THIS mansion is situated about one mile, westward, | Richard de Norreys, cook to Queen Eleanor, (Henry's from the village of Bray, in Berkshire,-a parish consort,) subject to a fee-farm rent of forty shillings; which has been immortalized by the temporizing and the grant states it to have been an encroachment policy of a former vicar. It was commenced by from the forest.* John Norreys, or Norris, esq., in the time of Henry spirited and warlike family, (the ancestors of the In the possession of this highthe Sixth, and finished early in the reign of his suc- Lords Norreys of Rycote, in Oxfordshire,) who had cessor, Edward the Fourth, but not during the life-likewise two other manors in Bray parish, Ockholt time of the founder, who had been " esquire of the body" to both the above sovereigns, and also "master of the great wardrobe" to the first-mentioned king. Mr. Norreys, by his will, which was made in the year 1465, though not proved until 1467, directed that xlli. should be paid, " to the full building and "to making uppe of the chapell, with the chamber adjoyning, within my mannor of Okholt, in the parish of Bray, not yet finished."* He also directed the sum of 20 marks to be expended on his tomb in Bray Church; and bequeathed 1007. " for the newbuilding of the north-aisle of St. Nicholas' Chapel" in that edifice, together with 1007. for the endowment of a chantry-priest, and 501. for a new bell: to the Lord Wenlock, whom he appointed supervisor of his will, he devised" for his labour in that behalf, to be had, a gilt cup, covered, called the Housewife."+ The manor of Ocholt, or Ockholt, was originally granted by Henry the Third, in the year 1267, to Dugdale's" Baronage," vol. ii, p. 403. remained until the early part of the fifteenth century; and in 1507, Sir William Norreys, who had commanded the king's army at the battle of Stoke, died seised of this estate. In Henry the Eighth's reign, it was the property of the Fettiplaces; but the mansion is traditionally said to have been inhabited by Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, the great favourite and brother-in-law of the above monarch. About 1679, the Finch family of Hertfordshire became owners, and continued its possessors until 1786, when Ockholt was sold to the late Penyston Portlock Powney, esq. M. P. for Windsor, in whose representative, Major Powney (now resident in India,) it is at present vested. has been tenanted as a farm, and called Ockwell's. But the estate for many years Manor-house, with its picturesque wooden gables, The above cut represents the east front of Ockholt its character. The bay-window, with five lights in and that venerable simplicity of aspect, which marks * Vide Pat. Roll. 52. Henry III. A view of this exterior was given in Lysons's "Magna + Ibid. The testator had been sheriff of the counties of Britannia," Berkshire, 1806; but some alterations have been Oxon and Berks, in the 36th of Henry VI. since made in the gables and other parts. two divisions, is that of the Great Hall, which is a | ancient roof, which is sustained by a framework of noble apartment, forty feet in length, thirty feet fine arches, springing from sculptured corbels, &c., wide, and twenty-eight feet in height to the in nearly a similar style to that at Crosby Hall. present ceiling this ceiling, however, has been in- the subjoined cut, this apartment, as it now appears, troduced at a later date, and conceals the more is accurately represented. : In The interior is surrounded with oak-paneling, and in the windows are various coats of arms, coeval with the edifice, in distinct and vivid colouring. Among the arms, which are depicted, (one in each window,) on a ground of diagonal stripes, containing flowers, and mottoes in the old text hand, "are those of King Henry the Sixth, with the Antelopes his supporters; his Queen, Margaret of Anjou, with her supporters, the Antelope and the Eagle; the Norreys, with Beavers for supporters; the Abbey of Westminster; Beaufort, Duke of Somerset ; Edmund, last Earl of March; Henry, Duke of Warwick; De la Pole, Duke of Suffolk; Sir William Beauchamp, Lord St. Amand; Sir William Lacon, of Bray, Chief Justice of the King's Bench; the Lord Wenlock; Sir Richard Naufan; Captain of Calais; Sir John Pury, knt., of Chamberhouse Castle, in the parish of Thatcham, Berks; and of Bulstrode, quartering Shobingdon :"* the latter was, probably, Lysons' "Berkshire," viz. further additions, p. *705. In the same work are two coloured plates shewing the arms, &c. of Henry VI, and his queen; and those of the Norreys, and of the Duke of Somerset. The Norreys' arms, as here delineated, are, arg. a chevron between three birds' heads, erased, sable; impaling, quarterly, 1st and 4th, or, two fesses, intended for Richard Bulstrode, esq., one of the builder's executors. The royal arms are surmounted by highly-bowed crowns; the others by crests and lamberquins. The mottoes, Dieu et mon droit; Humble et lorall; and that of Norreys, Ffeythfully serve, are several times repeated. On one side is a handsome marble chimney-piece, fronting a capacious chimney; on the left of which is a concealed opening, large enough to admit a person, and leading, between the walls, to the upper story. There is, also, a Gothic gallery, with two doors, one of which led to the chapel; but the latter was nearly destroyed by fire, between fifty and sixty years ago, and its ruins have been converted into a pigeon-house. A pair of large iron boots, some swords of a peculiar shape, and the remains of a chain jacket, are preserved here. The flooring is of red tile, shewing, in some parts, traces of figures.