The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-10-04

fore the infamous court of star chamber in
1881, charged with harbOring JesutS and be-
ing present at secret celebration OF the
mass. of viii offenses they were convicted.
Sir Robert Catesby, his son and successor.
who originated the gunpowder plot on these
grounds, lived, until pursued and shot to
death at Holheach, Staff0rdShire. in 1906, in
this picturesque old manor house.
CateSby's estates having been cUnfiscated
by the crown, the lordship and advowson Of
the manor in full were granted in 1911 to Sir
William Irving in fee. They were subse-
quently sold by Irving to Brian Panson and
Ann, his wife, with whose descend
ants they continued until 1903. WIN
they were purchased by Joseph Ashby,
ESQ.,, and from him they descended
to the late Lady Senh0use, who, dying
in 1850, left the property to her only sur
viviDg child, Captain William Senhouse, a
bachelor and confirmed woman-hater.
On his deeease, in 1884. Major Humphrey
PockinGtUn SenhOuSe was called from his
estates in Cumberland to act as executor.
and found to his surprise that the splendid
old property had been devised to him. This
is long search" or abstract of title" as
the real-estate lawyers would call it. But
what grand historic sweep il has! What
q host OF men in armOr and "ladyes faire"
il marshalS from the dim and kDightly days!
What sacred pilgrImnges, bloody wars, deS-
perate and victorious dynasties, knighIy
pageants and horrid plots it summons for
solemn review, and how glorious historic
romance could be wrought within Ashby
ST. Ledgers' grim and ghostly old wallsl
Approaching the place along the high
way from the southwest, you suddenly come
upon the daintieSt and most flnweI-spangled
village in England, II is a tiny collection
of dependencies upon the manor; but there
can nowhere else be found such flower en-
powered homes. Just at the northern edge
n tbig the tyipla fOrTuDp striking hack
ground TO the side broidery Of one of the
finest WIDE high overArchingS of ancient
ash trees | have ever seen, first appears
huge wall, high, thick ivy hung and messy.
SurmOuntng this is wonderfully pictur-
eSQue old gate-nouSe, with two stories of
chambers and an attI3-the veritable meet
ing-rOom of the conspirators-over a capa-
ciOus archway, which formed the ancient
sole entrance to the domain, in the good old
days, there also being etisieS Of saints at
the arehway sides and
CONVENIENT INCHES
In which the mendicaut travellers could sit
and appeal TO PaSSers for aims. Behind
this are other venerable outbuildings, half a
thousand years old and in perfect maze.
To the right and higher shows a grim.
square Norman tower, and the messy roof
OF the parish church, whose living is
within the gift of the lord Of the manor.
Behind and above all are the many mas
sive gables of this most splendidly fantastic
manor house within the Eng land midland
shireS.
The church itself is a study in ancient
English ecclesiastic architecture, is eX-
traordinarlly rich in monuments and
braSses, and possesses many evidences of
having been largely restored and beautt
fed by John de CateSby about 14I2. It's
age, however, dates from many hundred
years before that time. Many monuments
OF the CatesbvS are found in the cnancel,
f.,,a 1A-truatinD from In MIA
being so seQuestered a one, Mt the time of
the terrible public outburst against the fatal
treason of Robert Catesby. But portion
of its floor is covered with flags, sugges-
ton of extraordinary antiquity, as well of
the beautiful village "TushbeRrlng" pro-
cessionalS, which were certain to have an
nualy been seen within it. It's traditional
south porch is as quaint study as that of
ancient GraSmere church in WestmoTeland
And, aS from time lnmemOrlal las been the
custom with English parish churches under
memorial and demesne beneticeS, private
way leads to the hall of the lord of the
manor.
At Ashby st. Ledgers II passes through
the ancient courtyard walls and winds
across noble terraced lawn aud garden
At the rear of these, marking the boundary
of the highway, is majestic line of ash
trees. Halfway between the mauor-house
and these stands the historic tuliD tree Of
st. Lsdgers, indeed, if MT OF England
It's glrth al + feet from the ground Is 10
feet and > inches just above this it breaks
into three forks with girths Of feet ?
inches, Z feet inches aud feet inches.
It's greatest girth of branch is IS feet from
north to south, rs feet from east to west,
and It's height is II feet.
The manor house Is believed to be nearly
700 years old It's south and west fronts
certainly date from the time of Edward III.
They retain their original character, and
are finished with gables and an open para
pet. The east front is modernized. In the hall
of the most ancient portion every oak panel
bears now almost mdistinguishabie paint
ing OF head or an armorial device. Many
portions of the Catesbys are still intact.
Tie entire interior is labyrinth Of VAIN
scoting, curious Sunken aud secret repOsto-
ries, dark old Railways, wOndrously carved
chimney-pieces and fantastic stairways,
balustrades and landings. 1t is believed
that the cellars contain walled up secret
passages to distant places of exit, and in one
l found huge stone altar, where formerly
Christian England compelled the piOus to
worship for fear OF the Eallows OF Tower
Hill. EDGAR l. WAKEsIAN.
Copyright, 1891