The Union and journal., 1870-01-21

Midway between the towns OF Walsall
and Wolvcrhampton, and on the border
line of the Black Country, is the little vii
lage of Bentley, still wearing somewhat
of its ancient rustic garb, and forming
strange contrast to the group Of smoky
iron towns whose tall chimncys fringe like
black forest the smiling meadow-lands
of this quiet hamlet. To the student of
history, and the lover Of romance, how
ever. the interest of Bentley is centred in
its ancient hall. formerly the dwelling Of
Colonel Lane, and the refuge of tho hap
less Charles the Second Mt the most de-
cisive crisis of his cventfnl and troublous
reign.
The present Bentley Hall, which stands
back from the road distance Of three or
four fields. is an old structure, although
not the one in which King Charles lodged.
The site. however, is the same, and pOr-
ton of stabling is believed to have be-
longed to the original structure. The ex-
act age of the present building Is not
known, but that 1t was built by Col. Lane
soon after tho royal visit, there is little
doubt.
The circumstances under which King
Charles hid himself ut Bentley arc too
we'll known to need more than q passing
allusion here; but some curious details OF
his remarkable cscapado may be given.
Alter the battle of Worcester, when the
forces of tho Royalists were signally do
feated, the king, accompanied by Colonel
wilmot, Colonel Clifford, Earl Derby, and
other stanch adherents, fled with all speed
to Staflordshire, intending to cross over
to the Welsh marshes for better conceal
ment. At daybreak on Thursday. Sep
tember the 4th, 1861, the fhgitivcs reached
the white Ladies'" a monastic establish
ment of the Clifford family, half mile
from Boscobel; and here II was, during n
brief concealmont that tho king formed
the acquaintance of William Penderel, to
whose loyalty and courage tho monarch
owed his wonderful preservation. In the
keeping Of this honest yeoman. the king
was secretly conveyed to Boscobcl, safe
retreat. in which many an outlawcd Ro-
mish priest had previously found refuge.
Before starting to Boscobel, His Majesty,
rs learn from an authentic chronicle. OF
the period, blacked his hands and face
with SCOT, and clipped short his flowing
ringlets. Then. stripping of his royal
attire, he donned 20 noggcn coarse shirt
of Edward Martins, who lived in the
house, and Richard Penderel's green suit
and lcatlcrn doublet." H d." l.Et'
His first sojourn at Boscobcl was very
brief. He partook Of mess of milk, but
ter and eggs, prepared by tho goodwife
Yates, aud In the midst Of drenching rain,
set out for Wafes, carrying wood bill in
his hands. and assuming the name Of
"Will Jones'" The Severn was. howev-
or, SO swollen. and the fords and bridges
were 50 well guarded. that hc got no fur
ther than Madclcy, whence, after sleeping
all night in hay-loft, he retraced his
steps to Boscobcl. Wcaried and footsorc.
he arrived on the morning Of the follow
ing Saturday; and being afraid to enter
tho house, no was assisted by Pendcrel up
into "a thick-lcafcd oak;" Col. Carless-
who had seen the last man killed ut Wor-
cester-mounting with him. A contem-
porary writer says: So, .s
They brought cushion for the king to
sit on, and the colonel humbly desired
His Majesty (who had taken little rest
tho two preceding nights to seat himself
rs easily rs he could in tho tree, and rest
his head in the coloncl's lap. who was
waichful that His Majesty should not Gall,
and In this posture His Majesty slumbercd
away some part Of the day." .
On the noxt day. Sunday the king
vcntnred into the house, where's place Of
concealment (still pointed out) had been
provided for him. 1t was then arranged
that on the same night the king should