New-York tribune., 1901-08-11
HISTORIC BATTLE ABBEY.
DATING BACK TO THE TIME OF THE
NORMAN CONQUEST-wHY IT SHOULD
BE PRESERVED.
BE PRESERVED.


BE PRESERVED.
There would be more romance about the now
oiscredited rumor that Cecil Rhodes is trying 10
purchase Battle Abbey IL any Of the Rhodes
family had ever been among the possessors Of
that ancient historical monument: such fact
might have made one more analogy between the
South African statesman and that other empire
builder. Give. whose first ambition. 1t is said.
was the desire TO buy back his alienated an
oestrsl acres. As a matter of fact Mr. Rhodes
IS a native OF Hertfordshire, not Sussex. The
more probable rumor is that which foreshadows
the purchase of the Conqueror's own foundation
or what remains OF it-as a national memorial.
Among all the interesting associations Of the
abbey none is more valuable in its bearing
the history Of the English people than the
famous Battle Abbey Roll. a document which
records the names Of all the gentle" followers
Of William the Conqueror in his expedition into
England. This document showing. it does.
who came over with the Conqueror' and who
did not Cas 'gentle''), ought TO be the property
OF the English people. and ought not 20 be taken
from the abbey in which it was originally de-
posted.
The story Of the foundation of the Benedic-
tine Abbey OF St Martin. at "Epyton in the rape
Of Hastings" is intimately connected with the
story Of the battle itself The Saxon host were
arrayed the hill Senlac, upon which was the
village Of Epyton. and opposite to them. between
them and Hastings which is four miles distant.
We're their Norman foes. In the centre of the
English, close TO the village. stood Harold. by
the dragon banner Of Wessex and his ban
ner. bearing the warrior on horseb back and on
either side OF him stood his brothers. Gurth and
Leofwine. At first the fight went against Duke
William. but he seeing that wing OF his
army already wavering, and the rest dis
oouraged. barred his head dixie Cyrus at Cum
axa). and charged into the thick Of #. shouting.
4 am here. alive; and by Gods aid viii con-
quer," He also vowed TO God and St. Martin
"a Norman saint-a splendid foundation on
that very ground. If victory should be granted
him.
Victory having been granted TO the Norman,
his faith was kept. The story OF how Harolds
body was found where the dead were thickest,
how il was recognized by Editha OF the Swans
Neck and inferred at Waltham Abbey, may not
be strictly true in every detail, but it is pretty
and has been made popular by Bulwer Lytton
and others According to tradition. the high
altar Of the abbey church stood upon the spot
where the body found tradition which is
in itself sufficient to make the ruins of supreme
interest 10 the English people.
II is said that Williams original intention was
make q foundation for more than seyenscore
monks, but he a busy and a peripatetic
ruler during the twenty-one years of his Eng
Iish kngship. and death overlook him at
Nantes without fair warning. AS it was, he
granted many privileges to the abbey some Of
them such most people nowadays would
hardly understand II they were recited in de-
tail; among other things. it was a Sanctuary
where the kings officers could not seize pris-
Oners. and it was ruled by a mitred abbot who
had a seat in the House OF Peers. In the way
of worldly possessions. William endowed his
new abbey with the "mannors of Wye. Aleston
and Limpsfeld. Of How. Crawmere and Bris-
walderton, and the churches Of Radings and
Coumpton." Moreover. therein he CWilliam)
offered up his sword and royal robe which he
wore on the day of his coronation
The monks chief business was 10 pray for the
good estate Of the souls cf those slain at Senlac
Hastings and Pevensey on October II, 1906.
This they did. and guarded the sword and robe
OF the Conqueror until Henry VIII sup
pressed them. At the time Of the sup
preston there were only about sixteen monks
in the abbey TO discharge these functions and
the annual revenues amounted to $3.50 14s ID
according 10 the most trustworthy estimates
Whatever became of the revenues. the monks
We're pensioned for life, and the abbey. with its
adjoining lands, was given by Henry 10 one
Gmar, who is not otherwise known.
From this Gilman the estate passed 70 Sir
Anthony Browne. K. G.. the Kings standard
bearer, who is famous one Of the executors of
the will Of Henry VIII which, in part of the
reign OF his son, Edward VI was practically
the law Of the realm. The descendants of this
Sir Anthony Browne are, were until lately a
coanty family OF Norfolk. having passed Battle
Abbey on 10 the Websters. from whom in the
nineteenth century, il passed to the Duke Of
Cleveland Lord Rosebery's mother, the Ouch
ess of Cleveland formerly Lady Dalmeny. whose
death occurred not long ago, signalized her term
as lady Of Battle Abbey by publishing a COM
plete and interesting edition Of the Battle Abbey
Roll She became widow for the second time
IN 1891, ard with the death Of her husband the
dukedom Of Cleveland became extinct. This
connection with the abbey through his mother
may have something 10 do with the third Of the
recent Battle Abbey rumors that Lord Rose
bery may become purchaser.
AS an architectural monument the abbey is OF
much less importance than many others, most
Of the buildings having fallen into decay The
only fragment still standing which is at all
likely 10 attract the attention of the strolling
photographer or limner is the grand gateway.
which. however. by no means represents the
architecture Of the original foundation OF 1863
being certainly not older than the time Of Henry
VI 1922 1461).
TATTOOTNG DOGS BREASTS