BHO
  1. Nottinghamshire, Thoroton's History
  2. Thoroton's History of Nottinghamshire: Volume 3, Republished With Large Additions By John Throsby
  3. Clumber

Clumber

Pages 404-407

Thoroton's History of Nottinghamshire: Volume 3, Republished With Large Additions By John Throsby. Originally published by J Throsby, Nottingham, 1796.

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CLUMBER

Had three bov. of the Soc of Maunsfeld, and in Clumber were two manors of Roger de Buslies fee, which before the conquest Adeluvol and Vlchil had, and paid as for five bov. to the geld (fn. 1) The land being two car. Part of it, viz. two bov. was waste which Fulc held. In the other Vlchel had under Roger one car. and one mill of 12d. pasture wood two qu. long, one qu. broad. In the confessours time this was 20s. when Doomsday book was made 4s.

(fn. 2) The woods of Clumbre were of the sokage of Maunsfeld and Wodehouse, and the bound begun at Suthones, and extended itself by the way which was called Kirkegate, and led to Wirksop, unto the cross, which divided the fee of the king, and the fee of the lord of Wirkesop, and the fee of Tikehull. And towards the east is the kings wood, which wood Thomas de Hayton, Elias, son of Hubert, of the same, and Peter de Clumbre held of the king and of the sokage of Maunesfeld.

(fn. 3) Adam de Hayton, and William, son of Hubert, held two parts of one car. in Luntle, Clumber, Retford, and Misterton, of the honour of Tikehull, for a horse and sac to the constable, when he should go into Wales, and paid no scutage. About the time of H. 6, Robert Hekeling held the third part of a knights fee in Lunde and Clumber.

(fn. 4) King H: 8, 23 Mar. 36 H: 8, granted to Roger, and Robert Taverner, and their heirs, a mess. and lands in Clumbre, late belonging to Newstede at 11s. per annum.

(fn. 5) The same king 22 Novemb. 38 H: 8, granted to John Bellowe, and Robert Bigot, the rectory of Carcolston, and advowson of the vicarage, and a mess. in Clumber, with the appurtenances; and the tythe corn and hay in the fields of Stretton, then in the tenure of Richard Whalley, esquire, late belonging to the priory of Worksop, as in Carcolston is also noted.

(fn. 6) The owners of Works. 1612, are thus set down, Gilbert earl of Shrowsbury, sir Bryan Lassels, knight, of Gateford, Thomas Bowles of Osbarton, esquire, George Eyre, gent. Bryan Taylor, gent. Edward Needham, George Hodgekyne, George Lowe, John Snowden, Rob. Mandevill, chr. Champne senior, Thomas Longley, John Hatfeild, Richard Hatfeild, Robert Lowe, John Dunston, William Jervas, William Goodridge, William Horsfold, and John Rayne.

(fn. 7) The vicarage of Wirksop was twenty marks when the prior was patron: 'Tis now in the kings books 12l. 4s. 2d. value, and the last patron sir Francis Rodes.

[Throsby] Clumber Park.

The duke of Newcastle's dwelling in this place is truly magnificent, although the building is neither lofty nor very extensive. From the new bridge, which spans the apparent endless stream which waters Clumber, there appears an harmonious whole of granduer: the proud chested swans which sail gently in numbers to and fro in the space between the bridge and the house, happily corresponding in complexion with every thing of art in view, blended with the various natural tints of foliage which surround you (if I may be allowed the expression) paradises the mind.

When I first visited Clumber, I entered the park from Worksop through an entrance more than two miles from the house, cresent formed, and rich in effect, topped with the arms of the family. Within the park the country opens upon you with splendour, rich in effect and delightful to the eye. The sir and wood scenery around, in May, were warmed with patches of broom and gorse, then in golden hue, left, it may be presumed, for ornament. (fn. 8) The hills or rather rising grounds, are beautifully cloathed with woody scenery, the lawns are as smooth: on the surface, as a calm water scene; but the solemn silence around and the sable escutcheon, emblem of lately departed dignity, which came in view as we approached the dwelling, checked the roving mind in the contemplation of this rich and lovely abode. (fn. 9) Here and in our travel within Clumber park, for two hours, we saw not a human form; but there was enough to admire; for the walks are every where adorned with rich plantations seated in the happiest succession. At an age when men in general are not enamoured with a looking back on their youthful years, I could not help indulging an innocent thought, that these were the sweetest love walks I had ever seen: here youth, beauty and innocence might solace in a reciprocal exchange of vows and sentiments, in uninterrupted retirement; silent as the grave, except from the melody of the little warbling foresters, and the bleating, at intervals, of the playful lambkins.