* gules, over all a bar, azure; 2nd and 3rd, within a border, gules, barry of ten, or and azure. For the use of the original drawings from which the wood-cuts for this article were executed, the Editor is indebted to Mr. W. A. Delamotte, Jun. of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. TOPOGRAPHICAL EXCURSION IN THE YEAR 1634. Continued from p. 335, PROCEEDING towards Gloucester,-" In that Afternoone wee trauell'd through part of the famousest, and best wooded fforest in all England, [Deane fforest,] wch lately hath beene much cropt, lying betweene those two sweet Streames, [Severne and Wye;] and in that dayes journey we had not the will to goe out of of way, to be bit by the Nose at Tewksberry, but left it on o' left. “Wth in halfe a mile of the Citty, is the Bishops Seat, [Winard Castle] vpon Severne, wch flowes ouer, and makes fertile his LPs. rich Pastures; and as that sweet streame enricheth them, so doth his Lpes Charitie streame & flow, in most bountifull manner to the Poore vallies about him, for he maintaines a Head of 30. or 40. Kine, mostlie for the sustenance of the Poore; wch is a religious, pious, and worthy Goodman's example. "At last wee entred the City of Gloucester, ouer a very faire archt Bridge, crossing that famous, broad-channell'd, swift-stream'd River Severne, wch glides close to the Towne, by that little Iland, [Alney,] where the first Danish King got the best, and vnhors'd o' selues at the new Inne, a fayre House, and much frequented by Gallants, the Hostesse there being as hansome, & gallant as any other. She was the sole commaundresse at that time, both of her Selfe & House, for her Husband was trauelling, at the charge of other Travellers, and there we payd soundly for his absence. "This Citty wee found gouern'd by a Mayor, with his Sword and Cap of Maintenance, 4 Maces, 12 Aldermen, and a worthy and learned Recorder, [Sir John Bridgman,] & 4 Stewards. It is wall'd about, except onely that part of the Towne that is securely & defensively guarded by the Riuer; in the wall there is 6 gates, for the Ingresse and Egresse of Strangers and Inhabitants. It is a County of it self, and of a great command, haveing 30 Townes vnder her Jurisdiction about her. In the midst of the City is a fayre Crosse, whereto from the 4 Cardinall Windes, the 4 great & principall streets thereof doe come. In her is 12 Churches, whereof the Cathedrall called the College Church is one. "In the Cathedrall, to wch we march'd wee tooke an exact view of the ancient and Royall Monum" wee found therein. Ffirst, in the Ladies Chappell, aboue the whis- The Monument of Mr. Thomas Fitz-Williams. On the South Side of the Quire, the Monument One for Abbot Seabright, who built that fayre high Steeple, and rays'd the Roofe of the Quire. The Monument of Humfrey Bohun, E. of Hereford, and his Countesse. Ouer against the Abbots Tombe, on the North. Side of the High Altar, lyes a Saxon King, in plaine ffree stone, bearing the old Church vpon his breast. Also Abbot Parker lyes in his Robes, in Ala blaster, who was the last at the suppression. By him a Bishop, stiled Dux Templi, who excommunicated King John. Abbot Eldred, one of the first founders of the But more especially & remarkably there lyes The other not far from him is that of as vn- "But a thing most admirable is that strange & vnparralell'd whispering place of 24 yards circular passage, aboue the high Altar, next to the Lady Chappell, the relation whereof I leaue to such as haue beene (like us) both Spectators and Auditor of that miraculous worke, and artificiall deuise : THE GRAPHIC AND HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATOR. 375 and as it is strange soe we heard strange carry'd | Buckingham, E. of Hereford, Stafford, & NorConfessions there made. "Heere were we admiring and whispering till the Cathedrall voyces whisper'd vs away to prayers, and so soone as wee heard those voyces and Organs, and had view'd their fayrely glass'd and caru'd worke Cloyster, wee hastned away for o' that dayes Journey from our new fayre Inne, and deare neat Hostesse to Berkley Castle. "In that Afternoones short Journey there did In a Chappell adioyning to the Church, be- Also there is an old ancient Monument and very plain, of free stone, of his Predecessors "Ffrom thence the next day we march'd on thampton. The circuit and ruin whereof shew'd it "A little before we came thither, wee left on "This City stands sweetly in a pleasant Cockpit valley, yet wth an ascent to the heart thereof, where stands a fayre Crosse in the middst between both Bridges; lately and richly beautify'd, and not much inferiour to that in Couentry: To it comes 4 large & fayre Streets, from the 4 cheife Quarters of the great Bridge, in Somersetshire; Broad Street, from City, viz'. High Street, wch is the fayrest, from the from the Castle; and Corne Street, from the the Key Bridge in Glocestershire; Wine