The Diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, was in early times of very great extent; it is now much more limited, but contains the whole county of Stafford (except Brome and Clent, which belong to Worcester), all Derbyshire, the greater part of Warwickshire, and nearly half of Shropshire. It has the Archdeaconries of Salop, Coventry, Stafford and Derby. In the reign of King John, permission was granted to the Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry to build a castle at Eccleshall, and this has generally been, as it now is, the residence of the Bishop. There is also a palace in Lichfield belonging to the See; the present one was erected in 1687, by Bishop Wood, on the ground occupied by the garden of Langton’s Palace (of which there are no remains), and was built in compliance with an order from Archbishop Sancroft, as compensation for damage committed upon property belonging to the See.
Lichfield being situated on the road between London and Liverpool (now so much the line of communication with our sister country), is much frequented by travellers; and few places are more interesting to the lover of literature, having been either the natal spot, or home, of so many distinguished for learned attainments. Every one capable of appreciating the profound wisdom and moral energy of Johnson, must feel a reverence and respect for the place where he first drew breath. Thomas Newton, Bishop of Bristol, brother to Andrew Newton, whom we have already mentioned, and the learned author of Dissertations on the Prophecies, was a native of this city; as was also that famous virtuoso, Elias Ashmole, the contributor of a valuable collection of curiosities and MSS. to the University of Oxford, now assembled in the Ashmolean Museum. Here was the paternal residence of that elegant scholar, Addison; and in addition to the names already brought forward, Lichfield could boast amongst its inhabitants the eccentric James Day, author of Sandford and Merton, Mr. and Miss Edgeworth, Dr. Darwin, of botanical celebrity, and several others of highly esteemed intellectual powers.
WOODCROFT HOUSE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE.
WOODCROFT HOUSE,
Of which we furnish a view from the pencil of Mr. Blore, is situated in the parish of Etton, in Northamptonshire, about four miles from the city of Peterborough. This building well deserves notice as an early and perfect specimen of English domestic architecture. The form of the windows is peculiar to the time of the first two Edwards, and the character of the mouldings evidently points out that period, as the date of its erection. The masonry is remarkably well executed, and the mouldings beautifully worked; those forming the finish of the Tower, over the entrance, are distinguished by a boldness rarely to be met with. Originally, this must have been a place of some strength; it was surrounded by water, excepting at the western approach, and the walls are four feet in thickness. Though nothing remains of an embattled parapet, there can be little doubt but that it possessed such provision for defence, and that in this, as in other respects, it partook of the character of the mansion-houses of the age.
The round bastion at the north end, represented in the drawing, is that portion of the building to which an interesting historical incident is attached; one of those events, which are the melancholy, and certain fruits of anarchy and civil war.
Dr. Michael Hudson, who is styled by Wood, “an understanding and sober person, and of great fidelity,” was, from his sincerity, called by King Charles the First, his “plain-dealing Chaplain.” When the troubles of that period commenced, Hudson, like some others of his profession, left his benefice, under an impression that his monarch demanded his personal aid; and King Charles having, as we are told, “an especial respect for his signal loyalty and courage,” intrusted him with some important secrets, as regarded his own proceedings. Hudson proved himself a courageous soldier, but, being apprehended by the Parliamentary forces, he suffered a tedious confinement. Escaping from his prison in London, he joined a body of royalists, who had fled to Woodcroft House. When attacked there by the Parliamentary forces, Hudson, with some of his bravest soldiers, went up to the battlements, where they defended themselves for some time. At length they yielded, upon the promise of quarter; but when the rebels were admitted, they broke their engagement. Hudson was forced over the battlements, and clung to one of the stone spouts represented in the drawing. His hands being either actually cut off, or severely hacked and bruised by the sabres of the soldiers, he quitted his hold and fell into the moat underneath, desiring only to reach the land and die there; but this miserable boon was denied him, as, in attempting to reach the bank, he was knocked on the head with the but-end of a musket, and drowned[[2]].
May we never, by God’s blessing, witness a recurrence of the scenes which were presented at this eventful period of our history! Our great dramatic poet, who showed his patriotism, by always giving to his countrymen the wisest counsel, and encouraging correct sentiments respecting justice and good government, thus beautifully describes a kingdom, restored to the blessings of internal tranquillity.