TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

ESSEX

ARCHÆOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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VOL. I.
NEW SERIES
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COLCHESTER:
PRINTED BY W. WILES, TRINITY STREET
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M.DCCC.LXXVIII

(pp 251-273)

THE HISTORY OF THE BARRINGTON FAMILY

EDITED BY G. ALAN LOWNDES, M.A.

IN the paper read at the meeting of the Society at Barrington Hall, allusion was frequently made to the Barrington Family which, though now extinct, was a very ancient and prominent one in the county and I feel that the following account of it compiled by the late William Clayton, Esq., from deeds and manuscripts in my own possession cannot fail to be interesting to our members and a fitting sequel to the history of Hatfield Broad Oak. This history will be followed by the history of the Priory and the Forest, also compiled by the late Mr. Clayton.
   The Barrington Family were originally settled at Barrington, in Cambridgeshire, to which place they either gave a name, or from it took their own.
   In a M.S. account of the Barringtons, written about the year 1677, which will be referred to hereafter, it is stated:
"It is the greatest honor and happiness of this family that it embraced the Christian faith upon the first preaching thereof here, by the English Apostle St Augustine, for there was lately seene in the Tower of London a record or memorial that Adam of Barrington was baptised by him the sayd Augustine."
   Of this Adam de Barentone there is not now any trace whatever to be found. The first really met with is Barenton, who was servant to Queen Emma, wife of King Ethelred and mother of Edward the Confessor. Randulfus de Barentone probably son of the above was one of those sworn by William the Conqueror to assist in taking the general account of the kingdom, he was employed in Cambridgeshire, and made the return for the Hundred of Trepeslaw (now Triplow) in that County. He was most likely father of Sir Odynell de Barentone commonly called Barenton the Saxon and was before the Conquest Lord of Wegon. He was related to (or perhaps connected by marriage with) Robert de Gernon to whom the Manor and Chase of Hatfield had been granted, and at which place Odynell certainly had property. And although the Barony of Wegon was taken from him at the Conquest, it does not appear that he was deprived of any of his lands in Cambridgeshire or Essex.
   It is stated that he was woodman of Hatfield Forest, and, although there is no grant or charter now to shew it, this was most probably the case. His wife was Isabella, daughter of John Wicmarc, one of the same family as Swene the Sheriff of Essex at the time of the Conquest.
   Eustace de Barentone was son of Sir Odynell and certainly Forester or Woodward of Hatfield Forest under the de Gernon otherwise Mountfitchet family. This is proved by several existing grants to him.
   The earliest is from King Henry the first, who calls him his servant, and grants to him for keeping his Forest, the land that had belonged to Geoffrey and also that which Adam had forfeited, these were probably Saxons as there are no additions to their names. Geoffrey was called the Forester, and was most likely an under woodward at Hatfield. Adam's land was held at a rent of twelve shillings a year, and Eustace had it granted to him on the same terms. All this was confirmed to him by King Stephen, and a second charter by the same king shews him to have been a considerable landowner, as does one from Geoffrey de Mandeville, jointly to him and his son Humphrey.
   (This last is curious from there being an attested copy of it, taken in the year 1677, by which it appears that the torn part of the deed was in the same state, then as it is at present, the names of some of the witnesses being imperfect.)
   Eustace the Forester fixed his residence at Barrington (old) hall (now a farmhouse), which is close to the edge of the Forest and there his descendants continued to reside until they took possession of the Priory about the latter end of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Eustace is stated to have married Matilda or Milreda, daughter of Peter de Montford, Lord of Beaudesert, although another account names her as one of the de Alveto family. He had three sons, Humphrey, John and Eustace, all of whose names are found as witnesses to a charter, without date, from Michael de Bosville. Eustace died in the reign of King Stephen and was succeeded by his eldest son, Humphrey de Barenton, to whom William de Mountfitchet confirmed all the forest rights he had before granted to Humphrey's father Eustace, to be held as well and honorably as his father held them; and this grant he made by the advice of his wife Margaret, and of his good men and true. King Stephen confirmed this grant and those from Henry the First, and also his own as to holding all the lands his father had held, and in a second Charter he ordered that he should hold freely his lands "in Hadfeld and Writtle and Hadfield and Havering and Witherfeld." This shows him a landowner at Hatfield Peverell as well as Hatfield Regis. Indeed Chauncy, in his history of Hertfordshire, states that the Barringtons, in the time of King Henry the First, held lands in Rameldon, Hatfield Peverell, Writtle, Ravensfield, Havering, Barking, Slyford, Chigwell and Shelton in addition to Hatfield Regis. There is not a grant now extant to shew that this was the case, and most probably some of these lands came into the possession of the family much later.
   King Henry the Second gave to Humphrey de Barenton a full confirmation of the grant from his grandfather, Henry the First, to Eustace de Barenton, of the Forestership and the lands given with it. After the death of William de Mountfitchet his son Gilbert confirmed his father's grant to Humphrey de Barenton. And Geoffrey de Mandeville, who had been created Earl of Essex, gave Humphrey a confirmation of the grant he had formerly given him jointly with his father Eustace. Humphrey de Barenton had also a confirmation of a grant to his father from Aubrey de Vere of the Manor of Chigwell and of lands there.
   Of this grant there is only a copy to be found. These Chigwell estates remained the property of the Barrington family to the time of Queen Elizabeth when they were sold by Sir Thomas Barrington. Morant states:
"From the Feodary of the de Veres, Earls of Oxford, it is manifest that the following persons of the name of Barrington held the Manor of Chigwell under them ---- George Barrington in 1263, William Barrington in 1270, Geoffrey Barrington in the reign of King Edward the First, Geoffrey Barrington in 1429, John Barrington in 1447, and Thomas Barrington in 1466, Margaret wife of Thomas Barrington that died in 1479 held jointly with him the Manor of Little Chigwell, called Barrington's Manor, of Anne Duchess of Buckingham, as part of her hundred of Ongar by the service of doing suit at the Sheriff's court in that hundred, and a rent of six pence per annum."
   All the above names will be mentioned hereafter with exception of the second Geoffrey of whom there is not any trace. The first one named was one of the sons of Sir Nicholas, son of Sir Humphrey. He is mentioned as Woodward in the reign of King Henry the Third. The dates to the two first named in the extract are most probably incorrect, as the only George to be found was great nephew to William, who is here placed after him in 1270. Thomas Barrington, it will clearly be shown, died in 1470, not 1479.
   Humphrey de Barenton had also a grant, from King Stephen, of lands in Ramsden, Barking, and Birchanger, which was confirmed by King Henry the Second; but neither of these charters is to be found. He was a witness to the foundation charter of Woodham Priory, and a benefactor to the Abbey of Waltham. His wife was Griselda, daughter of Ralph de Marcy, and he inherited in her right the Manor of Kelvendon with lands there. This Ralph de Marcy had lands also at Hatfield, as it is stated in Doomsday Boom, that half a hide of land had been recovered, formerly held by a Socman under Earl Harold, but which Ralph de Marcy then held. Humphrey had three sons, Humphrey, Warine and Richard, the names of the two latter are found in deeds and will be mentioned hereafter. The eldest Sir Humphrey de Barenton succeeded his father in his estates and office, being then a minor and ward of King Henry the Second. He lived in the reigns of King Henry the Second, Richard the First, and John, and was Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire in the ninth year of Richard the First. He was a benefactor of Hatfield Priory, and it is singular that his gift of a rent charge of twelve pence per annum is the only one that can be traced from the Barrington family to that priory.
   In a curious deed, Radullphus de Upton, of West Ham, granted to Humphrey de Barenton the care of all his lands, other things, receipts, and rents, as also the wardship and marriage of his son Robert to any one, he, Humphrey, should please; and in case of Robert's death, the marriage of his son, William, and of his two daughters, Aveline and Beatrix, binding himself in the case of the death of his wife Matilda not to marry again, so as not to interfere with the rights of his sons. There are two other deeds relating to Humphrey de Barenton, one is a grant of land in Hatfield to him from Alan de Buiss, for which he gave to the grantor a mark of silver, to his wife Juliana twelve pence, and the same sum to his son and heir Nicholas. The other is a surrender and quit claim to him of part of a wood at Ramsden. Humphrey is said to have married Amicia, daughter of Sir William de Mandeville, third son of Geoffrey de Mandeville, first Earl of Essex. This Sir William de Mandeville, on the death of his brother Geoffrey without issue, became himself third Earl, and in all accounts of the family is stated to have died without issue, and indeed this must have been the case, as all his estates descended to his father's sister's grandchild, Beatrix de Say, whose husband, Geoffrey Fitzpiers, was in consequence created Earl of Essex. This Amicia, the wife of Humphrey de Barenton, if the daughter of William de Mandeville, must have been a natural child. She seems to have inherited considerable property, as in the Close Rolls in the reign of Henry the Third, is an order to the Sheriff of Essex to give to Humphrey de Barenton and Amicia his wife peaceable possession of their lands in Shevington, Waleden and Teyden on their doing the service for them they had been accustomed to perform. If however Robert Fitzwalter of any other person should require any service from the said lands, the Sheriff was to appoint a day for his appearance in Court before the King, when full justice should be done to him. The chattells which had been seized, and of which Robert kept possession, were to be restored without any delay. This Robert Fitzwalter was father of William de Mandeville's second wife Christiana. There is a very curious agreement (which unfortunately is so stained as to be illegible in some places) between Humphrey de Barenton and Alan de Sepere, by which Humphrey became security with Alan to Benjamin and his sister Cissorie, Jews at Cambridge, for the payment of two pounds per annum for eight years. The first payment to be at Michaelmas next after the marriage of Earl William to the daughter of the Earl of Albermarle. Alan de Sepere giving to Humphrey, as a security, a mortgage on all the fee Humphrey held under him ; so that should he, Humphrey, be called upon to pay any part of the debt, he should have full possession of the fee, without any restriction, until he was repaid all the money he had advanced. The Earl William named in this agreement, was the William de Mandeville, whose daughter Amicia Humphrey married, and the agreement refers to his, William's, marriage to his first wife, Haurse, or Aricia, daughter of William le Gros, Earl of Albermarle. Humphrey was knighted by King Henry the Second as was his brother Warin by King John. Warin and his younger brother Richard appear as witnesses to the above-named agreement with Alan de Sepere and their names are found to deeds relating to property in Hatfield. Humphrey had a son and heir Nicholas, of whom hereafter, and several other sons, William, Hugh and Colin are all met with. William is named as the owner of land at Nosterfield in a deed, without date, from Henry de Capeles to the Prior and Monks of Hatfield. Hugh in 1221 is called "Magister Hugo de Barenton, Carpentarius," and Colin held an office in the Forest of Essex, and several orders are addressed to him by the King, some of which will be named in the account of the Forest.

   Sir Nicholas de Barenton, on his father's death, succeeded to his estates and office: by virtue of which last he appears to have summoned to his forest court all the Regarders, Verderers and Agistors of the forest of Essex. He and his uncle Warin were witnesses to Richard de Montfichet's endowment of the Priory of Tremhall in the parish of Stanstead Montfichet. This Priory was founded by Gilbert de Montfichet, but his son Richard was its great benefactor, endowing it largely with lands and contributing greatly to the expense of the buildings. It was dedicated to St James, and possessed property in Stanstead, Takeley, Little Clacton and Birchanger, with the advowson of the church of Stanstead, and, at one time, of that of Takeley also. Sir Warin de Barentone was buried at Tremhall, as were several others of the barringtons. It was the burying place also of the Montfichets and some of the De Veres. The Montfichet family became extinct in the male line in the reign of King Henry the Third and Camden says, "The Barrington family are greatly enriched by the estates of the Montfichets which fell to them."
   Sir Nicholas de Barenton was married twice, first to Mary daughter of John Boville, by whom he had not any issue, and secondly to Joan daughter of Sir Ralph Montoft, by whom he had several sons, of whom the names of Nicholas, Humphrey, Hugh, Richard and Geoffrey, are found, and will be mentioned hereafter. He had also five daughters, Margaret, wife of Sir james Umpharaville, Isabella, wife of John de Sidneia, Agatha, Cicely and Joyce. Nicholas his eldest son, married Agnes daughter of Sir William Chetwynd, and had three sons, Nicholas, John and George, and one daughter Isabella, who married Ralph de Coggeshall. Nicholas died before his father in the reign of King Henry the Third, having made his will in writing and
"thereby comended his soul to God and his body to be buried in Triplow Church, and gave to the lady Agnes his wife one cart and all his hogges and sheep, and the moveable utensils of his house and all the corn on the lands of William Mulciter, and all his land that he had in the town of Triplow which he had by purchase or gift. Item, to Sir Hount the vicar five marks. To his sone John six marks. To William Gernon forth shillings. Item, to a certain chapel at Wiliabere one mark, and twenty sheep there being. Item, twenty shillings to satisfy the wages of his servants detained. Item, to Humphrey his brother a horse, and he constituted Sir Nicholas his father, Humphrey his brother, the lady Agnes his wife, Sir John de Mickelfield, and Simon de Ashwell, his executors to dispose of all his goods moveable and immoveable for the health of his soul."
   (This will is still in existence, but is nearly illegible. It has apparently been wetted with some mixture to shew the fading ink more clearly, but the liquid applied has itself become black, and has thus almost obliterated what it meant to clear.)
   Some rather curious parts of this will are not named in the MS. account of it copied above. It begins--
"In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This is the will of Nicholas de barenton which he made in the night next after the feast of St. Botolph, before midnight, in te presence of Sir Adam the vicar of Triplow, William Gernon, the lady Agnes wife of the said Nicholas, Geoffrey the clerk, and John the said Nicholas' servant. First he leaves his soul to God, the Blessed Mary and all Saints, his body to be buried at Tremhall, and to the Church at Triplow his best horse, and his best ox, and, for a wax candle to burn before the alter there, four quarters of barley and his bed, and to the altar of St. Nicholas at Tremhall three quarters of wheat and three quarters of draget."
It then goes on with the legacies as before stated. The MS. names Triplow as the place where his body is to be buried. The will says Tremhall.
   Roger de Quency Earl of Winchester granted and confirmed to Nicholas de Barenton and to Agnes his wife, and to his heirs by her, all the land they held of this fee in the town of Cington in Wiltonshire; to be held freely from all other secular services and demands, with warranty against all men for ever: for which grant the said Nicholas gave one hundred shillings. This confirmation was dated London, Thursday next before the Feast of St. Peter in Cathedra, in the 43rd year of King Henry son of King John.
   In the 47th year of the same King, Agnes de Barenton, sometime wife of Nicholas de Barenton, made an agreement with Peter Nicholas and John Townsend (ad finem Villae) Walter Young, and John Kabe, granting to them, to have and to hold, for six years all her lands, meadows and pastures, with pannage of hogs, and all cows and other animals to her lands in the name of the pastures belonging, situated in the Vill of Compton, rendering to her, or to her attorney, at Triplow at two terms of the year, nine marks and a half, she allowing to the tenants, their reasonable expenses for bringing the rent to Triplow. The tenants were bound to keep all the buildings in repair, excepting the "Solar" which was nearly a ruin--'excepto solario quod minatur ruinam." (The solar is an upper chamber.) It would seem from the deed and one from Roger de Quency that Cington and Compton in Wiltshire came to this Lady Agnes. She must have been a woman of rank, as she is always named Lady, and as her husband was not a Knight, she was probably the widow of one. She was the daughter of William Chetwynd. She had three brothers, William, John and Philip, whose names are found as witnesses to deeds and were all Knights. It is stated she had a fourth brother, Adam, also a Knight, and that she inherited property from an uncle, Sir William Lovell, but of these last named there is not any trace from any deed or paper remaining.
   Barrington Hall at Triplow in Cambridgeshire was settled by Sir Nicholas on his son Nicholas at hs marriage to Agnes, and there, after her husbands death, she continued to reside. Humphrey, the second son of Sir Nicholas, was married to a lady whose Christian name was Auda, but her family name does not appear anywhere. More of him and his wife, Auda, will be mentioned hereafter.
   The following is an account of an enquiry held at Hatfield in which Geoffrey the son of Sir Nicholas is named: it is taken from an old roll endorsed "Sureties for Richard Child and Geoffrey de Barenton to shew by what authority they removed a stag, found dead at Hatfield, before it had been seen by the verderers."

COURT AT HATFIELD
   It happened Sunday in the Octave of St. Hilary in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Henry, son of King John, that as Clement Godcop was going to the monastery of Hatfield Regis, he saw a stag lying dead in one of Agnes de Bosco's Fields, called the Eastfield. He immediately informed Geoffrey de Barenton, the woodward, who ordered the foresters and verderers to summon a jury from four neighbouring towns, viz., Hatfield Regis, Hallingbury de Burgh, Hallingbury Neville, and Earls Canfield. The men of Hatfield said the neither knew, nor had they heard anything as to the cause of the stag's death, although they thought that most likely it had been caused by murrain as there was no wound that they could discover. The other jurors said the same.
   The tithing men of Hatfield, namely, Richard Child and Roger Holdhead; those of Canfield namely, William de Beauchamp, and Jocelin Fitzmaurice; those of Hallingbury de Burgh, namely Roger de Kastenhe, and Roger de Bosco, were all ordered to attend before the Justices of the forest courts, when they were next sitting to hear pleas.--Clement Godcop, Agnes de Bosco, and her four nearest neighbours were likewise bound over to be at the same court and to find sureties for their appearance. Those who were sureties for Clement Godcop were William le Botciler and Stephen the son of Ernulph, those for Agnes were Richard Duchar and John Arnewy, Nicholas Fitzralph, Peter Fitzwilliam, Geoffrey Fitzmichael, William de Haslingfield, William de Livething, Walter le Newman, Roger Strongbow, and Roger Fitzwido were bound for the appearance of the four neighbours of Agnes. The head and horns of the stag were ordered to be carefully kept till the court by Richard Child.

