Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11

Chapter II: Part 2

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This place gave birth to John Opie, whose persevering genius advanced him to the highest rank in his profession. He was born at Harmony Cot, in May 1761. The opening years of his existence indicated that he must plod through life in the dull occupation of a carpenter, as successor to his father and grandfather. He distinguished himself at a very early period, for originality and strength of mind, and at twelve years of age commenced an evening school in St. Agnes, teaching arithmetic and writing, and reckoning amongst his scholars some who had nearly doubled his years. His first humble attempts at portrait painting were with a smutty stick, against the white-washed wall of his paternal cottage, where he exhibited, in _dark colours_, very striking likenesses of the whole family. His next step was to draw with ochre on cartridge paper. He was apprenticed to his father, but from some unascertainable cause was turned over to a sawyer; and it was literally in the bottom of a saw-pit that Dr. Walcot, better known by the appellation of Peter Pindar, (who had previously seen and admired some of Opie's rude drawings,) first beheld this untutored child of genius, under whose patronage he was protected, and his fame promoted. After visiting Exeter, (where he was persuaded to change his surname, which originally was Hoppy, to that of Opie,) finding his success was commensurate with his abilities, it was soon determined they should be brought to act in a wider sphere; and, in 1780, the Doctor and his pupil repaired to London, where not agreeing as to the mode of living together, they separated, and although their attachment had been cemented by long-continued kindness, subsequently to this period, yet they were never after cordially united. The opinion Opie entertained of the services which he had received from the Doctor, may be gathered from the following curious _note of hand_, which was said to be in the possession of the latter: "I promise to paint, for Dr. Walcot, any picture or pictures, he may demand, as long as I live; otherwise, I desire the world will consider me as a ... ungrateful son of a ..., John Opie." It is not certain that he ever deviated from this voluntary obligation, but it is matter of pleasant remark, that he always made his friend pay eighteen-pence for the canvass! Opie was as fortunate in London as he had been at Exeter. To Pindar, however, he was indebted for his introduction to public notice. Through him his pictures were shown to Mrs. Boscawen, by whom Opie was introduced to the late Mrs. Delaney, who procured for him the notice of King George III. An opportunity was contrived for the royal family to see his picture of the _The Old Beggar Man_; soon after which, Opie was honoured with a command to repair to Buckingham House. The artist's account of this interview was given in the following characteristical manner to Walcot, who has often been heard to relate it with great humour. "There was Mr. West," said Opie, "in the room, and another gentleman. First, her majesty came in; and I made a sad mistake in respect to her, till I saw her face, and discovered by her features that she was the queen. In a few minutes his majesty came hopping in. I suppose," said Opie, "because he did not wish to frighten me. He looked at the pictures and liked them; but he whispered to Mr. West--'tell the young man I can only pay a gentleman's price for them.'" The picture which his majesty bought was that of _A Man Struck by Lightning_. The price given was L10, with which Opie returned to the Doctor full of spirits. His friend, when he heard the story, said, "Why, John, thou hast only got L8. for thy picture." "Indeed, but I have though," cried Opie, "for I have got the L10. safe in my pocket." On this he showed him the money. "Aye," rejoined the Doctor, "but dost thou know his majesty has got the frame for nothing, and that is worth L2." "D--- it, so he has," cried Opie--"I'll go back and knock at the door, and ask for the frame; D--- it, I will." He was actually about to put his resolve into execution, till dissuaded by the Doctor. Popularity naturally followed this notice of royalty. The ladies, however, soon deserted him, as his likenesses were not flattering; for where Nature had been niggardly, Opie refused to be liberal. He afterwards became better acquainted with the art of pleasing them; a change which has been attributed to Mrs. Opie, who used to stand over him, and endeavour to make him sensible of the graces of the female form. It was in the year 1786, that Mr. Opie became known as an exhibitor at Somerset House; soon after which he aspired to academical honours, and ultimately attained the rank of Royal Academician, and afterwards succeeded Fuseli, in the professorship of painting. He was twice married, but at what period his first hymeneal union occurred we are not informed--it was inauspicious. His second marriage, which took place on May 8, 1798, was more fortunate; and in the society of the late Mrs. Opie, the amiable author of many beautiful and interesting literary compositions, he enjoyed a delightful relief from the toilsome duties of his profession. Mr. Opie was in the daily acquisition of wealth and fame, and rapidly advancing to the very zenith of popularity, when his mortal career was suddenly closed by death, on Thursday, April 9, 1807, in the forty-sixth year of his age. "As a portrait painter he has great claims to praise, particularly in his men, which are firm, bold, and freely delineated, and occasionally well coloured. His women are heavy, inelegant, and chiefly accompanied with a hardness that destroys all beauty."

[Sidenote: Very high and strong light-house.]

[Sidenote: St. Agnes' beacon.]

[Sidenote: Birth-place of John Opie, the painter.]

[Sidenote: First attempts at portrait painting.]

[Sidenote: Genius fostered by Dr. Walcot.]

[Sidenote: Anecdotes of Opie.]

[Sidenote: Introduction to the King.]

[Sidenote: Opie's relation of his interview with royalty.]

[Sidenote: Royal economy.]

[Sidenote: First known as an exhibitor at Somerset House, 1786.]

[Sidenote: Died in 1807.]

[A] St. ALBANS is situated on the river Ver, or Muss, and consists of three parishes; parts of two of which, extend beyond the limits of the borough. It is said to have been the site of the ancient British metropolis of Cassibelanus, and is very near that of the ancient Roman Verulam, mentioned by Tacitus, being the same as the Saxon Watlingceaster, so called because seated on the road called Watling-street. It was here that Queen Boadicea made her celebrated assault on the Romans, and failed, after an immense slaughter of seventy thousand men. In 795, Offa, king of Mercia, erected an abbey here, in memory of St. Alban, the British protomartyr, who was born here in the third century. He served in the Roman army, but was converted to Christianity by a monk, named Amphilabus, and suffered during the Dioclesian persecution, A.D. 303. The abbey subsequently obtained great privileges, and became very rich, the revenues at the dissolution amounting to upwards of L2500. per annum. Monastic foundations had their origin in this country, about the time of St. Augustine, who came from Rome, to convert the Pagan Saxons to Christianity; and when Offa ascended the throne of Mercia, about twenty great monasteries had been founded in England, and about the same number of episcopal sees established. Offa's zeal prompted him to do what many of his crowned predecessors had done; but being undetermined whom to select as the patron saint of his establishment, it is recorded that, while at the city of Bath, an angel appeared to him in the silence of the night, desiring him to raise out of the earth the body of Alban, the first British martyr, and place his remains in a suitable shrine. Even the memory of Alban had been lost for three hundred and forty years; but the king assembling his clergy and people at Verulam, an active search was made for his body with prayer, fasting, and alms; when it is said a ray of light was seen by all to stand over the place of burial, similar to the star that conducted the magi to Bethlehem. The ground was therefore opened, and, in the presence of the king, the body of Alban was found. Offa is said to have placed a golden circle round the head of the deceased, with an inscription, to signify his name and title, and immediately caused the remains of the saint to be conveyed to a small chapel, without the walls of Verulam, as the town was then called, until a more noble edifice could be raised for its reception. This is said to have occurred on the 1st day of August, 791, four hundred and ninety-four years after the martyrdom of Alban. Offa afterwards made a journey to Rome, and obtained the desired privileges of his intended foundation, with great commendations for his zeal and piety, from the pope, when he undertook to build a stately church and monastery, to the memory of St. Alban. From this abbey the town originated, which early obtained considerable importance. The abbey church, which claims particular attention for its size, beauty, and antiquity, is constructed of Roman brick, to which age has given the appearance of stone. A stone screen, erected before the communion table, in 1461, is much admired for the richness and lightness of its sculpture. The tombs of the founder, Offa, and that of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, are shown here; and, not many years ago, the leaden coffin, containing the body of the latter, was opened, and the corpse found nearly entire. The Roman antiquities discovered on the site have been very numerous. The effect of the venerable abbey, when seen from a distance, is extremely imposing; situated upon an eminence, its massive towers rise majestically above the houses of the ancient town, which is well, known to have derived its first importance from the Romans, since which, it has increased chiefly under the protecting influence of successive abbots of this rich and powerful monastery. The prospect of its mouldering ruins, forces upon the mind a melancholy train of reflection on the instability of all human institutions.

