My guess, Trevor, is that he was close to the office all afternoon, doing nothing in particular -- perhaps he pulled a few weeds in the garden, stopped by the house to find our what was for supper, found that the Sir Wills were both out, visited with the porter, bought some venison pies from a street vendor, popped into St. Olave's for a quick visit with Mr. Milles but he wasn't available, rebuked some street children for making too much noise, helped a blind woman across the street, admired a neighbor's new horse, etc. etc. etc. Hewer could easily have found him if Pepys had been needed, but he didn't do anything worthy of the diary entry.
The sociable Pepys we knew at the beginning of the Diary is now an almost friendless bureaucrat -- I think he'd have given anything for a local Fonzie.
L&M: The first session of the Cavalier parliament ended on 30th July. It saw many victories for cavalier (or 'young men's') interests over that of the Presbyterians, or 'serious men' (i.e. men with experienced in legislation).
@@@
The ‘Cavalier’ Parliament – so-called because of the predominance of royalist MPs elected to it – lasted 1661 until 1679. Although initially the Commons could be described as a ‘house of courtiers’ giving solid support to Charles II’s administration, ... Growing friction between King and Parliament over the shape of the restored Church and over the lack of sufficient revenue, weakened the position of the King’s principle minister, Chancellor Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon ... In 1661 the Anglicans and Royalists felt they had been insufficiently rewarded by the restored monarch. More had been done to sweeten Charles II's former enemies, and it was in this changed, cynical atmosphere that elections took place in March and April 1661. Venner’s January rising in London had stoked fears of a continuing threat from religious radicals. Presbyterianism was deeply entrenched in London and those 4 parliamentary seats were easily secured by opponents of the Church of England amid the crowd’s shouts of ‘No Bishops! No Lord Bishops!’ In the provinces the government intervened, playing on fears of political instability, and preventing the election of Presbyterians wherever possible. Contests were fought all the way to a poll in 11 counties and 32 boroughs, with double returns occurring in 28 more boroughs. The return of many ‘Cavalier’ MPs reflected the strength of pro-royalist feeling throughout England. They included at least 108 who had fought in arms for King Charles during the civil wars, and together with other royalist sympathizers amounted to over half the House, while Presbyterians were reckoned at less than a third. The presence of over 100 MPs whose parliamentary experience dated from the 1640s was enough to ensure that royalist policies were not uncritically endorsed. The government’s candidate for the Speakership, Sir Edward Turnor, was elected without challenge. Recognizing the Court’s need to keep watch on its majority, Chancellor Clarendon chose Sir Hugh Pollard, 2nd Bt., to manage the Commons, and convene regular meetings during the session between MPs and ministers.
By the turn of the 20th century, Barkway was away from the main roads and therefore away from the attention of the County authorities. Slipping further into decline, the population slumped as people sought their fortunes in Royston and sometimes in London. WWII brought the building of the airfield at nearby Nuthampstead, but when peace came, the decline returned. Today, all of Barkway’s 15 shops have gone. Its 20 or so pubs and beer houses have reduced to just one.
History made Barkway the beautiful village it has become. Away from the major roads, and away from the meddling bureaucrats, it remains mainly unspoilt – a peaceful tranquil village, but not a backwater.
Barkway lies on the eastern extension of the chalky Chiltern Hills. In prehistoric times it was the site of a major crossroads, the east-west trading route taking advantage of the dry highlands of the scarp and the north-south track linking London with Cambridge.
There is evidence of man’s existence close to the cross roads and slightly to the east, on the banks of the river Quin, where deposits of flint flakes and half finished tools suggest a sophisticated trading station. To the west of the London-Cambridge road lies Periwinkle Hill. This now almost lost mound was probably the base of a strong point and lookout tower giving views across the plains of Cambridge as far as the settlement of Ely.
The conquest of Britain by the Romans left its mark on the surrounding landscape. Barkway has produced one small cache of Roman silver found at the edge of nearby Rookey Wood, during the 18th century.
The Norman Invasion brought a new culture and light to England. The Chiltern Edge was probably used by William the Conqueror as a springboard for his troops as they suppressed Hereward and his companions uprising in the Fenlands of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.
William, a bureaucrat and head of the Norman civil service, decreed that he should know the full extent of the wealth of the land and have an exact record of Crown property. In 1086 he commissioned the Domesday Survey. Barkway was examined and, for the first time, appeared in an official document. Apart from farming commitments, the village supported a “holy man”. He was probably one of the few villagers capable of reading and writing, so was elevated to a position of authority. His church was probably no more than a simple wooden structure – sufficient to support him and his farm animals - and the community only partially supported him.
Barkway flourished. It was granted a market so became an important trading point and a place for social gathering. Despite being ravaged by fires in the 15th and 18th centuries, it became one of the major stopping points on the coaching route from London to the North East. The inhabitants became wealthy and complacent, unconcerned about the decline of the coach trade in the mid 1800’s. A railway was proposed, but failed to materialise; Barkway became a backwater.
In the early Georgian period the Jennings family contributed to a significant enhancement with grand designs. George Jennings inherited the Newsells estate from his father Sir John Jennings in 1743.
