Parishes: Barlborough - Bolsover

Magna Britannia: Volume 5, Derbyshire. Originally published by T Cadell and W Davies, London, 1817.

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'Parishes: Barlborough - Bolsover', in Magna Britannia: Volume 5, Derbyshire, (London, 1817) pp. 43-56. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/magna-britannia/vol5/pp43-56 [accessed 23 April 2024]

In this section

Barlborough

BARLBOROUGH, in the hundred of Scarsdale and deanery of Chesterfield, is situated seven miles and A half N. E. of Chesterfield. The manor of Barlborough (Barleburh) was given to Burton Abbey by Wulfric Spott. Before the conquest it had reverted to lay hands; in the Domesday survey it is described as having belonged to Levenot, and being then the property of Ralph Fitzhubert, under whom it was held by Robert. This Robert was most probably ancestor of Robert de Meinell, one of whose coheiresses brought Barlborough to Sir Matthew de Hathersage. The coheiresses of Hathersage brought it in moieties, about the latter end of Henry the Third's reign to Goushill and Longford. These families held the manor in moieties for several generations. Anthony "Wingfield who had married a coheiress of Sir Robert Goushill suffered a recovery in 1513. (fn. n1) Thomas Earl of Derby died seised of a manor in Barlborough, which appears to have been this moiety in 1521; Edward Stanley, Lord Monteagle, his uncle, in 1523; Sir William Holies, sometime Lord Mayor of London, died seised of a manor in Barlborough (which seems to have been this moiety) in 1542. Queen Mary, in 1554, granted to Dame Anne Stanhope the manor of Barlborough (fn. n2), which had belonged to the Earl of Derby: Sir Thomas Stanhope sold this manor, in 1571, to Sir Richard Pype, who died seised of it, with the advowson of the rectory in 1587. Francis Rodes, Esq., who was made one of the Justices of the common pleas in 1585, purchased of the family of Selioke, an estate described as the manor of Barlborough (fn. n3) which had belonged to the Constables. Sir John Rodes, son of the judge, had a ehancery suit with Humphrey Pype Esq., son of Sir Richard, who claimed to be sole Lord of the manor of Barlborough, and asserted that the estate purchased of the Seliokes was freehold, but not manerial. It is most probable, that Sir John Rodes, or some of his immediate descendants, afterwards purchased Pype's moiety. The ancestors of Judge Rodes, had been originally of Lincolnshire, afterwards of Yorkshire; and had been settled at Stavely-Woodthorpe in this county for five generations, in consequence of a marriage with the heiress of Cachehors; Sir John Rodes, his son, settled at Barlborough: Francis son of Sir John was created a baronet in 1641- The title became extinct by the death of Sir John, the fourth baronet, in 1743; his sister Frances married Gilbert Heathcote, M.D., whose grandson inherited this estate, took the name of Rodes, and died in 1768. Cornelius Heathcote Rodes, Esq., nephew of the latter, who took the name of Rodes in 1776, is the present proprietor of the manor of Barlborough, and resides at Barl borough—hall. This ancient mansion has been already described. (fn. n4)

The other moiety of Barlborough passed with a coheiress of Sir Nicholas Longford, who died in 1610, to a younger son of the Poles of Wakebridge. Park-hall, in Barlborough, continued to be the property and seat of this branch of the Pole family, till the death of the last survivor of two maiden ladies in 1755. (fn. n5) It then passed by will to a younger son of the Radborne family, and having since devolved to the elder branch., is now the property of Edward Sacheverell Chandos Pole, Esq., of Radborne. The old mansion, Park-hall, is now a farm-house. A survey of the year 1630 (fn. n6), describes three parks in Barlborough, containing altogether about 400 acres of land. There is now no park at Barlborough.

In the parish church is the monument of German Pole, of Park-hall, who died in 1686-7. In Bassano's volume of church notes, a monument is men tioned of Sir Richard Pype, sometime Lord Mayor of London, who died in 1587; and that of Joan, daughter and heir of William Lord Furnival, who brought the barony of Furnival to her husband, Sir Thomas Nevil, and died in or before the year 1399. The last-mentioned monument must have been removed from Radford Priory, in Nottinghamshire. (fn. n7) Mr. Rodes is patron of the rectory.