_Market_, Saturday.--_Fairs_, March 25 and 26; October 10 and 11, for
horses, cows, sheep, and hiring servants.--_Inns_, Angel, and White
Hart.--_Mail_ arrives 10.15 P.M. Departs 4.30 A.M.

[Sidenote: Originally the British metropolis.]

[Sidenote: King Offa's extraordinary vision, which induced him to build the abbey.]

[Sidenote: St. Alban's body found after a lapse of 494 years; a golden circle placed round his head.]

[Sidenote: Duke of Gloucester's body found nearly entire.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+---------------------+---------+----------------+------------+
18 |Albury pa|Herts |Bp Stortford 5|Standon 4|
37 |Albury pa|Surrey |Guildford 6|Dorking 7|
27 |Alby pa|Norfolk |Aylesham 6|Cromer 5|
12 |Alcester lib|Dorset |Shaftesbury 1|Sherborne 16|
39 |Alcester[A] m.t. & pa|Warwick |Warwick 16|Stratford 8|
38 |Alciston pa|Sussex |Seaford 5|Hailsham 5|
19 |Alconbury pa|Hunts |Huntingdon 4|Kimbolton 8|
19 |Alconbury Weston chap|Hunts | ... 5| ... 8|
27 |Aldborough pa|Norfolk |Aylesham 5|Cromer 6|
43 |Aldborough to|N.R. York|Richmond 7|Darlington 5|
46 |Aldborough to & pa|E.R. York|Hull 11|Hornsea 6|
45 |Aldborough[B] pa & to|W.R. York|York 18|Thirsk 10|
41 |Aldbourn[C] to & pa|Wilts |Marlboro 7|Ramsbury 3|
18 |Aldbury pa|Herts |Tring 3|Dunstable 7|
22 |Aldcliffe ham|Lancaster|Lancaster 2|Garstang 10|
36 |Aldeburgh[D] m.t.|Suffolk |Orford 5|Saxmundha 7|
+--+---------------------+---------+----------------+------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+---------------------+--------------------------+-----+------+
18 |Albury pa|Buntingford 7| 35| 631|
37 |Albury pa|Godalming 7| 29| 929|
27 |Alby pa|N. Walsham 6| 26| 346|
12 |Alcester lib|Salisbury 20| 101| 227|
39 |Alcester[A] m.t. & pa|Bromsgrove 12| 103| 2405|
38 |Alciston pa|Lewes 7| 64| 266|
19 |Alconbury pa|Stilton 9| 63| 765|
19 |Alconbury Weston chap| ... 8| 63| 441|
27 |Aldborough pa|Holt 9| 126| 275|
43 |Aldborough to|Bernard Cas 10| 240| 522|
46 |Aldborough to & pa|Hedon 6| 185| 620|
45 |Aldborough[B] pa & to|Ripon 6| 207| 2447|
41 |Aldbourn[C] to & pa|Swindon 8| 73| 1418|
18 |Aldbury pa|Berkhampst 4| 34| 695|
22 |Aldcliffe ham|Kirk. Londs 17| 238| 96|
36 |Aldeburgh[D] m.t.|Dunwich 10| 94| 1341|
+--+---------------------+-------------------------+------+------+

[A] ALCESTER is situated at the confluence of the two small rivers, Alne and Arrow, having a bridge over each. It is supposed to have been a Roman station; Roman coins, urns, and similar relics, having been frequently found here. The Roman way of Icknield Street also passed through it, and from its situation it is deemed the Alana of Richard of Cirencester. It was anciently a borough by prescription, and of some note in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when it became the property of the Beauchamps, and afterwards of the Grevilles. The church is a fine gothic structure; the market is well supplied with corn; and the manufacture of needles is very extensive. Here is a Free School, founded by Walter Newport, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and various alms-houses and small charities, originating in different benefactors. Traces of the site of an abbey, founded in the reign of King Stephen, to the north of the town, are still visible.

_Market_, Tuesday.--_Mail_ arrives 9-1/2 A.M., departs 8-1/2
P.M.--_Inn_, Angel.--_Fairs_, March 20, June 23, Tuesday before April
5, May 18, 2nd Tuesday in July, for cheese.

[Sidenote: A Roman station.]

[Sidenote: Many relics of antiquity found.]

[Sidenote: Traces of an abbey founded by King Stephen.]

[B] ALDBOROUGH. _Fair_, September 4.

[C] ALDBOURN. _Market_, Tuesday.