The Saltonstall family had an important association with Barkway in the 1600s. Richard Saltonstall came from landed estates in Yorkshire and was a key figure in London during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. He was master of the Skinners Guild, was created Lord Mayor in 1597, and was knighted. His wife Susannah acquired the ownership of Barkway Rectory Manor in 1598, which she passed on to her son Peter. Peter moved into Manor Farm, and there started an association with the village for the next 50 years. The rectory manor existed in its own right as a separate manor within the village, having besides Manor Farm, the church, vicarage, tenants, and a substantial land holding. Sir Peter therefore became the lord of the manor, with the responsibilities that went with the role. His wife Christian exercised joint roles with him as lord. He held regular manor courts although they may not have personally presided over them. He was created an equerry to King James I and knighted in 1605. Sir Peter and Christian had a large family, the children’s names appearing in the parish birth registers, and a few recorded on memorials in the church following their deaths. Sir Peter’s mother Susannah died in 1612, and in her will stipulated that the poor of Barkway should benefit from a legacy. Sir Peter attempted to organise his succession and inheritance following the death of his wife in 1646. His direct heir was his son James, followed by his daughter Ann. Unfortunately, James and Ann both died in 1649. Sir Peter died in 1651 aged 74, having outlived all his family. The estate was inherited by Ann’s husband, Sir Edward Chester, the owner of Royston Priory and the Cokenach estate.
A hoard of Roman articles were found by a worker digging in a quarry in 1743 about 300 metres to the northeast of Periwinkle Hill. The items clearly originated in a temple or shrine; of modest size, they combine both votive and ceremonial objects. The hoard consists of 7 votive silver plaques together with the handle from a priest's rattle and a fine figurine. The dedication is to Mars. The contents of the hoard appear to have been restricted to valued components of a larger collection. The hoard was passed to the then owner of the quarry, Lord Selsey of Newsells, who later presented it to the British Museum. This is the only discovery of Roman remains in the area.
Newsells was recorded in the Domesday Book, and has been a major manor in Barkway since then. The estate belonged to the Scales family in medieval times, but since then had not been in the ownership of a particular family for any length of time.
Henry Prannell was a wealthy London vintner and became an Alderman of the City. He amassed a fortune as the 16th-century historian, Stowe, recorded that he made an annual distribution of £50 to the London Hospitals. As one of the new class of wealthy Elizabethan merchants he wanted a country seat. He probably thought Newsells Manor was a fashionable place, with the Royal Palace at Hatfield and Queen Elizabeth paying frequent visits to local worthies. He bought the Newsells Estate in 1579, and he and his family moved into Rushingwells. He died in 1588, and in his will left 2/3 of his estate to his wife, and 1/3 to his son, Henry. In 1591 young Henry Prannell married the 13-year-old Frances Howard. Both her grandfathers were Dukes, and it was a mystery why she was married off to a mere vintner's son (perhaps attracted by the fortune amassed by Henry senior). Young Henry died in 1599, in his 30's, and a memorial plaque in the chancel floor of Barkway church gives much detail about her, and little about him. Frances took possession of Newsells and the other local manors which Henry had purchased. Frances Howard Prennell soon married the Earl of Hertford, who died in 1621 aged 81. Contemporaneous reports say she was being courted by the Duke of Lennox before Hertford’s death. A week later, Frances Howard Prannell, Countess of Hartford secretly married the Duke of Lennox, and henceforth maintained a lifestyle of great pomp. In 1623 they were made Duke and Duchess of Richmond as well as Lennox. The Duke died in 1624, and Frances continued a widow until her death in 1639. She is interred beside the Duke in a monument erected for herself and her husband under her direction and at her expense in Westminster Abbey. Frances was childless, and Newsells was sold following her death.
The local Historical Society says (I've copied only 17th century stuff):
Barkway is a village and civil parish in North Hertfordshire, England. Situated 4.5 miles south east of the town of Royston, the village was once a major stopping point on the coaching route from London to Cambridge.
In the area are several ancient woods. They are characterised by having plants such as bluebells, dog mercury, and wild garlic. In medieval times woodland was a valuable asset. It contained timber for building, and small wood for poles, hurdles, and most importantly for domestic fuel. The first two were obtained from coppicing small trees such as hazel. They would be cut to ground level, and then allowed to regrow providing long straight lengths. So-called coppice stools of hazel in woods such as Rokey Wood are common.
Because of their importance, woods were surrounded by ditches and hedge banks on the outside to deter deer and other animals. There are numerous examples of remaining ancient ditches at woodland edges. Large areas of the country were given over to strip farming. This form of cultivation was carried on in most places until enclosure. This commenced in Barkway in 1811. Post enclosure field boundaries can be seen now as straight, and hedged by mostly hawthorn. However old field boundaries following their original courses can still be found. Fields ploughed in medieval times and earlier would have been by teams of oxen, and later horses. Traditionally ploughing proceeded to follow a reverse capital “S” shape. This was to overcome the difficulty of turning the teams at the end of the row. So the plough would start to follow a curve when approaching the headland so that a smooth progression could be followed before going on. These “S” shaped lengths were normally a furlong (200 yards) and known as selions. The western edge of Rokey Wood provides a perfect example of the length and shape of a selion furlong. Unploughed paths for access were left at random amongst the strips known as baulks. That name has survived for the land beyond the village hall. As a result of the ploughing, headlands tended to develop as substantial banks of earth. Springs in both Rokey Wood and nearby Sallow Wood rise from the underlying chalk to eventually flow down to form the river Quin. English chalk streams are a rare and vital part of the ecosystem.
Hertfordshire as a county is relatively rich in river systems, so that water mills are common. But Barkway was one of the places in the higher north of the county which employed wind power. There is record of a windmill in existence in the 13th century, but its whereabouts is not known. The 1587 muster rolls record the presence of two millers in Barkway. There would appear to have been a windmill in Newsells manor in the late 1600s.
"So I set out and rode to Ware, this night, in the way having much discourse with a fellmonger, a Quaker, who told me what a wicked man he had been all his life-time till within this two years."
Pepys probably considered himself very lucky to find someone else riding to Ware. It was dangerous to ride alone, and it doesn't sound like he's taking any of his boys with him. And it doesn't sound as if the livery stables sent a groom with him either (to bring back the horse -- maybe Pepys took it for the week with a return to the issuing stables; maybe that's why he needed the 40l. loan for a refundable deposit???).