There is an alms-house at Barlborough founded and endowed in 1752, by Mrs. Margaret and Mrs. Mary Pole for six old maids, old bachelors, or widows. (fn. n8) The estate belonging to this almhouse is now let for 75l. per annum. The pensioners have each a weekly allowance of 3s. and coals.

Borrow

BARROW, situated chiefly in the hundred of Appletree: but extending into that of Morleston and Litchurch, lies on the banks of the Trent, about six miles from Derby, which is the post-office town. The parish comprises the hamlets of townships of Arleston, Stenson, and Synfyn, besides the paro chial chapelry of Twyford. The manor of Barrow, at the time of the Domesday Survey, was held by Godwin, under Henry de Ferrars. An estate at Barrow, which had been parcel of the manor of Melbourne, was annexed to the see of Carlisle, before the year 1273. (fn. n9) It was held on lease under the Bishops of Carlisle by the family of Coke, as parcel of the rectory of Melbourne. This estate having been enfranchised by virtue of an act of parliament passed in 1704, is now the property of the Reverend Henry Des Voeux, whose father-in-law, Daniel Dalrymple, Esq. purchased the fee of Lord Melbourne, about the year 1800. Mr. Des Voeux possesses also an estate in Barrow, which belonged to the family of Sale: it was bequeathed by Mrs. Elizabeth Sale to her relation, the late Mr. Dalrymple.

In the parish church were monuments (fn. n10) of Sir John Bothe, 1413; John Bothe, 1482, &c. and that of Henry Milward of Synfen, 1615. There is a monument for Robert Beaumont, Esq., who married a daughter of Sir Robert Beaumont of Gracedieu and died in 1726.

The church of Barrow in the Deanery of Derby, was formerly appropriated to the prior and convent of St. John of Jerusalem, to whom it was given in the reign of Henry II., by Robert de Bakepuz. The prior and convent had a preceptory here, which, on the authority of the Notitia Monastica, we had erroneously supposed to have been at Barrow, in Cheshire. William Bothe, Esq, in 1519, died seised of lands at Barrow on Trent, held under the manor of the prior and convent of St. John. This no doubt was their manor of the rectory. William Beaumont, Esq. died seised of the rectory, with a capital messuage, &c. in 1591. This estate is now the property of his descendant, John Beaumont, Esq. who is patron of the vicarage. Mr. Beaumont has lately built a new house on the rectory estate.

Mrs. Elizabeth Sale of Willington, in 1776 (fn. n11), left the interest of lool. to this parish, part of which, 3l. 14s. per annum, is to be applied to the purpose of instructing poor children.

The manor of Arleston, or Erleston, was conveyed in the year 1426, by Thomas Bradshaw and Agnes the wife of Robert del Stoke to John Bothe (fn. n12), whose descendant, William Bothe, Esq. died seised of it in 1519. It was afterwards in the Blounts; Sir Henry Blount sold it, in 1640, to Sir John Harpur, ancestor of Sir Henry Crewe, Bart., the present proprietor.

The manor of Synfen or Synfin belonged, in the reigns of Edward I. and Edward III. (fn. n13), to the family of Touk or Toke, who were succeeded by the Bothes. It is probable that the Tokes possessed Arleston also, as both estates passed from the Bothes to the Blounts; and having been sold by Sir Henry Blount to the Harpurs, in the reign of Charles L, are now the property of Sir Henry Crewe, Bart.

Sinfin-moor, a large common (fn. n14), on which the Derby races were formerly held, was inclosed by act of parliament, about the year 1804, and allotted amongst the adjoining townships of Sinfin, Barrow, Alvaston, Osmaston, Boulton, Normanton, Chellaston, and Swarkeston.

The village of Twyford lies about a mile and three-quarters from Barrow.

The manors of Twyford and Stenson (Steintune) were held at the time of the Domesday survey, by Leuric, under Henry de Ferrars. In the reign of Henry VI., they were conveyed by John Curzon of Croxall to John Crewcher and Agnes his wife. Thomas Finderne died in 1558, seised of the manors of Steinson and Twyford; Jane, his sister and heiress, brought them in marriage to Richard Harpur, Esq., one of the justices of the Common Pleas. John Harpur, Esq., grandson of Sir Henry Harpur, the first baronet, died seised of this estate, (not then esteemed a manor) in 1713, One of his coheiresses brought it to the family of Francis, and by subsequent marriages, it passed successively to Ashby and Bathurst. Since the death of the late General Bathurst of Clarendon-park, Wilts, it has been purchased by Sir Henry Crewe, Bart., who is the present proprietor.

