two places present for debarkation, both having a creek or haven running in land, and capacious enough together to harbour the whole or most of Anlaf's ships; and also having positions called the Castles or Castle Dikes to this day at Barrow; indeed, the remains of what I consider to be Anlaf's intrenched camp are yet undemolished, and comprise an area of about eight acres of land, now called the Castles. At Barton we have only two positions, known by the name of the Castle Dikes, one at a little distance from the head of the present haven, on the West of the town; and the other in advance on the East: the one commanding the antient road Westward from Barton to Ferriby; the other, the two roads Eastward and Southward, viz. the road to Barrow on the East, and the road from Barton in a South-Easterly direction to Grimsby and Louth, called the Old Street; and which three roads were most probably the only public roads then existing. Drawing a line from the mouth of Barton Haven to that of Barrow, along the river bank, and which in extent may be calculated at about two miles; and making this line the base of a triangle, the apex of the angle at a point perpendicular to the centre of the base, and at the distance of four miles, will give the advanced position I have laid down for Athelstan's forces, this point being within the manor or lordship, and a little in advance of the present hamlet or vill of Burnham, antiently called Brunnum or Brunnen. The lordship of Burnham is bounded on the North by the lordships of Barrow and Barton, and on the South by the lordship of Wootton, and I have no doubt but that the Brunnendune and Weondune of the Saxon Chronicles are the same as the present Burn ham Dale and Wootton Dale, a little way in the rear, or South of the present hamlet of Burnham. The manor and estate of Burnham is within the parish of Thornton Curtis, and was formerly belonging to the Abbey of Thornton. In Bishop Tanner's "Notitia," amongst other references to the grants of property to Thornton Abbey, you will find this manor amongst others (in Cart. 29 Edw. I. n. 26), noted as the manor of Brunnum; and upon a late inspection of the documents relating to these estates, I found a sheep pas ture, part of the Burnham property, described as being known by the name of the Black Nold, evidently a corrup tion from Black Knoll, or the Bloody Hill as we may term it; and no doubt, having reference to the scite of the bloody contest we have now in contemplation. This knoll is also in our day pointed out by the name (Black Mould) given to the extreme Northern point, or front of the position I have laid down for Athelstan, and which is within the lordship of Barrow. From the account given of the engagement, it appears that the confederates were pursued down the hill, quite into the plains, so that they must have been driven quite out of the lordship of Burnham into the adjoining lordship of Barrow, where the hill terminates with a deep narrow valley. On the opposite hill, within the lordship of Barton, a thorn-tree some years ago stood (denominated St.Trunnian's Tree); and as a spring of water on the West of the town of Barton, adjoining the Castle Dikes (where ĺ suppose part of Anlaf's forces were stationed), bears the like name of St. Trunnian's, I could in fancy connect this with some sainted person among the confederates who may have lost his life in this engagement; for we know that Bishops as well as Lord Chancellors, in those days, took a prominent part in the military services of their country, and are remarkably particularized in this battle. The front of the encampment of Anlaf was to a considerable distance defended by an impassable bog, and having the haven on its right flank. It was well defended on all sides against surprise, although, according to mo dern tactics, it would be commanded by the rising grounds in front as well as on the left of the latter eminence; however, Anlaf had no doubt some troops posted, as this part of the lordship of Barrow to this day bears the name of the Hann Field. Dr. Stukeley visited this encamp ment; and, in his " Itinerarium,' makes the following observations on it: "At Barrow we were surprised with a castle, as the inhabitants call it, upon the Salt Marshes. Upon view of the works, I wondered not that they say it was made by Humber, when he invaded Britain, in the time of the Trojan Brutus; for it is wholly dissonant from any thing I had seen before: but 6 Battle of Brunnum.—Queen Elizabeth's Progresses. but after sufficient examen, I found it to be a temple of the old Britons, therefore to be referred to on another occasion." If we substitute the name of Anlaf for that of Humber, we shall find that the information which Dr. Stukeley received from the inhabitants in his time, strongly corroborates my conjec tures. The whole circle of the mounds or banks of this intrenchment were all some fifty years ago, and some of them still remaining of a considerable height; and the circular mount in the centre is of still higher elevation than any of the mounds, and I presume may now be 20 feet above the general level of the adjoining marshes, and commands a view over all the encampment and the immediate neighbourhood. The top of this mount forms rather a hollow circle, the diameter of which measures about 70 yards; the banks were all formerly further defended by deep ditches, which are now nearly filled