So off Pepys goes for a 21-mile ride by himself, and fortunately meets up with a Quaker; common courtesy prescribes some conversation happens during the next 4-plus hours. The route they take, as suggested by a 1722 book: https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
From London to Cambridge, 51 Miles, thus reckoned. To Enfield Wash 10, to Hoddesdon 7, to Ware 4, to Puckeridge 6, to Barkway 8, to Fowlmere 7, to Cambridge 9 ... http://www.londonancestor.com/sto…
"The seven to one ratio is still used, I believe." -- Could you explain that more fully, please, Nate?
I recall seeing two big men pushing each prong of a 4-pronged "wheel" -- is it called a capstan? -- to bring up the anchor. I'm way out of my depth here.
Edward I built a stone castle on this hill, which later fell into disrepair, and later restored by Oliver Cromwell's forces during the [first] English Civil War in 1642. https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Att…
Paul during the first round told us: Castle Hill is still (or at least was when I was there) the seat of some local government offices (Shire Hall I think). It's not a particularly big hill but by the Fenland's lowly standards was significant enough to be the site of a Roman tower/castle overlooking the road North.
vicente somewhat disagreed: Castle Hill is reputed to be the highest point in Cambs., and great visual of Ely Cathedral to the North, at one time one could scale a church steeple in the Town of Camb., before it was delegated a City, it not having a Cathedral and the Ely Masters would never let that happen. One could see the North Sea near Wisbech. I hope some one can post some of the gory details of the fair trials of the assizes besides Bloody J. Jeffries. ...
Now imagine it’s 1066, and London is about to get a makeover, from some ambitious Frenchmen with pointy helmets and a love of castle-building. The Norman Conquest is the historical equivalent of an extreme home renovation show, but for an entire country.
Edward the Confessor, King of England, dies without an heir. Various claimants argue over who should be king. Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother-in-law, quickly nabs the throne. Across the English Channel, William, Duke of Normandy, claims Edward promised him the kingdom, and he’s not going to let the English Channel stop him from collecting.
William gathers his army, crosses the Channel, and on October 14, 1066, fights Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Harold takes an arrow to the eye, and William is victorious.
William’s next stop London. He expects the city to welcome him with open arms. He's wrong. The Londoners slam the gates shut. William sets up camp, burns a few surrounding villages, and plays the waiting game.
In the city, the atmosphere is tense. The leading citizens decide to do the sensible thing: They invite the teenage Edgar Ætheling, the last male member of the old Anglo-Saxon royal family, to become king.
Eventually London’s resistance crumbled. The city’s leaders rode out to Berkhamsted, meet with William and offer him the crown. William, gracious in victory (and probably relieved he doesn’t have to storm those massive Roman walls), accepts.
On Christmas Day 1066, William is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. But when the crowd inside shouts their approval, the Norman guards outside think it’s an attack and set fire to nearby houses.
Now he’s got the crown, William sets about transforming London. His first task? Build a castle! The Tower of London begins to rise on the eastern edge of the city, a symbol of Norman power. It’s part fortress, part royal residence, part prison, and all intimidating. The message is clear: the Normans are here to stay.
William also issues a charter to the citizens of London, confirming their rights and privileges. It’s written in English, which is strange as William never learned the language.
Under Norman rule, London grows and prospers. The population reaches 18,000 by 1100 AD. New markets spring up, and trade flourishes. The Normans introduce new cooking techniques (goodbye boiled everything), new fashions (hello pointy shoes), and new words.
The Normans also go on a church-building spree. Old St. Paul’s Cathedral is expanded, and new churches pop up all over the city. If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many churches in the City of London, now you know who to blame/credit.
You can still see traces of Londinium beneath the modern city. Parts of the Roman wall still stand. The Museum of London houses a treasure trove of Roman artifacts, from leather sandals to curse tablets (ancient hate mail). You can visit the remains of a Roman bathhouse in the basement of a barber shop on Strand Lane.
Many of London’s roads follow the original Roman street plan. The City of London roughly corresponds to the boundaries of Londinium.
As the Roman Empire declined in the 4th and 5th centuries, so did Londinium. The last Roman coin minted in London dates to 388 AD, and by 410 AD, the Romans had officially withdrawn from Britain. Londinium was abandoned, its grand buildings left to crumble, its streets reclaimed by nature.
But the strategic location, the infrastructure, and the spirit of that first great city remained. In time, a new settlement arose, evolving through Saxon, Medieval, and Victorian times to become the London we know today.
This was the first chapter in the ongoing story of a truly remarkable city. From Londinium to London, the adventure continues.
Imagine a misty morning on the banks of the River Thames 2,000 years ago. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and woodsmoke. The silence is broken by the rhythmic marching of sandaled feet and the clinking of armor. The Romans have arrived, and London as we know it is about to be born.
The year is AD 43, and Emperor Claudius has set his sights on the misty isle of Britannia. Julius Caesar had made brief forays into Britain in 55 and 54 BC, but it’s Claudius who makes this land a permanent part of the Roman Empire.
Why did he choose this particular bend in the Thames? The Romans weren’t just skilled warriors – they were also good surveyors. They recognized the strategic importance of the first point upriver where the Thames was narrow enough to build a bridge, yet deep enough for sea-going ships.
The settlement was called Londinium, and it quickly grew from a military outpost to a bustling town.
Early Londinium was far from the London we know today: picture wooden buildings, muddy roads, and lots of construction sites.
The Romans constructed a fort, laid out a street grid (even ancient cities needed urban planning), and built the all-important bridge across the Thames. This bridge, located near where modern London Bridge stands today, was the only one spanning the river for over 1,700 years.
Life in early Londinium wasn’t all work. The Romans brought with them their love of creature comforts. Soon the town boasted public baths, temples, and even an amphitheater for entertainment.