In the parochial chapel at Twyford, are some monuments of the Harpur family (fn. n15); that of Samuel Bristow, Esq., 1767; and some mutilated tombs of ala baster, one of which has the effigy of a man in armour, with the date of 1532.

The minister is appointed by the vicar of Barrow.

Barton-Blount

BARTON-BLOUNT, in the hundred of Appletree, and in the deanery of Cas tillar, lies about nine miles east of Derby. The manor of Barton (Barctune) was, at the time of the Domesday survey, held by Ralph, under Henry de Ferrars; in the year 1296, under Edward Earl of Lancaster, by John de Bakepuze. (fn. n16) From this family, it acquired the name of Barton-Bakepuze, which, after it had passed into the possession of their successors, the Blounts, was exchanged for that of Barton-Blount. Sir Walter Blount, who bad a charter for free-warren at Barton, in 1385, was slain at the battle of Shrewsbury, being then the King's standard-bearer. Walter, his great-grandson, became Lord High Treasurer to King Edward IV. and K. G. and in 1465, was created Lord Mountjoy. His grandson, William, the fourth Lord Mountjoy, who died in 1535, directed by his will, that if he should die in the county of Derby, or in Staffordshire, he should be buried at Barton. Not long after this, the manor of Barton came into the family of Merry (fn. n17), from which it passed by marriage to that of Simpson. In the year 1751, it was purchased of the trustees of Merry Simpson, who is said to have been a mendicant friar in a convent in France, by Sir Nathaniel Curzon; it is now the property of Francis Bradshaw, Esq. who acquired it by an exchange with the present Lord Scarsdale. The advowson of the rectory has passed with the manor. Barton-Blount-house was garrisoned by Colonel Gell in the month of October 1644, for the purpose of watching the motions of the King's garrison at Tutbury (fn. n18); a skirmish between the two garrisons took place on the 15th of February, 1646. The ancient man sion, which has been modernized, is now the seat of Mr. Bradshaw.

Mr. Pole, of Radborne, has a considerable estate in this parish called Barton-fields.

Beighton

BEIGHTON, in the hundred of Scarsdale and deanery of Chesterfield, lies about nine miles north from Chesterfield. The parish contains the hamlet or village of Hackenthorp. The manor of Beighton was given by Wulfric Spott, in the reign of King Ethelred, to Burton Abbey. (fn. n19) At the time of taking the Domesday survey it appears, that there were two manors in Beighton (Bectune,) one of which was held by Lewin, under Roger de Busli; the other belonged to Roger de Poictou. Sir Gervas de Bernak, Lord of Beighton, is spoken of as one of the benefactors to Beauchief Abbey, before the year 1276, and Walter de Furneaux, as being Lord of the manor in 1279. (fn. n20).' William de Furneaux died seised of it in 1320; his sisters and co heiresses married Latimer and Ravensworth, and, on failure of issue from Latimer, the whole devolved to Henry Fitzhugh, son of Henry de Ravens worth. A co-heiress of Henry, the last Baron Fitzhugh, brought Beighton to Sir John Fiennes, eldest son of Richard, the first LordDacre of the south. Gregory Lord Dacre sold this manor in 1570 to Francis Wortley, Esq. Before the year 1649, it had passed into the family | of Pierrepont, and is now the property of Earl Manvers.

In the parish church is an ancient monument (without date) for Richard Bosville, and memorials of the family of Jermyn of Drakehouse (1715–1777)Bassano's volume of church notes mentions the monument of Edward Dow cett, Esq. 1501. The church of Heighten was given to the priory of Mountgrace (fn. n21) in Yorkshire by Sir James Strangeways, Knight, and Elizabeth his wife, and, in 1455, was appropriated to that monastery. King Henry VIII. granted the rectory and advowson in 1544 to Robert and William Swift. One of the coheiresses of Robert Swift brought this estate to her husband Francis Wortley, Esq. and it has since passed with the manor, Earl Manvers being now impropriator and patron.

There is a charity school at this place, which has a small endowment (2l. 6s. per annum), the greater part of which (2l. per annum) was the benefaction of Mr. George Jessop.