   There is not anything further to be found relating to this transaction, but the same roll has on it reports of two encounters with poachers. In 1221 King Henry the Third granted to Nicholas de Barenton, a weekly market at his manor of Remesden, to be held on Thursdays. Sir Nicholas was a benefactor to Waltham Abbey, giving to the Monks there certain lands at Chigwell. He seems to have survived his son many years, and on his death his grandson, Sir Nicholas de Barenton, came into possession of his estates. He was knighted by king Edward the first, and married the daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Belhouse. She had on her marriage a rent of £10 per annum given to her by her father, charged on an estate called Westhall.
   In an agreement between Sir Nicholas and the Lady Joan de Barenton his grandmother, she released to him lands that had been settled upon her in Triplow, Hatfield, Writtle, Chigwell, Ramsden, Ballinhatch, Springfield, Stanstead, and Ongar, on receiving from him an annuity of fourteen marks for her life. To this agreement she appointed her son Hugh a trustee. It is dated September 30th, 1283, and was no doubt made to enable Sir Nicholas to make a settlement on his marriage. There is another deed without date, most likely made to enable Sir Nicholas to make a settlement on his marriage. There is another deed without date, most likely made at the same time, by which Humphrey de Barenton granted and quit-claimed to his nephew Nicholas, son of his brother Nicholas, all his right to manors and lands in Hatfield Regis and Writtle, and to all other manors and lands in Hatfield Regis and Writtle, and to all other lands and tenements whatsoever, of which his father Sir Nicholas had been in possession. This Humphrey died before the 12th of Edward the First, as by an agreement, dated on the Friday before the feast of St Gregory. in the 12th of King Edward, Auda, widow of Humphrey de Barenton, granted and quit-claimed to Nicholas de Barenton all the right she had, by way of dower, on the death of her husband, in lands, gardens, homages, rents, arable lands, pastures, meadows, growing crops, &c., from the feast of St Michael, in the 11th year of King Edward, for seven years, on her receiving a yearly payment of twenty shillings.
   This deed, the one from Roger de Quency, and the lease from Agnes de Barenton, of her lands at Compton, are not now to be found. The account of them is copied from a manuscript relating to the Barington [sic] family, written in 1677. Nicholas de Barenton claimed the Woodwardship of Hatfield forest, as an ancient tenure, held in fee with his manor of Hatfield, at a forest court held at Stratford-le-Bow, before Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, William la Zouche of Asheby, and William de Claydon the king's justices. His claim was allowed. (The extract from the record of the court relating to this is so stained that the date and some parts are illegible.)
   Sir Nicholas de Barenton was steward to Robert de Brus, Lord of Annandale, and had from him a quit-claim of an annual rent of twenty-one shillings, payable out of lands held under him at Hatfield, reserving only sixpence to be paid each year at Michaelmas, the keeping in order thirteen perches of the fence round the park, and the payment of any tax the King might impose.
   There is a curious patent from King Edward the Second, dated York, September 4th, in the 18th year of his reign, and sealed with his Privy seal, which is still attached to the letter and nearly perfect; it is in red wax, three leopards, or lions, passant.
   The letter states that the King was informed that Robert de Brus was bound to Nicholas de Barenton for the payment of the sum of eighty pounds for cloth and other things that Nicholas had bought for him, Nicholas being his steward for his lands in Essex, with which money Nicholas was willing to aid his Majesty's dear and faithful subject Sir Thomas de Mandeville in part of his ransom, he being detained in prison by the Scots. That the said Robert de Brus was ready to pay that sum to the said Sir Thomas de Mandeville, at such time as Nicholas de Barenton should send him an acquittance for the money, which acquittance could not be made or sent without special license from the King; his majesty, therefore, at the request of his dear sister the Countess of Hereford by these letters, gave leave that Nicholas might make the required acquittance to the aforesaid Robert de Brus, without any hindrance or challenge from the King, or his heirs, or any of his officers whatsoever.
   Sir Nicholas had by his wife Alice Belhouse four sons, Nicholas who succeeded him, Thomas, Roger, and Philip. Of Thomas and Roger there is not any trace; Philip married Margaret daughter of Sir William Tey; he was knighted and resided at Rayleigh, as did his son Nicholas who was keeper of the King's park there. This Nicholas married Margaret Cloville and had a son John, who was the last male representative of this branch of the Barringtons. He and his wife Thomasine were buried at Rayleigh, where there was formerly a monument to their memory. They had an only daughter, and heiress, Thomasine, she was thrice married: first to William Lunsford, of Lunsford in Sussex; secondly to William Sydney, of Penshurst in kent; and thirdly to John Hopton, of Cockfield Hall in te parish of Yoxford in Suffolk; in the church of which they place her daughter by her second husband, William Sydney, is buried. Her son by her first husband, William Lunsford, whose name was also William, succeed on her death to the property called Barringtons, at Rayleigh. She is named as Thomasine Hopton in a memorandum dated 1459, which will be mentioned in the account of the next owner of the estates.
   The exact time of the death of Sir Nicholas does not appear; he is found as a witness to a deed in 1330, and must have died soon after, as in 1336 his eldest son, Nicholas Barenton, was in possession of the estates. He married Emma, daughter of Sir Robert Baard, by whom he had four sons, John, Humphrey, Thomas, and Phillip. The youngest son, Phillip, married Joan, daughter of John Pykot, of Hatfield, by whom he had three children, Richard, John and Alice; this appears by a deed in which all three are named, dated in the 20th year of King Edward the Third, settling a house and lands on them. This estate was situated at Colewell, or Collier Street in Hatfield, and on it Phillip and his descendants resided. Four generations of them are named in deeds now in existence. First, Phillip himself is described as Phillip Barenton of Colewell. Secondly, Richard, son of Phillip Barenton of Colewell; he had a wife whose name was Joan. Thirdly, John, son of Richard barenton of Colewell. And Fourthly [sic], John, son of John, son of Richard Barenton of Colewell. This John, in a deed dated 1397, quit-claimed a pasture called Halimere to John son of Sir John Barrinton, and in it styles himself as above. In another deed, dated 1423, he is called "John Barynton" "Yeoman," to distinguish himself from John Barynton, the then owner of Barrington Hall, called in the same deed Esquire. In a deed dated Jany. 1st, 1433, John Petigrew, John Schrubb the glover and John Baron the carpenter, release to William Casse and others, all the lands and tenements they held in common fee with "John Barynton, Yeoman" now deceased. He appears to have been the last of this branch of the family as there is no further trace of them.
   Of Nicholas Barenton's sons, Humphrey and Thomas, there is not any mention in documents now to be found. But the following very curious statement most probably refers to one of them. It is written on the back of a grant from William de Pisho to Humphrey de Barenton, without date, but in the time of Richard the First, or John. The grant relates to a wood at Ramsden. There are several other statements and remarks in the same writing on deed and rolls, some of which will be referred to hereafter, this is the only one with a date to point out when it was made:

Yt was oon yt was sone to ye last Nicholl of Barenton or ells it was a Brodr of his yt slowght a Knyght yt was called Blount in the Kynges pr sentes & yr for they lost mockly flode. Among alors he gaffe to humphre Bohun, Erl of Essex and Herford yt manr of Ramsden yt he shuld speke for hym to Kyng Edwards highnesse to have pr~don, but whether he had his pr~don or no ye Erl sauyed his life and so he passed into Irland and there he had issue, and at ys day videt anno Hen. sex xxx vij he yn of ye same name levyng. And ye Countesse of Stafford daughr & heyre to Thomas Woodstoc, Duke of Gloucestr to ------ his Wyff daughter & oon of yt Eyres of Erl of Herford gaffe ys manr to yt Lord Bouchier his son. This mattr told me my fader Thoms Barnton and Lettuce his Sistr. A blessed woman and a good lever yt was weddyed to Chicksey, John tolkd me yt same tale. Thomasine Hopten yt was dought & heyre to Barynton of Raleigh told ye same tale, but she sayed it was oon yt hyr fader come of, never lesse Cosyns yey be & bere both one Armyes & he seyth he comyth of ye elder brodr and hir fadr seyd ye same. Kepe this Robt sone myne in yat kepyng for ------ of it, for it is no poynt to chrge yor conscins yr wft for the land in in ye hands of ye lord Bourchier."

   The first blank in the above requires filling with the name Eleanor, the second is illegible. The writer of the memorandum was named Micklefield, he married a daughter of Thomas Barrington who died in 1670. He seems to have taken all due pains, as will be seen, that his son Robert, should never forget most carefully to preserve every deed that could in any way shew his descent from, and connection with, the Barrington family, so that in case of the failure of heirs to his father-in-law his right to the succession might be clear.
   Nicholas Barrinton was living in 1343, and died soon after. His eldest son John de Barenton succeeded him, on whom settlement had been made by his father in 1330 of his estates and his office of woodward. This was done on John's marriage to Margaret daughter and heir of Sir John Blomville. The seal is remaining to this settlement, it is of red wax an Eagle displayed surmounted by a shield with the Barrington arms three chevronells and a label of three points round it is inscribed
"Sig. Nicholai fil'i dni Nicholai de Barenton."
   On the back of this deed are the following remarks in Mr Micklefield's writing,

   Yre is no Consciens in kepying of Ye deeds with Mikyfeld enidence for it shal nevr case ye Baryntons no hurte the for ye hath be so long possession of Baryngton Hall in Hatfield, in the name of Barynton, ye is to say syth ye first Heneys days yt was sone to Willm Conquer and before but it myght hurte my son Rob Mekylfeld or hys heyr yt the heyr of my fadr Lawe Baryngton had it, & wolde be dispoyd to selle it, thanne yf he yt solde it dies wtout heyrs, my sone' or his heyr to ye Baryntons myght be delaid of their four done by yt dede.

   Immediately on this settlement being made by his father, John claimed the woodwardship for himself as appears by the following statement,

   John fitz Nicholas de Barenton of Hatfield Regis claimed (to be an appurtenant to his free tenement in Hatfield aforesaid, which he had of the gyft and feoffment of the said Nicholas his father, that is to say to the maner and ancient lands to the said Manor belonging, the which the ancestors of the said Nicholas had of gift and confirmation of the King) the Bailiwicks of the forestership and woodwardship. By virtue of which Bailiwick he was to have all the woods fallen by wind in the forest what kind of tree soever it were, and also the escheats of all sorts of trees that shall be fallen in the said forest, and if the Lord will fell in the forest any ancient trees called Stockhok he is to leave the stocks from the ground the height of a mans knee, and the said John was to dig up and have the same with the roots, and carry them away and also sufficiently to clear the said lands of the underwoods lying within the forest to wit, from Florentes Heene to Bush Endgates, and also that he should take in the said forest, at what time he should send in the yeare, so much underwood, as with the underwood and es-cheats aforesaid should be sufficient fewel for his expenses in his tenement in the town aforesaid, and also to gather nuts in the forest at reasonable times, the Lord one day with his tenants, and he another day with his tenants, and also that he have a stock of hay in the Lords meadow called the marsh, the Lord to choose the first best, and he to have the second best after and also to common in the said forest with all manner of beasts, as his father and his ancestors had at all times used, which profits the feoffee of the said John and his ancestors had enjoyed time out of mind.

   John de Barenton was also keeper and woodward of the Earl of Oxford's park and warren of Great Canfield, as appears by letter patent from John de Vere, seventh Earl of Oxford, dated Hedingham 6th of March, 25th year of King Edward the Third, by which he gave and granted

   To his faithful friend and servant John de Barenton the keeperage of his park and Warren of all his outwoods in Kanfeld. To have and to hold the same bailiwick, soe long as it shod please the said Earl, and to take of him for every ten weeks one quarter of wheat, one cart load of hay. and three quarters of oats, and five shillings in silver yearly for his fee to issue out of said Manor, and one Robe, of the same that the Esquires of his Household did wear, and as made his common livery to himself. And he also granted that the said John shold have in his Park of Kanfeld pasture for four Cows, one Bullock, one Colt, and four Hogs ringed, to feed and eat the pannage all the year within the said Park. And also that he have all the wood fallen by the wind within the park, except great timber, and that he have all the fern growing within the said Park, and outwoods without disturbance of the said Earl, or any under him. And also that he have the escheats of trees within the said Park and Warren aforesaid. And willed that the said John shold answer for all manner of trespasses done in all the woods within his Bailiwick, and present all trespassers at every Court his Lordships Steward or his Deputy shold hold at his manor of Kanfeld aforesaid.

   John de Barenton was knighted by King Edward the Third, in his father's life time, and had a resettlement of his estates made in the year 1345 by a deed from John Knyvet, rector of Dunmow, and William Amys, chaplain of Hatfield, by which they gave and granted to John de Barenton, son of Nicholas de Barenton, and to Margaret his wife, all lands tenements &c with the woodwardship of the forest.
   Sir John was living in 1368 as he appears as a witness to a deed April 20 the 41st year of King Edward the Third, but he must have died soon after, as in a deed dated 11th of Jan. in the 42nd year of Edward the Third, Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Essex, Hereford and Northampton, Constable of England, at the request of his dear and well beloved John Knyvet, discharged Dame Margaret Barenton, wife of the late Sir John Barenton, for her life, from all services and customs due from the tenements she held in Hatfield, excepting quit rents, with an acknowledgement of services due, and the care of the fence round his park.
   Sir John had two sons, John and Edmund, the latter possessed the Manors of Gravely, Letchworth and Cheresfield together with the parkership of the park at Weston near Baldock, and other lands there, all in Hertfordshire, and which had been the property of his mother Margaret and settled after her death on her younger children. By a deed dated the 26 of May in the twelfth year of King Richard the second, it appears, that a recovery had been suffered for these estates after Sir John's death, and an engagement made, that his widow should hold them for her life, and have them in fee simple, in case her son Edmund died before her without issue: but if she died first, then that he and his heirs should have them. This second event must have taken place, as Edmund certainly possessed them and held a court for them at Graveley on the Monday after Easter in the eleventh year of King Henry the Fourth.
   On Sir John's death his son John Barrington succeeded to the estates. He seems to have been the first of the family who spelt the name with a G in it. He had from King Edward the Third in the 49th year of his reign, letters patent confirming to him all his grants, that his ancestors had received from Kings Henry the First, Stephen, Henry the Second, and Henry the Third, of the office of woodward and forester of Hatfield, as held originally under William de Montfichet and also of all the lands held under the Crown in Hatfield, Writtle, and elsewhere, reserving to the King an annual rent of seventeen shillings. This patent is not now to be found.
   John Barrington married Alice one of the daughters and (after her brother's death) coheirs of Thomas Battail son of Sir John Battail of Ongar Park, Knight and of his wife Elizabeth the dole daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Enfield of High Laver. There is a deed dated July 26th in the 16th year of King Edward the Third, from Thomas Enfield son of the late Sir John Enfield, Knight, by which he released to his brother Richard Enfield all his right in and claim to, lands and tenements with all things belonging to them in Hatfield Regis, Matching, White Rothing and Rothing Abbess. (On the back of the deed, Mr Micklefield has written a memorandum in part illegible, stating that his father-in-law Thomas Barrington had all the lands and tenements therein named in right of his mother Alice, who was heir to her grandfather Thomas Enfield and his brother Richard. John Battail the brother of Alice went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and before leaving England made his will, respecting which the following account is found,

John Fitz Thomas de Battail, beinge to goe in pilgrimage to Jerusalem, made his last will and testament in writinge indented, bearing date on Friday next before the Feast of St Matthew the Apostle 21st yeare of Richard the second. Reciteinge that of his free will hee had given and granted, and by his deed of Feoffmt confirmed to Sir Alexander de Walden Kt, John de Boys of Tolleshunt, Thomas Lampet, John Barrington, Robert Rohele and othrs, all his Lands, tenemts, rents and services as well of his free tenants as of vilains, with wards, maniages, heirots, releifes, escheats, and all theire appurtnts in the villa of high Lanfare, little Lanfare, Maude lyn Lanfare, Matchinge, Hatfield Regis, White Rothinge, Abbesse Rothinge and Herlaw in the county of Essex. To have and to hold to them their heires, or assignes for ever, as more fully appears in the said deed of Feoffmt bearing date at High Laver on Thursday next before the feast of the Purification of our lady then last past, and he humble prayed his said Feoffees that if he should dye before his return into England, they would please to pforme his last will and testament thereunder written.--
   First he willed that his goods and chattles movable shold be sold in the best manner they might, and that the money raised should pay and accomplish all the points the last will of the sayd Thomas his father. And moreover pay all the debts wch the sayd Thomas, my mother his wife, and myself ow to any p~son, and to make due satisfaction of any thing that may have been taken away without reasonable cause, and be made appeare to the sayd Feoffees. Item, to pay to the Abbot and Convent of Walden for the glasse of one window in theire Abbey to have him in theire memorie x markes. Item, to pay to the Abbot and Convent of Waltham to pray form him Cs. Item, to pay to two honest Chaplains for sayinge divine service in the Church of Matchinge for the Soules of his Father, Mother and himself, and for all Christns for three years continually, after his decease, to either of them yearly viij marks. Item, to John Crabbe his servant xls, and to John Kependene to pray for him cs, and further requested his sayd Feoffees, that if they should have knowledge or reports of his death, they should ordain that 1,000 masses should be sayd for his Soule and all Christn Soules in all haste that could be. And gave Thomas Clarke, Vicar of Matching xls and to Godfrey Coterill xs for his travell. And if his movable goods should not be sufficient of value to pay and fulfil his last will; then he requested his Feoffess to retaine in their hands all the said lands and tenemts, untill such time as the profits and revenue thereof his will be performed. Item, if John Swaffin his servant remain in England alice after his decease, and that the Feoffees should have p~fect knowledge that he had well and dutyfully served, then his will was that the said Feoffees should grant unto him xxs yearly rent for his life to be taken out of his rent called Chamberlaine fee in the parish of Maudlin Laver; and if Margaret his sister before his return into England were marryed to John de Boys, then he besought his Feoffees that in case he Dyed before his return they would grant to the said John and Margaret and to the heires of theire bodyes ingendered, the manors called Matchinge Barnis, and Brent Hall. And for the default of such issue that the said two manors be equally parted betweene Alice and the said margaret his two sisters, to have and to hold to them and to their heires and assignes for ever and that all other the lands, Tenemts, rents and services, wherein the sayd Feoffess are infeoffed after his will should be entirely p~formed, should be equally parted between his sayd two sisters, to have and to hold to them and their heires and assignes for ever in fee simple. Yet nothwithstanding if he should return into England in safety and demand refeoffmt of the sayd Feoffees of the all the lands and Tenemts wherein they were by him infeofed, then he willed that John de Boys, Thomas Lampet, &c., shuld kepe in their hands all the lands and Tenemts rents and services which he had in Essex, and profits and revenues thereof till cc marks of the assignmt of his father to the sayd Margaret for her marriage and xxli of his own gift to her for her Chambre be fully payed. Item he prayed the said John de Boys, Thomas Lampet &c., that they would please to take the administration of his goods and fulfill and p~forme his last will taking their reasonable charges for the sd administration.

