Christiana Douh-e, ad. 1417. Christiana Codeford, a.d. 1441. Isabella Lambard, A.D. 1448. Edith Barogh, a.d. 1464. Alice Comalonde, A.D Cecilia Willoughby, a.d. 1485. Isabella Jordayn, A.D. 1528. Cecily Bodenham, a.d. 1534. The last named Abbess presided over the monas- tery at the Dissolution, when the establishment con- sisted of herself, a Prioress, and thirty-one nuns, who were pensioned off as follows : — The Abbess received an annuity of £100 per annum, with the house at Fovant, orchards, gardens, three acres of meadow land, and one load of wood weekly. The Prioress retired on £10 per annum. Two of the senior nuns received £7 6s. 8d. per annum each; another £6 13s. 9d. ; five others £6 13s. 4d. each; four £6 each; four £5 6s. 8d. each ; four £5 each ; ten £4 each ; and the remaining nun £2 per annum. The various officers connected with the Monas- tery received the following pensions in compensation for the loss of their appointments ; — 210 Per Annum. £ s. (1. The Senesclial in fee ... 5 10 Seneschal and Q-eneral Beoeiver ... ... ... 2 16 8 The Auditor, his Hveiy and ... ... ... 300 The Sub Seneschal 2 6 8 The Deacon of the Monastery 210 Sub Deacon ... ... ... ... ... 119 4 The Chaplain of the two Chantries within the ) Monasteiy ... ... ... ... ... 3 The five Chaplains, each ... ... ... ... 500 Thirteen poor Magdalenes chosen yearly to pray for-j the souls of the Pounders, and maintained on the > 19 10 Alms of the Monastery ... ... ... J An Exhibition for two poor Scholars, one ineachofl,, „ „ the XJniversities, at £6 133. 4d ... ... ) Annual Alms to the Poor of the Hospital of St. ) GUes } 1 " The Abbess of Wilton was, in virtue of her office, a Baroness of England, which privilege was enjoyed by only three others, namely, those of Shaftesbury, Barking, and St. Mary's, in Winchester. Each of these held of the King in capite an entire Barony, and were summoned to serve by their Knights in time of war." Possessions op the Abbey. A very minute account of the extensive possessions of the Abbey occurs in the Valor Ecclesiasticus (temp. Henry VIII.) An enumeration of the locali- ties included in the list may suffice to suggest the extent of these possessions, the clear annual value of which was estimated at £601 13s. 0|d. : — Wishford Parva, Fugglestone, Baverstock, Wyly, South Newton, Ugford, Burcombe, Fovant, Chilmark, Bridmore, Alvediston, Berwick, Semley, Overton, Staverton, West Knoyle, North Newton, Chalke, Wassherne, 211 Bulbridge, Sutton Mandeville, Figteldean, Frustfield, Winterbourne-ford, Durnford, Laverstock, Stoke- verdon, Upton, Knighton, Chilhampton, Langford, and Horewood, in Wilts : together with others in Dorset, Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, and the Isle of Wight. Bishops op Wilton. Sir Richard Hoare inclines to the belief that the prelates who, in Saxon times, bore the title of Epis- copi Wiltonienses were occasionally resident at Wilton, and he thus enumerates the names of those who filled the episcopal seat, from the period when Wilton was first erected into a separate Bishopric, until it was united to that of Sherborne, which was subsequently removed to Sarum. 1. Athelatan, consecrated a.d. 909, and chiefly resided at Ramsbmy. 2. Odo Severus, who was also seated at Eamsbury or Sunning, and was translated to Canterbury a.d. 941. 3. Osulf, who lived and died at Wilton, and was buried a.d. 970. 4. Alfstan, Abbot of Abingdon. 5. Alfgar or Wulfgar. 6. Sirioius, translated to Canterbury A.D. 989. 7. Alfric, also translated to Canterbury a.d. 995. 8. Brithwold, a Monk of Q-lastonbury. 9. Herman, during whose tenure of office the See was united to Sherborne. The Fkee-scuool Appears to have owed its foundation to a charitable benefaction in 1700, which has been considerably augmented by subsequent munificent bequests, p 2 212 Hospital op St. John. " This Hospital was founded by Hubert Water, Bishop of Sarum, during the reign of Richard the First, and between the years 1189 and 1193. It was situated near or just without the West gate of Wilton, where the buildings of the Hospital and Chapel still exist, though unused and going to decay. The original foundation appears to have been for a Priory, two poor men, and two poor women ; such, at least, was the establishment at the Reformation, and being considered to be rather of a charitable than a super- stitious nature, it was not dissolved, and is conse- quently yet in being. " The Prior, who must be a Clergyman, is in the nomination of the Dean of Sarum, and the poor people are nominated by the Prior, and lodged in a cottage adjoining the ancient Priory. Tanner, in 1739, stated 213 their allowance to be each £4 10s. 6d. per annum for maintenance and firing, with clothing every other year. At present it is paid in the following manner : — £1 to each per quarter, and 10s. additional in the winter quarter for firing." , Our authority supposes this establishment to have been formerly dependent in some measure on the Knights Hospitallers, or military order of St. John of Jerusalem. Tanner states that at the