Fenny-Bentley

FENNY-BENTLEY, in the wapentake of Wirksworth, lies nearly nine miles from Wirksworth, and two from Ashborne, which is the post-office town. The manor of Fenny-Bentley belonged to a branch of the Beresfords of Staffordshire, who settled at this place in the reign of Henry VI. The elder branch of the Beresfords of Bentley soon became extinct in the male line; the heiress married Edmund Beresford, Esq. of Staffordshire, whose heiress married Stanhope; and the heiress of Stanhope, Cotton. The manor passed away from the Beresfords, and having been in various hands is now the property of two unmarried ladies of the name of Irving, who inherited from Jackson. There are no remains of the manor-house, which was a castellated mansion.

In the parish church is the monument of Thomas Beresford, Esq. who settled at Fenny-Bentley, and died in 1473; he married Agnes, daughter and heir of Robert Hassall, Esq. of Cheshire, by whom he had sixteen sons and five daughters. This gentleman must have lived to a great age, for it appears, by a singular passage in his epitaph, that he distinguished himself at the battle of Agincourt, where he had a command:
"Militia excellens, strenuus dux, fortis et audax,
"Francia testatur, curia testis Agen."
From one of this Thomas Beresford's younger sons descended a family, for whom there is a series of memorials in the parish church, from 1516 to 1790 inclusive. The present representative of this branch, John Beresford, Esq. of Ashborne, still possesses lands in Bentley. Richard Beresford, Esq. resides at Bentley.

There was a chantry in this church founded by the Beresford family, and valued, in 1547, at 4l. 13s. 4d. per annum. The Dean of Lincoln was patron of the rectory.

Blackwell

BLACKWELL, in the hundred of Scarsdale, and in the deanery of Chesterfield, lies about nine miles from Chesterfield, and three from Alfreton, which is the post-office town. The manor was held in the reign of Edward III. by Rhees ap Griffith, and Joan his wife, the heiress of Somerville, of the Chaworth family, as of their manor of Alfreton. (fn. n22) The Babington family possessed the manor of Blackwell, alias Sulney, in the 15th century. (fn. n23) Sir William Holies died seised of the manor of Blackwell in 1590. Gil bert Holies, Earl of Clare, and Sir John Molineux of Teversall, Bart, were joint lords in 1710. (fn. n24) The estate of Sir John Molineux now belongs to his descendant, Henry Howard Molineux, Esq. M.P.; the other estate belongs to His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, having been purchased by his grandfather, in 1742, of the Duke of Newcastle's trustees.

Hilcote-hall, now the seat of John Wilkinson, Esq. has been in his family since the beginning of the last century.

The church of Blackwell was given to the priory of Thurgarton by William Fitz-Ranulph, and in the reign of Henry II. became appropriated to that monastery. The impropriation is now vested in the Duke of Devon shire, who is patron of the vicarage.

Bolsover

BOLSOVER, in the hundred of Scarsdale and deanery of Chesterfield, is a decayed market-town, 6 miles from Chesterfield, about 25 from Derby, and nearly 146 from London. The parish of Bolsover contains the township of Glapwell.

There was a market on Fridays at Bolsover as early as the year 1225 (fn. n25) : it has been discontinued since about the middle of the last century; a fair is still held on Midsummer-day, but it is little more than a holiday fair.

The manor of Bolsover (Belesovre), which had belonged to Leuric, was, at the time of the Domesday Survey, held by Robert, under William Peve rell. It is probable that Peverell afterwards held it in demesne, and built a castle at Bolsover j for not long after the forfeiture of this estate by William Peverell the younger, for poisoning Ralph Earl of Chester in 1153, we find mention of Bolsover castle, as having been given with the manor by

King Richard I., in 1189, to his brother John, on his marriage with one of the Earl of Gloucester's coheiresses. (fn. n26) When the well-known agreement was entered into between Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, and John, the King's brother, then Earl of Morteyne, during Richard's absence in the Holy Land, Bolsover castle was committed to the custody of Richard del Pec. Two years after John's accession, Geoffrey Luttrell was appointed one of the over seers of the expenditure of 30l. for inclosing Bolsover park for the King. (fn. n27) In 1204, the government of this castle was given to William Briwere. Bryan de Lisle was appointed governor in 1207, Nicholas de Chevet in 1208. In the year 1215, we find Bolsover castle in the possession of the rebellious barons. William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, having raised troops for the King, took it by assault, and in recompence for this service was ap pointed governor. The same year, Bryan de Lisle was reinstated in his go vernment, and in 1216 received a mandate to fortify the castle against the rebellious barons; or if he found it not tenable, to demolish it. The same year the King appointed Gerard de Furnival to reside in Bolsover castle with his wife and family, for the better preservation of the peace of those parts. William Earl of Derby, was appointed governor of Bolsover castle by King Henry III. soon after his accession (in October 1216), and held the government for six years. During the twelve following years, there was a quick succession of governors. (fn. n28)

