towards Kenilworth, in 1575. She arrived at Itchington on Saturday the 9th of July; and we learn from Lancham, the historian of that magnificent progress, that "there was pitched here a tent, which for number and shift of large and goodlye roomz might be comparable with a beautifull pallais." This temporary habitation was, indeed, so spacious that it had " seaven cart dode of pynz perteining too it." Pleasant pastime in hunting was prepared to banish tedium from the ensuing ride, so that it was eight in the evening before her highness arrived at Kenilworth.

Itchington is now a small village; but, at the period of the Conquest, and during the ages which immediately succeeded, it appears to have been of considerable consequence. It like wise boasts for a native a man eminent in the pious chronicles of his day; St. Wolstan, who was consecrated Bishop of Worcester in 1062. He was educated in the abbey of Peterborough, but was shorn a monk in the monastery at Worcester, where his father was then living, devoted to religious services, Few bishops of the early ages have been so favourably treated by historians as this prelate: we hear little touching his miracles, but much concerning his real virtues and strength of understanding. His zeal for religion and public morals, when directed by the fanciful piety of the era, unavoidably led to actions which now raise a smile, though they then excited serious admiration ;* but all writers concur in ascribing to him simplicity of heart and unbounded benevolence. By Bishop Wolstan the cathedral of Worcester, which had been burned by order of Hardicanute, was completely restored.

BIRDINGBURY is two and a half miles from Long Itchington, on the north-east. This is one of the places which Earl Leofric gave to the Benedictine monks, on founding the monastery at Coventry. The monks granted their interest in this estate to the family of Hastings, of Allesley in this county, who held it by

the

See some anecdotes concerning this prelate in the "Beauties, &c." for Worcestershire, p. 62, and 95,

the service of one knight's fee. After various transmissions the property was obtained, in 1674, by Sir Charles Wheler, Bart. whose son, Sir William Wheler, resigned his right and title to the Lady Dorothy his mother. By this lady the estate was conveyed, in 1687, to Symon Biddulph, Esq. The family of Biddulph were originally seated in Staffordshire, and took their name from the village of Biddulph in that county," of which," says Dr. Thomas," they have been lords since the Conquest." The present representative of this family is Sir Theophilus Biddulph, Bart. who has here a venerable mansion, well suited to the needs and purposes of ancient English hospitality.

LEAMINGTON HASTANG (often, but erroneously, written Lemington Hastings) adjoins the preceding parish. This village is seated on the south bank of the river Leame, from which circumstance of site it obviously acquires the first part of its appellation the second it derives from the powerful family of Hastangs, who long resided here in all the rude splendour usual with the chieftains of the early ages. In the reign of Charles I. the manor was purchased by Sir Thomas Trevor, one of the barons of the exchequer, who bequeathed it to Sir Charles Wheler, Bart. By Dorothy, the relict of Sir Charles Wheler, an almshouse was founded and endowed, for the maintenance of two poor persons; and, adjoining this institution, is an hospital for the maintenance of eight poor persons of the parish, founded and endowed by Humphrey Davis, in the fifth of King James I. The lands bequeathed by this latter benefactor for charitable purposes it appears were unjustly withheld for twenty six years, but were then recovered, and directed to their intended channel, by the exertions of Sir Thomas Trevor. The building is now fallen much to decay; but a speedy restoration is projected. The Rev. Sir Charles Wheler, Bart. has here an agreeable residence:

In this parish is the hamlet of HERDWICK, from which a branch of the Hastangs, mentioned above, took a surname. The Herdwick family once bore some sway in this county, but afterwards removed to Leicestershire, and the name became extinct in

the

the reign of Henry VIII. John Herdwick, the last male of this family, is mention by Burton, in his description of Leicestershire, in the following terms: "He was a man of small stature, but of great courage and strength, who, at that time as Henry, Earl of Richmond coming to encounter King Richard III. was lodged at Atherstone, the night before the battle fought, came to the said earl tendring himself and his service, bringing with him men, and certain great horses, and became guide to the earl and his army. This is the man of whom the tradition goeth by an unknown name, by whose good conduct the earl got the advantantage of the ground, winde, and sunne." John Herdwick lived at Lindley Hall, near Hinckley.

