The last improvement is now (1899) being made. In the year 1890 the Governors acquired the freehold of the “Hall Orchard,” at its south end a Sanatorium was erected and opened in the year 1894. The “Orchard,” owing to the unevenness of its surface, could not be used, properly, for games, so subscriptions for levelling it were asked for, O.R.s and others responded, as usual, in a very liberal manner, and the work was commenced at the end of last year. When finished there will be three fine “pitches,” one across the south end, and two, divided by a terrace, from it and themselves, down the remaining part of the “Orchard.” Owing to the unevenness referred to it was impossible to make it of one level. [Illustration: Plate 14. Mr. Estridge’s House. Mr. Gurney’s House.] CHAPTER XIII. CHIEF EVENTS REFERRED TO, OR DESCRIBED. A.D. 584-93 The Kingdom of Mercia founded, Creoda its first King. 652 Peada, son of Penda, converted to Christianity, p. 8. 655-6 Penda, K. of Mercia, slain at Winwaedfield by Oswin, p. 8. c. 656 Repton Abbey founded, p. 8. 657 Bishop Duima died, “buried among the Middle Angles at Feppingum” (Repton?) p. 8. 660 Eadburgh, daughter of Aldulf, K. of East Angles, Abbess, p. 9. 672 Guthlac enters the Abbey, pp. 9-12. c. 695 Ælfrida = (Ælfthryth), Abbess, pp. 9-12. 755 Æthebald, K. of Mercia, slain at Seccadune (Seckington, nr. Tamworth), buried at Repton, pp. 6-9. 781 Cyneheard, buried at Repton, p. 9. 835 Cynewaru, Abbess of Repton, p. 9. 839 Wiglaf, K. of Mercia, buried at Repton, p. 9. 849-50 Wystan, son of Wimund, murdered at Wistanstowe, Shropshire, by his cousin Berfert, the body was brought to Repton, and buried by the side of his grandfather Wiglaf, p. 15. 874 The Danes came to Repton, left again in 875, having destroyed Repton Monastery, &c., p. 9. c. 957 Repton Church built, p. 9. c. 1034 Canute transfers the relics of St. Wystan to Evesham Abbey, p. 9. 1086 Repton is mentioned in Domesday Book as having a church, two priests, and two mills, p. 9. 1172 The Canons of Calke transferred to Repton Priory, which had been built by Maud, Countess of Chester, a few years before, c. 1150, p. 10. 1207 A portion of St. Wystan’s relics returned to the Canons of Repton, p. 16. 1330 The owners of the Manor of Repton claimed to be lords of the hundred, and to have within their manor a pillory, tumbrell, and gallows, for the punishment of criminals; they also claimed, by prescription, a market at Repton on Wednesday, and a fair on the 1st of July. 1337-77 Repton Church enlarged to its present size, p. 20. 1538 Repton Priory dissolved, granted to Thomas Thacker in 1539, destroyed by his son Gilbert in 1553, p. 53.