up; although in one of the mounds there appears a few chalk stones, there is no appearance of any buildings having been erected within any part of the area. The position of this intrenchment is at the extremity of the level called the Marshes, from the Humber, and on the only part that is above the ordinary level of the marsh in Barrow. Upon an occasion, some years ago, of the tide of the Humber breaking down the banks, and overflowing the adjoining level, the cattle in the marshes saved themselves by flying to this spot. A curious circumstance was told me by an old resident near the spot, who happened to join my friend and me, while we were measuring the area of this encampment, which deserves to be noted. About sixty or seventy years ago, he said, a stranger who was from Denmark, came to visit these Castles, and employed an old labourer of Barrow for several days, to dig in a particular part of the intrenchment until he found what he came to look for, when, after handsomely remunerating the labourer for his trouble, he took his departure. I was sorry to find that the old man so employed had only been dead about five years, and regretted that he was not alive to give me the particulars: the story, however, is well in the recollection of most of the farmers in the place. It was added, that the stranger, before he came to Barrow, had been for a month or two in search of his object [Jan. at the hill top at Alkborough, adjoining the conflux of the Trent and Ouse. The allotment of land in which the greatest part of the area of this intrenchment is placed, is now the property of William Graburn, esq. who has had it in contemplation to build an appropriate cottage on the top of the centre mound, which, when erected, will command a pleasing elevation. A traveller taking the road from Barton to Castor, by way of Burnham, will have the eminence on which the Battle of Brunnum was fought immediately on his right hand, on his entering the lordship of Burnham; and a traveller on the road from Barton to Lincoln, will observe this same fine eminence at about half a mile distance on his left, when he leaves the lordship of Barton. At the period of Anlaf's invasion, I should presume that this part of Lincolnshire must have been very thinly inhabited; and considering that the antient word Borrough, often pronounced Barrow, signifies a fortified place or defence, I could wish to ask some of your better informed Correspondents whether these positions of Anlaf may not have had some influence on the names of the two towns Barrow and Barton? Bishop Tanner. in his notes with reference to the Monastery of St. Chad at Barrow, mentions that Bede calls it Berwe, i. e. at the Wood. W.S. HESLEDEN. T is with much satisfaction that I see a new Edition announced of a Work which I have long wished to possess, but the price of which, in consequence of its rarity, has been out of the reach of my finances; and it is to be hoped, and expected, that the very appropriate appeal made by the industrious and patriarchal Editor for literary assistance will not be made in vain. The little information I can give is scarcely worth notice; but such as it is, it may furnish some serviceable hint, consisting of a few memoranda copied from a blank leaf of the Work in the Library of a late Reverend and learned Antiquary. They relate, chiefly to some part of the Queen's Entertainment at Kenilworth; and the MSS. both of Mr. Tyson and Mr. Nasmith may perhaps be still accessible to some of your Cambridge Correspondents. See 1822.] Queen Elizabeth's Progresses.-Prices of Corn. See the "Northumberland Household Book," at the end, for "Lord of Misrule;" and a MS. of Mr. Tyson's for "Brideale." In the same MS. are some Anecdotes relative to the dresses of the times. Mr. Nasmith promised me an account of Christmas dinner, from an unpublished MS. of Elizabeth's time. See Wilkins's "Concilia Magna Britanniæ," vol. I. page 123, for "meats;" p. 139, for " mice, weazel, and dog." In 1563 it is recorded by a Stamford Historian, that she slept at the White Hart in that town, on her way to Lincolnshire; and it is stated in Lord Burghley's Diary that in 1564 she was in Leicestershire. But no trace of her Visits has been discovered in either of those Counties. In the Gentleman's Magazine for 1787, p. 481, may be seen "the Properties of a Stage Play acted at Lincoln July 1564.' Was this connected with the Queen's Visit? For some particulars of the Visit above mentioned, the Corporation Books of Lincoln might perhaps be consulted with some success. In 1574, after being entertained at Bristol, she "went over the water into Wales." Query, to what place, and to whom was her visit in the Principality? What say the Welsh Chroniclers? In September she was at Wells and at Salisbury. The Queen frequently visited Dr. Robert Horne, Bp. of Winchester, at his Palace in Farnham Castle; and that antient fortress was occasionally made a State Prison, Dr. Lesley, Bp. of Ross, being confined there in 1572. Salisbury also was more than once honoured by her Majesty's presence; and some particulars of her Progresses might probably be yet traced in the Records of that Corporation, or in the Registers of the Bishops of Winchester and Salisbury. F.S.A. 7 unfortunately the latter state is more advantageous to the grower than the former. It is a common opinion, that the quantity in a good season may make amends for the lower price, but this is a great mistake. Plenty is a heavy loss to the farmer, and may be proved to be so, though it be a gain to the other parts of the community. Suppose a season of general scarcity, and the crop only two bushels per acre. Wheat rises to 17. per bushel. The gross return is 107. Suppose a season of general plenty, and the crop to be twenty bushels per acre. Wheat sinks to 7s. per bushel. The gross return is 71. Add to this the saving of labour expence, between 10 and 20 bushels; call it 6d. per bushel. In seasons of general scarcity, therefore, the profit of the farmer will be 31. 