A Maid of Honour.
Close to the house stand the ruins of Lainston Church, picturesquely situated in dense woods. Here one fine August morning, in 1744, the gay Miss Chudleigh was privately married to Hervey, a naval officer, who became third Earl of Bristol. Notwithstanding this, and her having two children, she continued to be called “Miss Chudleigh,” and to be a maid of honour. George II. affected to be in love with her, and even went so far as to kiss her at a party. Twenty-five years afterwards she contracted a bigamous marriage with Pierrepont, Duke of Kingston, which was set aside. She was a prominent figure in Ranelagh Gardens, and her dress seems to have harmonized with her performances. Walpole says that on one occasion she appeared at a masquerade as Iphigenia, but “as naked as Andromeda.”[32]
Sparsholt Church.
In this vicinity, but lying off the high road and consequently little visited by strangers, is the scattered village of Sparsholt, with its two inns, one shop, and post office. It was perhaps a more important place in ancient days, for Roman relics have been found here. The church is small; its architecture varies from transitional Norman to Perpendicular. During the late restorations the tomb of a priest was opened, and with him were found a chalice and paten of latten, now in the vicar’s possession.
The village water supply is obtained from a well of unusual depth. Over it is placed a large broad wheel, and the ropes by which the buckets are lowered and raised are coiled round what may be called the axle. The water drawer steps on the stairs of the wheel to raise the bucket, and if unused to the treadmill—which no doubt these happy rustics are—must be well tired before his efforts are crowned with success.
Down the road is a stile by which one may enter what is locally known as the “Avenue,” a lovely piece of woodland scenery, abounding in noble trees. Here we may pleasantly rest for a while, and listen to the cooing of wood-pigeons or watch squirrels at their merry gambols. Through this a path leads to the high road, along which, past Harestock and Wyke, we reach Winchester again.
FOOTNOTES:
| [1] | Add. MSS. 6036. |
| [2] | Pat. Rolls, 8 Henry IV. The foundations of a church with two monoliths in them have been discovered near St. George’s Street. |
| [3] | Patent and Close Rolls. |
| [4] | “Every man having a holding or garden bounding on the High Street shall enclose the same with a sufficient pale or stone wall upon pain of 20s.” (Edw. VI., Black Book). Thatch was forbidden in this street in 1652. |
| [5] | Add. MSS. 6036. |
| [6] | He adds that there is outside the city a dry chalky down where the air is worth sixpence a pint. |
| [7] | It then belonged to the Mayor and Corporation, who had it repaired. |
| [8] | See “Historic Winchester,” by Misses Bramston and Leroy. |
| [9] | “In castello Wincestre apud Wintoniam in thesauro.” Mr. Hubert Hall thinks that the book was removed soon afterwards to London, but Mr. Round is of opinion that it remained in Winchester until the last quarter of the twelfth century. I cannot venture to decide a question upon which such eminent authorities are at variance. |
| [10] | In an engraving in my possession, dated 1787, part of this old wall is seen adhering to the east end of the hall, and the entrance is in the original place. |
| [11] | We read of the “Hermits” and “Black” towers. Mr. Stopher informs me that, judging by the base of the North Tower, uncovered in 1876, “these towers were some of the finest in the kingdom, with handsome double plinths.” |
| [12] | Patent Rolls, 48 Henry III. |
| [13] | Patent Rolls, 5 John. |
| [14] | Close Rolls, 7 John. The houses in Winchester, called La Parrok, were given to Galfro de Hanville, for keeping girfalcons by Henry III. (6th year, Close Rolls). |
| [15] | There are traces of round windows near the roof, which have been walled up, and there are some iron hooks remaining, on which shutters were hung before glass was permanently inserted. |
| [16] | Henry V. was here, and at his funeral Arthur’s traditional bearings, three crowns, were carried. |
| [17] |
The table had twelve legs, and it is supposed that it was made round to avoid any invidious precedence, and that it was intended for the feasting of the knights at a tournament. There was generally a desire to throw some legendary glory around these “solemnities.” The paint, except
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