What to See in England. Gordon Home
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to contain twelve people! The historical interest which attaches itself to Rye House, though well known, may be briefly given here. It was in 1683 the scene of a plot, in Charles II.'s reign, to assassinate the king and his brother the Duke of York, afterwards James II., on their way to London from Newmarket. Charles, though restored to the throne, was giving great dissatisfaction to many in the country. Though professedly a Protestant, it was well known that his leanings were towards Roman Catholicism, and his brother the Duke of York was an avowed Catholic. Then it was discovered that Charles had been receiving a pension from Louis XIV. of France, on condition that this country did not go to war with the French, an arrangement which was most humiliating to the English people. The nation was thoroughly alarmed, and at the next meeting of Parliament the Commons brought in a bill to exclude the Duke of York from ever coming to the throne. Many of the leading Whigs, including Lord William Russell, Algernon Sidney, and the Earl of Essex, formed a confederacy. It has never been proved that they ever meant the country to rise against the king, but unfortunately, just at the same time, some bolder and fiercer spirits of the Whig party determined to kill both Charles and James at the lonely Rye House belonging to Rumbolt. The plot failed from the fact that the house which the king occupied at Newmarket accidentally caught fire, and Charles was obliged to leave Newmarket a week sooner than was expected. This conspiracy as well as the meetings of the Whig party were betrayed to the king's ministers. Russell was beheaded in 1683, and Sidney shared the same fate.
[Illustration: RYE HOUSE.
The scene of the famous Rye House Plot in 1683.]
HATFIELD HOUSE, HERTS
=How to get there.=—From King's Cross. Great Northern Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—Hatfield.
=Distance from London.=—17–¾ miles.
=Average Time.=—35 minutes.
1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—Single 2s. 6d. … 1s. 5–½d.
Return 5s. 0d. … 2s. 11d.
=Accommodation Obtainable.=—"Red Lion Hotel," etc.
Permission to see the interior of Hatfield House can be obtained when the Marquess of Salisbury is not in residence.
After the Norman Conquest Hatfield, the Haethfield of the Saxons, became the property of the bishops of Ely, and was known as Bishops Hatfield, as indeed it is marked on many maps. There was here a magnificent palace, which at the Reformation became the property of Henry VIII., and was afterwards given to the Cecils by James I., who received Theobalds in exchange.
The town of Hatfield is a quaint, straggling place, with narrow streets and many antique houses. A steep declivity leads up to the old church, dedicated to St. Etheldreda, just outside one of the entrances to the grounds of Hatfield House. The church contains a monument to Sir Robert Cecil, first Earl of Salisbury, also tombs of the Botelers, Brockets, and Reads of Brocket Hall.
The entrance gateway, close to the churchyard, leads to what are now the stables of Hatfield House, a fine red-brick structure, once the banqueting-hall of the Bishop's Palace. This building, with its fine open timber roof, is perhaps the only example of its kind in England used as a stable.
Hatfield House is one of the most perfect and magnificent of Elizabethan mansions in the kingdom. It was built by the first Earl of Salisbury in 1611, and is practically unaltered. The fine oak panelling and carving, the plaster ceilings, and much of the furniture, all remain as they were in the days of the great Lord Burleigh. The great hall, with its splendid timber roof, and the gallery, with a fine collection of pictures and curios, are two striking features. The staircase is magnificent in design and detail, and is furnished with gates at the bottom, placed there originally for preventing the dogs from wandering upstairs.
The paintings in the hall and other rooms in Hatfield House include portraits of the great Burleigh, Sir Robert and other Cecils, by Lely and Kneller; Henry VIII., Anne Boleyn, Mary Queen of Scots, the Earl of Leicester, and Queen Elizabeth.
[Illustration: Photochrom Co., Ltd.
HATFIELD HOUSE.]
RUNNYMEAD, THE SIGNING OF MAGNA CHARTA
=How to get there.=—Train from Waterloo. L. and S.W. Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—Staines.
=Distance from London.=—19 miles.
=Average Time.=—50 minutes.
1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—Single 3s. 0d. 2s. 0d. 1s. 6d.
Return 5s. 0d. 3s. 6d. 2s. 9d.
=Accommodation Obtainable.=—At Staines—"Pack Horse Hotel,"
"Swan Hotel," "Bridge Hotel."
=Alternative Route.=—Train from Paddington to Staines. G.W.R.
Runnymede takes a prominent place among the many historical spots which crowd the banks of the Thames. The river at this point is winding and picturesque. Some doubt attaches to the exact spot where John, in 1215, realising at last that the barons were too strong for him, confirmed their articles with his hand and seal, with the full intention of breaking his word as soon as it was possible. It was either on the south side of the river, or on an island opposite the end of the meadow, now known as Magna Carta Island, that this early bulwark of freedom was granted by the king. Though there is strong tradition in favour of the meadows on the opposite bank, possibly the balance of favour is with the island. On the island there is a rough stone bearing an inscription stating that this is the celebrated spot.
The island is now private property. Above it, on the left, is a low wooded ridge known as Cooper's Hill, from which one can enjoy some exquisite views of the Thames valley.
THE OLDEST BRASS IN ENGLAND
=How to get there.=—Train to Leatherhead by South-Western or
London, Brighton and South Coast lines.
=Distance from London.=—19 miles.
=Accommodation Obtainable.=—"Swan Hotel," etc., at Leatherhead.
Two and a half miles from Leatherhead is situated the ancient church of Stoke d'Abernon, famous for possessing the oldest brass in England. It shows a complete figure of Sir John d'Abernoun, who died in 1277. The church, restored externally, overlooks the river Mole.
[Illustration: IN STOKE D'ABERNON CHURCH
Twelfth Century Parish Chest, with slot for inserting Peter's Pence. The three locks were for the rector and two churchwardens.
The brass to Sir John d'Abernoun on the floor of the Chancel showing the chain armour worn between 1250 and 1300 A.D.
Jacobean hour-glass stand.]
ST. ALBANS
VERULAMIUM AND GORHAMBURY
=How to get there.=—Through train from St. Pancras. Midland Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—St. Albans.
=Distance from London.=—20 miles.
=Average Time.=—Varies between ½ to 1 hour.
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