No Sparrows at Lindham (Vol. vii., p. 233.).—Amongst the various responses in connexion with the Queries given on the page above noted, communicated direct, the only one which I have thought worthy of insertion in my MSS. is as follows:
"As for there being no sparrows at Lindham, it may be accounted for in the following legend:—A few years ago I was in that district when I heard some account of a person called 'Tom of Lindham;' who, by the way, was a curious personage, and performed some very extraordinary and out-of-the-way feats. At one time he was left at home to protect the corn from the sparrows; when, to save trouble, he got all of them into the barn, and put a harrow into the window to keep them in; and so starved (i. e. hungered) them to death."
Furthermore Mr. Whittaker kindly communicated of the above Yorkshire worthy:
"At the close of Tom's life he took it into his head to make a road across a part of Hatfield Chase to his own dwelling; when, according to the legend, he employed supernatural aid: with this clause in the contract, that he, Tom, should not inquire any particulars as to the character of his assistants or helpmates. One day, however, being more curious than prudent, he looked behind him; his workmen immediately disappeared, and Tom of Lindham was no more heard of. His road still remains in the state he left it."
M. Aislabie Denham.
Piersebridge, near Darlington, Durham.
Theobald le Botiller (Vol. viii., p. 366.).—Theobald le Botiller was an infant at his father's death, 1206. He had livery in 1222; and in 9 Hen. III.,
1225, married Rohesia or Rose de Verdun, not Vernon. She was so great an heiress that she retained her own name, and her posterity also bore it. She founded the Abbey of Grâce Dieu, Leicestershire, in 1239; and died 1247-8. Her husband died in 1230, leaving two sons: John de Verdun, who inherited, and Nicholas, who died in Ireland without issue; and one daughter Maud, who married John FitzAlan, Earl of Arundel.
Walter Devereux.
Hampton Court Palace.