Ring found at Haddon Hall.
Perhaps the most elegant relic yet discovered is the ring shown in our engraving, which is in possession of his Grace the Duke of Rutland. It was found a few years ago, not far from the “Bowling Green,” and is evidently of the fifteenth century, and is of extremely fine workmanship and elegant design. The hoop is wreathed, and has originally been enamelled, and bears between the foliage the inscription, in old English letters, “de boen cuer,” which is one of frequent occurrence as a posy upon mediæval rings, probably in this case, meaning de bon cœur, and showing the hearty affection of the giver to the receiver. The little figure engraved on the besel is St. John the Baptist, with the Lamb enfolded in his mantle, and has most likely also been enamelled. It is probably a kind of charm-ring—i.e., a ring possessing physical or phylacteric qualities against epilepsy, the mal de St. Jean. It is of the purest gold, and weighs ninety-seven grains.
Washing-Tally found at Haddon Hall.
Another interesting “find” was the Washing-Tally already referred to, which is of the time of Charles I, and of extreme rarity. Of this tally, as intimately connected with the inner and home life of Haddon, at the period of the height of its hospitality and glory, we give the accompanying accurate engraving, which is drawn of a somewhat reduced size, and for which, as for the ring, and other engravings, our readers are indebted to the Reliquary Archæological Journal, edited by Llewellynn Jewitt, F.S.A. This very interesting relic is five-and-a-half inches in length and four-and-a-half inches in depth. It is formed of a piece of beech-wood, a quarter of an inch in thickness, covered with linen on the back and sides. Its construction is precisely that of a “horn-book.” In front, the names of the different articles of clothing are printed from a copper plate and protected by a sheet of horn. Around the edge, a narrow slip of thin brass, fastened down with highly ornamented nails, attaches the horn, the paper, and the linen, to the wood. The “tally” is divided into fifteen squares, in each of which is a dial numbered from 0 to 12, and above each square is the name of the article of clothing intended to be taken into account. These are “Ruffes,” “Bandes,” “Cuffes,” “Handkercher,” “Capps,” “Shirtes,” “Half-Shirtes,” “Boote-hose,” “Topps,” “Sockes,” “Sheetes,” “Pillowberes,” “Tableclothes,” “Napkins,” and “Towells.” On each of the dials is a circular brass indicator, fastened by a little pin in its centre, so as to be turned round at pleasure. Each indicator is pierced on one side, close to the edge, with a round hole through which one number only on the dial is visible at a time, and opposite to this hole is a raised point by which the indicator can be turned as required.
It may here be well to note, that although Haddon Hall is no longer used as a residence by the Duke of Rutland, he has within three or four miles of it a delightful shooting-box, Stanton Woodhouse, pleasantly situated and charming in every respect, where he and others of his family occasionally sojourn. This and his other shooting-lodge, Longshawe, some distance across the moors of the same county, are two charming retreats for the sportsman. It may be mentioned, too, that at Rowsley, close at hand, is the admirably executed effigy of Lady John Manners and her infant, by W. C. Marshall, R.A.
Passing on from Haddon to Bakewell, the tourist will not fail to notice the Dove-cote on a mound near the road-side, and from this road-side he will obtain one of the best and most charming views of the Hall to be gained from any point.
Bakewell Church, the burial-place of some of the members of the Vernon and Manners families, to whom Haddon Hall successively belonged, is nearly two miles distant from Haddon, and may be seen on looking up the valley of the Wye. Bakewell itself is a pleasant and remarkably clean little market-town, built on the banks of the Wye; there are several good public buildings in the town itself, and many substantial residences in its neighbourhood. It is, however, to the church only that we now desire to call attention in a short description.