In or about the year 1234, the manor and castle of Bolsover were granted to John Scot, Earl of Chester, and passed with one of his co heiresses to Henry de Hastings, Lord of Bergavenny, having been assigned as part of her portion in 1236. Other lands having been given in exchange to Hastings in 1243 (fn. n29) ", Bolsover reverted to the crown. Roger de Lovetot was made governor in 1253. (fn. n30) Ralph Pipard was appointed governor of Bolsover and Hareston castle for life in 1301; he died in 1308. Sir Richard Stury died seised of the castle and manor of Bolsover, which he held for life, under the King's grant in 1395 (fn. n31); Edmund of Hadham, Earl of Richmond, father of King Henry VII., died seised of Hareston and Bolsover in 1456. King Henry VIII., in 1514, granted these castles to Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk: on the attainder of his son, the second Duke, they reverted to the crown. King Edward VI., in 1552, granted a lease of the manor of Bolsover to Sir John Byron for fifty years, and the next year granted the fee to George Lord Talbot. In 1613, Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury sold the manor of Bolsover to Sir Charles Cavendish. At this time the old castle was in ruins,. and it is probable that the remains of it were removed by Sir Charles Cavendish, who, the same year that he purchased the manor, began the foundation of the present castellated mansion.

William, elder son of Sir Charles Cavendish, at the age of fifteen was made Knight of the Bath; in 1620, created Baron Ogle (fn. n32) and Viscount Mansfield; in 1628, Baron Cavendish of Bolsover and Earl of Newcastle-upon-Tyne; in 1644, Baron of Bothal and Hepple, and Marquis of Newcastle; and in 1665, Earl of Ogle and Duke of New castle. This loyal nobleman entertained King Charles I. with great mag nificence at Bolsover, when he was on his way to Scotland in 1633. The expence of the dinner was 4000l. Lord Clarendon speaks of it as " such an excess of feasting as had scarce ever been known in England before, and would be still thought very prodigious, if the same noble person had not within a year or two afterwards made the King and Queen a more stupendous entertainment, (which God be thanked) though possibly it might too much whet the appetite of others to excess, no man ever after in those days imitated." The Duchess of Newcastle, in her memoirs of her noble husband, expressly says, that this second entertainment was the year after the former, which the King " liked so well, that a year after his return out of Scot land, he was pleased to send my Lord word, that her Majesty the Queen was resolved to make a progress into the northern parts, desiring him to prepare the like entertainment for her Majesty, as he had formerly done for him, which my Lord did, and endeavoured for it with all possible care and industry, sparing nothing that might add splendour to that feast, which both their Majesties were pleased to honour with their presence. Ben Jonson he employed in fitting such scenes and speeches as he could best devise, and sent for all the gentry of the country to come and wait on their Majesties, and, in short, did all that ever he could to render it great and worthy their royal acceptance. This entertainment he made at Bolsover in Derbyshire, some five miles distant from Welbeck, and resigned Welbeck for their Majesties lodging. It cost him in all between fourteen and fifteen thousand pounds." (fn. n33)