Not everyone was thrilled about the new neighbors. In AD 60, a rebellion led by Queen Boudica of the Iceni tribe nearly wiped Londinium off the map. The town was burned to the ground, and archaeological evidence shows a thick layer of ash from this destruction.
Londinium rose again, bigger and better than before.
By the 2nd century AD, Londinium was the capital of Roman Britain. The population swelled to around 60,000 people – a city by ancient standards. It now boasted impressive stone walls, a large forum, and a governor’s palace.
Archaeologists have found evidence of people from all over the Roman Empire living in Londinium. The streets would have been a babel of languages, a kaleidoscope of different dress styles, and a smorgasbord of exotic foods.
Speaking of food, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of thermopolia (takeaway shops) where Londoners could grab fish sauce (a Roman favorite), oysters (the Thames was teeming with them), and even dormice.
Londinium was also a major center for commerce and industry. The port bustled with ships bringing goods from all corners of the Empire – olive oil from Spain, wine from Italy, pottery from Gaul, and that British specialty: wool.
The city also became known for its metalworking, with workshops producing everything from intricate jewelry to sturdy tools.
Dover Castle is situated in the town of Dover, Kent. It stands atop a hill overlooking the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel. The castle’s position, 21 miles from the coast of France, has made it a crucial defensive stronghold for centuries.
The castle is built on a site occupied since the Iron Age, taking advantage of the natural defenses provided by the steep chalk cliffs. Its elevated position offers spectacular views across the Channel allowing defenders to see potential invaders from miles away.
... The castle as we know it began to take shape after 1066. William the Conqueror, understanding the site’s strategic importance, ordered the construction of an earth and timber castle. This early fortification was gradually replaced with stone structures.
The most significant development came during the reign of Henry II (1154-1189). He ordered the construction of the Great Tower, a massive stone keep that remains the centerpiece of the castle today. This tower was not just a military structure but also a royal palace, designed to impress visitors with its grandeur.
King John (1199-1216) further strengthened the castle’s defenses, and it was during his reign that Dover Castle faced its most famous siege. In 1216, a French army led by Prince Louis (later King Louis VIII) besieged the castle for several months but failed to capture it, thanks to the strong defenses and the leadership of Hubert de Burgh.
Throughout the medieval period, Dover Castle continued to be improved and strengthened. The Constable’s Gate and St. John’s Tower were added in the 13th century, while the castle’s outer curtain walls were continually reinforced.
Henry VIII visited Dover Castle several times and ordered some improvements, including new artillery fortifications to defend against the threat of invasion from Catholic Europe.
The castle saw action again during the English Civil Wars (1642-1651). Initially held by Royalist forces, it was captured by Parliamentarians in 1642 without a fight, thanks to a ruse involving a local woman and a group of disguised soldiers.
In the 18th century, tensions with France led to further strengthening of Dover’s defenses ...
Dover Castle is the largest castle in England It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the “Key to England” due to its defensive significance The castle has the only surviving Roman lighthouse in the UK, the Pharos It played a crucial role in both World Wars, particularly in the Dunkirk evacuations The castle’s Great Tower was built by Henry II in the 12th century Underneath the castle lies a network of Secret Wartime Tunnels The castle site has been occupied since the Iron Age It remained a garrisoned fortress until 1958
And another article about the London, in particular its cannon make up -- the main point being that all navies recycled cannon from wrecks and captured ships because they are hard and expensive to make. Nice photos: https://historicengland.org.uk/wh…
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And pretty maids all in a row.
“Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” was first published in 1744. There are 3 main theories about its meaning.
The most likely is that it refers to Queen Mary I of England. The daughter of Henry VIII, she succeeded after her brother Edward died. She is best known for trying to restore Catholicism after her father had broken with the Roman Church. Her reversal would be “contrary” to the situation when she took the throne. “How does your garden grow?” could be a reference to all the people she executed, making graveyards grow. “Silver bells and cockle shells” might be torture devices. “Pretty maids all in a row” are the Protestants waiting to be executed. Mary was known as “Bloody Mary” because of her persecution.
Another theory is the poem is about a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James in Spain. Mary would be the Virgin Mary. The “silver bells” are church bells. “Cockle shells” are the badges worn by pilgrims. The “pretty maids” would be nuns.
In the third explanation, Mary is Mary, Queen of Scots. “Cockle shells” are her unfaithful husbands who cuckolded her. The “garden” might be Mary’s womb, in quest for an heir (the question would be a taunt).
No matter what version is true, it still makes singing it with your child a bit creepy.
So many sick people -- note that it's the end of July. Well-to-do people went to the country in the summer until September because the hot August days encouraged the plague and other illnesses. The bugs seem to have arrived on time in 1661.
Comments
Third Reading
About Baldock (or Baldwick), Hertfordshire
San Diego Sarah • Link
St. Mary's, Baldock
https://www.stmarysbaldock.org.uk/
About Thursday 30 July 1668
San Diego Sarah • Link
My guess, Trevor, is that he was close to the office all afternoon, doing nothing in particular -- perhaps he pulled a few weeds in the garden, stopped by the house to find our what was for supper, found that the Sir Wills were both out, visited with the porter, bought some venison pies from a street vendor, popped into St. Olave's for a quick visit with Mr. Milles but he wasn't available, rebuked some street children for making too much noise, helped a blind woman across the street, admired a neighbor's new horse, etc. etc. etc. Hewer could easily have found him if Pepys had been needed, but he didn't do anything worthy of the diary entry.
The sociable Pepys we knew at the beginning of the Diary is now an almost friendless bureaucrat -- I think he'd have given anything for a local Fonzie.
About Tuesday 30 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M: The first session of the Cavalier parliament ended on 30th July. It saw many victories for cavalier (or 'young men's') interests over that of the Presbyterians, or 'serious men' (i.e. men with experienced in legislation).