   There is not anything to shew whether John Battail did return to England or not, but after his death a dispute arose between John Barrington, who had married Alice, and John de Boys, who had married Margaret, the two sisters above-named, as to the respective shares of their wives in the testator's property, and after a long controversy it was agreed that the settlement of all the matters in debate between them should be left to he arbitration of the Countess of Hereford, Essex and Northampton; John Barrington gave a bond of £200 to the Countess Gerard de Braybroke and William Marney, only to be enforced in the event of his not abiding by any award he Ladyship might give. A similar bond was given by John de Boys. And on the 26th of January in the 19th year of King Henry the Fourth the Countess published and award in which she stated,

That she already settled in London the partition of the manors of Otes, and the lands and tenements called the Wantons land, Piershall and Aungre. But that she could not then stay longer in London to make a full award as to the manors of Matching Barnis and Brenthall, and also of some other things, the said John Barrington and John de Boys had promised to appear before her at Falkbourne, at a reasonable time, that she might hear the rest of the matters in debate between them.

At which place on their appearance the Countess did award, with the advice of Sir William Thiring and others, the justices of the Common Bench, and of Freres Thomas Palmer, and William Devenere, Masters in Divinity,

That Thomas Lampet and others the Feoffess of the said manors of Matching Barnis and Brenthall should (after the said John Barrington and John de Boys and their wives had released by fine to he said Feoffees, all he right which they and their wives had in the said manors) in feoff the said John de Boys and Margaret his wife in the same. To have and to hold to them and the heirs of their bodies; and if they die without issue, that then the said manors be equally parted, and one moiety of the same remain to the heirs of the said margaret in fee simple, and the other moiety to Alice the wife of John Barrington, which said fine was to be levied before the feast of Candlemas as was comprised in the other indenture made in London. And touching the 200 marks and the £20 devised by the said Thomas to John de Boys for the marriage of the said margaret, the said Lady did award that the said John and Margaret shold not have claim to the same. And the said Lady did award that all debts which had been paid by the said Feoffees for the said John Battail or Thomas his father, shold be demonstrated to her and her counsel in the presence of John Barrington before Candlemas and that all payments of the same debts which should seem to the said Lady and her counsel to have not reasonably and rightly paid, upon reasonable proof thereof made by the said John, should be disallowed. And that all the rest of the profits taken out of the said manor of Oates, and the lands and tenements called Wantonlands, Piershall, and Aungre, and the manors of Matching Barnis, and Brenthall, beyond the right payment of the debts and performance of devises of the said John Fitz Thomas should be parted in manner ensuring, that arising from Oates, Wantonn lands, Piershall, and Aungre equally between the said John Barrington and John de Boys. And those from Matching Barnis and Brenthall to John de Boys. And also for making a final and everlasting agreement between the said parties, the said Lady did award that they should make acquittance each to other, and to the Executors and Administrators of the said John Fitz Thomas, and of his father, touching all actions personal and all other matter soever relating to the said will.

   From the memorandum before mentioned made by Mr Micklefield, it appears that the whole of the matching Barns and Brenthall estates were in the possession of John Barrington's son Thomas. And in the rolls of the courts held for the manor of Hatfield the following statements relating to this property are found. "At the court held on St Mary Magdalene's day in the thirtieth year of King henry the Sixth, the steward was informed that Thomas Barrington had come into possession of the manor of Matching Barns by the alienation of Thomas Battail, of London, Mercer. It was therefore ordered first that both these parties should be summoned to appear at the next court to satisfy the claim of the lord of the manor for a relief due to him on such an alienation. The matter was noticed at several succeeding courts, and at one held on St Lucy's day in the same year the jury found that Thomas Barrington had let the matching barns estate to Thomas Ferror and William Tanfield. At the court on St Simon, and St Jude's day in the thirty-first of King Henry the Sixth, Thomas Barrington attended and paid the relief due from him coming into possession, viz. then shillings, and did his homage for this manor, before John Godmaston, steward of Humphrey duke of Buckingham, for his manor of Hatfield Regis. It does not appear how long the said Thomas above-named had been in possession of this property, but his right to it no doubt arose from Margaret de Boys having no issue.
   In the second year of King Henry the Sixth, John Barrington was deprived of the office of woodward of Hatfield Forest, by a writ from Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, Lord Protector of England, but for what reason is not stated. John Barrington had three sons Thomas, Humphrey, and Edward, and two daughters, Elizabeth, married to John Sulyard, and Lettice, to Chicksey. He died about the year 1426, and was succeeded by hs eldest son, Thomas Barrington, who in addition to his father's estates, had, in right of his mother, all those of the Enfield Family, and on the death of his uncle Edmund he came also into possession of the manors of Chevesfield, Gravely and Letchford, and of estates at Weston all in Hertfordshire; for these last-named three manors held a court in 1438. King Henry the Sixth in the sixteenth year of his reign, by letter patent, confirmed to Thomas Barrington all the lands and offices that had been granted to his ancestors by former Kings of England. This confirmation is not now to be found, but there is an imperfect attested copy of it; it recites the grant to his father John from King Edward the third, and also early charters from King henry and Stephen. There is no any further mention of his father having been removed from the woodwardship, neither does it appear who held the office from the second to the sixteenth year of Henry the Sixth.
   Thomas Barrington was Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire in the thirtieth of King Henry the Sixth. He was married twice, his first wife's name was Margaret, but to what family she belonged does not appear. He and she jointly held the manor of Barringtons, in Chigwell, under Anne, Duchess of Buckingham, and in the nineteenth year of King Henry the Sixth, did suit and service, and paid a quit rent of sixpence for it, at her court for the hundred of Ongar. By his first wife he had no issue. Thomas Barrington's second wide was Anne, daughter and co-heiress of Sir John Holbeach, Knight, and by her he had two sons Humphrey, and Edmund, and although no daughter is mentioned in any family paper, he must have had one, as Mr Micklefield, (who had been so often referred to), in his remarks always calls Thomas Barrington his father-in-law, and it is rather strange to alluding to his son's probable chance of succeeding to the Barrington property he never mentions the then possessor by name, but always speaks of his father Barrington's heir or heirs and when addressing his son, calls him "thy uncle Barynton;" this may perhaps have been on account of the disreputable conduct of his brother-in-law.
   On a brass torn from a stone (broken into peices, one of which is lost), there is an inscription to the memory of Thomas Barrington and Anne his wife, by which it appears he died on the fifth of April 1470, and she the following day. They were buried in St Catherine's Chapel, in Hatfield Broad Oak Church, but there is not now any stone to be found to which this brass could have belonged.
   The pieces are still preserved at Barrington Hall.
   The circumstance of hs wife dying the day after him was commemorated by the following distich,
      He first deceased, she for a few hours try'd
      To live without him, liked it not, and dyd!

(to be continued)


TRANSACTIONS

OF THE

ESSEX

ARCHÆOLOGICAL SOCIETY

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VOL. II.,
NEW SERIES
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COLCHESTER:
PRINTED BY W. WILES, TRINITY STREET
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M.DCCC.LXXXIV

(pages 3 to 54)

THE HISTORY OF THE BARRINGTON FAMILY.


Edited by G. ALAN LOWNDES, M.A.

(Continued from Vol. I. part 4., New Series, page 273)

HUMPHREY BARRINGTON the eldest son of Thomas, succeeded to the estates and wood-wardship of the forest. He was a very wild and turbulent man, and his name appears both during his father's lifetime and afterwards, in the court rolls of the Manor as having been summoned for assaults upon different persons. There are six such entries, and they all seem to have been serious cases as weapons were used in them all.
   The first was for shooting at Thomas, the servant of Thomas Sampson, and saying at the time that he hoped the arrow would go right through his middle. A counter summons was then taken against Thomas for threatening to shoot Humphrey, but as both parties seem to have been equally blameable {this family was existing in the parish of Hatfield Broad Oak at the beginning of the present century [19th] } no further notice appears to have been taken in the matter.
   The second summons was for an assult on John Noke, the constable with an open knife "cum uno cultello tracto vocato Wode-knyff." For this he was fined twelve pence.
   The third was for assaulting William Benyngton with a lance "cum una lancia;" he was fined two-pence for this.
   The fourth was for striking Rowland Wever with a bill-hook "cum una falcastro," fined one penny.
   The fifth was for wounding the same man with a sword "cum uno gladio." There does not appear to have been any fine in this case; and Rowland Wever was himself brought up and fined for being a common swearer and disturber of the King's peace, so that Humphrey's companions were quite as disreputable as he was himself.
   He was summoned a sixth time together with William Whyte and John Coket, for an assault on Walter Bursted with a dagger and a knife, "cum uno daggerio, et uno cultello." No fine is named in this matter.
   In other respects Humphrey led a most discreditable life; in 1478 an order of the court was made that he should not maintain nor harbour in his house, Joan, the daughter of John Payn, a woman of scandalous conduct, under a penalty of ten pounds. (This according to the usual computation of different value of money, would be considerably more that one hundred pounds of the present currency.) Joan is named in the order a woman "valde viciosa."
   These summonses occur in different years from the second to the seventeenth of King Edward the Fourth.
   The following memorandum made by Mr Micklefield (page 265, vol I., New Series,) on an old roll of courts held for different manors in the time of Sir Nicholas de Barenton, in the thirty-third year of King Henry the Third, must have been made in this Humphrey's time.

"Her mayze vnderstande yt yr Auncestres of yor Modrs syde had Coorts to these iiij Manrs Ramsden, Wrytell, Chygwall, Hatfield & Triplowe. Ye manr of Ramesden is no in ye hands of my lord Bouchier. Wrytell in ye handes of j------ and at Triplowe and Chigwell was ther no Coorts held ys xx yeres, and so discontinued. And at Hatfield it was seyd to me yt my Fadr have had suffryd his tenants to do sute at ye Coort of my Lord Umfre, Duke of Buckynghm now lateward discessed, & divers of the tenants told me yt my fadr Baryngton had recynged his Corte up to my seyd Lord. And yt caused me to blame him as I durste, and he answered me plainly yt it was not so; but he seyd yt the suffryd these to ps~entes the thing in the lords Cort yet owte of ryght to be ps~ented in his Cort of his Manr calld Barrington Hall, in Hatfield. And I vnderstode ys yt he trustyd & supposyd in his mynde and reson, yt it should not hurte his heyrs & I told him yt it shuld hurte them. And than was he sory he had do so much hurte. Thes ps~entes Robt sone mayst thou telle to my oncle Baryngton yet he may labor to have his Cort Agayn. And if ye Lords Officrs yt then may be wold enteropt hym, then may he telle this tale to them in maytenance of hys right for in good feyth ys yt I have wryte is truthe upon charge of my Soule. And he may shewe Cort Rolles of Coorts in his fadrs name held Anno xiijo hanrici sexti & and xiijo & xiiij &xvo eiusdem regni & thm Rolles yt be. Kepe styll this Cort Rolls on yr pte for they may do you good and to hym nevr havm in ye withalding."

   Humphrey Barrington married Margaret Bretton, but there is nothing to show either what family she belonged or the name of her father. They had one son Nicholas, Humphrey's brother Edmund was also married, he died early and without issue, as Humfrey released his brother Edmund's widow Catherine, from a yearly payment of six marks. This deed which is without date, and two others, one dated 1478 and the other in 1484, are the only deeds in which his name is found. Soon after this latter date Humphrey must have died, as in 1488 his son Nicholas was in possession of the estates. He was married twice. His first wife was Anne, daughter of Thomas Darcy of Tolleshunt Darcy, by whom he had three sons, Richard, Nicholas, and Thomas. The two elder will be named hereafter. Thomas the third son was married (though the name of his wife is not mentioned) and had a son also Thomas, and in a deed dated November 20, 1530, he is named as Thomas Barrington, senior. On the ninth May 1538, his son Thomas took out Letters of Administration on the death of his uncle Sir Nicholas Barrington's widow Elizabeth, who had married for a second husband, William Boughton of Lawford Hall, Warwickshire, Esq., whose widow she appears to have been also, and is named Dame Elizabeth Barrington, of Lawford. There is not any other trace of this Thomas Barrington's family.
   Nicholas Barrington's second wife was Elizabeth. She had Chevesfield and Gravely settled upon her before the eighth year of King Henry the Seventh, as in that year the trustees for her and her husband, Nicholas Barrington, held a court there. She survived her husband, and was afterwards married to ---- Parker. In the twenty-second of Henry the Seventh, a court was held at Chevesfield and Gravely, by the trustees, for her and her husband Parker. These estates at her death reverted to her stepson Sir Nicholas Barrington.
   It appears that Jasper, Duke of Bedford, who held the Manor of Hatfield in right of his wife, Katherine, widow of Henry, Duke of Buckingham, appointed Thomas Bo... (the rest of the name is torn off) Woodward of Hatfield Forest. A remonstrance against his appointment was made by Nicholas Barrington, and on the Duke of Bedford making enquiries into the matter, he found the office did by right belong to Nicholas, and therefore wrote to Thomas recalling his appointment, and ordering him in no way to interfere with Mr Barrington. Nicholas Barrington died on the 27th of September, in the twentieth year of King Henry the Seventh, and his eldest son, Richard Barrington, inherited all his estates. He was then twenty years old. He died soon after, unmarried, and there is no deed or document in which his name is mentioned. His next brother Nicholas Barrington succeeded to all the property and the woodwardship of the forest. He was knighted by King Henry the Eighth; and married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Brocket, of Brocket Hall, in Hertfordshire, and had by her one son John.
   Sir Nicholas, it appears died in 1521, as his will was proved in October in that year. This will was dated, July 22nd 1515, and in it he left all his lands, manors, &c., in trust for his son and heir apparent John, on his attaining the age of twenty years, describing him at the time the will was made, as eight years old. Lady Barrington survived him and afterwards married William Boughton of Lawford Hall. John Barrington was, until he came of age, under the guardianship of Thomas Bonham, Esq.
   (It appears that on the attainder of Edward Stafford, Duke of Bucking ham, the manor and forest of Hatfield came to the Crown; and after some time the woodwardship was granted by King Henry the Eighth, with a fee of four pence a day, to Nicholas Clark, one of the walkers in the forest, to which last-named office he had been appointed by the Duke of Buckingham.)
   Thomas Bonham, as guardian to John Barrington, presented a petition to Cardinal Wolsey, on the subject of this appointment, in which he stated that the woodwardship of Hatfield forest, had been held by the Barrington family time out of mind; that it was granted to them by King Henry the First, which grant had been confirmed by many succeeding Kings. And he therefore prayed that Clark might be removed from, and his ward John Barrington appointed to, the office, as held by his father and ancestors for many generations. As the name of Nicholas Clark is not met with again, and as the woodwardship was certainly held by the Barrington family, shortly after this time, in all probability this petition was successful. John Barrington married Elizabeth, the daughter of his guardian Thomas Bonham, and his wife Catherine, sister and heir of Henry Lord Marney, Knight of the Garter. Thomas Bonham had also a son, Sir Walter Bonham, on whose death, his sister Elizabeth became his heir. John Barrington had by her one son, Sir Thomas Barrington who was under age at the time of his father's death. During his minority his mother, as his guardian, held a court at Chevesfield in 1546. Sir Thomas afterwards sold his Hertfordshire property to George Clerk, having previously held courts there in his own name. He appears to have taken a very active part in the public business of the county, and there are extant letters to him from the lords of the council relating to different matters; one of which is as follows,

"To or loving freende
Thomas Barrington, Esquire
After our very harty commendacons. We p~ceyne by lr~es written vnto us by our very loving freende Sr Raffe Sadlier, Knyght, yor honest travaile and diligence used in the apprehending of Harvie Stewarde of the L. Morley, according to the said Mr Sadliers order and appointment for the which as you deserve good commendation so doo wee gyve vnto you our harty thanks for the same not dowting of the contynnance of yor faythfull and honest service in the lyke when any occasion shall be offered. Wherby you shall deserve well of the Queenes Matie and yor countrie and gyve us cause to reporte the same vnto her highness who we doubt not will take yor doings therein gracous and thank full pt~e. And so fare you hartily well from Otlands the iiijth of July 1570.
         Yor loving freendes
R. LEYCESTER,
F CLYNTON; W. HOWARD
F KNOLLYS JAMES CROFT."

   Thomas Barrington was knighted by Queen Elizabeth and was sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire in the fourth year of her reign and member of Parliament for the county of Essex in her fourth Parliament and fourteenth year of her reign. He was married twice, his first wife was Alice daughter of Lord Morley, by whom he had one daughter, Elizabeth, who married Edward Harris of Upminster in the county of Essex, Esquire. Sir Thomas Barrington's second wife was Winifred, second daughter and coheir of Henry Pole, Lord Montague and widow of Sir Thomas Hastings. The settlement on this marriage was dated October 16th, 1559, the first year of Queen Elizabeth, and is the last of the long series of deeds, &c., now preserved, relating to the family. Lady Barrington's elder and only sister Catherine, was married to Francis, second earl of Huntingdon, of the Hastings family, and elder brother of Sir Thomas Hastings, Lady Barrington's first husband. The father of these ladies Henry Lord Montagu, was son of Sir Richard Pole, Knight, by Margaret Plantagenet his wife, countess of Salisbury, sister and sole heir of her brother Edward, earl of Warwick, and daughter of George duke of Clarence, brother of King Edward the fourth.
   Both Lady Barrington's father Lord Montagu, and her grandmother Margaret countess of Salisbury, were beheaded for high treason in the reign of King Henry the eighth. The injustice of the sentence on Lady Salisbury was felt by both of the King's daughters Queens Mary and Elizabeth. The first on coming to the Crown issued letters patent stating that

"In consideration of the good services done my Margaret countess of Salisbury, grandmother to the lady Winifred, now wife of Sir Thomas Hastings, Knight; and of the good services done by the said Sir Thomas and Winifred; she granted to the said Sir Thomas and Winifred his wife, one of the kinswomen and heirs of the said countess of Salisbury, being, that is to say, one of the daughters of Henry, Lord Montagu, first sone of the said countess of Salisbury, the reversion of the manor of Clavering, with the appurtenants belonging, in the country of Essex. To have and to hold to the said Sir Thomas and the heirs of the body of the said Winifred."

   And Queen Elizabeth also

"In consideration of the late countess of Salisbury's good services and those of her kinswoman the lady Winifred, and her husband Sir Thomas Barrington, conferred on them the manor of Bushey in Hertfordshire, to be hold by them under the same tenure by which the countess of Salisbury, the lady Winifred's grandmother, held it at the time of her death."