In the early part of the civil war, the Earl of Newcastle, being com mander in chief of the King's forces for the northern and midland counties (fn. n34), placed a garrison at Bolsover, of which he made Colonel Muschamp governor. The Earl was at Bolsover with his staff in the month of De cember 1643. About the middle of August 1644, Bolsover castle was taken by Major-general Crawford. The parliamentary writers represent it as having been well manned, and fortified with great guns and strong works. It is said to have surrendered on summons, and that 120 muskets were taken in it, with much plunder. (fn. n35) When the Marquis's estates, which had been seized by the parliament, were about to be sold, his friends in England made great efforts to save Bolsover and Welbeck, but in vain. Bolsover was purchased on speculation, with the intention of pulling down the castle, and selling the materials. After part of it had been pulled down, Sir Charles Cavendish repurchased it, at a great disadvantage, for his brother. The family portraits, by Vandyke, were preserved, and Lord Mansfield, after the death of his uncle, had Bolsover castle some time in his possession but was unable to repair it. When the King's affairs had grown desperate, the Marquis of Newcastle retired to the continent, and resided chiefly at Antwerp, till the restoration, after which he returned to England, and in 1665 was created a Duke, as before mentioned. About this period he retired from public life, spending his time chiefly in the country, " pleasing himself," as the Duchess, in the Life of her husband, expresses herself, " in the management of some few horses, and exercising himself with the use of the sword, which two arts he hath brought, by his studious thoughts, rational experience, and industrious practice, to an absolute perfection." The noble Duke had been long celebrated for his eminent skill in the manage, in which, at the time that he was governor to Prince Charles (afterwards Charles II.) he had instructed his royal pupil. During his residence in Antwerp, he published his celebrated work on horsemanship. A second edition was published in England in 1667. After the Duke had a little recovered from the wreck which had been made of his fortune during his banishment, he repaired Bolsover castle, and occasionally resided there during the latter part of his life. Both the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle found great resources in literary pursuits; they were both dramatic writers and poets. The Duchess's printed works, which were chiefly philosophical, fill ten folio volumes, and she left three more in manuscript. Her printed works are become rare, and few of them would afford amusement to readers of the present day, except her Life of the Duke. The Duchess died in 1673, the Duke in 1676: they were buried in Westminster Abbey, where a magnificent monument was erected to their memory.

Henry, the second Duke of Newcastle, who resided often at Bolsover, died there in 1691, and was buried in the parish church: leaving no issue, his estates devolved to his daughter and coheiress Margaret, married to John Holies, Earl of Clare, who, in 1694, was created Duke of Newcastle, Henrietta, their only daughter and heir, married Edward Harley, Earl of Oxford. Lady Margaret Cavendish Harley, heiress of the Earl of Oxford, brought the manor, or as it is called in some records, the barony of Bolsover, to William Duke of Portland, grandfather of the present noble owner, William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, Duke of Portland. The barony of Bolsover and Woodthorpe was valued, in 1641, at 846l. 8s. 11d, per annum.

Bolsover castle, which is situated on the brow of a steep hill, and commands a very extensive prospect, consists of two detached buildings; one of these, which indeed may properly be called the castle, is a square castellated mansion, with turrets and a tower of larger dimensions at the north-east corner. The foundation of this mansion was laid by Sir Charles Cavendish in the year 1613. Huntingdon Smithson was the architect. Most of the rooms in this mansion are small. The dining-room, or, as it is called, the pillar-parlour, about 21 feet square, is supported in the centre by a circular pillar, round which is placed the table. Above stairs is a large room called the star-chamber, about 45 feet by 30. This mansion has not for many years been inhabited by its noble owners. It is at present, by the Duke of Portland's permission, in the occupation of the Reverend Mr. Tinsley, vicar of Bolsover.

There have been various opinions concerning the date of the magnificent range of buildings, which extends along the grand terrace, now unroofed and in a dilapidated state. Mr. Bray was of opinion, that the apartments in these buildings were fitted up for the royal visits before mentioned. Dr. Pegge, on the contrary, supposes this building to have been erected some time after the restoration. Lord Orfbrd, who was of the same opinion with respect to its having been constructed after the Restoration, suggests that it might have been built from designs prepared before the civil war by Smithson, who died in 1648. The date of Diepenbeck's view of Bolsover (1652) decides the point, that the building in question was erected before the Restoration; it is equally certain that it must have been erected before the civil wars, indeed before the royal visit before-mentioned; it being impracticable, that the King and Queen, with their court, and " all the gentry of the country," could have been entertained in the mansion already described: indeed, from the slight manner in which the Duchess, in the Life of her husband, speaks of the additions made by him to Bolsover castle, we think it a more probable conjecture, that the great range of building, now in ruins, was built, as well as the mansion which is now habitable, by his father. The Duke's additions probably consisted of the spacious riding house, for the practice of his favourite amusement; the smithy, &c. &c.