UPPER SHUCKBURGH, or SHUCKBurgh Superior, is near the eastern border of the county, and is distant rather more than five miles from the town of Southam. At the time of the Norman Survey the Earl of Mellent held four hides in this place; but, shortly after, the property passed to the family of Danvers. In the 10th of Henry VI. John Shuckborough, Esq. was certified to hold a manor here, by the fourth part of a knight's fee; and the manorial rights have remained with his descendants to the present day. Shuckburgh Hall, the seat of this ancient family, is a capacious and handsome residence, surrounded by an extensive park, which is well stocked with deer, but has lately suffered much in the picturesque beauty of its woodland recesses. There is a melancholy tale connected with this mansion, which we would willingly avoid repeating, if we did not know that such narrations as exhibit the frightful effects of unrestrained passion may "point a moral" for the possible benefit of the listener. In few words the story runs thus:-The daughter of the late Sir Stewkley Shuckburgh, Bart. was fitted equally by charms of person and mind to attract admiration. She was seen by a Lieutenant Sharp of the Bedfordshire militia, and the violence of affection which she created in his bosom the sequal mournfully illustrates. He visited at the house, and was received by her father with the hospitality becoming an English gentleman,

gentleman, until bis wishes respecting the lady were discovered. On apparently just grounds of disapproval he was then forbidden the house; and in this sentence of dismission Miss Shuckburgh concurred. But, though she yielded readily to the determination of parental judgment, she had formed a favourable opinion of the flattering visitor, and had exchanged with him several letters. These tokens of confidence she desired might be returned, on the interruption of their friendship; and Mr. Sharp appointed a time. The lady was to deposit the letters received from him in a summer house of the gardens, and there he promised that the papers signed by her hand should likewise be placed. On the evening of Saturday, the 25th of March, 1809, the letters possessed by Miss Shuckburgh were to be resigned; and she had his assurance that on the succeeding morning she would find those written by herself, on the same spot. She left the mansion at an early hour of Sunday, and was observed by a curious servant to direct her steps to the summer house; but, through al the horrible night, her phrenzied correspondent had lingered about the premises, meditating an action pregnant with blood and terror. On entering the summer-house she found him there. The prying servant had dogged her footsteps. He listened, when near, and heard two voices in earnest dispute. The tone of the lady was evidently repulsive; and presently he heard the discharge of a pistol; and a person fell! In two seconds, according to the calculation of the amazed listener, another pistol was discharged; and a second fall ensued. He now alarmed the family; and, on entering, it was found that this wretched dupe of passion had first shot the object of his tenderest desires, and had then destroyed himself. It is impossible to quit the subject without lamenting that a female of such amiable inclinations, and one so ready to retrieve the first step of misplaced confidence, should be selected for the victim of a madman's fever. At the time of her death, Miss Shuckburgh was about twenty-one years of age.

The title of baronet was bestowed on John Shuckburgh, Esq.

by

by Charles II: in the year 1660. The father of this gentleman experienced many calamities, in consequence of his zeal for the royal cause, in the preceding reign. The story of his exertions possesses some interest, and is thus stated by the continuator of Dugdale: As King Charles I. marched to Edgcot, near Banbury, on the 22d of October 1642, he saw a person hunting in the fields not far from Shuckborough, with a very good pack of hounds; upon which it is reported that he fetched a deep sigh, and asked who that gentleman was that hunted so merrily that morning, when he was going to fight for his crown and dignity? And being told that it was Richard Shuckburgh, he was ordered to be called to him, and was by him very graciously received. Upon which he went immediately home, armed all his tenants, and the next day attended on him in the field, where he was knighted, and was present at the battle of Edghill. After the taking in of Banbury Castle, and his majesty's retreat from those parts, he went to his own seat, and fortified himself on the top of Shuckborough Hill, where being attacked by some of the Parliament forces he defended himself till he fell, with most of his tenants about him; but being taken up, and life perceived in him he was carried away prisoner to Kenilworth Castle, where he lay a considerable time, and was forced to purchase his liberty at a dear rate.'

Sir George, W. A. Shuckburgh Evelyn, Bart. who died in 1804, represented the county of Warwick in three successive Parliaments, and was distinguished for his ardent love of science. His deep and laborious researches in astronomy and general philosophy, rendered him a valuable member of the Royal Society, and an ornament to the literary character of his country. In private life he is said to have sunk to some defects of judgment, to which an acquaintance with letters should have rendered him superior. By those well able to appreciate his pretensions he is represented as suspicious, irritable, and selfish; as one who was habitually sedulous to ascribe the best-seeming actions of his fellow-creatures to sordid and corrupt motives. We do not believe

Thomas's Edit. of Warwickshire, &c. p. 509.

that