[D] ALDEBURGH is pleasantly situated in the valley of Slaughton, and bounded on the eastern side by the sea, which has made considerable encroachments, and nearly washed a street away. The river Ald runs on the south side, and forms a convenient quay. The town is mean in construction, and chiefly inhabited by fishermen and seafaring people. Soles, lobsters, and other fish are abundant. It is remarkable as the birth-place of the late Rev. George Crabbe, emphatically styled the _Poet of the Poor_, who was born December 24, 1754. His father was an officer in the Customs, and at first gave him an education, merely suitable to follow the same pursuit; but when his prospects brightened, he removed his son to a classical seminary, where he was instructed for a surgeon and apothecary, to which profession he was in due time apprenticed, but relinquished all views of establishing himself in practice. At a very early period he became a versifier; and among his precocious attempts was a prize poem, on _Hope_, which was inserted in the _Lady's Magazine_, then published by Mr. Wheeble. Crabbe came to London, in 1778, with L3. in his pocket, and made versification his chief study. His first published work was _The Candidate_, a poem, in quarto, which came into the world anonymously, in 1780, and was favourably received. A short time afterwards, his poverty and poetry induced him to seek the patronage of Edmund Burke, to whom he submitted a large quantity of miscellaneous composition; he had no introduction to Mr. Burke, excepting his own letter, stating his circumstances; no recommendation but his distress, and yet his application was attended with success. His patron introduced him to some of the first men in the country, and soon after became the means of benefiting his fame and fortune; he selected from young Crabbe's works, _The Library_ and _The Village_, suggesting at the same time certain corrections and improvements. Among the eminent persons to whom he was thus introduced, was the Right Hon. Charles James Fox, Sir Joshua Reynolds, at whose mansion he first beheld, and was made known to, Dr. Johnson, who gave the young poet his opinion of _The Village_. Mr. Burke having directed Mr. Crabbe's views to the church, in 1781 he was ordained a deacon by the Bishop of Norwich, and priest by the same dignitary in the following year; he was next appointed domestic chaplain to the Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle. As Mr. Crabbe had not received a university education, he was offered a degree by Trinity College, Cambridge, but eventually received the grant from the Archbishop of Canterbury, at Lambeth, and thus became a Bachelor of Laws. Burke also introduced Mr. Crabbe to Lord Chancellor Thurlow, who presented him to rectories in Dorset and Lincoln consecutively. He had previously a curacy at Strathorn, a village near Belvoir Castle, where he married and became a father; he was universally respected for his talents and virtues, and died at Trowbridge, at seven o'clock in the morning of the 8th of February, 1832. The publications of Mr. Crabbe have placed him high on the roll of British Poets.

_Market_, Wednesday and Saturday.--_Fairs_, March 1, and May 3, for
toys.--_Inn_, White Lion.--_Mail_ arrives at 9-1/2 A.M. departs 5-1/2
P.M.

[Sidenote: Birth place of the Rev. George Crabbe, the poet. Biographical sketch of his life.]

[Sidenote: Crabbe's arrival in London, 1778.]

[Sidenote: His first published work well received.]

[Sidenote: Crabbe's introduction to eminent persons.]

[Sidenote: Promoted to the church.]

[Sidenote: Died at Trowbridge 1132.]

[A] ALDERMASTON. _Fairs_, May 6, July 7, for horses and cattle, and October 11, for pedlery.

[B] ALDINGTON. Elizabeth Barton, commonly called the Holy Maid of Kent, a religious impostor, lived in the reign of Henry VIII. She was a servant at Aldington, and having been for a long time afflicted with convulsions, which distorted her limbs and countenance, and threw her body into the most violent agitations, acquired a power of counterfeiting the same appearances whenever she pleased. Richard Master, who then held this living, with other ecclesiastics, thinking her a proper instrument for their purpose, induced her to pretend that all she said and did, was by a supernatural impulse, and taught her to act her part in the most perfect manner. Thus she pretended to be honoured with visions; to hear heavenly voices and most ravishing melody; she declaimed against the wickedness of the times, against heresy and innovations; exhorting all persons to frequent the church, to hear masses, to make frequent confessions, and to pray to our lady, and all saints. This artful management, with her apparent piety, virtue, and austerity of life, completely deceived even Sir Thomas More, Bishop Fisher, and Archbishop Warham, the last of which appointed commissioners to examine her, to whom she was instructed to say, in her counterfeit trances, that she should never recover till she went to visit the image of the Virgin Mary, in a chapel dedicated to her in this parish, which was done. After that she pretended that she was called to be a nun, and the Archbishop being fully satisfied with the reports, had her placed in the nunnery of St. Sepulchre, Canterbury, where she alleged she had visions and revelations of a divine nature, so as to completely impose upon the public. The main object of the priests, her managers, was directed publicly to announce how God had revealed to her, "that in case the king should divorce Queen Catherine of Anjou, and take another wife during her life, his royalty would not be of a month's duration, but that he should die the death of a villain," which created considerable excitement, and much controversy: encouraged by the lenity of the government, the ecclesiastics in this conspiracy, resolved to publish the revelations of the nun throughout the kingdom. They had communicated them to the Pope's Ambassadors, and exhorted Queen Catherine to persist in her resolutions. At length this confederacy became a serious affair, and Henry ordered the maid and her accomplices to be examined in the Star Chamber, where they confessed all the particulars of the imposture; and afterwards, upon a scaffold erected at Paul's Cross, were compelled to hear their confession publicly read; they were confined in the Tower until the meeting of parliament, by whom the whole affair was pronounced to be a conspiracy against the king's life, and crown. The nun, and her confederates, were eventually attainted of high treason, and executed at Tyburn, April 20th, 1534, where she confessed the imposture, laying the blame on her accomplices, the priests; craving pardon of God, and the King.

[Sidenote: The History of the Holy Maid of Kent.]

[Sidenote: Holy Maid of Kent.]

[Sidenote: The imposture detected.]

[Sidenote: Herself and confederates executed at Tyburn.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+-----------------------+----------+--------------+----------------+
42|Aldington ham| Worcester| Evesham 3| Moreton 10|
35|Aldridge pa| Stafford| Walsall 3|Sut. Coldfield 4|
36|Aldringham pa| Suffolk| Aldeburgh 2| Saxmundha 5|
38|Aldrington pa| Sussex| Brighton 5| Steyning 6|
9|Aldstone Moor[A] to & pa|Cumberland| Carlisle 25| Kirk Oswald 12|
15|Aldsworth pa|Gloucester| Northleach 4| Fairford 6|
16|Aldwark to| Derby| Wirksworth 4| Ashbourn 6|
44|Aldwark to| N. R York| Borobridge 5| Easingwold 4|
45|Aldwarke to| W. R York| Rotherham 2| Sheffield 4|
28|Aldwinckle-all Saints p| Northamp| Thrapston 3| Kettering 10|
28|Aldwinckle-St Peter pa| Northamp| ... 3| ... 10|
4|Aldsworth[B] pa| Berks|East Ilsley 4| Wallingford 7|
+--+------------------------+----------+--------------+----------------+
|Dist. |
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond. |Population.
+--+-----------------------+-------------------------+------+---------+
42|Aldington ham|Alcester 10| 96| 104|
35|Aldridge pa|Lichfleld 6| 116| 1804|
36|Aldringham pa|Dunwich 7| 94| 362|
38|Aldrington pa|Worthing 7| 55| 615|
9|Aldstone Moor[A] to & pa|Haltwhistle 10| 272| 6858|
15|Aldsworth pa|Burford 4| 78| 353|
16|Aldwark to|Winster 6| 145| 97|
44|Aldwark to|Knaresboro 9| 202| 190|
45|Aldwarke to|Barnsley 8| 172| ...|
28|Aldwinckle-all Saints p|Oundle 5| 76| 247|
28|Aldwinckle-St Peter pa| ... 5| 76| 171|
4|Aldsworth[B] pa|Newbury 11| 50| 268|
+--+------------------------+------------------------+------+--------+

[A] ALDSTONE MOOR, in Leath Ward, is situated on the borders of Northumberland, in the most picturesque and romantic part of the county. The town itself stands upon a hill, at the bottom of which runs the river Tyne. The immediate vicinity abounds in lead-mines, on estates which once belonged to the Derwentwater family. On the attainder of the last earl, they were granted in aid of the support of Greenwich Hospital, from the trustees of which national institution, the mines are at present leased. Satin spar is found in this parish; there is also a pool on Gildersdale Fell, the slime of which is used for painting yellow. About three miles from the town, are the earthworks of Whitley castle, where relics of antiquity have frequently been discovered.

