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Catbolic IRecorb Society

Vol. XIII

The Catholic Record Society was founded 10 June 1904, for printing Registers and other old Records of the Faith, chiefly personal and genealogical, since the Reformation in England and Wales.

All Rights Reserved by the Society

Vera Effigies D. GERTRVDIS MORE

Anno Domini 1633, -^Etatis 28

Frontispiece.

Cath. Rec. Soc. XIII.

CATHOLIC RECORD SOCIETY

MISCELLANEA VIII

LON>

PRIVATELY PRINTED !•

BY balla:

Nf BU*

SOC1

CATHOLIC RECORD SOCIETY

MISCELLANEAVIII

LONDON

PRIVATELY PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY

BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.

EDINBURGH

ZTbts IDolume is

Sssuefc to the Members for 1911*12

ffieino tbe Second for tbe 13ear

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

I. Records of the English Benedictine Nuns at Cambrai (now StanbroOk), i 620-1 793. Contributed by the Lady Abbess of Stanbrook. Edited by Joseph Gillow 1

II. Two lists of supposed adherents of Mary Queen of Scots, 1574 and 1582. Edited by John Bannerman Wainewright 86

III. A Portuguese Narration of the Martyrdom of the

Ven. Thomas Holland, S.J. Contributed by the Rev. Edzvard Robert James 143

IV. Papers from the Courtfield Muniments. Contri-

buted by John Hobson Matthews 150

V. Addresses of Jesuits in England, 1727-34. Con- tributed by Richard Trappes-Lomax . . . .160

VI. Ralph Clavering's Account-Book, 1763-4. Contri- buted by Richard Trappes-Lomax . . . 1 90

VII. Boys at Liege Academy, 1773-91 : their parents, guardians, &c. Contributed by Richard Trappes- Lomax ......... 202

VIII. Minute-Book of the Roman Catholic Club, 1793-8.

Contributed by Joseph S. Hansom . . . .214

IX. Registers of Fr. Thomas Worthington, O.P., kept in Lancashire, 17 13-17. Contributed by Joseph S. Hansom 222

X. Catholic Registers of Danby, West Witton, and

Leyburn, Yorkshire, 1 742-1840; with notes of the Scrope Family, 1663-1754. Contributed by Joseph S. Hansom. Historical notes by Joseph Gillow . 227

XI. Registers of the Rev. Pierce Parry at Claxby, Lincolnshire, and Oscott, Warwickshire, 1755-66. Contributed by Joseph Gillow 288

XII. Catholic Registers of Britwell- Prior, Oxford- shire, 1765-88. Contributed by the Rev. John Edge,

SJ. , 292

XIII. Catholic Registers of Isleworth, Middlesex, 1746- 1835. Contributed by Joseph S. Hansom. Historical notes by Joseph Gillow . . . . . -299

Vlii TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

XIV. Catholic Registers of Newport, Shropshire, 1785- 1846. Contributed by the Rev. Chichele Giles. His- torical notes by Joseph Gillow 335

XV. Catholic Registers of Culcheth, Lancashire, 1791- 1825. Contributed by the Rev. John Donohoe. Historical ?iotes by Joseph Gillow. Printed at the expense of J. P. Smith ......... 370

XVI. Catholic Registers of Southworth Hall, Lanca- shire, 1 795-182 7. Contributed by the Rev. Joh?i Do?iohoe. Historical notes by Joseph Gillow. Printed at the expense of J. P. Smith 396

Index. Compiled by Miss Edith Rix .... 417-480

ILLUSTRATIONS

FACING PAGE

i. Portrait of Dame Gertrude More, O.S.B. . . Frontispiece

2. Formula of Vows of Dame Anne Benedicta Warwick, O.S.B. 1

3. Portrait of Dame Barbara Constable, O.S.B. . . .12

4. Portrait of Dame Catharine Gascoigne, O.S.B. ... 40

5. Formula of Vows of Dame Bridget More, O.S.B. . . 43

6. Portrait of Dame Anne Mary Plumpton, O.S.B. ... 62

7. Seal of the More family arms, quartering Cresacre . . 74

8. Mandate of King Charles I. to stay execution on Dame

Joane Vaughan of Ruardean for harbouring a priest . 156

9. Scrope family notes . . . . . . . .227

10. Scrope family notes . . . . . . . .236

11. Two chalices belonging to the mission at Newport, Salop . 335

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From the original formula of vows in the handwriting of Dame Anne Benedicta Warwick, O.S.B.

