CONCLUDING REMARKS, AND ADDENDA. THE reader has now been conducted through a detail of the principal events of a period occupying upwards of eight centuries, the earlier records of which, although not compiled and preserved with the care of later years, nevertheless furnish ample proofs that a large extent of Highgate and the contiguous country formed the Great Park at the time of the Norman Conquest. To look back to a still more remote period for historical facts would be proportionally interesting, for the discovery of scales of sharks, teeth, and antediluvian curiosities afford indubitable testimony that the ocean at one time extended far into Middlesex, without making more especial reference to the Deluge, which occurred about 4190 years since. Nothing, prior to the tenth century, appears to have been noticed by any writers; nor is this surprising, when it is known that Fitz Stephen, one of THE HISTORY, ETC., Of highgate. 141 the oldest topographers, and whose Survey of the Metropolis was written in Latin, between 1170 and 1182,* refers to the clack of mills near London, and the immense forests beyond them, beautified with woods and groves.† Let it be remembered, also, that printing was not brought into general use until the year 1474, when William Caxton, probably encouraged by the learned Thomas Milling, then Abbot of the Almonry, at Westminster, produced The Game and Play of the Chesse, the first work ever printed in this kingdom.‡ Highgate must, therefore, have been almost unimportant, when it is acknowledged that London itself was only first built nearly 3000 years since. A Northamptonshire Paper, speaking of Old London, states," This antient and famous City of London, was * Printed in 1772. + Forest deaforested, A. D. 1218, in the reign of King Henry III. Maitland's History of London, p. 78. Lord Littleton, vol. III., p. 274, observes that Fitz Stephen also takes notice "that it was full of yew trees, the growth of which was particularly encouraged in those days, and for many succeeding ages, because the wood of them was esteemed the best for making bows." Yews there were probably many amongst the other trees, for the reasons which his Lordship assigns. Some very old stumps of yews may still be found at Ken Wood. In 1471, he printed a work at Cologne, translated by himself from the French, entitled, The Recuyel of the Historyes of Troye, the first book printed in the English language. founded by Brute the Trojan, in the year of the world 2832, and before the nativity of our Saviour Christ 1130 years, so that since the first building it is 2972 years; it was afterwards repaired and enlarged by King Lud, from whom Ludgate derived its name." In the absence, then, of any records, it is not inconsistent to suppose that, prior to the tenth century, this place scarcely possessed a name, or was more distinctly designated than forming a portion of one of those extensive uncultivated forests often spoken of as being in the vicinity of ancient towns; in all probability, it might have extended as far as Verulum. However this may be, it is evident a small part only of the forest of Middlesex remains, and that is comprised in the Ken Wood estate. A portion of Highgate being in the parish of Islington, the following extract from the Doomsday Book will not be devoid of interest:-" The Canons of St. Paul's hold two hides in Isendone. The land is one carucate and a half, on which there is only one plough; but another might be kept half employed. There are three villanes, who hold a virgate of land, and there is pasture for the cattle of the town." It is not improbable that the ploughed land spoken of was contiguous to the road now called Hornsey Lane. The discovery of the scite of the Bishop's Palace or Castle is peculiarly important, and affords food for abundant reflection. The fact of its being taken down, and the materials employed in constructing the church at Hornsey is worthy of note, as applicable to that rural and pleasant village. In further testimony of the remarkable occurrences alluded to in page 15, the following accounts have been recorded by other authors, namely: "The Duke of Gloucester calling together secretly the Earls of Arundell, Warwick, and Darby, that were in like danger of condemnation, if they provided not the more speedily, he discovered to them the matter; they therefore gathered their armies together, determined to talk with the King upon the premises. Contrarily the King for his party did deliberate how he might take each of them by themselves out of the way; and first he sent to the Castle of Rigate, where the Earl of Arundell lay, the Earl of Northumberland, with many others, to arrest him, who perceiving a great number of men of war about him, fearing to do that he was commanded, departed without doing his errand for which he came; after whom there were sent many that by night should have taken him, or have slaine him; but a messenger sent from the The Duke of Glocester prevented their coming, that caused him to ride all night, so that in the morning he was come to Haringey, having passed with his army 30 miles, not without great travaile, where he found assembled the Duke of Glocester and the Earl of Warwick, with a great power of men. King being informed of this assembly in Harnessey Wood, as is said, demanded of his familiars what was to be done in this case; but in the end, by the mediation of them that came betwixt them, the matter was brought to an issue.* Likewise, as under : "The Earl of Arundell, admonished by the Duke of Glocester of his peril of remaining at Ryegate, in Surrey, escapeth in post to Harringey, where the Duke of Glocester and Earl of Warwick had store of people."+ On comparing the events of those days, and the consequent movements and commotions in Harringay Park, with the present quietude of Highgate, the contrast is great indeed. Mousewell also claims its share of notice, considering how little remains to denote its former attraction, the hill of Muswell only being known * Stow's Annales, 1631. + John Speed's History of Great Britain. |