period of the Dissolution its revenues, together with those of the Chapels at Burcombe, were valued at £16 18s. 4d. per annum in the whole, and £14 13s. lOd. in the clear. Hospital of St. Maby. Aubrey, in his MSS., speaks of a hospital in this town dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, but in the course of the laborious researches made by Sir Richard Hoare, he found no traces of it, and further remarks that if it ever did exist, it was certainly lost before the Reformation. Hospital op St. Giles. This is spoken of in the reign of Edward the Sixth as having been founded by one Adalyce, sometime Queen of England, for the sustentation of poor people. One John Dowse, Clerk, was at that time master of it, and four poor persons were partly relieved out of its scanty revenues, which at that time were of the clear yearly value of £6. Borough of Wilton. « 23 Edward I. (1350). The Borough of Wilton is governed by a Mayor, Recorder, five Aldermen, three 214 Capital Burgesses, eleven Common Councilmen, and other Officers. The Mayor is the returning officer. The House of Commons agreed that the right of election be in the Mayor and Burgesses, who are to do all corporate acts and^receive the sacrament." The list of members given by Sir R. Hoare does not date back beyond 1660. THE END. NOTES. Page 5. The dying words of Ounhilda. — In the massacre of the Danes in 1002, Gunhilda, the sister of Svcin, the wife of an Englisli Earl, and a convert to Christianity, who had voluntarily become the pledge of Danish peace, was mercilessly beheaded by the infamous Edric, her husband and son having been first slain before her eyes. Almost with her dying breath, she foretold the vengeance which soon afterwards fell so heavily upon the race to which her murderers belonged. Page 20. T/ie rudiments of that preat pile. — Before the site of the present cathedral had been finally detennined upon, Aubrey informs us that the Bishop " rode several times to the Lady Abbesse at Wilton to have bought or exchanged a piece of ground of her ladyship to build a church and house for the priests. A poor woman at Quid- hampton, that was spinning in the street, said to one of her neigh- bours, "I marvell what the matter is, that the bishop makes so many visits to my lady ; I trow he intends to marry her." Well, the bishop and her ladyship did not conclude about the land, and the bishop dreamt that the Virgin Mary came to him, and brought him to or told him of Merrifield ; she would have him build his church there, and dedicate it to her. Merrifield was a great field or meadow, where the city of New Sarum stands, and did belong to the Bishop, as now the whole city belongs to him." Page 21. At the confluence of the Avon and the Bourne. — ^While these sheets were passing through the press, a valued friend (to whom the Author is indebted for many serviceable suggestions and critical remarks) has pointed out an inaccuracy in this passage, which should have been written "at the confluence of the Avon and the ^^adder." Page 33. BecJcefs shrine, at Canterbury.— The reader is referred to Mr. Nichols' able translation of Erasmus's Pilgrimages to Walsing- ham and Canterbury, and to his very interesting notes upon the same, for a fuller account of these religious excursions of our fore- fathers. Page 46. The letters tiiritten by Henry VII T. tn Anna Bullen. — " For the truth of these charges," observes Sir Kichard Hoare, " we have onlv the Eoval word, and an alleged examination by the Car- 216 ilinal : and we leave them to that degree of credit which they may appear to deserve," The Cardinal, it should be observed, had fallen under his Majesty's displeasure, for having sanctioned the election of tlie Prioress of Wilton to be Abbess, contrary to the royal will, and the King thus tartly reproves the Cardinal : — " Methinke it is not the right trayne of a trusty loving firend and servant, when the matter is putt by the master's consent into his arbitree and judgement (specially in a matter wherein his master hath both Royalty and interest), to elect and chuse a person which was by him defended ; and yet another thing which displeaseth me more, that is, to cloak your offence made by ignoi'ance of my pleasure ; saying, that you expressly know not my determinate mind in that behalfe. Alas, my Lord, what can be more evident or plainer than these words, especi- ally to a wise man, ' his Grace careth not who, but referreth it all to you : so that none of those who either be or have been at any time noted or spotted with incontinence (like, as by report, the Prim-ess hath been in her youth) have it.' And also in another part of the letter, which sayth, * And, therefore, his Highness thinketh her not most meet for that purpose,'" &c. &c. In the King's letter to Anna BuUen, the charges against the Prioress and against a sistei> of "Dame Eleanor" arc again alluded to; and the result of the Cardinal's inquiry into the character of another frail member of the sisterhood is very broadly and specifically described. Page 46. The uncourteous language,