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The ‘Cavalier’ Parliament – so-called because of the predominance of royalist MPs elected to it – lasted 1661 until 1679.
Although initially the Commons could be described as a ‘house of courtiers’ giving solid support to Charles II’s administration, ... Growing friction between King and Parliament over the shape of the restored Church and over the lack of sufficient revenue, weakened the position of the King’s principle minister, Chancellor Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon ...
In 1661 the Anglicans and Royalists felt they had been insufficiently rewarded by the restored monarch. More had been done to sweeten Charles II's former enemies, and it was in this changed, cynical atmosphere that elections took place in March and April 1661.
Venner’s January rising in London had stoked fears of a continuing threat from religious radicals.
Presbyterianism was deeply entrenched in London and those 4 parliamentary seats were easily secured by opponents of the Church of England amid the crowd’s shouts of ‘No Bishops! No Lord Bishops!’
In the provinces the government intervened, playing on fears of political instability, and preventing the election of Presbyterians wherever possible.
Contests were fought all the way to a poll in 11 counties and 32 boroughs, with double returns occurring in 28 more boroughs.
The return of many ‘Cavalier’ MPs reflected the strength of pro-royalist feeling throughout England. They included at least 108 who had fought in arms for King Charles during the civil wars, and together with other royalist sympathizers amounted to over half the House, while Presbyterians were reckoned at less than a third.
The presence of over 100 MPs whose parliamentary experience dated from the 1640s was enough to ensure that royalist policies were not uncritically endorsed.
The government’s candidate for the Speakership, Sir Edward Turnor, was elected without challenge.
Recognizing the Court’s need to keep watch on its majority, Chancellor Clarendon chose Sir Hugh Pollard, 2nd Bt., to manage the Commons, and convene regular meetings during the session between MPs and ministers.
That's a short review of the last 7 months from
http://www.historyofparliamentonl…
About Barkway, Hertfordshire
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
By the turn of the 20th century, Barkway was away from the main roads and therefore away from the attention of the County authorities.
Slipping further into decline, the population slumped as people sought their fortunes in Royston and sometimes in London.
WWII brought the building of the airfield at nearby Nuthampstead, but when peace came, the decline returned.
Today, all of Barkway’s 15 shops have gone.
Its 20 or so pubs and beer houses have reduced to just one.
History made Barkway the beautiful village it has become. Away from the major roads, and away from the meddling bureaucrats, it remains mainly unspoilt – a peaceful tranquil village, but not a backwater.
Extracted from an original work (C) Tom Doig and adapted with his permission
https://barkwayparishcouncil.gov.…
About Barkway, Hertfordshire
San Diego Sarah • Link
Barkway lies on the eastern extension of the chalky Chiltern Hills. In prehistoric times it was the site of a major crossroads, the east-west trading route taking advantage of the dry highlands of the scarp and the north-south track linking London with Cambridge.
There is evidence of man’s existence close to the cross roads and slightly to the east, on the banks of the river Quin, where deposits of flint flakes and half finished tools suggest a sophisticated trading station.
To the west of the London-Cambridge road lies Periwinkle Hill. This now almost lost mound was probably the base of a strong point and lookout tower giving views across the plains of Cambridge as far as the settlement of Ely.
The conquest of Britain by the Romans left its mark on the surrounding landscape.
Barkway has produced one small cache of Roman silver found at the edge of nearby Rookey Wood, during the 18th century.
The Norman Invasion brought a new culture and light to England.
The Chiltern Edge was probably used by William the Conqueror as a springboard for his troops as they suppressed Hereward and his companions uprising in the Fenlands of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.
William, a bureaucrat and head of the Norman civil service, decreed that he should know the full extent of the wealth of the land and have an exact record of Crown property.
In 1086 he commissioned the Domesday Survey. Barkway was examined and, for the first time, appeared in an official document. Apart from farming commitments, the village supported a “holy man”. He was probably one of the few villagers capable of reading and writing, so was elevated to a position of authority.
His church was probably no more than a simple wooden structure – sufficient to support him and his farm animals - and the community only partially supported him.
Barkway flourished. It was granted a market so became an important trading point and a place for social gathering.
Despite being ravaged by fires in the 15th and 18th centuries, it became one of the major stopping points on the coaching route from London to the North East.
The inhabitants became wealthy and complacent, unconcerned about the decline of the coach trade in the mid 1800’s.
A railway was proposed, but failed to materialise; Barkway became a backwater.
About Barkway, Hertfordshire
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION
In the early Georgian period the Jennings family contributed to a significant enhancement with grand designs. George Jennings inherited the Newsells estate from his father Sir John Jennings in 1743.
The Saltonstall family had an important association with Barkway in the 1600s. Richard Saltonstall came from landed estates in Yorkshire and was a key figure in London during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. He was master of the Skinners Guild, was created Lord Mayor in 1597, and was knighted.
His wife Susannah acquired the ownership of Barkway Rectory Manor in 1598, which she passed on to her son Peter.
Peter moved into Manor Farm, and there started an association with the village for the next 50 years.
The rectory manor existed in its own right as a separate manor within the village, having besides Manor Farm, the church, vicarage, tenants, and a substantial land holding. Sir Peter therefore became the lord of the manor, with the responsibilities that went with the role.
His wife Christian exercised joint roles with him as lord.
He held regular manor courts although they may not have personally presided over them.
He was created an equerry to King James I and knighted in 1605.
Sir Peter and Christian had a large family, the children’s names appearing in the parish birth registers, and a few recorded on memorials in the church following their deaths.
Sir Peter’s mother Susannah died in 1612, and in her will stipulated that the poor of Barkway should benefit from a legacy.