_Market_, Saturday.--_Fairs_, last Thursday in May, 1st Thursday in
September, for cattle, horses, linen and woollen cloth.

[Sidenote: Picturesque and Romantic scenery.]

[Sidenote: The slime of a pool use for painting yellow.]

[B] ALDWORTH is pleasantly situated on a hill: here was anciently a mansion belonging to the family of De La Beche, the site of which is now Beach Farm. In the churchyard is a remarkable yew-tree, the trunk measuring nine yards in circumference, at upwards of four feet from the ground. The church is celebrated for its very ancient monuments, nine in number, disposed in enriched arches on each side, and in the centre of the interior; these are supposed to belong to the De La Beche family, and from the costume of the figures upon the tombs, may be referred to the fourteenth century; six of them are knights in armour; two are females, and one in the common habit of the time; some of the knights are represented lying cross-legged; these had vowed, or accompanied a crusade; the workmanship is excellent, and the attitude and expression of each of the figures that remain perfect, are exceedingly graceful, but several of the monuments are now considerably mutilated. The font is very ancient, and remarkably plain, but very capacious, and somewhat singular in its form.

[Sidenote: Remarkable yew-tree, nine yards round.]

[Sidenote: Church celebrated for ancient monuments.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+------------------------+----------+--------------+--------------+
29|Alemouth to|Northumb |Lesbury 2|Alnwick 5|
28|Alesworth ham|Northamp |Deeping 7|Wandsford 3|
37|Alfold pa|Surrey |Guildford 10|Godalming 7|
24|Alford m.t. & pa|Lincoln |Saltfleet 12|Lincoln 34|
34|Alford pa|Somerset |Shepton 7|Castle Cary 2|
10|Alfreton[A] pa|Derby |Derby 14|Wirksworth 10|
42|Alfrick chap|Worcester |Bromvard 6|Worcester 8|
38|Alfriston pa|Sussex |Newhaven 5|Seaford 3|
24|Algarkirk pa|Lincoln |Fosdyke Br. 3|Boston 6|
31|Alkerton pa|Oxford |Shipston 8|Banbury 6|
21|Alkham pa|Kent |Canterbury 12|Dover 4|
15|Alkington ti & to|Gloucester|Old Passage 10|Berkeley 1|
10|Alkmonton to|Derby |Derby 10|Ashbourn 5|
22|Alkrington to|Lancaster |Rochdale 7|Manchester 6|
41|Alcannings pa & to|Wilts |Calne 7|Devizes 4|
29|Allendale pa & to|Northumb |Aldsto. Moor 10|Hexham 8|
29|Allen-Head pa|Northumb | ... 9|Hexham 12|
8|Allen, St. pa|Cornwall |St. Michael 4|Truro 4|
17|Allensmore pa|Hereford |Thruxton 2|Hereford 4|
29|Allenton pa & to|Northumb |Wooler 16|Rothbury 8|
34|Aller pa|Somerset |Taunton 11|Somerton 6|
9|Allerby to|Cumberland|Wigton 8|Cockermout 7|
43|Allerston pa|N.R. York |New Malton 8|Pickering 5|
46|Allerthorpe pa|E.R. York |York 11|Pocklington 2|
43|Allerthorpe to|N.R. York |Northallerton 6|Bedale 5|
22|Allerton to|Lancaster |Warrington 12|Liverpool 6|
34|Allerton Chapel pa|Somerset |Wells 10|Axbridge 3|
45|Allerton Chapel pa|W.R. York |Halifax 7|Leeds 2|
45|Allerton to|W.R. York |Ottley 5|Bradford 4|
45|Allerton Bywater to|W.R. York |Wakefield 6|Pontefract 5|
45|Allerton Mauleverer[B] p|W.R. York |Wetherby 5|Knaresboro 4|
+--+------------------------+----------+---------------+-------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+------------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+
29|Alemouth to|Morpeth 19| 311| 415|
28|Alesworth ham|Peterborough 5| 87| 289|
37|Alfold pa|Haslemere 9| 41| 514|
24|Alford m.t. & pa||Louth 11| 142| 1784|
34|Alford pa|Glastonbury 8| 115| 137|
10|Alfreton[A] pa|Mansfield 9| 139| 5691|
42|Alfrick chap||Gt. Malvern 10| 119| 493|
38|Alfriston pa|Hailsham 6| 55| 694|
24|Algarkirk pa|Donnington 7| 111| 651|
31|Alkerton pa|Kineton 6| 77| 192|
21|Alkham pa|Folkestone 4| 69| 542|
15|Alkington ti & to|Dursley 3| 113| 1167|
10|Alkmonton to|Uttoxeter 7| 134| 79|
22|Alkrington to|Oldham 1| 187| 367|
41|Alcannings pa & to|Marlborough 9| 88| 811|
29|Allendale pa & to|Haltwhistle 10| 273| 5540|
29|Allen-Head pa|Allendale 4| 268| ...|
8|Allen, St. pa|Falmouth 12| 252| 637|
17|Allensmore pa|Ross 12| 131| 592|
29|Allenton pa & to|Bellingham 15| 310| 822|
34|Aller pa|Bridgewater 8| 128| 490|
9|Allerby to|Abbey-Holm 6| 313| ...|
43|Allerston pa|Scarborough 10| 220| 385|
46|Allerthorpe pa|M. Weighton 6| 212| 185|
43|Allerthorpe to|Thirsk 6| 218| 167|
22|Allerton to|Prescott 6| 202| 374|
34|Allerton Chapel pa|Bridgewater 11| 132| 313|
45|Allerton Chapel pa|Bradford 8| 194| 1730|
45|Allerton to|Keighly 4| 200| 1733|
45|Allerton Bywater to|Leeds 6| 182| 375|
45|Allerton Mauleverer[B] p|Borobridge 5| 202| ...|
+--+------------------------+--------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ALFRETON, is situated about two miles from the commencement of the moors, which extend so widely in this county. The town is supposed to have been built by King Alfred, and to derive its name from him. The spot is shown where the house stood in which he lived. The inhabitants are principally employed in a stocking manufactory, and in the neighbouring collieries. Earthenware is also made in this place, and the Monday market, for corn, is considerable. In Greenhill Lane, near this town, seven hundred Roman coins, were discovered by a labourer employed in repairing a fence.

_Markets_, Monday and Friday.--_Mail_ arrives 2-1/4 P.M., departs
9-1/4 A.M.--_Fairs_, horses and cattle, October 8, and November 22,
statute.--_Inns_, Angel, and George.