5s. per acre, more than in times of general plenty. Let articles of provision, such as bread or meat, be scarce or abundant, people will use no more than they want, but will lay out the money saved in articles of trade. Appetites cannot be doubled, and without such a power, consumption cannot be augmented in common eatables. "In 1703," says Evelyn (Memoirs, II. p. 79), corn and provisions so cheape, that the farmers are unable to pay their rents." Suppose a farmer to have 100 acres of wheat in a scarce season, and the crop 10 bushels per acre, the price 17. per bushel: rent 40s. per acre; the farm taken upon the usual expectation of a gross return of three rents. If wheat be 17. a bushel, the farmer receives 1000l.; the three rents amount to 600l. over and above which he gains two rents, or 4001. Suppose the same farmer to have the same land at the same rent, &c. in a plentiful season, and wheat to be only 7s. per bushel, and the crop double, or twenty bushels per acre. He has then 2000 bushels instead of 1000. His return will be 7007., only 1001. over and above the three rents, instead of 4001. as when the crop was less. In defiance of all that interested persons may think or say, Season has the reins of Corn Prices in his own hands. It always has been so, and always will be so. This very year proves it. In August last, the wheat of 1820 was only 5s. per bushel. As soon as the wet 8 Fluctuation of Corn Prices. wet harvest appeared, it rose to 15s. and is now 13s. 6d. The following extract from Fleetwood will show the absurdity of supposing that it depends upon Legislation to regulate the price of corn, or upon landlords to regulate rents. Season is a father whose children thrive best when he does the least for them. "In 1270 wheat was so dear, that it was sold at the quarter, 4l. 16s. ; and sometimes at 16s. the bushel, which makes it at 61. 8s. [This was a year of famine.] "In 1986 wheat was at the quarter, 2s.8d. [no more]. But such a storm of rain, thunder, and lightning, fell on St. Margaret's night, that wheat came by degrees to the quarter, 16s. And this dearness continued off and on for about 40 years; so that sometimes it was sold at London for 41. the quarter. (H. Knighton, p. 2468.) In 1287 wheat was so cheap, that it was sold at the quarter, 3s. 4d. "In 1288, so great the plenty of corn, and scarcity of money, that wheat was sold by the quarter at 1s. 6d. [only eighteen pence*."] Such being absolutely the fluctuation, when there was no paper currency, national debt, and high rents, I cannot conceive what the change to a metallic currency has to do with the current prices of provisions. People must eat and drink, let the cost be what it may; and if food be dear, the farmer gains; if cheap, the tradesman; for more luxuries and superfluities are bought. There can be no successful speculation in commodities of which there is a plenty, and an extra consumption of common eatables cannot be forced. Paper accommodation can be of no use, where there is no market for additional consumption or exportation. Every saleable article whatever, whether natural productions or manufactures, must obey the laws of demand; and you may augment the consumption of luxuries, but not that of humble necessaries. In this respect, and the impracticability of saving labour by machinery, the farmer has not the advantage of the tradesman; and the community by a reasonable Corn Bill, or other justifiable encouragement, has an equitable right to protect and indemnify him. If fifteen bushels per acre be an average crop, the rent 40s. barley at 4s. per bushel, must be a losing concern, and he must look for Fleetwood's Chronicon Pretiosum, 1st edit. pp. 78, 79. [Jan. remuneration by a higher price in other articles; but Season has all in his own power, except there could be an universal agreement always to keep growth below demand, which, unless checked by Government, allowing importation under circumstances, might occasion an absolute famine. Whether England ought to be in preference an Agricultural or Commercial country, may be determined by the increase or decrease of the Revenue, under dearness or cheapness of provisions. The consumption must depend upon the population: and the proper remedy for all excess is exportation. The currency cannot be increased, without a profitable repayment; if otherwise, it only returns upon the issuers. There is no difficulty of discounts at the Bank of England; and if money cannot be made advantage of, it will not be sought. Trade is always best left to itself, and the great misfortune of the farmer is, from his subjection to seasons, that rents and taxes are not iegulated upon War and Peace averages of returns. In the former state he can afford to pay one-third more than in the latter. EQUUS. Mr. URBAN, Jan. 12. "A." in