Sir Peter attempted to organise his succession and inheritance following the death of his wife in 1646. His direct heir was his son James, followed by his daughter Ann.
Unfortunately, James and Ann both died in 1649.
Sir Peter died in 1651 aged 74, having outlived all his family.
The estate was inherited by Ann’s husband, Sir Edward Chester, the owner of Royston Priory and the Cokenach estate.
Pictures and more at
https://www.barkwayhistory.com/ho…
About Barkway, Hertfordshire
San Diego Sarah • Link
PART 2
A hoard of Roman articles were found by a worker digging in a quarry in 1743 about 300 metres to the northeast of Periwinkle Hill.
The items clearly originated in a temple or shrine; of modest size, they combine both votive and ceremonial objects. The hoard consists of 7 votive silver plaques together with the handle from a priest's rattle and a fine figurine. The dedication is to Mars. The contents of the hoard appear to have been restricted to valued components of a larger collection.
The hoard was passed to the then owner of the quarry, Lord Selsey of Newsells, who later presented it to the British Museum.
This is the only discovery of Roman remains in the area.
Newsells was recorded in the Domesday Book, and has been a major manor in Barkway since then. The estate belonged to the Scales family in medieval times, but since then had not been in the ownership of a particular family for any length of time.
Henry Prannell was a wealthy London vintner and became an Alderman of the City. He amassed a fortune as the 16th-century historian, Stowe, recorded that he made an annual distribution of £50 to the London Hospitals.
As one of the new class of wealthy Elizabethan merchants he wanted a country seat. He probably thought Newsells Manor was a fashionable place, with the Royal Palace at Hatfield and Queen Elizabeth paying frequent visits to local worthies.
He bought the Newsells Estate in 1579, and he and his family moved into Rushingwells.
He died in 1588, and in his will left 2/3 of his estate to his wife, and 1/3 to his son, Henry.
In 1591 young Henry Prannell married the 13-year-old Frances Howard. Both her grandfathers were Dukes, and it was a mystery why she was married off to a mere vintner's son (perhaps attracted by the fortune amassed by Henry senior).
Young Henry died in 1599, in his 30's, and a memorial plaque in the chancel floor of Barkway church gives much detail about her, and little about him.
Frances took possession of Newsells and the other local manors which Henry had purchased.
Frances Howard Prennell soon married the Earl of Hertford, who died in 1621 aged 81.
Contemporaneous reports say she was being courted by the Duke of Lennox before Hertford’s death.
A week later, Frances Howard Prannell, Countess of Hartford secretly married the Duke of Lennox, and henceforth maintained a lifestyle of great pomp.
In 1623 they were made Duke and Duchess of Richmond as well as Lennox.
The Duke died in 1624, and Frances continued a widow until her death in 1639.
She is interred beside the Duke in a monument erected for herself and her husband under her direction and at her expense in Westminster Abbey.
Frances was childless, and Newsells was sold following her death.
About Barkway, Hertfordshire
San Diego Sarah • Link
L&M Companion has nothing on Barkway.
The local Historical Society says (I've copied only 17th century stuff):
Barkway is a village and civil parish in North Hertfordshire, England. Situated 4.5 miles south east of the town of Royston, the village was once a major stopping point on the coaching route from London to Cambridge.
In the area are several ancient woods. They are characterised by having plants such as bluebells, dog mercury, and wild garlic. In medieval times woodland was a valuable asset. It contained timber for building, and small wood for poles, hurdles, and most importantly for domestic fuel. The first two were obtained from coppicing small trees such as hazel. They would be cut to ground level, and then allowed to regrow providing long straight lengths. So-called coppice stools of hazel in woods such as Rokey Wood are common.
Because of their importance, woods were surrounded by ditches and hedge banks on the outside to deter deer and other animals. There are numerous examples of remaining ancient ditches at woodland edges. Large areas of the country were given over to strip farming. This form of cultivation was carried on in most places until enclosure. This commenced in Barkway in 1811.
Post enclosure field boundaries can be seen now as straight, and hedged by mostly hawthorn. However old field boundaries following their original courses can still be found.
Fields ploughed in medieval times and earlier would have been by teams of oxen, and later horses. Traditionally ploughing proceeded to follow a reverse capital “S” shape. This was to overcome the difficulty of turning the teams at the end of the row. So the plough would start to follow a curve when approaching the headland so that a smooth progression could be followed before going on. These “S” shaped lengths were normally a furlong (200 yards) and known as selions.
The western edge of Rokey Wood provides a perfect example of the length and shape of a selion furlong. Unploughed paths for access were left at random amongst the strips known as baulks.
That name has survived for the land beyond the village hall.
As a result of the ploughing, headlands tended to develop as substantial banks of earth.
Springs in both Rokey Wood and nearby Sallow Wood rise from the underlying chalk to eventually flow down to form the river Quin.
English chalk streams are a rare and vital part of the ecosystem.
Hertfordshire as a county is relatively rich in river systems, so that water mills are common. But Barkway was one of the places in the higher north of the county which employed wind power. There is record of a windmill in existence in the 13th century, but its whereabouts is not known.
The 1587 muster rolls record the presence of two millers in Barkway.
There would appear to have been a windmill in Newsells manor in the late 1600s.
About Friday 2 August 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
"So I set out and rode to Ware, this night, in the way having much discourse with a fellmonger, a Quaker, who told me what a wicked man he had been all his life-time till within this two years."
Pepys probably considered himself very lucky to find someone else riding to Ware. It was dangerous to ride alone, and it doesn't sound like he's taking any of his boys with him. And it doesn't sound as if the livery stables sent a groom with him either (to bring back the horse -- maybe Pepys took it for the week with a return to the issuing stables; maybe that's why he needed the 40l. loan for a refundable deposit???).
