en horses of 15 hands high, standing on opposite sides, were: totally unable to see each other.* The large parish and village of Chebsey is situated to the north of Ellenhall. This manor was originally the property of the noble family of Hastings, from whom it passed to the Staffords, and from them to the Harcourts. In the church. yard there, stands a lofty stone of a pyramidical shape, résembling those at Draycot and Leek. The precise use of these: stones is not very apparent. Many writers have regarded: them, as the shafts of crosses, and this opinion for some time received the sanction of Dr. Plot. That gentleman, however, subsequently changed his sentiments upon this subject; and decided that they were Danish monuments, from their similari ty to such erections, both in Denmark and England, as were confessedly of that description. ECCLESHALL. This market-town is pleasantly situated on the bank of a small stream that flows into the river Sow, at the distance of one hundred and forty eight miles from London, and five from the town of Stone. The appearance of this place is extremely neat, the houses being in general well built, and disposed with considerable regularity. According to the parliamentary re turns of 1801, it contained 594 houses, and 3,487 inhabitants, viz. 1737 males, and 1,750 females, of which number 2,657 were returned as employed in agriculture, and 830 in different trades and manufactures. It has a weekly market, established by bishop Dundent about the year 1161. The market day is Friday, when there is a plentiful supply of all kinds of provisions. There are likewise four fairs during the year, principally for cattle, sheep, and saddle horses. The manor here, which is of great extent, at the era of the Conquest, was the property of the bishops of Lichfield. How Plot's Nat. Hist. Staff. p. 210. long long it continued in their possession, or what changes it under went, are not known; but in the year 1650 Camden tells us, it was sold for the sum of 14,2241. Eccleshall is distinguished principally for its castle, which was founded at a very early period, but by whom history does not inform us. About the year 1200, however, we find bishop Muschamp empowered by a licence from king John, " to make a park here, and embattle the castle," so that some edifice answering the description of a castellated mansion must have existed here, at least some years prior to this period.* In 1310, this castle was completely rebuilt by Walter de Langton, bishop of Lichfield, and lord high Treasurer of England, who established it as the principal palace of the bishops of Lichfield. His successors, however, having other palaces in this county at Heywood, Breewood, Beaudesert, &c. besides Lichfield House in the Strand London, do not appear to have occupied it much till the year 1695, when the whole south front of it having been renewed by bishop Lloyd, it afterwards became their constant residence, and continues to be such at the present day. At the time of the civil wars, between the house of Stewart and the Parliament, this castle was originally garrisoned for the king, and stood a severe siege against the republican forces, but was ultimately compelled to surrender. So great was the damage it sustained during this attack, that it became wholly uninhabitable, till re-edified, as already mentioned, by bishopLloyd. Bishop Hough afterwards planted the grove, which surrounds it, now converted into an elegant shrubbery. The late bishop, Dr. James Cornwallis, likewise contributed greatly both to the healthful situation and ornament of this residence, by draining all the grounds in its immediate neighbourhood.+ Gough's Camden, Vol. II. p. 509, The Leland, speaking of this castle says, "Eccleshall castle longing to the bishop of Chester." This, however, we should presume to be a mistake, as we The church is not remarkable except as having been the place in which Bishop Halse concealed queen Margaret, when she fled hither from Muccleston. North east from the palace, at a few closes distant, is Byana, an ancient building, which was some years ago converted into a farm house. This edifice was long the residence of the family of the Bosviles who possessed the estate around it, as is evidenced by the inscriptions and atchievements on their monuments in the church of Eccleshall. Charles Bosvile, Esq. the last male heir of this branch of the family, was sheriff of this county, and afterwards of Leicestershire, about the middle of the last century. At Peshall, a considerable manor within the confines of this parish, was the ancient seat of Robert, son of Gilbert, younger son of R. de Corbeuil, a Norman who followed the fortunes of the Conqueror, and held the manor here, with its appurtenances from Robert de Stafford, by the service of a knight's fee. Hence his descendants, laying aside their own name, assumed that of de Peshall. One of them, John Peshall of Horsley, also in this parish, was created a Baronet by James the first, in the tenth year of his reign. In the course of the last century the manor passed to the earl of Breadalbane, by the marriage of that nobleman with the grand-daughter and heiress of the last Sir Thomas Peshall. Not far from this seat is Wotton, where is a high paved way which Dr. Plot regarded as a Roman via vicinalis. The Bishop's Woods, which are so called, because the property of the bishops of Lichfield, lie between two and three miles to the westward of Eccleshall. These woods contain no less than 1300 acres of excellent trees, among which is a considerable quantity of oak, and some fine underwood. The management of them is at once variable and systematic. Some portion of the trees are cut at fourteen years' growth, for crate rods and heads for the use of the potters, others at seven years' growth we do not find it mentioned in any other record, as having ever been in the possession of that see. Leland's Itin. Vol. VI. p. 36-7. |