Clumber is a modern building, built about 25 years ago, and stands, we are told, on the site of an old rabbit warren. This residence is splendidly fitted up and richly furnished. (fn. 10)

I cannot help remarking here, that in this park, the stranger is accommodated at every cross-road with an excellent direction-post; in Thoresby park such posts appear, but for some reason they have lately had boards nailed over the inscriptions, they therefore are as intelligent as a dumb man; in Welbec park you may get into a road, which a man might expect would lead him out of the park, but at the end of which one of these unfriendly gentlemen presents you with his broad-face and angerly says, No road this way: in that park I have been thrice, and twice I have been obliged to go round about the nighest way home. I mean this as no sort of censure upon the conduct of the owners of the two last mentioned domains; but as a stranger, feeling disappointment from a cause he is in no wife competent to judge of, he must observe; Such things are.

Footnotes

  • 1. Lib. Dooms.
  • 2. Regist. de Welh. p. 60.
  • 3. In lib. feod.
  • 4. Par. 8, 36 H: 8, pat.
  • 5. Pa. 12, pat. 38 H: 8.
  • 6. Lib. libere ten.
  • 7. Mss. J. M.
  • 8. Ling and broom are natives of this part of the forest. Before it was so much enclosed the people used to burn acres together, and plant fresh to be eaten young as food for sheep; but now most of that ground is occupied by corn.
  • 9. Two dukes of Newcastle have died while I have been publishing this history. The family of Clinton settled in England, from Normandy, at the Conquest; but before we notice the Clinton family it may be somewhat necessary to slightly touch upon that of the Holles' see Hughton, or Haughton, page 359. Sir William Hollis, lord mayor of London in the time of Henry the 8th. died Anno Dom. 1542. His eldest son Thomas, spent a large fortune left him by his father, and died in prison; and his descendants, in consequence, became wretched. William, another son of the lord mayor, was a prudent man and enjoyed, from his father, the manor of Haughton (where he resided,) with other estates in Nottinghamshire & other counties. This gentleman lived a knight near forty years, and was a member in parliament for the county, and twice high sheriff. He was called the good Sir William Holles. He lived in the true old English stile of hospitality. Twelve days at Christmas he served up a fat ox every day, sheep, &c. in proportion. His retinue was answerable to his hospitality. He was at the coronation of Edward the 6th, with fifty followers in blue coats and badges. He died 1590, at the age of 83. John Holles, his descendant, in the time of James the first, lived also at Haughton and was created baron Haughton of Haughton, and earl of Clare, by that prince. It is said he paid 10,000l. for the peerage —(See page 83, vol. 2, for the inscription on his tomb, and the second earl's, his son, in page 84.) John, his son, second earl of Clare, was born at Haughton in 1595, and lived during all the troubles of the last century without taking an active part on either sides. He left issue by Elizabeth, daughter of general sir Horatio Vere, Gilbert, his successor and others. Gilbert was a strong revolutionist, & died in London, in 1689; but was buried at Haughton. He left issue by Grace, daughter of the hon. William Pierrepont. John, fourth earl of Clare, created duke of Newcastle. This John duke of Newcastle, was born in 1663. He married when earl of Clare, Margaret third daughter of Henry Cavendish, second duke of Newcastle. By his family connections and marriage, he became one of the richest men in the kingdom, and was created duke of Newcastle in 1694, three years after the death of his father-in-law. His grace, who was famed for his delight in stag-hunting, had the misfortune to fall from his horse in taking that diversion, and died at Thoresby in 1711. He left an only child, lady Heneretta Cavendish Holles, married to Edward son and heir of Robert first earl of Oxford. His grace died seized of estates of about 40,000l. per ann. a part of which went to his daughter, and the rest, which was at his disposal, he devised to his nephew the hon. Thomas Pelham, afterwards created duke of Newcastle, with remainder to the hon. Henry Pelham, &c. The family of Clinton, as has been observed, is of Norman origin. They took their name from the lordship of