his attempts to prove Antiquaries worthy "the favours of the Fair," vol. XCI. ii. p. 387, militates both against custom and reason: no class of men are so detached from the commu YOUR Correspondent nity, by their sentiments, habits, and mend them to the softer sex. Merit is pursuits, none of which can recomproverbially immaterial, but a scarlet coat possesses substance, and will invaNot willing to fill your pages with riably be found a better harbinger.truisms of this sort, I beg leave to communicate an anecdote, which shows how awkward a thing is the courtship of an Antiquary! dresses to an elderly lady, who, thinkA late Archæologist paid his ading that connubial happiness could only exist with a similarity of disposition, devoted her leisure time to his favourite science. One day, wishing to delight her suitor, she said, "Sir, an Antiquary."Ah! Madam," exI admire your pursuit, for I myself am claimed the lover, struggling to give vent to his compliment," do not thus underrate your merits; others may be Antiquaries, but you are an antiquity!" Yours, &c. ANTIQUARIOLUS. Mr. 1822.] Mr. URBAN, Royal Palace at Eltham, Kent. Jan. 8. 9 daily at his own expense. Henry VII. As a description of the Hall of El- built the front of this palace towards tham Palace appeared in vol. LXXXII. pp. 13. 110, of your Magazine, (the North doorway of which building forms the Frontispiece to the present Volume) I now send you a concise history of that once distinguished and magnificent Mansion, chiefly compiled from the valuable works of King and Lysons. That this Palace was for several centuries a favourite residence of our English Kings, will appear from the following notices selected from "The Environs of London." 66 The Kings of England had a palace at Eltham at a very early period. Henry III. in 1270 kept a public Christmas there, accompanied by his Queen, and all the great men of his court. Bec, Bishop of Durham, and Patriarch of Jerusalem, bestowed great cost on the buildings, and died there in 1311, having before given Eltham House to King Edward II. or to his Queen Isabel, reserving only a life interest to himself. Edward frequently resided here, and is supposed by Mr. King (in Archæologia") to have built the great Hall. In 1315 his Queen was brought to bed of a son at this Palace, called from that circumstance John of Eltham. Edward III. held a parliament here in 1329, and again in 1375. In 1364 he gave a magnificent entertainment here to John King of France. Lionel (son to Edward III.) being regent in his father's absence, kept a public Christmas here in 1347. Richard II. kept his Christmas here in 1384, 5, and 6. In the last-mentioned year he gave an entertainment to Leo, King of Armenia. Henry IV. kept his Christmas here in 1405; at which time the Duke of York was accused of an intention of scaling the walls, to murder the King. Henry kept his Christmas here again in 1409 and 1412; and was residing here when he was seized with the sickness which occasioned his death. Henry V. kept his Christmas here in 1414; as did Henry VI. with much splendour in 1429. Edward IV. repaired the palace. Here his daughter Bridget was born in 1480. In 1484, he kept his Christmas here with great magnifirence, two thousand persons being fed GINT. MAG. January, 1822. the moat, and frequently resided here. Henry VIII. preferring the situation of Greenwich, seldom came to Eltham. He kept his Whitsuntide here in 1515, and his Christmas in 1526, with few attendants, on account of the plague; it was therefore called the still Christmas. Queen Elizabeth spent a few days at Eltham in 1559. Sir C. Hatton was keeper of the palace in her reign; and after him Lord Cobham. King James was at Eltham in 1612; since which time it does not appear to have been visited by any of the Royal Family. During the Civil War, Robert Earl of Essex occupied the palace, and dying here in 1646, was buried in Westminster Abbey. After the murder of Charles I. in 1649, the manor-house was surveyed, and valued at 27547. for the materials. It was then described as built of brick, wood, stone, and timber-consisting of one fair chapel, one great hall, 36 rooms and offices below stairs, with two large cellars; and above stairs 17 lodging rooms on the King's side, 12 on the Queen's, and 9 on the Prince's side; and 78 rooms in the offices round the courtyard, which contained one acre of ground. None of the rooms were then furnished except the chapel and hall. The house was reported to be much out of repair, and untenantable. re The principal buildings now maining are, the great Hall, where the Parliament was held, and the public entertainments given (now used as a barn); and some of the offices. Three views of the Hall are given in " Archæologia," vol. VI.; accompanied by the following remarks on the Hall by Mr. King. The two "Its windows are light and beautiful; its roof most elegantly wrought (similar to Westminster Hall); and it was formerly highly adorned; though many of its ornaments are now broken and destroyed. The screen at the lower end, running before the offices, was rich; with a gallery over it for musick. great bow windows, on each side of the upper end, in which were placed the sideboards, are ornamented with most beautiful tracery, and are most magnificent; and all the windows were obviously placed, with design, in such a manner as to afford an opportunity of hanging arras under them. |