Daily Yellowstone journal., 1891-10-06

was deprived Of both his wife and his in.
heritance.
Another Hugh de Grentmasnil. sue
cessor Of the young Two, appears TO have
subsequently recovered his patrimony
which descended 10 his daughter, Petro.
nilla, who, marrying Robert Blanch.
maines, earl Of Leicester, the grandson of
Robert, earl Of Mellent, his possessions
were all transferred into that family.
In the reign of Henry II, Ashby con
tanned four hides" Of the fee Of the Earl of
Leicester and subsequently became parcel
Of the duchy Of Lancaster. From the reign
Of King John to the latter part Of the reign
Of Edward III, this lordship was in the
hands Of the family De Crawford, when
Emma, daughter Of Robert de Crawford.
carried IL in marriage to John de Catesby.
Of Ladbroke, in Warwickshire.
Sir William Catesby, a grandson Of John.
was one Of the three favorites who ruled
England under Richard III, the 9TH
ers being Sir Richard Radcliffe and Wis
count Lowell. giving rise to the memorable
distich;
The rat. the cat and Lowell our dog.
Rule al England under the hog
The allusion to the "hog" referring to
King Richard having adopted a boar az
one Of the horaldic supporters upon his
regal escutcheon. For this poetical libel
C~oliingbourne, its author, was expeditions
ly hanged, headed and quartered" on
Tower Hill, London.
Sir William Catesby obtained grants Of
various forfeited manors and lucrative
wardships. and attending King Richard in
his last expedition against the Earl Of Rich
mond. he was taken prisoner in Bosworth
Field, lighting valiantly for his master,
and three days after was beheaded nc
Leicester His lands were escheated to the
crown and granted TO Sir James Blouut.
but were restored by act Of parliament TO
his son George in 1895. George Catesbv.
Esq, was succeeded By his son William, a
minor, who, dying without issue. the
estates descended to his youngest brocher.
Richard, who was member from War
wickshire IN the famous parliament which
proved so destructive TO the English mon
a~steries.
Sir William Catesby, grandson and sue
cessor Of Richard, was cited with others
before the infamous court Of star chamber
IN 1851, charged with harboring Jesuits
and being present nc a secret celebration
Of the mass, OF which OTenses they were
convicted Sir Robert Catesby. his son
and successor, who originated the gun
powder plot on these grounds. lived. until
pursued and shot 20 death at Holbeach.
StafOrdshire, in 1905, in this picturesque
old manor house.
CatesDy's estates having been confscated
by the crown, the lordship and advowson
Of the manor were granted, in 1911, o. Sir
William Irving In fee. They were subse-
quently sold by Irving 20 Brian Hanson
and Ann. his wife, with whose descendants
they continued until 1903. when they were
purchased by Joseph Ashby, Esq, and
from him they descended 90 the late Lady
Senhouse, who, dying In $50, left the prop
erty 20 her only surviving child, Captain
William SeuhOuse, "A bachelor and a con
hrmed woman hater. On his decease. in
lSSL Major Humphrey Pockiugton Sen
house was called from his estates in Cum
berland 70 act as executor. and found to
his surprise that the splendid old property
had been devised 70 him. This is a long
search" or abstract Of title, 4" as the real
estate lawyers would call it. But what a
grand historic sweep il hasl What a host Of
menin armorand "ladyes faire" il marshals
from the dim and knightly Eaysl What
sacred pilgrimages, bloody wars, desperate
and victorious dynasties, kingly pageants
horrid plots it summons for solemn
review, and how glorious a historic TO
nance 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 flower
spangled village in England. II Is a tinv
collection Of dependencies upon the manor
but there can nowhere else be found such
flower embowered homes. Just at the
edge Of this, the whole forming a
striking background 70 the side broiderv
Of one Of the finest wide, high overarch-
ings Of ancient ash trees | have ever seen,
first appears a huge wall, high, thick, ivy
and messy. SurmOunting this is a
wonderfully picturesque old gatehouse
two stories Of chambers and an attic
veritable meeting place Of the con-
pirators-over a capacious archway, which
formed the ancient sole entrance 70 the do
main, in the good old days there also being
sfigies Of saints at the archway sides and
convenient inches in which mendicant
travellers could sit and appeal to passers
Tor aims. Behind this are other venerable
outbuildings, half a thousand years old
md In perfect maze. To the right and
algher shows a grim, square Norman tow
n and the messy roof Of the parish church,
living" is within the gift Of the
ord Of the manor. Behind and above an
ire the many massive gables Of this most
.plendidly fantastic manor house within
he England midland shires.
The church itself is a study in ancient
~-5Aah E@NAaoAaoNAlAA architecture Is EA-
raordinarily rich in monuments and
'rasses, and possesses many Evidences OF
been largely restored and beauufed
" John de Catesby about 1912. Its age,
loweveri dates from many hundred years
,efore that time. Many monuments 10
be Catesbys are found in the chancel
which escaped destruction, from the place
80 sequestered a one, at the time Of
be terrible public outburst against the
atal treason Of Robert Catesby. But a
Hortion OF its hOors are covered with hags. ,
suggestion Of extraordinary antiquity, as p,
7ell OF the beautiful village "rushbearinR" '
rocessioEals, which were certain TO have !
nnually been seen within il; its tradi- I
ional south porch Is as quaint a study as
hat OF ancient Grasmere church in West
loreiand, and as from time immemorial
as been the custom with English parish
nurches under memorial and demesne
enences, q private way leads to the hall Of .
be lord Of the manor.
At Ashby St Ledgers It passes through
he ancient courtyard wall and winds
cross a noble terraced lawn and garden. 4
the rear Of these, marking the bound :
" OF the highway, Is q majestic line Of
Vi trees. Hals SAy between the manor
ouse and these stands the historic tulip