Street, Marsh. "This parcell of ground, the Marsh, is a very pleasant and delightfull place, & wth as much Art added thereto, as can conueniently bee, both for walkes, a Bowling ground, & other recreations for the rich Merchants and gentile Citizens, adorn'd with many fayre Trees, wherein constantly the City Captaines drill, and muster, & exercise the City fforces neere 3 parts thereof is surrounded by the Riuer, wch deuides it selfe from the maine Streame, att the very point of the Marish, we causeth a sweet and pleasant Eccho of their martiall Musicke, Drums, Fifes, & volleys of Shot; ye one arme whereof [the Froome, which ebbs 40 feet] runneth downe betwixt that and ye Minster, next Glocestershire, wch is the principall Key, & Wharfe, where all their fayre & rich Shipping lye, euen to that Bridge: The other Streame [the Avon] runs through the City, next Somersetshire, downe to Bath, ouer wch is built a fayre stone Archt Bridge, wth hansome neat Houses, (and Ships on either side thereof,) like a Street, wch may for its length compare wth London. "The City is very sweet & cleane, in respect of the quotidian Tydes that wash, and cleanse her lower parts, & ye Vaults & Sewers, that are vnder all, or most of the channells of her vpper parts. In her wee found (besides that fayre and strong ffabricke of the Cathedrall wch was newly finish'd) 18 Churches, wch all are fayrely beautify'd, richly adorn'd, & sweetly kept and in the maior part of them, are neat, rich, & melodious Organs that are constantly play'd on. Their Pulpitts are most curious, all wch the Citizens haue spared no cost, nor forwardnesse to beautify & adorne, (a pious, & religious example for all o' kingdome) ffor they dayly striue in euery Parish, who shall exceed other in their generous, & religious bounty, most to decke, & inrich, those sanctify'd Places, & Heauenly Mansions, heere on Earth, to God's glory, & good example of others. : Although this City cannot challenge Antiquity, as others may doe, yet for her sweet Scituation, rich Marchandising, faire buildings, & gentile p'uident Gouernm1, She comes not far short of any in this Kingdome for her Scytuation is in a pleasant, holsome, sweet, & rich valley, hauing 2 Armes from ye maine Haven, gliding through the Bowells, wch cleanse and wash her euery 12 Houres, from all noysome filth and sent: ffor her Marchants they are rich & numerous, vsing Traffique to most parts of Christendome; they haue a commodious Custome House, and a kind of Exchange, where they constantly meet euery day; They haue much enrich'd themselues & their Citty of late, by Letters of Mart: ffor her Buildings, especially the Churches, they are most strong, and sumptuous. "And for her Gouernm', it is regulated euery way answerable to the rest, by a prudent, graue and wise Mayor, wth his commaunding Sword of Justice, a Cap of Maintenance, 8 Maces, 12 Aldermen, 2 Sheriffs, and an able, tryed, and Learned Recorder, Mr. Glanuile: who to order and settle the Affayre of the City, meet constantly att a fayre, spacious Counsell Chamber, close by the Exchange; and at a great fayre Hall, where they keep their quarterly Sessions and annuall ffeasts; And to make her still more sutable to the Metropolis of o' Nation, London, She hath for euery Company a seuerall Hall. Το grace and add to her beauty, she maintaines 3 ffoot Companies, besides a voluntary Company of gentile, proper, martiall, disciplin'd men, who haue their Armes lodg'd in a hansome Artillery House, newly built vp in the Castle yard, where once in a yeare, they inuite, and entertaine both Earles and Lords, & a great many Knights, and Gentlemen of rank and quality, at their military ffeast; And this yard affords them a spacious, and large place to drill & exercise in. "The Castle is of great extent, and hath formerly beene a most fayre and strong hold, but now it is almost quite demolished: not far from the Key, and the Marish, next Glocestershire, in a neat and plesant Ascent, is seated the Cathedrall Church, which is vnfinish'd, and so much as is was begun, and intended onely for the Quire and High Altar, and may (as much as is of it) compare for strength and beauty wth any other: neere it is a fayre and large Colledge Yard, beautify'd wth many shady Trees and most delightfull walkes, about wch stands many stately buildings (besides the Bishops Pallace, the Deanes, the Chancellor, and the Prebends Houses) wherein many Gentlemen, and gentlewomen of note and ranke doe Liue: [Bishop Cooke, Dr. Chetwin Deane, Dr. Greene, Subdeane, and 5 Prebends more; Dr. Jones, Chancellor, 10 Singing Men, whereof 4 in orders, and 6 Boyes.] "In her [the Church] are rich Organs, lately beautify'd, and indifferent good Quiristers. Many fayre Monum: amongst the rest are these. On the South Side of the Church in Newtons Chappell is the Monum' of S' Henry Newton in Alablaster, in Armour, wth his Lady, and 2 Sons, & 4 Daughters. This Knight tooke ye King of Morocco, and brought him captiue into England, who kneeleth in his Mauritanian Royall habit wth his Crowne off his head, holding the point of his Sword, and offring it vp as a Trophie to his Conquero On the other side of the Church is Berkley's Chappell, where the L Berkley, and his Lady lieth plaine vnder Free Stone. |