Remains of Dunmow Priory.
Old Church of Dunmow, by whom erected—Tomb of Sir Walter Bohun, by whom injured—Tomb of the Lady Marian, the wife of Robinhood—Conjecture respecting the sparing of her Effigy during the Civil Wars—Early History of Lady Marian—Tournament—Burning of her Father’s Castle—Escape to the Forest—Single Combat with Prince John—Restoration of Robinhood, the Earl of Huntingdon, to his estates and honours—Death of Robinhood—Retiring of his Widow to the Priory of Dunmow—Sending of Sir Robert de Medeive, with a poisoned Bracelet, by King John, to the lady—Her Death—Poetry.—[Page 119.]
Gospel-Beech.
Divisions of Great Britain by the Romans—Names given by the Saxons—Minor Changes and final Partition by command of Alfred—Origin of marking the respective Boundaries—Gospel-Tree near an ancient Saxon Town—Going round of the Parishioners—Contrast between the aged Tree and the young Flowers that spring beside it—Concluding Observations.—[Page 129.]
Clipstone Palace and the Parliament Oak.
Condition of the ruined Palace—Hiding-place for solitary birds—The owl, jackdaw, and crow—Once a place of great note—Its style of building—How guarded—By whom inhabited—Withdrawing of King John from Clipstone Palace to London—Its lonely appearance when thus deserted—Rumours respecting an Interdict—Miserable state of the Country—No Burials allowed in Churches, nor Marriages within the walls—Bells and Images taken down and laid upon the ground—A Wedding Party—Appearance of Clipstone Palace when King Edward I. succeeds to the Throne—Improved condition of the Country—Notice of the lesser Barons and Burgesses—Style of Building much improved—Wise Policy of Edward—Notice of a fine young Oak growing in Clipstone Park—Parties made beneath its shade in the days of John—Again in those of Edward—Grave Company sitting there—Why convened.—[Page 135.]
Ruined Villages in the New Forest.
Desolating of the New Forest—Distress of the Inhabitants—War declared with France—Departure of the King for Normandy—Wretched condition of Maine—Burning of Nantes—Illness of William—Bequests to his two Sons—Their unnatural Conduct—His Death—Poetry—Neglect of his Remains—Interruption to his Funeral—Hunting Party, convened by William Rufus, in Malwood-Keep—Arrival of a Monk with ill tidings from Gloucester—Accidental Death of the King—His remains found by a Charcoal-burner, and carried to Winchester—Interment.—[Page 151.]
Old Trees in Hyde Park.