Dr.Pegge supposes that the great range of buildings was never completed. There can be little doubt but that it was completed and occupied long before the time of the civil war. During the sequestration of the estates of its noble owner Bolsover castle suffered much, both as to its buildings and furniture; but these damages were repaired by the Duke after the Restoration. It is certain that the state apartments were not dismantled till after the year 1710, at which time, Bassano (fn. n36) speaks of them as furnished, and describes the pictures then in the several rooms, which are said to have been removed to Welbeck. The portraits of the Duke of Newcastle on horseback, described by Bassano, are not now to be found there, probably they were in a state of decay. In the saloon at Welbeck is a very fine whole length portrait of the Duke, by Vandyke; but it is uncertain whether it was one of those described by Bassano. Those which can be ascertained to have been included in his catalogue are of little value, and are placed in staircases, &c. There is a whole length of the Duchess of Newcastle in one of the passages at Welbeck, in a fancy dress, by Diepenbeck. The gallery at Bolsover was about 200 feet in length, by 22 in width; the dining-room, 78 feet by 32; the two drawing-rooms, one 39 feet, the other 36 feet, by 33.

Bolsover park, which was inclosed in the year 1200, has long ago been converted into tillage.

In the parish church is a burial place belonging to the Cavendish family. The monument of Sir Charles Cavendish, who died in 1617, has his effigy in armour, recumbent on a mat, under an enriched arch supported by Corinthian columns. Underneath is a recumbent figure of his second Lady, the heiress of Cuthbert Lord Ogle. The costly monument of Henry Duke of Newcastle, who died in 1691, has a marble sarcophagus, supported on each side by Corinthian columns; it commemorates also Frances Duchess of Newcastle, who died in 1695; Margaret, their daughter, wife of John Holies, Duke of Newcastle, who died in 1716; Sir Charles Cavendish, brother of the first Duke of Newcastle; and Charles Viscount Mansfield, the Duke's eldest son, who died in his life-time.

In the chancel is the tomb of Huntingdon Smithson, architect, who died in 1648. (fn. n37)

Bassano's volume of Church Notes, taken in 1710, mentions a tomb of William Woolhouse, Esq. 1411, and the monument of Anthony Lowe, Esq. 1643. There are now some memorials of the Woolhouse family of later date, (1633—1667,) and others for the Barkers of Norton-Lees-hall, 1659, &c. Lady Barker, relict of the late Sir Robert Barker, Bart., the last of this family, and heiress of Brabazon Hallowes, Esq. was buried at Bolsover in 1806.

The church of Bolsover, with its chapel, was given by William Peverell to Darley Abbey, and confirmed by William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby. (fn. n38) It was afterwards appropriated to that monastery. The Duke of Portland is now impropriator and patron of the vicarage. The Earl of Oxford gave 10l. per annum as an augmentation of the vicarage in 1716: it was aug mented by Queen Anne's Bounty in 1728.

It appears that there was, at an early period, a chapel in Bolsover castle. William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, settled an annual rent charge of a mark of silver to the chaplain. (fn. n39)

There had been for many years a Presbyterian meeting at Bolsover. The meeting-house, after having been long shut up, was re-opened in 1813; the congregation are now Independents.

The charity-school at Bolsover is endowed with 61. per annum, said to have been given by the Countess of Oxford. The school-house was built in 1756.

Mrs. Isabella Smithson, who died in 1761, supposed to have been grand-daughter (fn. n40) of Smithson the architect, bequeathed the sum of 2000l. to the poor of Bolsover: her executors having refused to pay it, a suit was commenced, and the money was recovered, together with 956l. interest, in 1770. The interest of this money, which has been laid out in bank annuities, is now appropriated under the direction of the Court of Chancery, according to the discretion of the minister, churchwardens, and four trustees: it has hitherto been given (in sums not exceeding three guineas annually,) to per sons upwards of 55 years of age, not possessed of any property, and never having received parochial relief.

The manor of Glapwell was held with Bolsover at the time of the Domesday Survey. During the whole, or the greater part, of the thirteenth century, it was in the family of De Glapwell. It is probable that the heiress brought it to the Woolhouses. William Woolhouse, Esq. died seised of it in 1411. The heiress of Woolhouse, about the middle of the seven teenth century, married the ancestor of Thomas Hallowes, Esq. the present proprietor, who resides at Glapwell-hall.

There was formerly a chapel at Glapwell. In the register of Darley Abbey (fn. n41) is an agreement, about the year 1260, between the abbot and his parishioners of the vill of Glapwell, about roofing the chapel. They agreed to give five acres of land for the purpose of repairing, or, if necessary, of rebuilding the chapel.