   Camden in his account of Essex, in the Britannia says, after naming Hallingbury,

"and more to the east is Barrington Hall, the seat of the noble family of the Barringtons, who in the time of King Stephen were greatly enriched with the estate of the Lords Montfichet that then fell to them, and in the memory of our fathers a match with the daughter and heir of Henry Pole, Lord Montagu, son and heir of Margaret countess of Salisbury, rendered them more illustrious by an alliance with the royal blood."

In consequence of this marriage the descendants of Sir Thomas Barrington and this lady were entitled to quarter the royal arms of England. [This entitlement to bear the royal arms has been denied by the current Somerset Herald, Thomas Woodcock, on the grounds that Margaret of Salisbury is the subject of an unrepealed attainder and by this attainder her descendants are barred from inheriting any of her honours. TFPL, 18.4.2000.] (It was in the reign of King Henry the third, and not that of Stephen, that the Barringtons succeeded to some of the Montfichet property.)
   In addition to the manors of Clavering and Bushey thus granted to her and her heirs, Lady Barrington, as co-heir of her father, inherited large estates in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Essex, and the isle of Wight, all of which descended to her son Sir Francis. Sir Thomas and she had another son, Henry, who died unmarried, and a daughter Katherine, who married William, eldest son of Sir Ralph Bourchier, of Bennignborough in Yorkshire, by whom she had a family. This William Bourchier became afterwards deranged and his father Sir Ralph, not having carried the stipulations of his son's marriage settlement into effect, a petition on the subject was presented to the Lord Treasurer Burghley by Mrs Bourchier's brother, Sir Francis Barrington. In all probability the matter was satisfactorily arranged as Mrs Bourchier and her family afterwards resided at Benningborough and were in possession of the property.
   Sir Thomas Barrington was a Protestant, his wife the lady Winifred was a Roman Catholic, but her son Francis so wrought upon her that she became convinced of her error, and conformed to the Protestant religion. She then took from her neck a golden Crucifix, she had before constantly worn, and gave it to her son. He had it made into rings on which he caused the following lines to be engraved:-
Blessed be that light
That gave me sight
   Of false Devotion
And doth direct
Me to affect
   The true Religion
   Although married to Sir Thomas Barrington, the lady Winifred continued to call herself Lady Hastings. Lady Barrington survived her husband many years. The following letter to her from her nephew the earl of Huntingdon, was written to her most probably on her widowhood--

To my very good Lady
and Aunte the La:
Winifred Hastings.
My very good Lady. I understand by Sr Henry Gate that he hath a graunt of advowson of the Parsonage of Rowley in Yorkeshire, vnder yor Lays hand and although he doubteth not of the contineance of yor Lays goodwill, and likewise of his enioyinge the benefit thereof, at the next Pr~entacon, yet hath he desired me to remember yor Lap thereof, and to request you when it shall be voide, he may not be prevented therein by any others, wherein I am the more willinge to desire yor Laps favor, for that I am pr~suaded that he will present such a man vnto it as shall both be honest and learned. Thus wth my hearty commendacons I comytt yr good Lap vnto the tuicion of the Almighty.
   At the Court the first of Mch, 1582.
         Your louying Nephew
            H. HUNTYNDON

   In an agreement with her son Francis, dated 26th year of Elizabeth, she is called "the lady Winifred Hastings, widow, lately wife of Sir Thomas Barrington, Knight," and she signs her name "Winifriyd Hastyngs." This agreement was that she should resign and give up to her son, the leases of the parsonages of Hatfield, and of some lands in Stanstead Park. On her death the following lines were written.

"In obitum Domine Winifrede Barrington,
Faire Joane yt honorable, verteous pearle,
Child of John Gaunt of famous Memorie,
The second wife of Ralph Westmoreland, Earle.
Had issue, Richard Earle of Salisburie,
Whose famou heire cal'd by his father's name,
Was Earle of Salisburie & Warwicke eke.
He left co-heires twaine, of worthy fame,
Cal'd Isabel and Anne: both faire and meeke.
These sisters two, two Brothers eke did wed
King Richard named the third, made Anne his bride.
George, Duke of Clarence, the eldest married.
Theire heire, Edward Earle of Warwicke, died
And left no Child: therefore his sister faire
Countess of Salisburie, that Margaret hight
Was of that blood left the sole only heire.
Her eldest son & heire by right
Was Henry Pole, Lord Montagu creat.
Whose two Co-heires Katherine and Winifride
Vnto two brothers ioyned in married state.
The eldest sister was the lovely bride
Of Francis Hastyngs, Earle of Huntingdon,
Whose issue doth enjoy that Earledome still.
Faire Winifrede, her wedded life begunn
With Thomas Hastings, Kt whome death did kill
Who dead, she wedded Thomas Barrington
A worthie Knight, whom she likewise surviv'd
And now, Alass! at last her glasse is runn.
Whenas some fourscore years compleat she livd
Only one Sone and heire she leaves behinde,
Cal'd Francis Barrington, a worthie Wight,
Her royal bloude & vertues of her minde
If more may bee, doe shine in him more bright
Then though you moane her death who hear doth lye
Joy for the life of her posterity."

   On the death of Sir Thomas Barrington, her son Francis Barrington succeeded to a very large estate consisting of manors and lands in Essex, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Middlesex, and the Isle of Wight.
   Amongst other Essex property was the site of the dissolved Priory of Hatfield Broad Oak, which with lands and tenements formerly belonging to it, had been purchased by Sir Thomas Barrington from Thomas Noke, who had bought them from the commissioners of the court of augmentations about the year 1541, the dissolution having taken place in 1534. The buildings belonging to the Priory were all standing at the time of the purchase, and this place was made the principal residence of the family, and continued to be so for upwards of one hundred years. In the time of Sir Charles Barrington the whole was taken down as will be shown hereafter.
   In 1558 on the alarm of the Spanish invasion, when the forces of the different counties were called into active service, Mr Francis Barrington had the command of a company in one of the Essex regiments and was on duty with it in camp. In August (the Armada having been driven from the coast in the preceding month) his men had leave to return home for a time, to assist in getting in the harvest, this is shown in the following letter from Sir John Norreys.
   To the Right worshipfull
   Capten Francis Barrington
   Sr Her Matie havinge regard to the damage that her subjects myght sustaine in their harvest by their absence contynvinge here in the Camp, is pleased that you shall for a tyme retyer yorself and yor company to the place of their aboud, except such solders as ar by the lord generall especiall warrant commanded to remayne in the camp; holdinge your self and your company reddy at one houers warninge to repayre agayne to any suche place as you shal be commanded whereof my lorde hath willed me to gyve you notice to serve for your Dischatge in that behalf.
At camp the xvjth daye of August 1588.

            J. NORREYS.

   Mr Barrington was Knight of the Shire for Essex in the 43rd year of Elizabeth, and continued to represent that county in every parliament during his life. He, like his father, took a very active part in public business and there are many letters to him from the lords of the Council, Lord Burghley, Lord Hunsdon, Lord Chancellor Egerton, Sir J. Popham, Sir J. Puckeridge, &c. Amongst those from the lords of the Council is one written during Queen Elizabeth's last illness of which the following is a copy.

"After or verie hastie com~endacons. Because it is not to be dowbted but that this continuence of her Maties indisposition of health, hath given occasion to the multitude especiallie to those that are of evill and vnquiet disposition to raise and disperse many rumours every one according to his humour and affection. Although we are assured that the better & wiser sorte of men will govern themselves wth such discretion and iudgment as is mete, yet for that there ca~not bee to much care had in such case to prevent disorders, or any ye least disturbance of the comon quiet, in wch everie good subject is interested. Wee have thought it verie expedient by these or lr~es (as Councllors) according to the dutie we owe to God, her Matie & the state to advise and permonish you (being persons of chief Authority and Reputation in the Countie & entyre affe~con to the preservation of the State) and to require you to take extraordinary care at this time, so farre forth as may appertain to yor places & qualities, both to the suppression of all uncertaine & eveill rumours concerning the state of her Maties health or of ought else thereto apperteyning & for the prevention and redresse of all unlawfull assemblies, action & disorderly attempts that such Rumours may breed there in the County about you. Assuring you that as he Matie (by whose authority we do this) liveth wth good sence and memorie (thanks to God) wth good hope of p'fect recoverie and Amendmt. So if it shall please God to afflict this State wth such an inestimable losse & cause of griefe, you shall be truely and timely advised thereof from us; to the end that we & you & all others yt truly love the State may in unity and comon amitie joyne together, in all such respects as may preserve, both in publick and private ye peace & tranquillitie of the same. And in the meanwhile whatsoever contrarie reports or Rumors you shall hear divulged you may assuredly hold to prceed from ignorance, levity, or evill affection. And so p~suading ourselves yt in the p~formance of this or lie & direction you will carry yrselves wth such moderation & wisdome as is mete we bid you hartily well to fare. From the Court at Richmond this xvjth of March, 1603.
         Yor verie loving friends
JO. CANT. THOS EGERTON. C.S.BUCKHURST. NOTTINGHAM.
GIBB SHREWSBURY. E. WORCESTER. W.KNOLLYS
ED. WOTTON. JO. STANHOPE. RO.CECILL. J.FORTESQUE.
To or verie loving freinds
The High Sheriff & Comissrs
of the Musters in the Countie
of Essex & the rest of the
Justices of the Peace.

   Queen Elizabeth died on the 24th of march, eight days after the date of this letter, and on the 28th there was a meeting at Chelmsford of the High Sheriff and Justices of the Peace and arrangements were made for proclaiming King James in every "Market Town, great peopled place and thoroughfare," in Essex.

   On the arrival of the King in England, Mr Barrington prepared to meet him and received the following letter, apparently from his tailor, on the subject of the proper dress to appear in on the occasion.

         London this 15th day of Aprill 1603.
Right Worpll
   My humble dutie being Remembred thiss is to certifie yor Worp that I recd of my Ld Rich the some of twentie Poundes for the wch I gave in acquitance for. Allso according to yor Worps direction I have inquired concerning the manner of meetinge the Kinge wch is generally though to be in blak wth oute all cuttinge, plaine, wch divers Worpl men of good Qualitie have prepared for, some in blak Sattin & some in Velvet and other some inb blak stuffe--further more for the Coronation, for those wch are in ther Robes have Foote Clothes, and many others of good account wth foot clothes allso, & some in Rich Sadles allso, much white Sattin & ash collr & such like Collers wth much imbrothering is prepared against the Coronation allso, imbrothering is now verie deare, allso much gould lace is worne wch in my opinion is cheap and better, there is of divers sorts some trimmed with small gould lace & some broad, in my opinion of either side the panes with a cut in the middle is best, never the less I wold desire you Worp send me how you woulde have it allso. I have inquired concerning cloaks & can heare but of one rich Cloak wch is worn but the most p~te be of B. Velvet or grogram or cloth some wth lace, some wth borders and most of them lyned with rich stufes as cloth of gould & silver & other wth Taffetie. Yf yor Worp shall have yr blak Satting plain I can cut it when yor Worp have worne it yf it be a weeke of two, also I wold desire yor Worp to send me word whether you would have coloth of gould or silver for the panies & so praieing to God for yor Worp health wth my Mrs I committ yor Worp to the p~taction of th' Almightie,
         Yor Worrs to use
            EDWARD SHAW
To the right Wol
   Mr. Barrington att
      Hatfield ddr theise.

   Mr Barrington met the King at Theobalds and was there knighted on the 7th of May 1603. In the February following he was a candidate for the county of Essex, for the first Parliament of King James. It appears that at the time the writs for this parliament were issued, the king published a proclamation forbidding canvassing for votes and "all factious laboring for the places of Knights or Burgesses." But in spite of this proclamation very active preparations for a contest were entered into in Essex. The candidates were, Sir Francis Barrington, Sir Gamaliel Capel and Sir Edward Denny, the last being most strongly supported by the Court. There is an exceedingly curious and amusing correspondence preserved respecting this election of which the following is a full account.

   The first letter in date is from Lord Rich to Sir Francis Barrington and is thus addressed.

To my very loveing Cosin
Sr Francis Barrington
Knight wth spede or
in his absence to my
La: his wife.

Cosin Barrington
   Inn my passage home I gave knowledge to Mr Tichborne at Romford and many others yt ye day was mistaken, and sent to Sir R. Saltingston, my cosin Rich, Mr. Harleston, Mr. Rightly, and others in thos parts of ye certayne day and place. I spake allso wth Sr An: Cook and Sr Nicholas Cook who promised themselves and means to goe ready and directed ym to send in my name to Sr Bar: Whetstone of Woodford. At Chelmsford wher I laye I sent for your host and directed him in your name to take up ye New Inn and Dolphin wch is done. I sent also to ye Lyon but his answer was, he knew not whether his Landlord would serve for you or no. I writ to Mr Allen of Hatfield to give knowledge to Sr Will: Ayliff, Sr Rafe Wiseman, Sr Jo: Sams, Mr Dubborne, and as many as he can upon friday and Saturday at ye markets of Chelmsford and Mauldon for ye day. I also sent unto Rochford Hundred to informe ym of the error of ye daye and from thence sent my man to goe to Dengy Hundred to Sr Will: Harris of Chicksey and my friends in those parts, not to fayle ye daye and tok upon me to advertise my Lo: of Sussex tenants in thos parts that my Lo: joyned wth us. I have sent into Hinckford Hundred to let ym understand ye certaïnd time. Ye whole Hundred yt I can learne stand firme to us. I have written to Sr Jo: Tindall, Sr Jo: Deane, Sr Andrew Paschall and Mr. Jo Paschall of Badowe ye promis as much as I can require, only Sr Thos Gardener is adverse. I have written to ye Bayliffs of Maulden and Colchester for ym and all theyr freends. my Lo: Darcy hath layd all ye divisions between Brayntree, Witham and Harwch, Rochford and Dengy Hundreds will not much cross us. Some great ones yt they hope dof, have returned me word they will not oppose against me----Mr Wentford of Gosfield was not at home when my man was there, but his Wife was of mynd he went wth me. I have sent to the Rodings, High Easter, and those parts is also to Sr Thos Lucas, Sr Ed Had: and others to notify ye daye. Ahat als I think fit I will not fayle you in. I have caused my Lo: of Sussex Officer in my Lo: name to writie a new letter to my kiking then ye former letters were sent in his Los: first direction and I reformed his coppy. You must send some body to listen. If the other party gives up to avoyd your greater changes and to warne a stay, if we find they yeald yt. and preparation for diet at ye Inns accordinge as you shall have cause. I have lost no time since I sawe you, nor will not though I should stand alone for I accompt him no friende yt is not firme. I cannot Imagine how we can lose yt If we have fayer playe wthout slights.
      From Leeye      I rest yors
               RO: RICHE
                  Feb 25 1603

   There is a rough copy (or rather heads) of a letter from Sir Francis Barrington to Sir Thomas Mildmay, wishing to know his "Resolution whether he would holde firme of not," and adding that he had heard that Sir Thomas had engaged nearly all the inns at Chelmsford, in favour of Sir Edward Denny, and begging to know the truth of the report, and also what his real intentions as to the election were. He then refers to a conversation he had with Sir Thomas when they met in the Temple, and to a letter he had forwarded to him, but to which he had not received any reply.
   Sir Thomas Midlmay appears to have been much offended by this letter, as is shewn by his answer of which the following is a copy. A few words in the original are illegible.

To the Rt W'rshipfull
my vearie good freende
Sr Frauncis Barrygton
Knyght.
Sr a little before I came from London wche was on Satterdaye was sennyght I received a letter from you, brought to my house in the Mynores by an hosteler (as it was toulde me) and there left wthout Request of anye answere wche gave me occasion to thinke that you desired none. I forgett not the speeche that passed betweene you and me lately in the Hares in the Inner Temple, and what answer I gave you to the wordes ( ) gentlemen and freendes from you. In this accyon betwene Sir Ed: Denny and your selfe ys best known to you att wch tyme I playnelye tould you that neither would I be ledd nor driven for any mans pleasure, butt where I had lykinge to give my voyce there I would gyve it. And that I shall.
   Indifferent whome it eyther lyke or dislyke and that opinion I should still and mean to doo. And wishe you not to forgett whatt I tould you as a freende att a stall in Fleetestreete where we casuallye mett presentlye after the fomer Speeche. If you have hard that I have taken off sundrye Innes in Chelmsforde you hard it trewelye for I have done soe & I know not who hath any thoritye to excepte againste me in so doing in myne owne towne, being lawfully Required for myself and my freendes. Butt wth all yf you have been told that I had taken them vpp ether for Sr Ed: Denny or you pt~icularlye, theye were not of my Counsell that Reported yt to you. I am sorrye to vnderstand of the extraordinarye causes handled in this busyness wche I wyshe may not ende wth the discontentment of very manye. And make this Countye that haithe in the whole course of any p~sons therein been ever reputed peaceable and quyett now to become faccious whereunto you are both bounde as good Patryottes to have a syngular Regard all personall Respects sett asyde. And so I conclude me vnto you. From my house att Moulsham the xxt of this February 1603.
            Yor lovinge freende
               THOS MILDMAY

   The following angry letter is from the Earl of Suffolk.

To the Tresourer and
Chamberlains of Walden
and to all my Servants
tennants & Townsmen
there. give these

I understand that you have been laboured unto to give yor voices in the Election of the Knights of the Shire to Sr Francis Barrington Knight. Whereat I cannot but wonder that the would either solicite any of you to that purpose wth my privitie, or you so lightlie to regard me as to pass your voices before you know my pleasure, wch I take verie ill at yr hands especially of the better sort that should have had more discretion in advising the rest, but how so ever you have ingaged yo'selves I have thought good to signifie unto you my mynd therein that I do expect and challenge at your hands as I am Lorde of the Towne & most of you my tennants (if ther be no other restect) that you give your free consents and voyces to my good frend Sr Edward Denny Knight, wch if you shall not regard what I now make known unto you I will make the proudest of you all repent it be you well assured. And thus much I know it is his Matie expresst pleasure and the letter of the late Proclamation inhibits any whatsoever to labour aforehand as they have done to be chosen for this service. And so I do bidd you fare well from the Court at Whitehall this xxiij of Februarie 1603.
         Yor frend
            T. SUFFOLKE.

   On the same day that the Lord Suffolk wrote the foregoing letter from the Court, the Lords of the Council address the following from the same place.