Climpton, in Oxfordshire. Renebald Climpton or Clinton, had issue Geoffry, who was a favorite of Henry the third, under whom he enjoyed some high posts of honour, and Osbert, whose son Roger was appointed bishop of Coventry in 1228, and died in 1149. His grandson Robert was in the list of barons who warred against Henry the third. John de Clinton, in the reign of Edward the first, was summoned to parliament by the title of baron Clinton of Maxtoch, in the first of Edward the first. He left issue John lord Clinton, by Ida, sister and heiress of sir William de Odingsels, and William who was lord high admiral of England in 1333, and created earl of Huntingdon in 1337. John, second lord Clinton, and John third lord Clinton, distinguished themselves in the wars of Edward the third. William, fourth lord Clinton in the wars of Henry the fifth and sixth: He bore the titles of lord Clinton and Say. His son John, fifth lord Clinton, fought under Henry the sixth in France and was a prisoner more than six years. He afterwards fought on the side of the Yorkists. Edward the ninth lord Clinton, his great grandson, was a distinguished commander at sea, and lord high admiral of England in 1550. He was advanced to the title of earl of Lincoln and died in 1585. Henry, second earl of Lincoln, his son, by Ursula, daughter of William lord Stourton, was one of the commissioners on the trial of Mary queen of Scots. He left by his lady Catherine, daughter of Francis earl of Huntingdon, Thomas his heir and others. This Thomas married Elizabeth, daughter and coheir of sir Henry Knevet, in the county of Wilts, knight, and was succeeded at his death in 1618, by Theophilus, fourth earl who was made a knight of the bath in 1616. He married Bridget, daughter of William Viscount Say and Seal, by whom he had Edward his son and heir, who died on his way to Paris, and left issue Edward, who upon the death of Theophilus, his grandfather, succeeded him. He died without issue in 1692. We now come to sir Edward Clinton, knight, second brother in blood, to Thomas earl of Lincoln. This sir Edward having married the daughter of Thomas Dighton of Sturton Parva, in the county of Lincoln, was father, by her, of Francis Clinton, knight, of Sturton Parva aforesaid; which sir Francis by his wife the daughter of — Hill, esq. had issue Francis his son and heir. Francis, sixth earl of Lincoln, on the death of earl Edward succeeded as earl of Lincoln. By his second wife Susanna, daughter of Anthony Peniston, esq. he had issue Henry seventh earl, who succeeded his father, at his death, in 1693. He adhered to the wig party in the reign of queen Ann. By George the first he was made constable of the tower and paymaster of the forces. He married Lucy, daughter of Thomas Pelham Holles duke of Newcastle, by which lady he had issue George, eighth earl of Lincoln, who succeeded at his father's death in 1728. And Henry, ninth earl and second duke of Newcastle-under-Lime. See page 26, vol. 1, for an account of his honours and marriage connections. At his death he was succeeded, for a short time, by his second son Thomas Pelham earl of Lincoln, born the first of July, 1752, and who died lately. This nobleman while a commoner served in America last war, was a major-general in the army, and colonel of dragoons. He was elected in 1774, to represent the city of Westminster, and in 1781 and 1784, to represent the borough of East Retford. He married in 1782, Anna Maria, daughter of William, second earl of Harrington, by whom he had issue Anna Maria, born the first of August, 1783. John Pelham, the minor duke of Newcastle, born the 31st of January, 1785, and another son. Chief seat Clumber park Lodge in this county.
  • 10. The view of this edifice, over the canal from the new bridge, is light and elegant; and its situation pleasingly retired. At our approach to the entrance, we were conducted into several elegant and spacious rooms, well adorned with paintings, &c particularly the large dining and drawing rooms, the former of which is 60 feet by 34, and 30 high; here we saw four very fine market pieces upon a large scale; the figures done by Rubens, and the rest by Snyders. In the drawing room were several good pictures, nor were the lesser apartments deficient in this art. The library is very excellent, and answers to the drawing room in size, and form, and situation; this the Duke has lately added.—Topographer, vol. I.