There was many years a Presbyterian congregation at Glapwell. William Woolhouse, Esq. who died In 1667, gave a rent charge of 20l. per annum to the minister.

Oxcroft, which had before belonged to the Peverells, was in the reign of Henry III. in the family of Heriz. It was, at a later period, in the family of Rodes, of whom it was purchased in or about the year 1599, by the Countess of Shrewsbury. It has passed, with Hardwicke and other estates, to the Duke of Devonshire.

Footnotes

  • n1. Pegge's collections.
  • n2. Rot.Pat. 1 & z P.& M. pt. 2.
  • n3. It is probable this was the same manor which, in the reign of Edward I., belonged to Wil liam de Fauconberg: it was then called the manor of Ada de Grydeling, or the chamber of Ada, and the park of Barlborough. (Eseh. 23 Edw, I.)
  • n4. See the account of Ancient Mansions in the General History.
  • n5. They both died in that year.
  • n6. Pegge's collections.
  • n7. See Thoroton's Nottinghamshire, p. 460.
  • n8. The former to have the preference, and next to them, old bachelors. If there should be no eligible candidates of either of the three descriptions, a man and his wife may be admitted, hut to receive the pay only of a single person.
  • n9. Hundred Roll. 2 Edw. I.
  • n10. The dates are taken from Bassano's Church notes.
  • n11. She died in 1790.
  • n12. Fin. V. Hen. VI.
  • n13. Dodsworth's Collections.
  • n14. It was extra–parochial.
  • n15. George Harpur Esq (son of Sir Richard) 1658 (Elizabeth, his wife, was daughter of Sir Edward Vernon); Mrs. Mary Vernon 1663; George Harpur 1672 (he married Catherine, daughter of Edward Wardour, ob. 1669); John, son of George Harpur 1671.
  • n16. Each. 25 Edw. I.
  • n17. The first possessor of this family was the grandfather of Sir Henry Merry, who was of Bar ton-park in 1611.
  • n18. Sir John GelTs MS. Narrative.
  • n19. Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. i. p. 268.
  • n20. Pegge's History of Beauchief.
  • n21. Pat. 34 Hen. VI.
  • n22. Esch. 30 Edw. III.
  • n23. Cl. 3 Hen. V. Esch. 33 Hen. VI.
  • n24. Bassano's Church Notes.
  • n25. Dodsworth'f Collections.
  • n26. Where no other authority is quoted, the dates, &c. relating to Bolsover castle and manor, are taken from The History of Bolsover castle by Dr. Samuel Pegge.
  • n27. Thoroton from Rot. Pip. 2 John.
  • n28. 7 Hen. III. Brian de Lisle re-appointed. 8 Hen. III. William Briwere re-appointed. —— Robert de Lexington. 17 Hen. III. Robert de Lexington commanded to deliver up the custody to Robert de Tateshall. 13 Hen. III. Brian de Lisle again re-appointed. 17 Hen. III. Hugh Dcspencer. —— Gilbert de Segrave. 17–19 Hen. III. William Earl of Derby. (See Dugdale's Baronage.)
  • n29. See Inq. ad q. d. 12 Edw. II. (Jo. Hastings.)
  • n30. Dugdale's Baronage.
  • n31. Esch. 19 Ric. II. The castle estate was then valued at 361. per annum, exclusive of profits of court, &c. Roger Leche and his eon Philip are said to have succeeded Robert Litton as keepers of the manor of Bolsover, 3 Hen. V. See Topographer, vol. iii. p. 317.
  • n32. His mother was one of the coheiresses of Cuthbert, the last Lord Ogle.
  • n33. The table-linen purchased for the occasion cost 160l. Life of the Duke, p. 136.
  • n34. His commission vested him with extensive powers, among which were those of conferring knighthood, coining money, and issuing such declarations as he might deem expedient.
  • n35. See Vicars's Parliamentary Chronicle.
  • n36. In his volume of Church Notes.
  • n37. The four first lines of the epitaph are:— " Reader, beneath this plaine stone buried lie, Smithson's remainders of mortality, Whose skill in architecture did deserve A fairer tombe his memory to preserve."
  • n38. Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. iii.
  • n39. Register of Darley Abbey, in the British Museum, f. 151.
  • n40. More likely the grand-daughter of John Smithson, Esq., son of the architect, who died in 1716, aged 78.
  • n41. In the British Museum, fol 116.