[Sidenote: Built by King Alfred.]

[Sidenote: 700 Roman coins found here.]

[B] ALLERTON MAULEVERER, is situated in a very beautiful part of Yorkshire. The park now in the possession of _Lord Stourton_, consists of about four hundred acres, in which is a superb mansion; the land is very rich, and charmingly diversified by a variety of hills, dales, and groves, which are considerably enlivened, and receive much additional beauty, from a very fine expanse of water. An octagonal tower has been built on a lofty hill, finely shaded with trees; it consists of two rooms, and is approached by a double flight of steps, each of which, as well as the terrace around the building, are protected by iron palisades. From this commanding situation, all the various beauties of the park are seen to the greatest advantage, and many extensive and diversified prospects are enjoyed. Here was a priory of Benedictine monks, founded by Richard Mauleverer, in the reign of Henry II., which was dissolved about three centuries afterwards by King Henry VI. The manor was the seat of the Mauleverer family for more than five hundred years, when Sir Richard, the last heir, who died unmarried, left the estate by will to his mother, who, afterwards by marriage, conveyed it to the Arundel family, and from them it became the property of the Honourable, William Monkton Arundel, Viscount Galway, whose son, the late Lord Galway, sold it in the year 1786, to the late Duke of York, who afterwards occasionally resided in the park, with George IV., then Prince of Wales. The estate, comprising four thousand five hundred and twenty-five acres, was sold by the Royal Duke to Colonel Thornton, for L110,000; and was, in 1805, resold by that gentleman to the late Lord Stourton, father of the present proprietor. The mansion stands on a gentle elevation; it was erected by his Royal Highness the Duke of York, and has since been considerably improved.

[Sidenote: Extensive park and mansion.]

[Sidenote: Picturesque tower.]

[Sidenote: Here was a Priory of Benedictine monks.]

[Sidenote: Sale of the estate by the late Duke of York, for L110,000.]

Map|Names of Places.| County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+----------------+----------+------------+--------------+
39|Allesley pa|Warwick |Coventry 2|Nuneaton 8|
10|Allestrey pa|Derby |Derby 2|Ashbourn 14|
23|Allexton pa|Leicester |Rockingham 6|M. Harboro 9|
9|Allhallows pa|Cumberland|Wigton 5|Market Ireby 4|
21|Allhallows pa|Kent |Rochester 7|Sheerness 5|
12|Allington pa|Dorset |Bridport 1|Lyme Regis 8|
21|Allington[A] pa|Kent |Maidstone 2|Rochester 7|
+--+----------------+----------+------------+--------------+
|Dist.|
Map|Names of Places.| Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+----------------+-----------------------+--------------+
39|Allesley pa|Kenilworth 6| 93| 875|
10|Allestrey pa|Alfreton 13| 128| 501|
23|Allexton pa||Uppingham 5| 89| 68|
9|Allhallows pa|Allonby 7| 308| 205|
21|Allhallows pa|Queenboro 6| 36| 263|
12|Allington pa|Beaminster 5| 136| 1300|
21|Allington[A] pa|Wrotham 8| 32| 37|
+--+----------------+-----------------------+-----+--------+

[A] ALLINGTON. Situated in the hundred of Larkefield, in the lathe of Aylesford, near the river Medway. ALLINGTON CASTLE was originally built in the Saxon times, by a noble family denominated _Columbary_, but was razed afterwards by the Danes. The manor was given after the conquest to Bishop Odo, (in whose time there was a _church_ at Allington,) and on his disgrace, to the great Earl Warrenne, who is stated to have had the castle rebuilt, which, however, seems to be doubtful, as the famous Sir Stephen Penchester, constable of Dover Castle, in the reign of Edward I., and then owner of this manor, had a license to fortify, and embattle, his mansion-house here. It passed afterwards to the _Cobham_ family; and from them to the _Brents_, by whom it was alienated to Sir Henry Wyatt, a descendant from a worthy Yorkshire family; who, besides losing seventeen manors, was deprived of his liberty for engaging in the plot against Richard III. in favour of the Earl of Richmond; but when success had crowned the attempts of the latter, he was released by the new king, knighted, made banneret, a knight of the bath, and a privy counsellor. He made this castle his residence; and here was born his accomplished son and successor, Sir Thomas Wyatt. This gentleman who was equally renowned, as a scholar, a soldier, and a statesman, (in consequence of which he was considered to be "the delight of the muses and mankind") made this a "fair seat," and was visited here by Henry VIII., (as his father Sir Henry had also been,) with whom he was a great favourite; though he appears in some degree to have unintentionally excited his jealousy, through the admiration which his accomplishments had raised in the breast of the fascinating Anne Boleyn. He died in his thirty-eighth year, at Sherborne, in Dorsetshire, of a violent fever. His son Sir Thomas Wyatt, the younger, being deprived of his estates and life, for treason against Queen Mary, this castle and manor became vested in the crown, and were granted, on lease by Elizabeth, to John Astley Esq., master of her jewels, in her eleventh year. His son, Sir John Astley, afterwards had the whole granted to him by the queen's letters patent, dated in her twenty-sixth year, and from his family it was transferred to that of Lord Romney, and is now the property of the present earl. The remains of the castle are particularly curious and interesting, but give the idea rather of a fortified dwelling, than of a place of strength. The moat still exists, as does the entrance gateway, which was erected by the Cobhams. Besides the castle and parsonage, (a mere cottage,) there is only one house in this parish; though Sir Stephen de Penchester is recorded to have procured a grant of a market weekly, and a three days annual fair for his manor of Allington.

[Sidenote: The castle.]

[Sidenote: Mansion given to Bishop Odo.]

[Sidenote: Sir Henry Wyatt deprived of seventeen manors and his liberty, for treason.]

[Sidenote: Sir Thomas Wyatt, was an accomplished scholar, soldier and statesman.]

