Footnotes for Chapter 1
[1]. Chancery Proceedings 1720 sqq. Fielding v. Fielding. From the records of this Chancery suit, instituted on behalf of Henry Fielding and his brother and sisters, as minors, by their grandmother Lady Gould, are taken the hitherto unpublished facts concerning the novelist's boyhood, contained in this chapter. The original documents are preserved in the Record Office. [Back]
[2]. See [Appendix A]. [Back]
[3]. By means of a legacy of £3000 left by her father for his daughter's sole use, "her husband having nothing to doe with it." [Back]
[4]. History and Antiquities of Leicestershire. J. Nichols. 1810. Vol. iv. Part i. p. 292. Nichols does not state his authority for this statement, and it is not confirmed by local records. See Hutchins' History of Dorset for the list of Stour Provost rectors. [Back]
[5]. Chancery Proceedings, 1722. Fielding v. Midford. Record Office. [Back]
[6]. Edmund's name was added in October following. [Back]
[7]. Chancery Decrees and Order Books. Record Office. [Back]