To our very loving Friends ye hie Sheriff of the County of Essex and the rest of the Justices of the peace for the said County to whom it may appartaine, after our very harty commenda~cons,
   His Matie having lately understood to his great dislike, that notwithstanding his Proclamation published in all parts of his realme, p~hibiting amongst other things, all factious laboring for the places of Knights and Burgesses to be elected for this His first Parliament, that the same his Princely commandment hath not in any parte of the realme been lesse regarded and obeyed then in that County of Essex, in such sort as the principall Gentlemen and Freeholders are sayd to have divided themselves into parties. And it is further informed that some persons doe seeke to be elected by soliciting their friends, and writing letters to most of the Towns and principall Freeholders of the County to favor and p~fere them to be elected Knights of the Shire. Wch information if it be true, the course is not to be allowed and may cause great disorder at the tyme of the Election, and continuall dislike to such as in a better zeale to his Maties service shall refuse to adhere to there party. We doe therefore in his Maties name will and requier you to be truly enformed of theis courses and finding them to be of this sort then to make known his Maties dislike of this ondue and disorderly p~ceding to the Gentilmen and freeholders of that County as soane as possible you can, signifying to them his Maties pleasure that without respect of p~sons or solicitacion they doe p~ceed to a free election. And yf any p~son have or shall make any collection of freeholders by Callenders or otherwise to strengthen their partie, as we understand divers have gone about. Upon further certain knowledge thereof, you shall certefy us their names whereby such order may be taken wth thereupon further consideration as shall be thought fitt in regard to the disobedience they shew to his Maties order. So we bid you lartely farewell.
   From the Court at Whitehall the 23 of Februarie 1603.
         Your very loving Friendes
   T. ELLESMERE CANC.      T. SUFFOLKE.
   E. WORCESTER.   CUMBERLAND.   H. HOWARD.
   RO: CECILL   W. KNOLLYS.   ED: WOTTON.
   JO: STANHOPE.   THOS BENCE.   J. HERBERT.

   On receipt of this letter a general meeting of the Justices of the Peace was held at Chelmsford and after much consultation as to the best way they could bring about "a good concord amongst the Gentlemen and a general Peace and Quyett throughout the County," and also to meet the king's wishes, they came to the resolution of writing letters to Sir Francis Barrington, Sir Gamaliel Capel and Sir Edward Denny, to be signed by all then present, and stating what they considered the best plan under the circumstances to be pursued, which in the letter to Sir Francis Barrington is shewn to have been as follows:

The reddyest means to effect this: Wee have conceyved to be this, first by or Lr~es to solycyte Sr Gamallel Capel for divers reasons therein mentioned as a good Patryot to relinquish the place for the second voyce, wch we doubt not but he will doe. And then the Emulation resting betwene yorself and Sr Edward Denny but for the preceeding of place. Wee have lykewise bethought vs of some medyation therein and such as can be no blemish to eyther of yr Reputations to consente vnto. And that ys that you two shall before the tyme of the Ellection cast Lotts for yt, and by that meanes, fortune to be dyrector wth out touche of eyther of yor Credytts. And wee doubt not, but suche ys the Love and tender zeale that you both doe beare vnto our Countye that wee may p~vayle in this request wth you both. Wee doo hartely praye you therefore to sende vs p'sente Aunsweres of yor myndes herein by Lr~e to Sr Thoms Mildemay, Whoe is desyred by vs to give Knowledge theirof wth all expedition, to the ende that every gentleman of Reputation ingaged in this Busyness may reteyne the honor dewe vnto him in the p'formance of his worde; wch yf yt accorde wth ye as wee hope yt will, then the first morninge of the Assizez being Wednesday, Wee hould the fyttest tyme for the consumaitng thereof at brentwood. And soe wee bydd you hartely farewell.
   From Chelmysford the last of Februarye, 1603.
      Yor assured Loving Freendes,
THO: MILDMAY.   EDM. HUDDLESTON. ANTHO COOKE.
WILLM AYCLIFF.   THOS MILDMAY, JR.
HENRY MAXEY.   THOMAS GARDENER.
THO BECKINGHM.   TOMAS WALDEGRAVE.
RO: RICHE.   THOMAS RAWLINS. Senior.

   There is a copy of the letter to Sir Edward Denny which is similar to the above, and also of the letter to Sir Gamaliel Capel. The following is a copy of Sir Gamaliel's letter to Sir Francis Barrington on the subject.

To ye Rt Wrshippfll
my very loueing Cozen
Sr FRA: BARRINGTON
Knight, D~or.
   Sr, euen now I received a Lr~e from my L: Riche wherein his Lp very honorably desireing no doubt mutuall love and attonemt doth ioyn wth Sir H Maynard in a motion vnto me to desist, wch is thought may be a good means to pc~ure ye gena~ll peace of the County lately disturbed by this opposition. Because I wold loth to be contradictory to so good a p~position (though unhappily I may hereby expose my credit to diuers misconstructions & because I pc~eue it is expected yt I shold defray some good portion of ye charges at ye Election, wch I am lothe, because it is likely to be extraordinaty, I have condescended to ther requests & so do now fully purpose to relinquish & not to stand at all, & thus hoping it will be an occasion to make an end of the controversy & unkindness between you two and an ease & satisfaction to ye whole Contry, for wch purposes wth an honest intention & love to all p'ties, I am become resolued thus to do, and so wisheing it to have answerable effects to my honest desire, I do remain yor
         Very louing Cosen & frend
29 Feb: 1603      GAMA: CAPELL.

Lord Rich the same day wrote to Sir Francis Barrington, addressing his letter in his absence to Mr Hildesham at Barrington Hall; in it he says:

   This morninge I received yor Lr~e wth Sr Gamaliel's, which I returned by the Messenger that brought it vnto me, he came where this morning I was, halfe a mile onwards of my jorny to meet Mr Butler my Phisition of Cambridge as far as Newmarket, seeing he cannot come fittly to me to give me physicke till the time I have promisd my Cosin Sr Fras~ to be cominge from home yt I may be att Leeye on Satterdaye, and on Monday at Chelmsford (if Godp~rmit) ther to see the Election of the Knights past. I have received from Mr Sheriffe a coppy of the lre~ from ye Lords a day since, wch I have returned him an answere of wch he will not like of. I have sent it to Mr Pake or to Sr Jo: Rouse of whom you may require sight of yt to informe Sr Fras: thereof. wch if I had my papers heare, wch I left at home, I would now send you a copy of it," "They that have made their great boasts and bragges are it seems doubtfull of their desired effect, seeing they are forced to seeke for Letter to ye Lords, whereby they may work upon to daunt fearfull creatures yt will be skared wth a blast of wynde. For the letter its as could for their comfort as may be, and such as will stagger and goe from their frends for this, I wish they may be frends of ye opposite p~ty, for my oun part I shall not accompt them my frends that shall for this fayle to express their love and promised voyce. For the matter of the Callender I know no part offend more that they therin. If it were offence, for it must be known what number and what quallity else provision cannot fittly be made for men." "They know themselves ye weaker side, yt they have used this meanes, for my oun part I should have been ashamed to have had my Cosin Bar: to have gone the like course, and so I have written to some of them whom they retracted, I am and will be firme unto him as the skin of his back, and will never while breathe fayle my freind of my promise, whereof I thinke your Mr is fully assured. Feare not the matter to do well enough and let them be ashamed yt deserve shame. I heare by Mr Pake yt ther are more Inns gotten since Sr Fra: was wth me at Fornam, whereby it seems if ye opposite pt had taken others up it was but to make a glorious show, seeing they release ym againe so soon before the conquest. Sr Tho: Mildmay sent I perceive for all ye Justices to be before him at Chelmsford, as if he had the co~mandinge authorytye over them yt by ys letter are his equalls and have as much to do as himselfe, and so he shall know if they be wyse yt are his fellows.
      Your very assured frende
         RO: RICHE"

   Sir Henry Maynard, the High Sheriff, wrote to Sir Francis Barrington and invited him to come and dine with him at Brentwood, on the next Sunday, the day before the election, to meet Sir Edward Denny, that the question of which should stand first might be amicably settled between them. There are copies of Sir Francis Barrington's letter to the justices acknowledging the receipt of their letter, and of his answer to Sir Henry Maynard accepting his invitation to dinner, and there is lastly a long letter from Lord Rich, in which he says that matters have ended exactly as he expected and foretold, and the letter concludes as follows:

   I shall come to Leeye uppon Saturday nexte by noone (if God give me leave) for that I p~pose not to fayle at Chelmsford uppon Munday and not to d~parte thence till I have given my voyce to the aunciente name of Barringn to be first Knight of the Shire, whose anncesters I cann averre to be Knights before english was in England, or anie name of Knights that I know were in the Countye, that now make greate shew and are newe comers in amongst us, & yet would be accompted, as the old proverb is, to carry the bell awaye, wch by their favor they must be intreated to playe stopp gambell, or as Mr. Sheriffs frayse is to stagger and he that is a staggering freend of his promis I rather leave him to the consorte of our opposers that I will accompt him anie of myne. I finde by Sr Antho Cooke's & some of my freends lr~es their firm resolution in htis busines, for which I shall yeald them my due thankfulnes and requitall when occasion shall serve. For in this game I purpose wth you to set up my reast, though they all had given you the passe. For the matter of provisions, I hope Mr Pake hath directed to yor servants such proper thinges as I appointed of my private stores, wishing yt had been better for you. And wht else I have shall verie willingly be yrs to supplie you in anie wants that I have means to healpe you wth. Whereof as I understand uppon Satterdaye at my coming home I shall accordingly direct. And in my passage homewards make known to my freinds and neighbours what I shall accompte necessarye to ymparte vnto them concerninge this business and yesterdays accon.
   I heard before the receipt of yor lr~e of my Lo: Archbishop's beinge taken sicke, whose true amendment in charitie I wishe, prainge he may repente him of the wrongs to God's church and ministers he hath done. And that by this example the rest of this robe, that have beene Saules may now be converted Paules, that before th' ende they may be builders and not ruyners of the decayed Walls of there Jerusalem, and thus in haste to dispatch my messenger to you, Mr Sheriff & Mr Pake I com~it you to God.
   From Fornham all Sts this present first of March 1603.
      Yor verie lovinge Cosin
         RO: RICHE

   The archbishop referred to was Whitgift who died on the 28th of February, 1603. It may be as well to state that both Sir Francis Barrington and Lord Rich belonged to the (so called) Puritan party. The election took place at the time fixed but there is nothing to shew who stood first. However in the published list of members, Sir Edward Denny is first named, so in all probability Sir Francis Barrington drew the second lot.
   In the year 1622 King James instituted the order of Baronets, the first creation being on the 22nd of May. On the 29th of June in the same year, Sir Francis Barrington was made one. As a Member of Parliament, Sir Francis was in opposition to the Court, and in 1626, taking alarm at the encroachments attempted to be made by the Crown, on the powers and priovileges of Parliament, as to raising money, he refused to contribute to the loan called for by King Charles the First, and was in consequence called before the Privy Council, to account for his conduct; and continued firm in his refusal to pay, he was committed to prison there to remain during the King's pleasure. His son-in-law, Sir William Masham, was also committed at the same time, and for the same offence. The following is a copy of the warrant for Sir Francis's commitment.

To the keeper of the Marshalsea
   These are to will and command you to receiue into your Custody the Person of Sir Francis Barrington, Knight and Baronett, and to keep him Prisoner under your charge, vntill His Majesties pleasure be further known.
   Dated at the Court at Whitehall,
25th of October 1626.
THE: COVENTRY CR.
BUCKINGHAM.   PEMBROKE.      MONTGOMERY
E. DORSETT.   BRIDGEWATER.   HOLLAND.
GEORGE HAY.   E. CONWAY.      D. CARLETON
F. EDWARDS.   ROB NAUTON.   JO. COOKE.

Lady Barrington accompanied Sir Francis to the Marhsalsea, and stayed with him whilst he remained a prisoner there, and where Sir William Masham was also confined. It appears that in consequence of this confinement the health of Sir Francis Barrington was affected, and in 1627 he presented petitions to the King, and to the Lords of the Council praying to be released; that to the King was as follows:

To the King's most excellent Majestie
The humble Petition of Francis Barrington Knight and Baronet.
                  Sheweth.
   Whereas your Majesties himble Suppliant is now a Prisoner in the Marshalsea comitted from the Council Table by your Majesties comand; he never having so much as a disloyal thought against your Majestie, but ever hath endeavoured to serve you and your most royall Father of famous memory deceased, with all faithfullnes and sincerity. His must humble sute to your excellent Majestie is that you will be graciously pleased to withdraw your heavy displeasure from him, which is very grevious to him, and to restore him to your Majesties favour, which would exceedingly refresh his sorrowfull heart. And forasmuch as his ould yeares can hardly indure this close imprisonment without prejudice to his health, having been ever used to open Ayre, having also many waity affaires that require his own personall attendance, his further sute to your sacred Majestie, is that he may by your gracious commande be delivered from prison. And as in duty hee is bound he shall not cease day and night to pray &c.

   The petition to the Lords of the Council was to the same effect, and was accompanied by the following certificate from his physician:

   May it please your Lordships at the earnest desire of Sir Francis Barrington, my pacient, I am boulde to acquainte your Lordships with the present decay of his health, which is this--His stomach is almost lost, his flesh is greatly wasted; Rheume and coughs which abound ever of Phlayme increase, and all by reason of the ill and close Ayre of the Prison, and vnlesse he be presently removed into some better ayre and convenient place he is like speedily to eande his life. All which I leave to your Lorships honourable and grave consideration.

   Sir Francis Barrington was released from prison in 1627, and on the 3rd July in the year following he died, most deeply lamented, and, as appears from almost numberless concurrent testimonies, very deservedly so.
   He married Joan, the eldest daughter of Sir Henry Cromwell of Hinchinbroke, Knight and aunt to Oliver the future Lord Protector. Lady Barrington was a very clever, strong-minded and thoroughly religious woman, extremely beloved and looked up to by her family, and everyone who knew her. A great number of letters to her are preserved, and they all shew how much she was respected and consulted. She survived her husband many years and died in 1641, having made a will by which she bequeathed upwards of £2000 in legacies to her children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
   Sir Francis and she had four sons and five daughters. The sons were Sir Thomas, who was knighted in his father's lifetime, and who succeeded him in the baronetcy; of him hereafter.
   The second son, Robert, lived at Hatfield and was member of Parliament for Newtown in the isle of Wight, of which borough the principal part belonged to the Barrington family and their interest at elections was paramount. In Parliament Mr. Robert Barrington took an active part in opposition to the Court; he was, when in London, a constant correspondent with his mother; his letters are interesting and amusing from his relating to her all the news and topics of the day. He died in 1642 having married Dorothy, daughter of Sir John Eden and widow of a Mr. Barrett, by her had several children. One son lived and died at Hatfield, but does not appear to have been married. Another son, Francis, went with the expedition under Penn and Desborough to the West Indies, settled in Jamaica and died there. There are several letters from him extant, one very long one giving a full account of the voyage, and of all the proceedings of the expedition at Barbadoes, St Domingo, and Jamaica, is extremely interesting. Another of the sons was Christopher who died unmarried. And a Henry Barrington who lived at Colchester was most probably a son of this Robert Barrington [hand-written note in the margin: "not so. v.parish Registers.".]
   The descendants of this branch ended in a daughter, Joan, who married a Mr Gyles, of the six clerks in Chancery office, about the year 1700. One of Robert's daughters, Winifred, married John Elliston of Guestingthorpe and had three sons. Francis, the third son of Sir Francis, settled in London, and married a daughter of Mr Richard Dowsett. He was a Levant merchant and had a son who resided for some time at Aleppo.
   John, the fourth son, was an officer in the army, he seems to have been extravagant and have given his family much trouble. There are many entertaining letters of his preserved; one to his father is as follows:

To the right Worspf his verie loving
Father, Sir Francis Barrington
baronet--at Hatfield ddr
            Louis Diof Rochell
               12th of Aprill, 1621
   My humble dutie in the first place remembred. It may please you to understand that my last was dated the 31st of the last Moneth in Answeare to your of the 18th of Februarie, therein I did most humbly crave your consent to my desire of marriage in this place which I earnestly beseech God may be granted mee. And now again I do most earnestly intreate you to give way unto my Affection, without which grant of yours I shall esteame myself the most miserablest man upon earth, the contentment I have in this Love being so greate that the being deprived thereof would make all other things as nothing unto me, yet nevertheless I beseech you to beleave that this exteemitie of Affection shall never make me forget the love, honor And respect which I owe you, on the contrarie you shall find me so forward therein that I shall more and more strive to manifest and declare my dutie herein In all the greater actions of my life. And herein if I should acknowledge my former follies, and your favors, they would (I feare) rather discorage than Incorage you to poure out your favors upon mee. I do beseech you to excuse my passionate wrighting unto you for I assure you that both our loves equally doth inforce to be so earnest with you, intreating Again that you would be pleased (if it be possible) to turne your face away from my former faults, and now once more (wch God willing shall be the last wherein I wilbe any more thus troublesome unto your fatherly bountie) to extend out of your fatherly love towards me. I beseech you let this be one motive to move your consent In respect I have had a regard, both to religion, meanes and parentage. And for her meanes, I protest I have before truly wrought you, which was, presently to have near upon a thousand pounds besides future hopes, wch I affirme, and am fully certified to be most true, so that if you please to yeald hereunto you shall (God willing) allwaies in the whole course of my life find that I shall give you all content in the carriage of my selfe. And to live in such a manner and fashion as shall be pleasing unto you. And if so be it is your desire to have me live at home, I shall be ready to p'form it as well as heare, for I am assured on her part. I beseech you lastly then to be pleased to send mee you favourable letter in granting my request, which I do trust in God to see ear long, beseeching him to move you to yield hereunto And to bless you and prosper you in all your Affaires. So I rest
         Your obedient Soun,
            JOHN BARRINGTON.

There is no doubt he married the lady alluded to in this letter, although there is not any mention of her until many years after the above date, when in several letters to different members of the family a lady is named as their "French aunt." There is one letter from her to Judith Lady Barrington, signed "Marie Barrington." In 1629 John Barrington was ill in London, and evidently in great want of money. After his recovery he anxiously looked our for employment, and at last in 1630, he got an appointment under Lord Vere, and went to germany to join the Swedish army, and there he died.