[Sidenote: Parish consists of one house, a church, and a cottage.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+-----------------------+----------+------------------------------+
41|Allington pa|Wilts |Amesbury 4|Salisbury 6|
41|Allington to|Wilts |Chippenham 2|Malmsbury 9|
41|Allington to|Wilts |Devizes 4|Calne 7|
11|Allington, East pa|Devon |Kingsbridge 4|Dartmouth 6|
11|Allington, West pa|Devon | ... 1|Modbury 7|
24|Allington, West pa|Lincoln |Grantham 5|Newark 10|
22|Allithwaite, Upper to|Lancaster |Cartmel 3|Hawkeshead 11|
22|Allithwaite, Lower to|Lancaster | ... 1| ... 13|
9|Allonby to|Cumberland|Wigton 11|Cockermouth 9|
7|Allostock to|Chester |Knutsford 5|Middlewich 5|
36|All Saints, St. Elm pa|Suffolk |Halesworth 5|Bungay 5|
17|Almeley pa|Hereford |Weobly 5|Kington 4|
12|Almer, West pa|Dorset |Blandford 6|Bere Regis 6|
35|Almington to|Stafford |Drayton 1|Newcastle 12|
39|Almington & Delph to|Warwick |Tamworth 2|Atherstone 7|
38|Almodington pa|Sussex |Chichester 6|Bognor 10|
45|Almondbury[A] pa & to|W.R. York |Huddersfield 2|Barnsley 10|
15|Almondsbury pa & ti|Gloucester|Thornbury 4|Old Pas. Hou. 5|
34|Almsford pa|Somerset |Castle Cary 1|Bruton 4|
43|Alne pa & to|N.R. York |Easingwold 3|Borobridge 6|
39|Alne, Great chap & to|Warwick |Alcester 3|Henley-Arden 5|
29|Alnham pa & to|Northumb |Alnwick 14|Wooler 11|
29|Alnwick[B] m.t. & pa|Northumb |Newcastle 34|Morpeth 9|
+--+-----------------------+----------+--------------+---------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+-----------------------+-------------------------+-----+---------+
41|Allington pa|Andover 11| 77| 80|
41|Allington to|Bath 13| 95| 162|
41|Allington to|Marlboro 10| 88| 162|
11|Allington, East pa|Totness 7| 205| 677|
11|Allington, West pa|Plymouth 18| 207| 872|
24|Allington, West pa|M. Mowbray 16| 115| 357|
22|Allithwaite, Upper to|Ulverstone 11| 255| 759|
22|Allithwaite, Lower to|..by Ferry 6| 257| 838|
9|Allonby to|Abbey-Holm 8| 315| 783|
7|Allostock to|Northwich 6| 168| 448|
36|All Saints, St. Elm pa|Harleston 5| 105| 439|
17|Almeley pa|Leominster 7| 107| ...|
35|Almington to|Eccleshall 10| 158| 340|
39|Almington & Delph to|Coleshill 10| 112| 264|
38|Almodington pa|Selsea-Bill 4| 68| ...|
45|Almondbury[A] pa & to|Wakefield 9| 186| 30606|
15|Almondsbury pa & ti|Bristol 8| 117| 1408|
34|Almsford pa|Glastonbury 9| 114| 304|
43|Alne pa & to|Thirsk 9| 212| 1967|
39|Alne, Great chap & to|Stratford 7| 103| 343|
29|Alnham pa & to|Rothbury 9| 314| 278|
29|Alnwick[B] m.t. & pa| ... 11| 308| 6788|
+--+-----------------------+-------------------------+-----+---------+

[A] ALMONDBURY is situated near the river Calder, in the upper division of the wapentake of Aybrigg. Here is a grammar school, founded by patent from James I. and endowed with about L120 per annum. This place is noted for its extensive woollen manufactories. It was anciently called Albanbury. In the neighbourhood traces of an ancient castle, on an eminence, are still discernable. It is supposed, by some antiquarians, to have been the Campodonum of the Romans, and subsequently a royal seat of some of the Saxon kings.

[Sidenote: Grammar school founded by James I.]

[Sidenote: Ancient castle. Campodonum of the Romans.]

[B] ALNWICK, is on the high road from London to Berwick, and usually regarded as the capital of the county. It is situated partly in the southern division of Barnborough Ward, and partly in the eastern division of Coquetdale Ward. It is built irregularly, on the declivities of a hill, near the river Alne, over which a handsome stone bridge was erected by the late Duke of Northumberland, which bears the Percy crest on the parapet; there is also another bridge, of one arch, lower down the river; these two bridges serve as boundaries to the fine lawns surrounding the castle. At the head of Pottergate is a tower or clock-house, built in 1786. An abbey of Premonstratension canons was founded at Alnwick by Eustace St. John, in the year 1147. It was pleasantly situated on the northern margin of the Alne, the site of which was granted, in 1549, to Ralph Sadler, and Lawrence Wennington, after which it became the seat of the Brandling family, and also of the Doubleday family, by whom it was sold to the Duke of Northumberland. A fine gate house still remains, on which the Percy arms is visible. This town has a spacious market place, and a considerable town hall, in which the sessions and county courts are held. It is paved, watched, and lighted, under an act passed in 1821. Although the county town, the assizes are held at Newcastle. Alnwick Castle has been for many centuries a fortress of great strength, and the family mansion of the Percys'; it stands on an eminence on the south side of the Alne, opposite to the town, and commands a beautiful view of the country. The walls are flanked with sixteen gothic towers, the battlements of which, are ornamented with figures of ancient warriors: it is very celebrated in border history, and was peculiarly fatal to the kings of Scotland, of whom Malcolm II. and his son Edward, fell before it; and William, surnamed the Lion, was taken prisoner. The castle has lately undergone a complete repair; great attention having been paid to the restoration of the gothic ornaments in their original style. The chapel has been rendered extremely beautiful, by the introduction of a ceiling, in imitation of the celebrated one of King's College, Cambridge. There is also a handsome window, on the model of one at York Minster, and the walls are painted in the manner of those of the cathedral of Milan. The tenants of the estate at Alnwick, in the year 1818, erected a monument to the memory of the late Duke of Northumberland, who died in 1817, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. The Percy column, as it is called, stands on a beautiful knoll, adjoining the road on the southern entrance to the town; it rises without a pedestal, and may be seen in every direction, it is eighty-three feet in height, but may be ascended easily by a circular flight of stairs within. There is an immemorial custom continued here on the proclamation of the several fairs; divers adjacent townships, which are free of toll in the borough, by this service, send their deputies to attend the bailiff, on the eve of the fair, when he makes proclamation; after which they keep watch all night in every part of the town, and this is the most perfect remains of watch and ward retained in any part of this country. It is said that King John, having endured considerable inconvenience from the miry state of the roads, in humorous revenge, directed that for the future, the freemen of Alnwick, should be made in the following manner, which is still observed.--On St. Mark's day, those who are to be made free, assemble in the market place, dressed in white, with white caps, and a sword by their side. They proceed on horseback from this place to the town moor, headed by the four chamberlains, attired in the same manner, where they alight and rush through a muddy pool; having performed this ceremony, they change their soiled garments, and return to the town. Here is a free school, supported by a revenue arising out of the tolls, and various minor charities.

_Market_, Saturday,--_Mail_ arrives 6-1/4 A.M., departs 5-1/2
P.M.--_Fairs_, Palm Sunday eve, for shoes, hats, &c.; May 12th,
horses and horned cattle; last Monday in July, linen and woollen
cloth; 1st Tuesday in October, and October 28th, horses and cattle;
and Saturday before Christmas Day, for shoes, hats, and
woollens.--_Bankers_, Ridley and Co., draw on Glynn and Co.--_Inn_,
White Swan.

[Sidenote: An abbey of monks, founded in 1147.]

[Sidenote: Fortress of great strength.]

[Sidenote: The fall of Malcolm II. and his son Edward.]

[Sidenote: Monument to the memory of the late Duke of Northumberland.]

[Sidenote: Curious customs in Alnwick.]

[Sidenote: Making freemen at Alnwick through a muddy pool.]

