Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11: Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.Dugdale, Thomas
History
Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11: Historical, Entertaining & Commercial; Alphabetically Arranged. 11 Volume set.
Dugdale, Thomas
Great Britain -- Gazetteers
[A] GREAT BARR is an agreeable village, which has long been the property
of the Scott family, who have here one of the finest mansions in the
county. This seat stands in a beautiful valley, affording the most
delightful prospects of hill and dale, varied by wood and water. Shady
walks and rustic seats furnish the most attractive conveniences for the
promenade. One object in particular fixes the attention; it is an urn
near the flower garden, to the memory of Miss Mary Dolman, the cousin of
Shenstone, whose elegant pen supplied a beautiful tribute in Latin. The
summit of Barr Beacon, which is 653 feet in height, was the spot from
whence the Druids gave notice, by watch-fires, of their periodical
sacrifices; and it was used both by the Saxons and the Danes, as a
beacon to alarm the country in times of danger. The chapel of the
village is of remarkable beauty; its eastern window contains a painting
on glass by Mr. Eginton, who has improved upon the design of the Rev.
Mr. Peter's "Spirit of a Child."
[Sidenote: Barr Beacon, 653 feet high.]
[B] GREAT BARRINGTON is a parish containing about 1000 acres, including
some portion of Oxfordshire within its limits, as well as a small tract
belonging to Berkshire. Previous to the conquest, the manor was held by
Earl Harold; the present owner is Lord Dynevor, Lord Lieut. and Cust.
Rot. of Carmarthen. Barrington church appears to have been erected about
the time of Henry VII. Beneath one of the windows of the aisle are the
monument and effigies of Captain Edward Bray, grandfather of Sir Giles
Bray, lord of the manor, who is represented in armour, with a ruff round
his neck and a sword girt on the "right" side. This peculiarity
originated from the captain having killed a man at Tilbury camp; and, in
token of his sorrow, he determined never more to use his right hand.
Lord Chancellor Talbot was buried in this church; he was the son of
William Talbot, Bishop of Durham, and was born in the year 1684. After
being elected a fellow of All Soul's College, Oxford, he married, and
consequently was compelled to give up his fellowship. When he left the
university, he was admitted a member of the society of Lincoln's Inn,
and was speedily called to the bar. He was chosen to represent the now
disfranchised borough of Tregony, in Cornwall, and afterwards was made
member for the city of Durham. He died in the enjoyment of the highest
character, after a short illness, on the 14th of February, 1737. Few
Chancellors have been more lamented, both in public and private life.
Lord Talbot acquired universal esteem. The Hall was built by him in the
year 1734, soon after which it was destroyed by fire. The grounds
furnish a good specimen of the "ferme ornee," (ornamental farm) and the
park, about three miles in circumference, is well planted with a variety
of beautiful trees.
[Sidenote: Capt. Edward Bray.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account