   The last letter from him is one to his mother dated "From aboard the Shipp at Gravesend now ready to set saile May 21 1630."
   Marie survived him many years not dying till 1680. She left by will fifty pounds to Sir John Barrington, one hundred pounds to his wife Dorothy Lady Barrington, together with two silver plates, a silver trencher and a hastening dish. To Thomas Barrington, eldest son of Sir John Barrington, a loadstone and an Emperors' head, set pendant wise with a little pearl hanging to it. To Miss Winifred Barrington, daughter of Sir John, five pictures of some of her relations framed pannelwise, and her grandfather's picture set in a little gold box. There is a copy of the receipt of these legacies from these four parties to Lady Wright, the executrix.
   Marie is buried in South Weald Church, where in the North Aisle is a slab with this inscription:

   Here lyes Mary Barrington widow of John Barrington of Hatfield in Essex Esqr obt 21s Janry 1680 in the 80th year of her age, and was here interred by her dear Friend The Lady Wright of Dagenhams, widow.

   Sir Francis and Lady Barrington's eldest daughter was Elizabeth, married, first to Sir James Altham, Knight, by whom she had one daughter Joan, her second husband was Sir William Masham, of High Lever, Baronet. Very many of Sir William and Lady Masham's letters are preserved. A correspondence respecting the finding a suitable husband for Lady Masham's daughter Joan (or as they call her Iug) Altham is very amusing. After three or four fruitless negotiations she was married to Oliver St John, only son of a natural son of Lord St John's. This match was brought about by the interference of the Earl of Bedford. St John supported all the violent measures of Cromwell and his party. He was a fierce republican and was Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, and Lord St. John in Cromwell's House of Peers; he died in obscurity in 1673.
   The second daughter Mary was married to Sir Gilbert Gerard, Baronet, of Harrow-on-the-Hill, for many years member of Parliament for Middlesex. He was highly esteemed and much consulted by his mother-in-law, Lady Barrington, who appears to have asked for, and acted by. his advice on numberless matters of business and family arrangements, many of his and Lady Gerard's letters are extant, a number of hers relate to receipts in cookery and domestic medicine. An excellent letter from Sir Gilbert Gerard to his nephew Sir John Barrington will be found hereafter.
   The third daughter, Winifred, married Sir William Meux of Kingston, in the Isle of Wight. She died early leaving one son and one daughter. The finding of a suitable match for the latter was the cause of many letters being written, and of much consultation between her father and her grandmother, Lady Barrington.
   The fourth daughter, Ruth, married Sir George Lamplugh, Knight, one of the family of Lamplugh, of Lamplugh, Cumberland. This turned out an unfortunate marriage and the parties were for a time separated. Sir George seems to have been reduced to poverty, and Sir Francis Barrington took his wife and family to live with him. When Archbishop Usher, who was a connexion and intimate friend of Sir Francis Barrington's, first went to Ireland, Sir George Lamplugh wrote to Sir Francis, requesting him to give him an introduction and recommendation to the Archbishop, adding that he himself had been in Ireland, and that when there, had formed a plan, by which, he had no doubt, he should be able to make a great "advancement" for himself, his wife and family, and that if Sir Francis would himself speak to the Archbishop in his behalf, his Grace would be certain to assist him; and further urging on Sir Francis the necessity of an early application, as he well knew there would be so many people applying for everything that the Archbishop might have to give, that was worth accepting, "But if neither office nor employment fitting could be obtained, that he would be pleased to grant some lease gratis," adding that "Mrs Usher had shewn such extraordinary love and respect" to his wife, that he was sure she would have much pleasure, if Lady Lamplugh would offer, to go to Ireland with her. To this curious application Sir Francis replied, that, although the Archbishop was his very noble friend, he could not take such a liberty with him as to ask for a lease of lands gratis, and that as for his daughter going to Ireland, that was quite out of the question; that he was very sorry that Sir George had sent for his wife, hinting that there were already many and more than enough of the family, as he, Sir Francis, had to support them all.
   Sir George Lamplugh died in London, in 1633, and was buried in St Sepulchre's Church, his widow seems to have married again to a Mr Anthony Nicholl, a near relation of Mr. Pyms. The fifth daughter, Joan, married Sir Richard Everard, of Much Waltham, Baronet. Many letters, both of his and hers, are extant. All these ladies were most affectionately attached to their mother, and their husbands, with the exception of Sir George Lamplugh, pm the most friendly terms with their brother, Sir Thomas Barrington, and their other near relations. Three of the husbands, and a son of the fourth, Sir William Meux, were in parliament, and all like Sir Thomas Barrington, strongly opposed to the court.

   There are amongst the letters addressed to Lady Barrington, besides those from her five daughters, several from Lady Eliot, who addresses her "dear Lady Mother" and subscribes herself "your faithful lover and daughter to command. M. Eliot." She was a niece, brought up under lady Barrington's care, who always seemed to have had some lady of family with her for education. Lady Eliot and her husband, Sir Thomas, appear to have been very poor, this is plainly shewn by the following letter, without date:

To my honnorabell and my
verye good Ladye the Ladye
Barrington, dd these.
Much honnored Ladye Mother.
   The goodness and mercifulness of your disposition moves me now in a great and havvye Burden that lies on me to flye deare ladye to you, as my best and hoopfull friend to doe me good; my humball requeste and suit is that you would be pleased so farr to condescend as to furnish me with five pound, for the which token of your love I shall ever rest bound to you and whiles I live acknowledge the same with all thankfullnes; pardon my bouldness, I humbellye besaech you, that ever remaines
         Your faifthfull
            Louer and daughter
         to command. M. ELIOT.

   This lady was daughter of Mr Richard Whalley of Screaton in Cambridgeshire, who had married Lady Barringtons's sister Frances, third daughter of Sir Henry Cromwell. Mrs Whalley, at her death, left a large family, the eldest of which was this daughter Mary, who was brought up under the care of her Aunt, and had afterwards married Sir Thomas Eliot. A younger sister Jane, also lived with Lady Barrington, and married a clergyman of the name of Hook, who had the living of Upper Clatford, in Hampshire. She ofter wrote to Lady Barrington, her letters are curious and amusing. The following is a copy of one of them:

To the honble and my much
esteemed Lady, the Lady
Johan Barrington
at Hatfield Broad
Oak this be dd

Good Madam
   It doth much rejoyce my harte to heare that it hath God to recouever your Lady Ship of your great could for the which I desire as my duty bindes me unto you to God most humble and harty thankes. Madam I would not have been thus long ere I had retourned a leter of true thankfullnes had I not been preuented by weaknes and sicknes, for when good man King was gone to Hatfield at that time, Mr Hook and I were scared in the night (as we thought by theues) that Mr Hook lost his voyce that I thought would never come again, and myselfe toke such a frite that I was fane to keepe my bed two dayes together--but now it has pleased God to reueale unto us the author of our frite which was our maide in letting in young fellowes into the house at unseasonable howers to riot with them both with our beare and bread; indede we did litle suspect here because she came up to help us to call out theues. I thank God that she is gon for I have since her departure saued a peck of meale besides other tinges. good madam, I give your Ladi Ship my most mumble and harty thankes for so much minnin received from you by William King, i did little thinke to have received such a larg extent of your Ladishipes loue. I confes that I have com short of deserving any thing, good madam I beseech you pray for me for I am brout very low through the hand of God, my ague dos yet contingu and begins to renew its strength, oh that it may please God to renew my inward graces of his holy Spiriet in me which is more worth than x thousand worldes. I must be fane to cout of before I am willing, becase I am troubled with a grevious pane in my back. I am exceeding glad to hear of your Ladi ships health, I pray God of his mercy to contingu it my pore prayers shall alluaie be for the same.

I remaine
               Your pore unworthy servant
                  JANE HOOK.

   Mr Whalley, the father of the last two named ladies, was a correspondent of lady Barrington's, and several letters from him are preserved. The following is a copy of one of them, it is very long, but it is necessary to give the whole of it, to shew his extraordinary style of writing. In other letters he complains still more of his eldest son, accusing him of spending all his time in rioting and gambling. This son was Edward Whalley, the violent republican and regicide.

To his honoble Lady and moste
Worthy Sister the Lady
Barrington att Hatfielde
Broad Oakes in Essex dd.
Honble & moste worthy
Lady & good Sister.
   Although my life is waxen ollde wth heavines & my yeares wth mourninge, for Innumerable Trobles are come about mee, & my Sinnes have taken such hollde oppon mee, that I am not hable to looke vpp & thereby myne owne Familier frends whome I trusted, have conspired against mee. Yet Madam this is my comforte, the the same Lord that holldeth it fitt to impose theis Affliceons oppon mee will no leave mee in their hands nor condemne mee thoe I am judged, and hath learned mee in whatsoever state I am there wth to bee content and comforte myselfe in the 12th of the Hebs from the middle of the 5. Verse to the 12, & in Job 5,. 17. & the 2. Cor: 1. 3. 4. & in many other places of Scriptures--and euen especially in this, that although my other Brothers make mee an Alient vnto them, have conceaved flasehoods wth in them selves and seeke to destroy mee & my house guiltles, and to rise wth the Sonne and goe downe wth the same. Yet one Joseph that hath written, he will be faithfully performe the truste in him reposed & to him comitted, remayneth and his Sonne with him, whome God will be a Buckler vnto & a great Reward. Gen 15. and all my younger Children will pray for him and his. And for that good Madame, Let mee in my mife time craue of you to bee their especiall Remembrancer to them yor noble Husband & Sonne, for them that are obedient and dutifull. O the many harts breaches that this my Sonne brought to yor good Sister & the vnspeakable sorrowes and cares that he now doth to mee, in that Hee refused my Instructions and scorneth what I say to him. I have in my best fatherly loue Remembered to him the whole story of Absolon, & euen in perticulars. Prayed his consideration & applicacon of that bee to him an ordinarry story. I have named to him of his oune time & of this country 7 or 8 great accompe, 3 of above 2000 per annum & others of very good Ranke, that have opposed themselves against their Parents, especieallie their Mothers, and have consumed their whole Estates euen to one foote of ground. 5 of them with much adoe to gett windinge sheetes, some died under hedges, some allmoste eaten wth Lyce & others not able to speake one word at their death, and not one Longe since of Sussex a Knts Sonne whoe sent his Father word would arreste him for 200li wch he ought him & would not for beare him, and goinge with his bonde in his hand to demande it, by his horse Flounderinge brake his neck wth out word speakinge, this hee knoes to be true, fearfull remembrance to anygood Chr~ian! ! and to come nearer to himselfe, where he bribed one of my chiefest councell, whome I acquainted wth all my secretts for this busines, being a lusty yonge man free from any inward informity to our knolledge, after he had publickly shoed himselfe trecherous to mee, & for him, died sodenly uppon a supposed could. Himselfe soone after, & his wyues Brother from their vsual horses fell, the one greatly hurte his legge, himselfe put his shoulder out of Jointe, and att that tyme his only Chillde being stronge & sound, dyed they say of breedings of teeth. O that this may admonishe him: hee wholly plotteth againste mee whilest the great open Enemy is workinge to thruste vs bouth out of all, as he will ere long for my councell is derided and his proud stomache to domyneer ouer his Father will sodenly bringe a confusion, for he would now give mee 100li per an: is rent to dwell as in the market but hee to have all & hath gotten all my goods upon a year & a halfe tyme to pay mee, soe that that little wch is lefte I must sell for necessity. I have att my Sonne Henries (a good Sonne) a very faire paire of Brass Andirons & a suite of 7 pieces of fyne Tapestry wch I pray you good Sister to buy (I am sure I shall neuer have nere that I have been offered) & sell them I muste, and therefore pray you rather to have them & send me by this bearer, or the next terme what you please for them, and my Sonne Henrie's sale shall bee as good to you as if I had solde them my selfe, for this hard shift my Sonne putts mee to, I pray God hath putt mee not to worser hereafter, but Gods will be done, their souls must answeare itt & I wish the 4 tot he Phillip: 11. 12. 13. 14. I hope I will be prepared as the Appostle saith, and soe good Sister pray for mee & I will bee in this my afflicons & euer
         Yor poore & yett not forsa
         saken Brother in the Lord
            RYC WHALLEY.
Screaton this 17
   of March 1623
            Your brother Sir Oliver hath
            wonderfully inforced thes
            businesses against mee.
Sir Henry yor noble father gave yor Sister 200li (wch was in the Cubbord as hee said) on his Death Bedd. Lett mee not I pray you be offensive to you to seeke itt of him.

   Lady Barrington's sister Elizabeth married Mr. Hampden of Hampden, and was the mother of the celebrated John Hampden. A few of her letters to her sister are preserved and one from her son to Sir Thomas Barrington, dated June 9th, 1643, nine days before he received the wound, of which he died.
   Lady Barrington had much correspondence with Clergymen of the Puritan party, and the way in which they wrote to her pressing their opinions upon her, inquiring into the state of her sould, asking her to probe her conscience, admonishing, chiding, and sometimes encouraging her, is very striking.
   One of these gentlemen, Mr Ezekiel Rogers, to whom Sir Francis Barrington had presented the living of Rowley in Yorkshire, was cited by the Archbishop of York, for some ecclesiastical fault, and had to give up his living, and he soon afterwards went to New England. He had been Chaplain to Sir Francis's family at Hatfield, and after he was settled at Rowley, he frequently wrote to Lady Barrington, and after a short time stated his fears, that she did not attend, as diligently as she ought to do, to the state of her soul. He drew up and pressed upon her, some rules for self examination, and pointed out to her also, how, and for what she ought to pray. He further insinuated, that since he had left Hatfield, he feared she did not confine herself, as she was bound to do, if really wishing to be one of God's elect, to the company and conversation of those who were God's known servants. And, he must say, that he had observed, when paying a visit at Hatfield, that she was much wanting to herself in the choice of neighbours to associate with, and of acquaintances with whom she found intimacies. Many being persons who could not help her to find the Lord, or who, by experience could tell her what God had done to them for the salvation of their souls. That she ought to discard such acquaintances who would never be profitable to her either by precept or example.
   When Mr Rogers left Rowley, he wrote to Sir Thomas Barrington, requesting that he might name the person to succeed him in the living, and that if Sir Thomas would do so, he knew a way by which a bargain might be made, keeping clear of the law against simony, that he, Rogers, might enjoy the greater parts of the emoluments of the living for his life. To this Sir Thomas would not accede, and then Mr Rogers accused him of declining to do so, merely that he might provide for a young man, a Mr. White, who had been tutor in Sir Thomas's family, and who, Rogers added, "was litale worthy of any such preferment," and who had not half the claims upon Sir Thomas that he himself had.
   After his arrival in America, in his letters to Sir Thomas Barrington, he accused him of withholding from him the sum of £200, which he stated had been promised to him when he left Rowley, not for giving up the living, but for repayment of money he said he had laid out on alterations to the parsonage house there. On Sir Thomas demurring to make this payment, Rogers pressed most strongly for it, declaring that it was his right, as it had been positively promised to him. And that he was ready to make oath of the fact, adding however that he had not any witness to corroborate him, as the promise was made in a private conversation, and saying he wondered how that a man of quality would deny what was due, concluding thus--

   Ah Sir, you are now about censuring the Hierchy for persecuting of us: and shall I suffer in this way by my friend, and doe you think this faire towards (I say not a frend of 33 years standing) but an Exile for Jesus Christ? if you that are Reformers, be not exact in yor walking with God in holiness and Righteousnes, my feares for you will be increased, Sir, my God hath kept me in all my dayes to my gray haires, & I beleeve I shall not want, but take you heed, you give me not cause to complane to God of you, for I beleeve he will heare.

He continued this strain of violent accusations even after Sir Thomas Barrington's death, in letters to Mr Kendall, the steward at Hatfield, and appealed to him as to the justice of the claim; this claim, however Mr. Kendall never allowed to be due. The whole of this correspondence is interlarded with religious sentences and quotations from the Bible. Another Clergyman, Roger Williams, chaplain to Sir William Masham, paid his addresses to a niece of Lady Barrington's, and wrote to her Ladyship on the subject. She objected to the marriage, and Mr. Williams soon after addressed to her one of the most extraordinary letters in the whole collection. Some extracts from it are here given.

   I doubt not but your good wisdome and loue have fairly interpreted my carriage in ye late treatie, & I allsoe trust quieted & stilled the louing affections of your worthy niece: we hoped to liue together in the Heavens: though the Lord have denied that Union on Earth. Deare Madame, Let me beg your Christian Pardon if I shall acquaint your Ladiship with A business of more waight & consequence & much nearer concerning yourselfe. That I shall now expresse to your Ladiship hath long lyen like fire in my bones Jer. 20.9. I said I wold not make mention of his name in this kind to you, but his word was in my breast as a A burning fire shut up in my bones & I was weary with forbearing & I could not stay. Good madame, it is not for nothing ye God of heaven hath sent such thunderclaps of late & made such great offers at the dore of your Ladiships heart, Distractions about Children & their affections, deprivall of A deare & tender Yoake fellow. Weaknesses inthe outward and troubles in the inward man, what are they but loud Alarums to awaken you?
   The father of Lights himselfe be pleased to shew you the interpretation of these dreames. Certainly, Madame, ye Lord hathe a quarell against you. Woe unto me, if I hold my peace, or hide yt from you which may seem bitter at present, but it may be sweeter than hony in the latter end. I know not one professor amongst all I know whose truth & faythfulnes to Jesus Christ is more suspected, dowted, feared by all or most of those yt know ye Lord. Woe to me if I shall conceale what great thoughts of heart the Lord suffers yet to be & brake forth in his dearest Saincts about you. And yet no hand is with me. The God of heaven & your deare selfe only know these secret lines. It hath almost astonisht me (& I trust will depply affect your Ladiship) yt not only inferior Christians, but Ministers Eagle eyed, faythful & observant to you Ladiship, after so many years of Gods patience towards you, so long profession, such helps, & means, incomparable, should yet be driven to sigh, to say little, to suspend their Judgments, to hope, but to feare and dowbt.
   I know, dear Madame, your heart is full, at these relations, I beseech you, (as David said), on me let your thoughts & the burthen fall, but what have these sheep done. Where 2 or 3 or few are excepted ye names of so great a number may well be spared. Deare Madame, I beseech you by all the multitudes of tender Motherly mercies yt are in God & exprest to, by yt inconceavable patience of the Lord toward you: by the bowells & blood of ye Lord Jesus, by all those secrette seeds of Loue whereby the blessed Spirit of God hath striven to draw you, make A stand and spread my letter (as Hezekiah) before ye Lord in secret. If ever, good madame, cry hard & the Lord helps me to cry for you.
   I beseech you lay to heart these few considerations:--
1. First Job 34.9. He whome we deale excepteth not the persons of Princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poore; for they are all the worcke of his hands.
2. Where birth greater, maintenance more ample, time longer & means of Grace more plentiful, there a great account is of ye Lord expected. Luc. 12.
3. The Lord will doe what he will with his owne. He owes you no mercy Exod 33. 19. I will be gracious to whome I will be gracious & I will shew mercy to whome I will shew mercy.
4. Call to mind what A cut, what a gnawinge worm it will be (ye Lord, ye Lord forbid it) if ever you cast up your Eye toward heaven & see so many blessed branches in the bosom of Christ, and ye stock rejected.
5. Slight not I beseech you all these late loud Alarums & sharp files, with which ye Lord hath strived to burnish you. Ezel. 24. 13.
6. Remember I beseech you your Candle is twinkling & glasse neare runne. The Lord only knows how fue minutes are left behind. Psal 95. 10. Fortie yeares was I greeved then I swore in my wrath thay should neuer enter into my rest. No heart but a trembling heart can get assurance ye Lord has not sworn, to yt heart he hath sworn to be gracious. In yt Petition my soule follows hard after him, & still will I wrastle untill you say A blessing of a heart softened & trembling of a Soule gasping after Jesus Christ. A blessing of Joye refreshing to the faythfull and to him who is ever
      Your Ladiships most faythful & obedient
               ROGER WILLIAMS.