Map| Names of Places. |County.| Number of Miles From |
+--+----------------------+-------+------------+------------+
14|Alphamstone pa|Essex |Halstead 5|Sudbury 5|
36|Alphaston pa|Suffolk|Sudbury 7|Lavenham 3|
11|Alphington pa|Devon |Exeter 1|Topsham 5|
27|Alpington pa|Norfolk|Norwich 6|Loddon 5|
7|Alpraham to|Chester|Tarporley 3|Malpas 8|
14|Alresford pa|Essex |Colchester 5|St. Osyth 6|
16|Alresford, New[A] m.t.|Hants |Southamp. 19|Winchester 7|
+--+----------------------+-------+------------+------------+
| |Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. |Number of Miles From|Lond.|Population.
+--+----------------------+--------------------+-----+------+
14|Alphamstone pa|Colchester 10| 50| 277|
36|Alphaston pa|Bury 10| 61| 309|
11|Alphington pa|Chudleigh 8| 167| 1236|
27|Alpington pa|Hempnell 6| 119| 197|
7|Alpraham to|Nantwich 7| 176| 418|
14|Alresford pa||Manningtre 8| 56| 297|
16|Alresford, New[A] m.t.|Alton 10| 57| 1437|
+--+----------------------+--------------------+-----+------+

[A] NEW ALRESFORD, is in the north division of the hundred of Alton: seated on the river Itchin, at no great distance from its source. It was anciently a more populous place than at present, the navigation of the river, having at one time extended from Southampton to this town; whereas, it now ceases at Winchester. Alresford is divided into two parishes, of which that of Old Alresford is deemed the mother church. The town, which formerly sent a member to parliament, is governed by a bailiff and eight burgesses; and the petty sessions are held here. There is a manufacture of linseys of some consequence, but generally speaking, the trade is much decayed. At Tichbourne Hall, about two miles distant, the seat of Sir H. Tichbourne, there has been bestowed annually, on Lady Day, from the reign of Henry II. a gift to every applicant of twopence in bread or money; of which bounty, in some years, no less than seventeen hundred persons have partaken.

_Market_, Thursday.--_Mail_ arrives 3-1/2 A.M. departs 11-1/2
P.M.--_Fairs_, last Thursday in July, and October 17, sheep,
&c.--_Bankers_, Knapp & Co. draw on Barclay & Co.--_Inn_, Swan.

[Sidenote: Formerly a populous place.]

[Sidenote: Tichbourne Hall, seat of Sir H. Tichbourne.]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+--------------------+---------+------------+--------------+
16|Alresford, Old pa|Hants |Southamp. 19|Winchester 7|
35|Alrewas pa|Stafford |Lichfield 5|Burton 8|
35|Alewas Hayes dis|Stafford | ... 4| ... 9|
7|Alsager pa|Chester |Sandbach 5|Congleton 9|
10|Alsop-le-Dale pa|Derby |Ashbourn 6|Longnor 8|
22|Alston to|Lancaster|Preston 6|Blackburn 6|
42|Alstone chap|Worcester|Tewkesbury 5|Evesham 7|
35|Alstonefield pa & to|Stafford |Ashbourn 6|Longnor 6|
22|Altcar chap|Lancaster|Ormskirk 6|Liverpool 11|
8|Alternon pa|Cornwall |Launceston 8|Camelford 8|
22|Altham to & chap|Lancaster|Burnley 5|Colne 11|
14|Althorne pa|Essex |Maldon 6|Southminster 3|
24|Althorp pa & to|Lincoln |Burton 5|Epworth 5|
27|Althorpe ham|Norfolk |Fakenham 2|N. Walsingh. 3|
48|Altmawr chap|Brecon |Builth 3|Brecon 12|
45|Altofts to|W.R. York|Wakefield 4|Leeds 8|
16|Alton[A] m.t. & pa|Hants |Southamp. 29|Basingstoke 10|
41|Alton Barnes pa|Wilts |Marlboro 7|Devizes 7|
12|Alton Pancras pa|Dorset |Dorchester 7|Cerne-Abbas 3|
41|Alton Priors chap|Wilts |Devizes 7|Marlboro 7|
7|Altringham[B] m.t.|Chester |Knutsford 7|Stockport 10|
+--+--------------------+---------+------------+--------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+--------------------+----------------------+-----+--------+
16|Alresford, Old pa|Alton 10| 57| 459|
35|Alrewas pa|Bromley 5| 124| 1607|
35|Alewas Hayes dis ... 6| 124| 77|
7|Alsager pa|Nantwich 8| 157| 446|
10|Alsop-le-Dale pa|Winster 6| 145| 61|
22|Alston to|Clitheroe 9| 222| 1030|
42|Alstone chap|Pershore 7| 101| 78|
35|Alstonefield pa & to|Winster 8| 144| 5169|
22|Altcar chap|Prescott 13| 214| 505|
8|Alternon pa|Bodmin 16| 222| 1069|
22|Altham to & chap|Blackburn 6| 212| 413|
14|Althorne pa|Rochford 6| 42| 352|
24|Althorp pa & to|Glandford Br 12| 165| 981|
27|Althorpe ham|Holt 10| 111| 9|
48|Altmawr chap|Aberedwy 2| 170| 43|
45|Altofts to|Pontefract 3| 186| 502|
16|Alton[A] m.t. & pa|Farnham 10| 47| 2742|
41|Alton Barnes pa|Pewsey 4| 82| 138|
12|Alton Pancras pa|Sherborne 10| 120| 210|
41|Alton Priors chap|Pewsey 4| 82| 205|
7|Altringham[B] m.t.|Manchester 9| 179| 2708|
+--+--------------------+----------------------+-----+--------+

[A] ALTON is seated on the river Wye; it is a pleasant open town, consisting of three streets, of which the principal contains some handsome houses. It is governed by a constable appointed by the magistracy, and a petty sessions are held in the town. The district around is celebrated for the superiority of its hop plantations, and possesses manufactures of druggets, serges, and other worsted fabrics, which are dyed in the wool. It was at Alton that Sir William Waller, in December 1643, obtained some advantages over the forces of Lord Hopton, who had taken his post in the town, the regiment commanded by Colonel Bowles retreated to the church, but not having time to barricade the doors, threw down their arms, and surrendered; but the Colonel himself, refusing quarter, was slain on the spot. Amongst the celebrated men to whom this town has given birth, may be mentioned William de Alton, a Dominican Friar, who lived in the time of Edward II., and wrote on the universality of the pollution of mankind by original sin. John Pitts, the Roman Catholic Biographer, who was born in 1560, and died in 1616; and William Curtis the Botanist, who was born about 1746, and died in 1799.

_Market_, Saturday.--_Mail_ arrives 2 A.M. departs 12-3/4
A.M.--_Fairs_, Saturday before May, sheep and lambs, September 29,
cattle and toys.--Commercial Banking Company, draw on Williams, and
Co.--_Inn_, Swan.

