The morning call., 1890-11-02

hurst. From their proverbial flatness the
eastern counties may very reasonably be eX-
pected to supply their quota of water-glrdled
mansions. Knitting Towers in Cambridge
shire is one of these, and the estate, known at
the time of the Great Survey" as Chertilinge,
on which it stands, once formed part OF the
possessions of Earl Harold. 1t was then an
extensive domain, with its park and it, fish
cry. In the fourteenth century it IS spoken
Of " as a castle Enclosed by moats." but it is
chiefly interesting as having been the home
OF the distinguished family OF the Norths.
Roger, the second Baron of that ilk, enter
tanned Queen Elizabeth here for three days
in 1878, at the time he was treasurer OF her
household The castle was built by his
father, Edward, the first Baron North, on
one of those artificial Quadrangular islands
which are so common in Norfolk
and Suffolk, and whose history for the most
part has been lost in the distant past The
island at Knitting was originally a rectangle
OF about seven acres in extent. surrounded
by an enormous mOat of great depth and
fifty yards wide. The remains of extensive
earthworks toward the east clearly indicate
that at whatever time the moat was ex-
cavated it must have involved a prodigious
expenditure Of organized labor, and that the
Island was intended to serve as place OF
defense and security.
About eight miles from Ipswich, on the
high road from that town to Framlingham,
Helmingham Hall, moated Elzabethan
mansion equal almost in interest to any in
the kingdom. Standing in the midst of-an
extensive park, celebrated for the size of its
oak trees, and well stocked with red ana
fallow deer, the house is approached through
long, finely grown arching avenue also OF
oaks, having two lodges at its COM
nencement, and gate houses at its
termination. The encircling water is
crossed by two drawbridges still
practicable, and supposed to be raised every
night. The editice is quadrangGlar in its
plan, the center occupied by. courtyard
which has to be traversed to reach the nall.
The entire rebuilding OF that portion of this
ancient seat known as the garden front, as
well rs its complete renovation and re-
furnishing throughout in the Tudor fashion,
are due to Its present proprietors. Many Of
the chambers are adorned by fine old family
portraits from generation TO generation,
from the cunning hands of Lely. Kneller
and Sir Joshua among others. Bullt by one
Lionel TollemGcbe during the reign of Henry
VIII upon the site of the more ancient
moated manor-house, styled Cuke Hall, it is
a treasure-house OF choice relics, and so
perfect IN its details that il is almost unique
among our many fine old country seats.
Huntingdonshre possesses, besides Buck
den, very fine and noble old country seat,
eCtitled Horeham Hall, which, with i IS
crow-Stepped gables, ornaments! bricked
chimney-stacks, massive square tower and
beautiful bay-windows, is externally feat
ure in the landscape not to be overlooked.
Internally, the octagunal staircase ana fine
hall would alone demand CT, Sc observation,
fer, having been built by Sir John Cults,
Under Treasurer during the reign of Henry
VIII, ana inhabited by the Princess Eliza
beth during part of the reign of her sister
Mary. we may be sure there can be no lack
Of mind s-eye historical pictures for those
who have the wit to see them. The maiden
Queen paid her early home more than one
visit in after lie The founder was called
"Oid Cuts"