This gentleman's zeal (sharpened probably by disappointment) seems entirely to have overmastered his discretion, and Lady Barrington (as might be expected) was so greatly offended by this letter, that it was a long time before she would see or have any intercourse with Mr. Williams, although both Sir William and Lady Masham wrote to her on the subject trying to excuse him, and stating that it was only his ardent love of religion that made him address her as he had done. The two gentlemen above named are the most remarkable of Lady Barrington's clerical correspondents. There are many letter from other divines written in a most earnest, zealous and true Christian spirit.
   Sir Thomas Barrington at his father's death, in the year 1628, succeeded to the Baronetcy and the family estates. He was at that time member of Parliament for Newtown in the Isle of Wight. In the fourth Parliament of King Charles the First, he was elected member for the County of Essex, and in the long parliament, November 12, in the same year, was chosen for Colchester. Sir Thomas was amongst the most forward in opposition to the Court, and acted with Cromwell, Pym, and the extreme party in every measure they brought forward. He was a member of the secret Committee of the House of Commons, Chairman of the Committee for the County of Essex, one of the Committee at Cambridge for the associated counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, and was consulted, when absent from their meetings, on business of every kind relating to this association. He was also treasurer for Essex for the taxes levied by the parliament, and colonel of one of the Regiments raised in that county. A great mass of his correspondence is preserved. There are letters from Cromwell, Hampden, and Pym, from Lords, Essex, Manchester, Warwick, Holland, Saye and Sele, Northumberland, Willoughby, Grey of Wark, &c., from Sirs, Harbottle Grimston, Henry Mildmay, Thomas Honywood, Thomas Holcroft, Thomas Rowe, &c., from Ladies, Maynard, Capell, Clarke, Cheke, Wiseman, &c., and from numbers of gentlemen and officers. Most of these last are full of complaints, of want of money, and not receiving pay for themselves or their men. Amongst other papers preserved are several small parchment covered books in Sir Thomas Barrington's writing five of which contain heads of proceedings in Parliament, names of the speakers in debates, with short accounts of their speeches. Some other volumes contain the heads of sermons heard by Sir Thomas and their texts.
   The following is a copy of a licence from King Charles the First to Sir Thomas Barrington, allowing him to take partridge and pheasant.

      Charles R.
   Charles by the grace of God, King of Great Bretaine, France & Ireland, Defender of the Faith. To all and every Our Ministers, Officers and Subjects, Whome it doth, or may concerne, greeting. Whereas our Trustie and well-beloved Sr Thomas Barrington, of Hatfeild Broad Oake, in our county of Essex Knight and baronet, hath bene an humble Suitor to Vs for our leave to take partridges and pheasants with Netts and Setting dogges within his owne lands in Hatfield Broad Oake aforesaid, and in other townes in that Countie where his lands doe lye, beeing Woodland, notwithstanding our proclamation. Which hitherto he hath observed and obeyed. Forasmuch as Wee are assured, that the said Sir Thomas Barrington doth not intend to destroy but rather carefully to preserve the game & to make his hawkes. We are therefore graciously pleased to graunt his request, and accordingly haue given, and by these pesents doe give and grant leave and license to the said Sr Thomas Barrington and his Servants to take in the day time and in fitt season, Within his owns lands and liberties aforesaid, as are unfitt for hawking, Such partridge and pheasant as shall bee for his owne Vse and provision. And these our letters of license Notwithstanding any law or Proclomation to the contrary shall be sufficient Warrant vnto the said Sr Thomas Barrington, and to all and every other Whosoever it doth or may any wise concerne. Given under our Signet, at our Manner of Bagshot. The first day of August in the Thirteenth year of our raigne & 1637.

Sir Thomas Barrington, in conjunction with Mr. Pym, Lord Warwick and others, entered into a plan to form a settlement in New England, and spent a large sum of money in the scheme. He sent several parties of settlers out and there are letters from some of the persons giving an account of some of their proceedings in America. He was also a large purchaser of forfeited estates in Ireland, a speculaion that became the cause of a great amount of trouble and litigation to his son Sir John Barrington. Sir Thomas Barrington's great exertions in the public service, and consequent anxieties, seem quite to have worn him out, and in the year 1644 he died. Most of the bills relating to his funeral are in existence, and by them it appears, that mourning cloaks were given to all the gentlemen and their servants who attended and were also sent to different relations and friends who were not able to be there. The price of cloth varied from 26s. a yard for the gentlemen's cloaks to 10s. for those of the maltster and undergroom; the chaplain's was 20s.; the steward's 18s.; the footmen's and those servants of the gentlemen who attended 15s. and those of the inferior servants 13s. 8d. The amount of the draper's bill for cloaks was £176 5s.
   The ladies had given them 17 yards of calimance at 10s. a yard; the widow had 19 yards; the ladies maids had silk mohair and Dutch serge at 5s. a yard; the chamber-maids serge at 4s. a yard; and that for dairy-maids, cook's-maid, and wash-maid was charged 3s. 6d. The mercer's bill amounted to £96 14s.
   Sir Thomas Barrington was married twice. His first wife was Frances daughter and coheir of John Gobert of Coventry, Esquire. Of this lady no trace whatever remains amongst the correspondence now extant. By her Sir Thomas had two sons and one daughter. The sons were John, who succeeded to the Baronetcy, of whom hereafter, and Gobert who inherited much of his mother's property, and purchased the manor of Tufts in Little Baddow, which place he made his residence. He was knighted by King Charles the Second. Sir Gobert was twice married, first to Lucy, daughter of Sir Richard Wiseman, of Torrells Hall, and had by her six sons, Thomas, Francis, Richard, Robert, John and Theophilus, and five daughters, Anne, Dorothy, Winifred, Susanna, and Lucy. Sir Gobert's second wife was named Elizabeth Lorton, by her he had no issue. She survived him many years. Of his sons, Richard, Robert, John and Theophilus died unmarried. Thomas succeeded his father in his estates but becoming involved in debt, sold his property to his second brother Francis. he was a levant merchant and resided for a length of time at Tunis. He made a very large fortune, and married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Samuel Shute, merchant of London. Mr. Shute served the office of Sheriff of London, in 1681, and taking a most active part in the violent political contests then going on, became exceedingly obnoxious to the Court, and was with his brother Sheriff Pilkington and others, tried for a riot in Guildhall. A verdict of guilty was given against the whole party and Mr Shute was fined 100 marks.
   Mr Francis Barrington had no children, but he adopted a cousin of his wife's, Mr John Shute. By his will he left the estate at Tofts to his brother Thomas for his life, and then to his issue male, failing which, to Mr John Shute, to whom he bequeathed the whole of his other property. Thomas barrington died unmarried, so that the whole came to Mr. Shute, who by act of Parliament took the name of Barrington. He married Anne daughter and heiress of Sir William Daines. In 1720 he was created an irish Peer by the title of Baron Barrington of Newcastle in the county of Dublin, and Viscount Barrington of Ardglass. From him is descended the present and seventh Viscount. His seat is Beckett's in Berkshire which place was left to the first Lord Barrington, when Mr Shute, by a Mr. Wildman, a gentleman who whom he was not in any way related and with whom, it is said, he was not upon very intimate terms. By this statement it will be seen that, although bearing the name and arms of Barrington, the Viscount is not in any way connected by blood with the ancient family of Barrington of Barrington Hall.
   Sir Thomas Barrington's only daughter Lucy was twice married, first to William Cheney, of Chesham Bois, Buckinghamshire, Esquire; and secondly, to Sir Toby Tyrell, of Thornton Hall, in the same county, Baronet. This marriage did not prove a happy one, and there are some curious details of family quarrels to be met with amongst the correspondence. The following is a copy of one of Lady Tyrell's letters to her brother Sir John Barrington. It does not shew that her ladyship was of a very conciliatory disposition.

These
   For my ever Honoured Brother
      Sr John Barrington at
         Hatfield Present
Deare Brother and Sister
   I am sorry I have at present this sad occasion to trouble you both, wth the relating of it, but I am forc'd to doe it, and as soone as I can, you two being the only hopes of helping me, in ye distresse I am not in, wch is this, Sr Toby hath found very slight occations to pick quarrells with me, in soe much that he hath giuen me very base language, and threatens me wth base and terrible threatenings of what he will doe to me yt I am afraid of my life, and whatever I haue besides; my Mayd being kind and honest to me is by him threatened to be turned out of dores. Althoguh he hath no just cuase for it, neither can he allege any thing against her; and saith I shall have one of his choosing or none: and I am resolved not to part fro her as long as she is soe faithful to me & meddles wth no body else: and all this is because I am desirous of Rodwell's going: and Harry Tyrell hath and doth hourly doe me all ye mischief yt lyeth in him: you cannot imagine ye wickednesse he showeth in his actions to me, in counselling Sr Toby agst me: he being holy bent if he can to gett me gone: or else to offer violence to me in tryign what yt will doe. Dearest Sister and Brother, as you tender ye good of me and ye saftye of my life, for Gods sake grant me this request in coming to me as speedily as you can: else you cannot immagine ye sad and heavy condition I am in: I am soe full of troubled thoughts I shall not rest in quiete till I see you to discourse wth, for Harry is here every day allmost in counselling Sr Toby: & because I told Rodwell she was an impudent creature for offering to stay soe much agst my will, knowing what rong she hath done me setting her master agst me, & that others in my case would take her by ye shoulders and turn her out of dores: She returned me impudent and saucy language more that you can immagine or thinke, and told Sr Toby she was in feare of her life, and that I would cutt her throat, although she had but little cause to say so, all the comfort I have had since I parted from you hath been in my dear Nephewe's company: but it seems Sr Toby hath been p~swaded to debarr me of his good company allsoe: wch if I be, I am very fearfull, I shal receive some great rong from being soe evill towards me. Deare Brother & Sister my life is in danger if you doe not come wth all speede wch as you love me doe for her sake who is
               Yours whilse life
                  L. T.
The messenger
is payd by me, I desire you to send him back as soon as you can possibley & to com yourselues this weeke. I being resolved to keepe my chamber till you com for feare of my selfe and my Mayd: Deare Sister I desire if you know any body yt will speke in my behalfe I desire you to bring them along wth you he must be one yt will not be daunted with Sr Toby's rashness nor with Harry Tyrells reproches.

   What was the end of this quarrel does not appear, but Sir John and Lady Barrington did not go to Thornton as requested in this letter.
   Sir Thomas Barrington's second wife was Judith, daughter of Sir Rowland Litton, of Knebworth, in Hertfordshire, and widow of Sir George Smith, of Annables, in the same county. There was not any issue from this marriage.
   Many letters from Sir Thomas to his father and mother written during his courthsip of this lady are preserved and are very amusing. In one of them is the following passage:

   I thinke tis a great advantage to a man to be a successor to a husband not superlatively good. tis trew thys Lady my dearest Mrs husband went into the Palltine wth ye Lo: Oxford and there dyed. he was not a fit halfe for her ye worlde knows well, yet she ever loued him and he her, but what was amiss in him is to her greater commendation, yt all good people say of her.

   In a letter to his mother he says:

   My hart is so full of perplexyties as yt I have written to my fahter I know no wht, and now I am wrighting to you I hardly know how. I beseech you pray for me, and favour me, helpe me and excuse me now in my abruptness. Ye God of heaven send me an issue of occasion graunting me marriage for all this I am only yor solicitious and perplexed
         Sonne   THO: BARRINGTON.

   In a subsequent letter to his father he says:

   I have one perticular favour to begg of you, wch is yt you will pass to send to me a Buck by this bearer, it is, Sir, ye first fauour of this nature yt euer I intreated of you, if my Lo: of Warwick be at home, you may have a letter to my La: Kensington for Hyde park wch will be best of all, for so shall I be enabled to shew my Mrs sport as well as p~cure venison. The Mr of the house where my Mrs lyes in now comm home and will be gone again wth in a feue days wch tyes me necessarily to desyre it this weeke aboute Wednesday at the farthest, being beholding to them for a dayly dyett, and also being desirous to giue content when I find they loue venison so well. I have only this to add yt my Mrs remembers her best respects to you both, assuring you yt if it shall be her lott to come to you as daughter she will be a most respective and dewtiful one, and for my part I assure you she will by Gods blessing be a means yt all those & false scandalls yt have ben raysed, shall be wipt away by her discretion, & wht hath ben any reported amiss amended by her goodness & wisdome, when ye world shall see so sweet an accord & correspondence on all parts wch the God of heaven graunt.

   Judith Lady Barrington was a most active strong-minded woman, managing her households at Annables, Barrington Hall, Hatfield Priory and in London in a most careful manner, and examining minutely into everything relating to them. There is an immense number of accounts, memoranda and inventories in her writing, on the greatest of subjects--housekeeping, farming, planting, letting lands, cutting down trees, receiving rents, lists of furniture in different houses, of farming stock, wearing apparel, jewels, plate, &c. The family plate was greatly reduced in her time, as it is shewn by the steward's accounts, that upwards of 2000 ounces, were sent by Sir Thomas Barrington to the committee at Guildhall to assist the Parliament to raise money. Lady Barrington appears to have interfered in matters of all kinds both public and private, and on more than one occasion to have given important directions on public business to Sir Thomas's agent entirely on her own authority. She survived her husband several years, and was far from being on good terms with his successor, her stepson, Sir John. There is a lively, but by no means an amiable correspondence between them preserved, relating to some trees she had cut down on her jointure lands. Sir John in his first letter, accused her of cutting down his timber, for her own profit, and complained of the damage she had done to his inheritance, adding how very differently she had managed the property of her own son Mr. Smith, for on his land she would not allow a single tree to be felled, and had brought action against his tenant, Sir John Luke, for cutting down trees on land on which he had a life lease.
   In reply, Lady Barrington said she had the trees cut down for the purpose of repairing the buildings on her jointure lands, and that her doing so would be for Sir John's own profit, as otherwise at ther death the buildings would be found in a ruinous condition, and that she should not have removed a single tree if she might have had wood from the large store Sir John had lying in his timber yard, but so far from her being able to do so, not one single brick-bat could she get without paying very highly for it. Sir John, without waiting to receive this answer, wrote again to her, complaining of the want of courtesy she showed in not replying to his letter, and of the destruction she was making of his property, and then continued thus:--

   Madam your formerly made superlative expressions at sundry times concerning your wishing my family to thrive; it is high time now to act by those principles, that are most suitable to such lofty expressions, and if there be any real loue in you to me or mine, I wonder you act thus who are so nearly related to our family, as to do that injury to me and my posterity, that will make us continual sufferers.
   Madam if you proceed in this business to make a needless, if not a total waste of my timber, I verily believe you will find you hazard your credit, your honour, your reputation, which should be dearer to you than any profit coming in such a way as is detestable: and dearer that the fulfilling of your own will, in doing me one of the greatest injuries you are able upon your jointure. I should be very sorry to see that esteem the world hat of you, to be lessened, and especially endangered by your own actions, which, let them be what they will, I hope you shall always find me
               Your obedient Son.

   To this letter Lady Barrington replied:

   Good Son,
      The day before I received your last letter I had written and sealed the enclosed to you which I was slower in sending because I liked the convenience of my Servant Richard Dean's going to Pishiobury (this day) to carry it. Nothing else but this and want of health hath made me delay, and now your second large expressions make me sorry that you took so much pains to transcribe so many good words upon so poor a subject: for if I had not just use of timber for repairs I shold not have apprehended this years quantity (I believe hardly worth £20) would have been presented to your apprehension as being such a considerable sum, and a total ruin of timber to your posterity, if I had sold it to my profit. All the sue I put it to is for your good as well as my own, and I conceive it will be for my credit if I keep my houses in repair. I intend no defacing, nor will I willingly do anything that is not fitting: my profession shall be suitable to my principles, which is to make the best of my own (as I see others give me an example) and to do no unjust things, and this may well hold with my former superlative and lofty expressions to your family, notwithstanding all distances and discouragements. I have been used so much to indecent and unjust exclamations as I the less wonder to hear such a loud discourse on so poor a business. If I detained the right of the fatherless, poor strangers, and Widows and such like, then my credit, honour, reputation and the like, might well be questioned, and make my conscience sensible. But I shall meet you half way in all kindness and realities, and be never behinyou in any of being your ver affectionate mother,
               JU: BARRINGTON

   Lady Barrington's allusion to retaining money from the poor was a taunt to Sir John, who was engaged in a chancery suit, respecting some property left for charitable purposes, of which he was a trustee, and which was, in consequence of his having instituted this suit, for many years unapplied to the uses for which it had been bequeathed. Whilst her mother-in-law Joan, Lady Barrington, lived, Judith, Lady Barrington was on the most affectionately friendly terms with her, and the letters she wrote to her from London, relating all the news of the day, and telling her of all things going on, are very interesting and entertaining. Sir John Bramston in his autobiography speaks of her as "that impertinent everlasting talker," and this was very probably a true character of her. She had Sir Thomas's house in Great Queen Street, for a jointure house, and resided there to the time of her death in 1657. She was buried at Knebworth.
   Sir John Barrington, who had been knighted in his father's lifetime, succeeded him in 1644, as third baronet. He was member of Parliament for Newtown, Isle of Wight, in the Long Parliament, but, although belonging to the part in opposition to the Court, never took and active part in politics, and soon (perhaps foreseeing to what lengths the leaders would proceed) withdrew entirely from public life. His name appears as one of the committee for Essex, but he did not take any share in its proceedings, nor indeed in any public affairs whatever. He was on friendly terms with his cousin Oliver, the protector, as the following copy of a letter will shew.