[Sidenote: Celebrated for hops, and manufactures in serges and other worsted fabrics.]

[Sidenote: Church converted to a fortress.]

[B] ALTRINGHAM is a very neat market-town in the parish of Bowden, and hundred of Bucklow, near which the Duke of Bridgewater's canal passes from the Mersey at Runcorn, to Manchester; it possesses several factories of yarn, cotton, and worsted, and the vicinity supplies the markets of Manchester well with fruit and vegetables. This town was anciently a fee for the barons of Dunham Massey, one of whom granted to it a guild mercatory in the thirteenth century.

_Market_, Tuesday.--_Mail_ arrives 4-1/2 A.M., departs 9-1/2
P.M.--_Fairs_, April 29, August 5, November 22, for cattle and
drapery.--_Inns_, Bowling Green and Unicorn.

[Sidenote: Yarn, cotton, and worsted manufactories]

Map| Names of Places. | County. | Number of Miles From |
+--+------------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
7|Alvanley chap|Chester |Frodsham 3|Warrington 9|
7|Alvaston to|Chester |Sandbach 9|Middlewich 10|
10|Alvaston to & chap|Derby |Derby 4|Kegworth 8|
40|Alvechurch[A] pa|Worcester |Bromsgrove 4|Redditch 4|
41|Alvediston pa|Wilts |Hindon 7|Wilton 8|
33|Alvely pa & to|Salop |Bridgenorth 6|Bewdley 8|
11|Alverdiscott pa|Devon |Bideford 4|Barnstaple 6|
16|Alverstoke pa|Hants |Gosport 1|Tichfield 6|
45|Alverthorpe to|W.R. York |Wakefield 1|Leeds 7|
30|Alverton ham|Notts |Newark 7|Bingham 7|
31|Alvescott pa|Oxford |Burford 5|Bampton 3|
15|Alveston[B] pa|Gloucester|Thornbury 3|New Pas 6|
39|Alveston pa|Warwick |Stratford 2|Warwick 7|
35|Alveton pa & to|Stafford |Cheadle 4|Uttaxeter 6|
24|Alvingham pa|Lincoln |Louth 4|Saltfleet 8|
15|Alvington ham|Gloucester|Blakeney 6|Coleford 6|
19|Alwalton pa|Hunts |Peterboro 5|Stilton 6|
11|Alwington pa|Devon |Bideford 4|Torrington 6|
45|Alwoodley to|W.R. York |Leeds 4|Ottley 5|
17|Amberly ham|Hereford |Hereford 6|Bromyard 9|
38|Amberly pa|Sussex |Arundel 4|Petworth 4|
16|Ambersham, North ti|Hants |Midhurst 3| ... 4|
16|Ambersham, South ti|Hants | ... 3| ... 4|
29|Amble to|Northumb |Alnwick 9|Morpeth 11|
35|Amblecoat ham|Stafford |Stourbridge 1|Dudley 4|
40|Ambleside[C] m.t. & chap|Westmorlnd|Kendal 13|Helvelyn 8|
+--+------------------------+----------+-------------+-------------+
|Dist.|
Map| Names of Places. | Number of Miles From |Lond.|Population.
+--+------------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+
7|Alvanley chap|Chester 10| 188| 341|
7|Alvaston to|Whitchurch 11| 164| 46|
10|Alvaston to & chap|Burton 12| 124| 364|
40|Alvechurch[A] pa|Birmingham 11| 114| 1548|
41|Alvediston pa|Shaftesbury 9| 92| 239|
33|Alvely pa & to|Cleobury 9| 133| 836|
11|Alverdiscott pa|Torrington 4| 200| 334|
16|Alverstoke pa|Fareham 6| 79| 12637|
45|Alverthorpe to|Dewsbury 5| 183| 4859|
30|Alverton ham|Southwell 9| 118| 16|
31|Alvescott pa|Whitney 6| 74| 361|
15|Alveston[B] pa|Bristol 9| 119| 800|
39|Alveston pa|Henley 9| 96| 650|
35|Alveton pa & to|Ashbourn 8| 42| 2391|
24|Alvingham pa|Grimsby 18| 153| 292|
15|Alvington ham|Chepstow 7| 128| 281|
19|Alwalton pa|Wandsford 5| 80| 294|
11|Alwington pa|Barnstaple 12| 206| 486|
45|Alwoodley to|Wetherby 8| 193| 142|
17|Amberly ham|Leominster 8| 135| 25|
38|Amberly pa|Worthing 11| 51| 637|
16|Ambersham, North ti|Haslemere 6| 49| 121|
16|Ambersham, South ti| ... 6| 49| 183|
29|Amble to|Felton 6| 301| 247|
35|Amblecoat ham|Wolverhamp 8| 122| 1157|
40|Ambleside[C] m.t. & chap|Winanderm 1| 278| 1095|
+--+------------------------+------------------------+-----+-------+

[A] ALVECHURCH is situated in the middle division of the hundred of Halfshire; it was formerly a borough and governed by a bailiff, chosen annually at the court of the lord of the manor. The church is a large structure of Anglo Norman architecture, but the tower is modern. It however contains many ancient monuments: a hospital was founded here by Nicholas Lewkenor, of Hadsor, in 1580. The bishops of the county formerly had a palace here. Bishop Brain, Chancellor of England, in the reign of Edward III., to whom the Black Prince, wrote a circumstantial account of the battle of Poicters, died here in 1361. Bishop Latimer put it in repair in the reign of Henry VIII., it seems to have been merely a timber building. It has not been inhabited by any Bishop since the restoration, and was nearly a century ago, entirely pulled down, when the park was converted into farms. The river Arrow, which rises in the Lickey Hills, runs through the parish, towards Beoley Park, and Warwickshire; and the Ikenield Street, also passes it. This town formerly consisted of several streets, but is now fallen into decay, it however, receives some benefit from the Worcester canal, which passes it, and joins the Stratford-and-Avon canal, at King's Norton.

[Sidenote: Church of Anglo Norman architecture.]

[Sidenote: Dilapidations of time.]

[B] ALVESTON. This parish contains the vestiges of two Roman camps; the one on the top of a hill called Oldbury, near the Severn; the other called Castle Hill; in both which places, various relics of antiquity have been discovered.

[Sidenote: Two Roman camps.]

[C] AMBLESIDE is seated on the decline of a hill, at the extremity of the romantic lake Winandermere, of which a branch passes through the town. It is held by Horsley, to be the site of the Roman Dictus. It is scarcely in the power of language to do justice to the romantic beauties of this neighbourhood; perhaps the most beautiful scenery in England, is to be found in its vicinity. Here is an extensive manufactory of woollen cloth.

_Market_, Wednesday.--_Fairs_, Wednesday after Whit-Sunday, for
horned cattle October 29, ditto and sheep--_Mail_ arrives 9-1/2 A.M.,
departs 7 A.M.

[Sidenote: Site of the Roman Dictus.]

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Curiosities of Great Britain: England and Wales Delineated Vol.1-11Chapter II: Part 2

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