So off Pepys goes for a 21-mile ride by himself, and fortunately meets up with a Quaker; common courtesy prescribes some conversation happens during the next 4-plus hours.
The route they take, as suggested by a 1722 book:
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About Cambridge
San Diego Sarah • Link
From London to Cambridge, 51 Miles, thus reckoned.
To Enfield Wash 10,
to Hoddesdon 7,
to Ware 4,
to Puckeridge 6,
to Barkway 8,
to Fowlmere 7,
to Cambridge 9 ...
http://www.londonancestor.com/sto…
About Monday 29 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
"The seven to one ratio is still used, I believe." -- Could you explain that more fully, please, Nate?
I recall seeing two big men pushing each prong of a 4-pronged "wheel" -- is it called a capstan? -- to bring up the anchor. I'm way out of my depth here.
About Castle Hill, Cambridge
San Diego Sarah • Link
Edward I built a stone castle on this hill, which later fell into disrepair, and later restored by Oliver Cromwell's forces during the [first] English Civil War in 1642.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Att…
Paul during the first round told us:
Castle Hill is still (or at least was when I was there) the seat of some local government offices (Shire Hall I think). It's not a particularly big hill but by the Fenland's lowly standards was significant enough to be the site of a Roman tower/castle overlooking the road North.
vicente somewhat disagreed:
Castle Hill is reputed to be the highest point in Cambs., and great visual of Ely Cathedral to the North, at one time one could scale a church steeple in the Town of Camb., before it was delegated a City, it not having a Cathedral and the Ely Masters would never let that happen.
One could see the North Sea near Wisbech.
I hope some one can post some of the gory details of the fair trials of the assizes besides Bloody J. Jeffries. ...
About Wednesday 31 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
Pepys' wealth page in our Encyclopedia
https://www.pepysdiary.com/encycl…
About The City of London
San Diego Sarah • Link
Now imagine it’s 1066, and London is about to get a makeover, from some ambitious Frenchmen with pointy helmets and a love of castle-building. The Norman Conquest is the historical equivalent of an extreme home renovation show, but for an entire country.
Edward the Confessor, King of England, dies without an heir.
Various claimants argue over who should be king.
Harold Godwinson, Edward’s brother-in-law, quickly nabs the throne.
Across the English Channel, William, Duke of Normandy, claims Edward promised him the kingdom, and he’s not going to let the English Channel stop him from collecting.
William gathers his army, crosses the Channel, and on October 14, 1066, fights Harold at the Battle of Hastings. Harold takes an arrow to the eye, and William is victorious.
William’s next stop London. He expects the city to welcome him with open arms. He's wrong.
The Londoners slam the gates shut. William sets up camp, burns a few surrounding villages, and plays the waiting game.
In the city, the atmosphere is tense. The leading citizens decide to do the sensible thing: They invite the teenage Edgar Ætheling, the last male member of the old Anglo-Saxon royal family, to become king.
Eventually London’s resistance crumbled. The city’s leaders rode out to Berkhamsted, meet with William and offer him the crown. William, gracious in victory (and probably relieved he doesn’t have to storm those massive Roman walls), accepts.
On Christmas Day 1066, William is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey. But when the crowd inside shouts their approval, the Norman guards outside think it’s an attack and set fire to nearby houses.
Now he’s got the crown, William sets about transforming London. His first task? Build a castle! The Tower of London begins to rise on the eastern edge of the city, a symbol of Norman power. It’s part fortress, part royal residence, part prison, and all intimidating. The message is clear: the Normans are here to stay.
William also issues a charter to the citizens of London, confirming their rights and privileges. It’s written in English, which is strange as William never learned the language.
Under Norman rule, London grows and prospers. The population reaches 18,000 by 1100 AD. New markets spring up, and trade flourishes. The Normans introduce new cooking techniques (goodbye boiled everything), new fashions (hello pointy shoes), and new words.
The Normans also go on a church-building spree. Old St. Paul’s Cathedral is expanded, and new churches pop up all over the city. If you’ve ever wondered why there are so many churches in the City of London, now you know who to blame/credit.
About The City of London
San Diego Sarah • Link
CONCLUSION:
You can still see traces of Londinium beneath the modern city. Parts of the Roman wall still stand. The Museum of London houses a treasure trove of Roman artifacts, from leather sandals to curse tablets (ancient hate mail). You can visit the remains of a Roman bathhouse in the basement of a barber shop on Strand Lane.
Many of London’s roads follow the original Roman street plan. The City of London roughly corresponds to the boundaries of Londinium.
As the Roman Empire declined in the 4th and 5th centuries, so did Londinium. The last Roman coin minted in London dates to 388 AD, and by 410 AD, the Romans had officially withdrawn from Britain.
Londinium was abandoned, its grand buildings left to crumble, its streets reclaimed by nature.
But the strategic location, the infrastructure, and the spirit of that first great city remained. In time, a new settlement arose, evolving through Saxon, Medieval, and Victorian times to become the London we know today.
This was the first chapter in the ongoing story of a truly remarkable city. From Londinium to London, the adventure continues.
Excerpted from
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/…
I particularly like their map of Roman Londinium.
About The City of London
San Diego Sarah • Link
Imagine a misty morning on the banks of the River Thames 2,000 years ago. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and woodsmoke.
The silence is broken by the rhythmic marching of sandaled feet and the clinking of armor. The Romans have arrived, and London as we know it is about to be born.
The year is AD 43, and Emperor Claudius has set his sights on the misty isle of Britannia. Julius Caesar had made brief forays into Britain in 55 and 54 BC, but it’s Claudius who makes this land a permanent part of the Roman Empire.
Why did he choose this particular bend in the Thames? The Romans weren’t just skilled warriors – they were also good surveyors. They recognized the strategic importance of the first point upriver where the Thames was narrow enough to build a bridge, yet deep enough for sea-going ships.