   "For my honourable Cozen
      Sir JOHN BARRINGTON,   theise
   Noble Sir,
      I beseech you pardon mee that I noe sooner returned you an answer to your letter. Accept my mulitplicity of businesses as my excuse. Indeed (as I have cause) your person and family are very deare to me and for that reason I had rather you should (without any arbiter) give yourselfe honour and right. If any some have vexed you causelesslye, stop their mouths. If that which sticks with you bee an unwillingnes to betray Justice, lett some friend putt an end to it, lett the best friend your adversarie hath doe it, you will be noe looser. Say what you will haue me doe, and I shall serve you and be
         Yor affectionate Cousen and servant,
   Decr. ye 12th, 1653         O. CROMWELL.

   Sir John Barrington was very fond of litigation and was engaged in numberless law-suits. In one, with his uncle John's widow (the French aunt), in another with his stepmother, Judith, Lady Barrington, during the progress of which he was guilty of some contempt of court, and wa committed for a time to prison. He had a Chancery suit with the heirs and executors of his grandfather, Mr Gobert, respecting a legacy ordered to be invested in land, for the use of the poor of Hatfield, This suit lasted nearly the whole of his life. He also had suits with his sister, Lady Tyrell, and her trustees; with his mother's sister, Mrs Legh, and her second husband Mr. Rigby; this related to the legacy left by his grandfather. He had actions against several of his tenants for alleged breaches of covenants; against two or three of his neighbours for trespasses; and with his son's wife's trustees. Besides all these ha had endless disputes on legal matters relative to his father's share in the American adventure, and to his purchases in Ireland; and also in his son's wife's father's, the Earl of Warwick, share in the island of Bermuda. He had advanced money on mortgage to Lord Morley. The parliament declared his Lordship a malignant, and took possession of his estates, and, in consequence, a vexations and lengthened suit arose between Sir John Barrington, Lord Morley, his Lordship's heirs, and the sequestrators of his lands. In short, scarcely any matter of business came before Sir John, in which he would act, until he had a case stated, and a legal opinion taken. There are preserved an immense number of briefs, cases, opinions, notes of proceedings, verdicts and decrees. There are also preserved several letters remonstrating with him on some of his proceedings. The following one is from his uncle Sir Gilbert Gerard, relative to his dispute with his son's wife's father the Earl of Warwick.

   For the Ho'ble Sr. John
   Barrington, Kt and Baronett
   at his house at Hatfield
         Brodooke in Essex,
   Sr         these,
      I doe not know whither I may haue the happiness to see you againe, being aged and full of infirmities, but the interest I have in your familie, having the honor to be so nearlie allied vnto you, doth move mee to wright, what I would rather have spoken. How much I myself, and your good Aunt, now wth God, did reioice in the match of your Sonne, wth that noble ladie now his wife. I cannot expresse, not onlie was it an honor, to your familie, but as this vnion of your two families, was very acceptable vnto all your friendes, and allies in those parts, and that which much reioiced all the godlie Ministers and people about you, in the coming on of which busines you behaved yourself with the prudence and noble fairnes, that you gained much honor thereby. I should be heartily sorry, that anything should belmish that, so happily begunne and perfected, God hauing given his blessing on it in bestouing a child unto your Sonnes lady. But I vnderstand by my Lord of Warwick, who did mee the honor to visit mee, that there is some difference betwixt you and him, and that it was publikly taken notice of, and that to shew the world his desire to avoid all unkindnes, his Lordship (though very vnfitt by his infirmities for such a iourney) went down vnto you at Hatfield, to giue you a visitt, that the world might see he was desirous to avoid all occasion of difference, and whatever difference there was betwixt you, he was willing to refer it to any indifferent persons, even to any of your oune relations, which is more then can in reason be expected. Now, Sir, if you should refuse this noble offer, I doe beseech you consider the consequence, how preiuditiall it may be vnto all those good endes that were and might be expected in this alliance, especially vnto your own familie. I pray you in a business of this weight, lean not to your own vnderstanding, nor be nott ledd by any private or mean person who for their oune interest, thinking it may bee for there advantage to fish in troubled waters, may encourage you, but as you haue hitherto freely and nobly of your selfe carried on this business, very much to your advantage, so put an issue to it yourself, or if you will not doe it yourself, referre it to some indifferent person you may name, whom you please, and so prevent the sad consequences of such a breach wich are more than you can foresee. This I thought it my duty to wright, and I pray you look vpon it the good wishes of a dying friend. And by another relation, I am tied to put you in minde, of what a christian you ingaged, I being then a witness, and bound by sollemne promise to minde you of it, I pray God direct you to doe what may be most for his glory, and the hapines and prosperity of your noble family, and the good of his Church, and so I take my leave, and rest you most affectionate vncle
            and humble servt,
   Flambards,         GILBERT GERARD.
      20 June, 1667

   Sir John Barrington married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Lytton, of Knebworth, and niece of his father's second wife, Judith Lady Barrington, by her he had five sons and nine daughters. The sons were Thomas (of whom hereafter), Francis, who died young, John, another Francis, who died unmarried, and William. Of the daughters, two only appear to have been married. Winifred, wife of Richard, some of Richard Wiseman, of Torrell's Hall, died in 1684, and was buried at Wallingdale Doe, where there is a monument to her memory with this inscription:--

      Here lyeth the Body of that most
      excellent Lady Winifred Wiseman,
      Wife of Richard Wiseman, of
      Torrell's Hall, Esqre, and Daughter
      of Sir John Barrington, of Hatfield
      Broad Oak. Obt. 7th May 1684.

   Lucy, the other married daughter, was wife of John Walkers of Chepstow, Esq., John the third son, married Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Hawkins, of Bishop Stortford, gentleman, by whom he had a son, John, of whom hereafter as the sixth baronet. William, the fifth sone, married Sarah, daughter and heir of Richard Young of London, but had not any issue. He was a Turkey merchant, and lived some years in Aleppo.
   Thomas, Sir John's eldest son, died in his father's lifetime, having married the Lady Anne Rich, daughter and co-heir of Robert, third Earl of Warwick, and with her had eventually, very large estates in Essex and Norfolk. This marriage did not prove a happy one, and at one time Mr. Barrington and Lady Anne were separated. It appears that they had a house in London and that Lady Anne wished to reside there entirely; Mr Barrington preferred the country. Sir John did not make them a generous, or indeed, an adequate allowance. This may have been the cause of the disagreement between the Earl of Warwick and Sir John, referred to in Sir Gilbert Gerard's letter, and they got deeply into debt. On the death of lady Anne's uncle, Charles, the fourth Earl of Warwick, she and her sister succeeded to the greatest part of the family property, the title going to the Earl of Holland, descended from the second son of the first Earl of Warwick. All the ready money that Lady Anne acquired, about £7,000, was swallowed up in paying part of her own and her husband's debts. Sir John pressed her to settle at once all her estates on her children by Mr Barrington, but to this she demurred, by the advice of her friends, on the plea of the possibility of her surviving her husband and marrying again, when, if she had a family, she would have nothing to give them. She also declined making any settlement at all unless Sir John would discharge all the debts there might be still remaining due from her and her husband, and that he would also carry fully into effect the provisions of her marriage settlement, and she also called upon him to make a larger allowance to her husband.
   Mr. Barrington was at this time most urgent with her to consent to give up the house in London, and settle in the country. This she absolutely refused, and a violent quarrel ensuing, she left his house. There are letters and copies of letters on the subject extant. In one, an exceedingly angry one from Mr. Barrington to Lady Anne, he says:--

"But for your living in London, I shall not, nor ever will consent, thereto. the 15 years, I have submitted and conformed to your humours, lived, and did, where and wht you pleased, the effects whareof you now see had brought dishonour to me and shame to yourselfe, soe now that I expect your conformity to my will wch is, settling yor Estate, your promise, with a resolution, to live a more soberer life, of a fuller amendment and to dwell wth me yor husband as a Wife ought to doe, whare I shall think most convenient for us both. There are the resolutions wch I have taken up, and am (with God almighty's assistance) resolved to follow. Soe if you think you can content yo'selfe wth me, yor children and convenient servants in the country It will be very pleasing to me, if otherwise, I must content myself as I can."

   Mr Tobias Hewett, the confidential steward of the Barrington family wrote to Mr Daniel Finch (afterwards Earl of Nottingham), who had married one of Lady Anne's sisters, the lady Essex Rich, intreating him to use his influence with Lady Anne, and try to bring about a satisfactory arrangement between her, her husband, and his family, adding that if she could be induced to come to Hatfield to pay a visit to Sir John, he felt convinced it would be so well taken that it would be the means of bringing about, what was so ardently desired by both families, a reconciliation between the parties. Mr Finch, in his answer, deplored the "rashness of lady Anne's late proceedings," and stated his anxiety that all should be amicably arranged without giving the world further handle for talk and scandal. But he added that he though that Lady Anne Barrington had some ground for complaint in being so pressed to settle her estates, without Sir John doing what she had asked of him, or his giving a full equivalent, and Mr Finch then requested Mr. Hewett would tell Sir John that such was his opinion. In reply Hewett says that "Sir John is ill, and his temper weak, and I fear that some passages in your letter might raise his passion higher,and do mischief instead of good, and I know not what effect it might have in impairing his health." Whether Mr. Finch did interfere or not is not shewn, but the parties soon after came together again. They had five children. John and Charles, successively Baronets, Richard who died young, Mary unmarried, and Anne, who married Charles Shales, goldsmith and banker in London; of her hereafter. Mr Thomas Barrington died in 1681, and was buried in Hatfield Church, where there is the following inscription on his gravestone:--

Here lyeth the Body of Thomas Barrington
Esqr Son & Heir of Sir John
Barrington & Dorothy
his Wife, born Aug. 29
1643. Died Jan. 31, 1681,
Aged 38 years.
Under this marble (Reader) lies the dust
Of the most worthy, noble, and most just,
To speak him as he was, excells all story,
His life was one continued scene of glory
Careless of what this tasteless world calls pleasure
His soul flew higher, at immortal treasure;
Nor could he miss, his wish'd eternity,
Who always liv'd as purest Saints doe die.
But he can never die--whose deathless name
Lives in his offspring, who will share his fame.

   Lady Anne survived her husband many years, and remarried, Sir Richard Franklyn, of Rislip, in Middlesex.
   Sir John Barrington died in 1682, about a year after his son. There are no family letters or papers to be found after this date, nor indeed are there many, except legal documents, to be met with of the period Sir John had the estates. He was succeeded by his grandson, Sir John, as fourth Baronet. He was of Trinity College, Cambridge, on leaving which he went abroad for a short time. Almost immediately after his return to England, he was seized with the small-pox, and died at Hatfield on the 26th of November 1691, a month after he came of age.
   There is a large white marble monument erected by his sisters to his memory in Hatfield Church, it has a long latin inscription, and is decorated with weeping cupids, death-heads, &c. On the death of his brother, Sir Charles Barrington, became the fifth baronet, and had possession of all the estates. The priory at Hatfield was then the chief residence of the family, and being greatly out of repair, Sir Charles sent a surveyor from London to inspect it, who finding the very bad state it was in, proceeded at once to take the whole down without consulting his employer on the subject. Sir Charles Barrington was seven times returned Knight of the Shire for essex, standing several severe contests. He was Vice-Admiral of the county, and appears to have been a highly respectable country gentleman. He was one of the contributors for the restoration of the Chapel of Trinity College, Cambridge, under Bentley's mastership, and his coat of arms is on the wood work of the chapel on the north side, near the Vice-master's seat. He was twice married, first to Bridget, only daughter and heir of Sir John Monson, of Broxbourne, in the county of Hertford, Baronet. His second wife was Lady Anne Maria Fitzwilliam, daughter of William, first Earl Fitzwilliam, but he had no issue by either. Sir Charles died the 17th of January, 1714-15, having settled the Essex estates on his sister, Mrs Shales and her family. She had two sons and two daughters; of these two latter, more hereafter. By this settlement the essex estates were first left to Mrs Shales and her husband for their lives, then to her eldest son and his issue male; failing such issue, to her second son in like manner, and in case of his having no son to the male heir of his uncle, John Barrington and his male issue, and in failure of heirs male in that line, equally between the two daughters of Mrs. Shale and their heirs.
   The eldest son died in his father's life-time, and the second, on his father's death in 1734, took the name of Barrington and succeeded to all the Essex estates, and was known as Mr. John Shales Barrington. He built the present house of Barrington Hall, which however he never inhabited, nor was it ever finished by him, and remained unfinished and uninhabited till 1863, when it was much reduced in size and altered, and is not the residence of the present owner of the greater part of the Barrington estates in Essex [viz. G Alan Lowndes - TFPL, Apr 2000].
   He was engaged to be married and brought his intended bride to see the house. The lady complained that there was not any ball-room, this want he immediately undertook to supply, and had one erected on the space (now planted) between the hose and the stables. This however did not satisfy the lady, and other faults being found out by her, either in the house or the gentleman, the match was broken off. This so greatly annoyed Mr. Shales Barrington that he became disgusted with the place, and stopped all further progress towards finishing the house. He never afterwards resided at Hatfield, very seldom coming there, and when he did so always travelled in the night to avoid observation. He took a house at Waltham Cross, between which place and London he passed the remainder of his long life, avoiding as much as possible all society. The following announcement of his death is to be found in the Gentleman's Magazine for June , 1788.

May 14th. Died in Scotland Yard, near Whitehall, aged 78, John Shales Barrington, Esqre of Hatfield Broad Oak, Essex, and of Waltham Cross, Herts: only surviving son and heir of Charles Shales, Goldsmith, of the Vine, Lombard Street, Goldsmith to Queen Anne, and Kings George the 1st and 2nd, by Anne sole surviving daughter and at length heiress of Thomas Barrington Esqvre (eldest son of Sir John Barrington, Knight and Baronet) by lady Anne Rich eldest daughter and Coheir of Robert Earl of Warwick. He was nephew to the late Sir Charles Barrington, Baronet, and lineally descended from Barenton, one of the household of Queen Emma, whose great-grandson married a daughter of Geoffrey Magnavilla, Earl of Essex, and his son was the first of the family that settled on the Manor of Barrington Hall, in Hatfield Broad Oak Parish, in the beginning of the 13th century. The noble family of Viscount Barrington, so created in 1730, was only allied to Mr. Barrington by the marriage of his great-grandfather's brother Gobert's son, Sir Francis with Mrs Shute to whose first cousin, John Shute, he left his estate at Badow, Essex. Mr. Barrington began to rebuild Barrington Hall in a handsome manner, but on some dispute about tithes with Trinity College, Cambridge, who are impropriators, or, as others say, on a matrimonial disappointment, he gave up all design, and retired to a house at Waltham Cross, where he passed a long life in obscurity. His remains were interred on the 21st in great funeral pomp with his ancesters at Hatfield Broad Oak. Dying unmarried, his large property descends to Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington, Baronet, of Swainston, in the Isle of Wight, third Cousin of the late Sir Charles. By an intermarriage of another ancestor of this family with a daughter of Henry Pole, Lord Montacute, and granddaughter to the Earl of Salisbury, they are entitled to bear the Royal Arms of England. The Son of this ancestor married Joan, daughter of Sir Henry Cromwell, of Hinchinbrook, Grandfather of the Protector.

   On Sir Charles Barrington's death, the Essex estates went to Mrs Shales, and as above stated, descended to her son, the property in the Isle of Wight came to John, son of Sir John Barrington, the third Baronet who became Sir John the sixth Baronet. He married Susan, daughter of George Draper, of Hitchin, gentleman, by whom he had three sons, John, Charles who died young, and Fitzwilliam; and two daughters, Susan who married Barrington Falke, of Linton, Esq., and Sarah, who died unmarried. Sir John died in 1717, and his eldest son succeeded as Sir John the seventh Baronet. He married Mary, daughter of Patricius Roberts, Esq., but had not any issue and died in 1776. His only surviving brother, Sir Fitzwilliam Barrington, became the eighth Baronet, and on the death of Mr. John Shales Barrington in 1788, came into possession of all the Essex estates. He was twice married, first to Sarah Mead, by whom he had a son and two daughters, all of whom died young. he married secondly Jane, daughter of Matthew Hall, Esq., and had by her seven children--John, and Fitzwilliam, successively Baronets. Thomas died in infancy. Anne married the Rev, William Brown, of Camfield Place, Hertfordshire; Winifred married Robert Pope Blackford of Osborne, Isle of Wight, and Jane and Susan, who both died young. Sir Fitzwilliam died in 1792 and his eldest son became Sir John, ninth Baronet. He began to make alterations at Barrington Hall, intending to finish it, he pulled down the ball-room, and made some additions to the offices but left it unfinished. He was unmarried and on his death was succeeded by his brother, Sir Fitzwilliam, the tenth Baronet, who was a captain in the Navy. He married Mary, daughter of Sir Samuel Marshall, and by her had an only son, Fitzwilliam, who died young in 1797, and six daughters, Jane, Elizabeth Julia, Anne, Emma, Ellen Falke and Mary. Sir Fitzwilliam died in 1836, and on his death, leaving no male issue, the Baronetcy and family of Barrington in the male line became extinct.

[In fact this list of daughters to the last baronet is wrong on at least one and probably several accounts. The third daughter was Julia, not Elizabeth Julia, and she is described as such on a memorial in the church at Whitchurch upon Thames, Oxon. In Ruvigny's Clarence volume, listing the descendants of George, Duke of Clarence, he gives the three married daughters who had issue, with their husbands, as Louisa Edith, Julia and Ellen Flacke. From the second edition of Burke's Extinct baronetcies, published in 1841, the list of daughters is given as: Louisa Edith, Jane Elizabeth, Julia, Ellen Flacke and Mary; Jane did not marry and Mary dsp. A little more research is needed here? I believe the error by either William Clayton or G Alan Lowndes is due to the fact that they were here not working from documents in the magnificent collection but from hearsay about fifth cousins. TFPL, April 2000.]

From the frequent references made in the preceding memoir it will be gathered there are many more letters and document that those quoted. They amount to more that 1000 and have been catalogued for the Historical Manuscripts Commission. The catalogue will appear in the next volume of the Commissioners report. If the Society has no already had too many of the Barrington letters, more may be published in future numbers, after the history of Hatfield Priory.

G. ALAN LOWNDES

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