The settlement was called Londinium, and it quickly grew from a military outpost to a bustling town.
Early Londinium was far from the London we know today: picture wooden buildings, muddy roads, and lots of construction sites.
The Romans constructed a fort, laid out a street grid (even ancient cities needed urban planning), and built the all-important bridge across the Thames. This bridge, located near where modern London Bridge stands today, was the only one spanning the river for over 1,700 years.
Life in early Londinium wasn’t all work. The Romans brought with them their love of creature comforts. Soon the town boasted public baths, temples, and even an amphitheater for entertainment.
Not everyone was thrilled about the new neighbors. In AD 60, a rebellion led by Queen Boudica of the Iceni tribe nearly wiped Londinium off the map. The town was burned to the ground, and archaeological evidence shows a thick layer of ash from this destruction.
Londinium rose again, bigger and better than before.
By the 2nd century AD, Londinium was the capital of Roman Britain. The population swelled to around 60,000 people – a city by ancient standards. It now boasted impressive stone walls, a large forum, and a governor’s palace.
Archaeologists have found evidence of people from all over the Roman Empire living in Londinium. The streets would have been a babel of languages, a kaleidoscope of different dress styles, and a smorgasbord of exotic foods.
Speaking of food, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of thermopolia (takeaway shops) where Londoners could grab fish sauce (a Roman favorite), oysters (the Thames was teeming with them), and even dormice.
Londinium was also a major center for commerce and industry. The port bustled with ships bringing goods from all corners of the Empire – olive oil from Spain, wine from Italy, pottery from Gaul, and that British specialty: wool.
The city also became known for its metalworking, with workshops producing everything from intricate jewelry to sturdy tools.
About Dover Castle, Kent
San Diego Sarah • Link
Dover Castle is situated in the town of Dover, Kent.
It stands atop a hill overlooking the Strait of Dover, the narrowest part of the English Channel. The castle’s position, 21 miles from the coast of France, has made it a crucial defensive stronghold for centuries.
The castle is built on a site occupied since the Iron Age, taking advantage of the natural defenses provided by the steep chalk cliffs. Its elevated position offers spectacular views across the Channel allowing defenders to see potential invaders from miles away.
... The castle as we know it began to take shape after 1066. William the Conqueror, understanding the site’s strategic importance, ordered the construction of an earth and timber castle. This early fortification was gradually replaced with stone structures.
The most significant development came during the reign of Henry II (1154-1189). He ordered the construction of the Great Tower, a massive stone keep that remains the centerpiece of the castle today. This tower was not just a military structure but also a royal palace, designed to impress visitors with its grandeur.
King John (1199-1216) further strengthened the castle’s defenses, and it was during his reign that Dover Castle faced its most famous siege. In 1216, a French army led by Prince Louis (later King Louis VIII) besieged the castle for several months but failed to capture it, thanks to the strong defenses and the leadership of Hubert de Burgh.
Throughout the medieval period, Dover Castle continued to be improved and strengthened. The Constable’s Gate and St. John’s Tower were added in the 13th century, while the castle’s outer curtain walls were continually reinforced.
Henry VIII visited Dover Castle several times and ordered some improvements, including new artillery fortifications to defend against the threat of invasion from Catholic Europe.
The castle saw action again during the English Civil Wars (1642-1651). Initially held by Royalist forces, it was captured by Parliamentarians in 1642 without a fight, thanks to a ruse involving a local woman and a group of disguised soldiers.
In the 18th century, tensions with France led to further strengthening of Dover’s defenses ...
Dover Castle is the largest castle in England
It was founded in the 11th century and has been described as the “Key to England” due to its defensive significance
The castle has the only surviving Roman lighthouse in the UK, the Pharos
It played a crucial role in both World Wars, particularly in the Dunkirk evacuations
The castle’s Great Tower was built by Henry II in the 12th century
Underneath the castle lies a network of Secret Wartime Tunnels
The castle site has been occupied since the Iron Age
It remained a garrisoned fortress until 1958
Pictures and a map at
https://anglotopia.net/columns/gr…
About London (ship)
San Diego Sarah • Link
And another article about the London, in particular its cannon make up -- the main point being that all navies recycled cannon from wrecks and captured ships because they are hard and expensive to make. Nice photos:
https://historicengland.org.uk/wh…
About Mary Tudor (I of England)
San Diego Sarah • Link
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
“Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary” was first published in 1744.
There are 3 main theories about its meaning.
The most likely is that it refers to Queen Mary I of England. The daughter of Henry VIII, she succeeded after her brother Edward died. She is best known for trying to restore Catholicism after her father had broken with the Roman Church. Her reversal would be “contrary” to the situation when she took the throne. “How does your garden grow?” could be a reference to all the people she executed, making graveyards grow. “Silver bells and cockle shells” might be torture devices. “Pretty maids all in a row” are the Protestants waiting to be executed. Mary was known as “Bloody Mary” because of her persecution.
Another theory is the poem is about a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James in Spain. Mary would be the Virgin Mary. The “silver bells” are church bells. “Cockle shells” are the badges worn by pilgrims. The “pretty maids” would be nuns.
In the third explanation, Mary is Mary, Queen of Scots. “Cockle shells” are her unfaithful husbands who cuckolded her. The “garden” might be Mary’s womb, in quest for an heir (the question would be a taunt).
No matter what version is true, it still makes singing it with your child a bit creepy.
https://americansongwriter.com/me…
https://www.ranker.com/list/creep…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mar…
About Monday 29 July 1661
San Diego Sarah • Link
So many sick people -- note that it's the end of July. Well-to-do people went to the country in the summer until September because the hot August days encouraged the plague and other illnesses.
The bugs seem to have arrived on time in 1661.
Charles II and the MPs are anxious to be gone.