To face p. 1.

Cath.Rec. Soc. XIII.

NO. I

RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793

CONTRIBUTED BY THE RIGHT REVEREND LADY CECILIA HEYWOOD,

ABBESS OF STANBROOK

EDITED WITH HISTORICAL NOTES BY JOSEPH GILLOW

The Abbey of Benedictine nuns of the English Congregation was estab- lished in 1620 at Cambrai by Monks of that Congregation, chiefly through the instrumentality of the president, Dom William Rudesind Barlow, and Dom William Benet Jones, who brought over from England nine English ladies to form the nucleus of the foundation, of whom Helen More (Dame Gertrude) is considered chief foundress, the pecuniary means having been mainly furnished by her father Mr. Cresacre More, lineal descendant of the blessed martyr Sir Thomas More. For the training of these postulants in the monastic life, three nuns were lent by the kindness of the abbess of the English Benedictine abbey at Brussels, Lady Mary Percy ; and their spiritual direction was entrusted to the eminent Father David Augustine Baker, who remained at Cambrai about eight years.

Dame Frances Gawen of Brussels was appointed abbess of the infant community until in 1629, at the first general chapter after their profession, one of their own number, Dame Catherine Gascoigne, was chosen abbess. Though their instructresses, the three Brussels nuns, were now free to return to their own convent, they begged to be allowed to form part of the com- munity of Cambrai. Two of them, Dame Frances Gawen and Dame Pudentiana Deacons, remained till their death several years later, but Dame Viviana Yaxley eventually availed herself of her right according to the original stipulation, and returned to Brussels in 1650.

The Cambrai community were from the first under the immediate juris- diction of the president and general chapter of the English Congregation of Monks of the Order of St. Benedict, and this with the full consent and con- currence of the Archbishop of Cambrai, Francis Van der Burch, and the solemn approbation of Pope Urban VIII.

In 1793 the Community of Cambrai, twenty-one in number, were violently ejected by the French Government, and carried in open carts to Compiegne, where they remained in close prison for eighteen months. They obtained their release at last in 1795, reaching Dover on May 3rd of that year. Be- friended by the Monks of the English Congregation to which they belonged, they remained at Woolton in Lancashire, earning a small means of sub- sistence by teaching a school belonging to the Benedictine mission. In 1807, by the kindness of Mrs. Stanford, they removed to a mansion belonging to her in Warwickshire, Salford Hall, near Evesham, which they were to have free of rent, not only during her lifetime, but during that of the heir- at-law, Mr. Robert Berkeley of Spetchley, who concurred generously in this negotiation. In 1838 they removed finally to Stanbrook Hall in Worcester- shire, purchasing the house and property for themselves, and eventually, after several years, erecting a church, consecrated in 1871, and a consider- able portion of a regular Abbey in 1880.

The dearth of original early documents at Stanbrook Abbey is owing to XIII. A

2 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

the fact that the seizure of the abbey at Cambrai, in October 1793; was so sudden and so ruthless that in less than half-an-hour the nuns were hurried into open carts and transferred to the prison of Compiegne, each nun being allowed no more baggage than a small bundle of necessaries hastily put together in presence of ruffians armed with clubs. All their books and papers were put under seal, and eventually were transferred to the public library and archives of Cambrai, where a portion still remains. Another portion was carried at a still later date to the Archives Centrales of Lille, where they are stowed away in two cartons marked " Benedictines de Cambrai." In or about 1876 the Lady Abbess of Stanbrook; the Right Rev. Lady Gertrude L. d'Aurillac Dubois, at some expense had copies made of the more valuable of the manuscripts at Lille, and these have recently been carefully verified. During the last eight years transcripts have been made by friends of a few of the manuscripts at Cambrai, as here particularised. The more important original documents have utterly dis- appeared, but copies, evidently made for business purposes long before the Revolution and kept by the nuns in their archives at Cambrai, have sufficient value to be offered to the Catholic Record Society in absence of the originals.

COPIA CONSENSUS ET APPROBATIO D. ARCHIEPISCOPI ,

6 octobris 1622 [In margin]

Franciscus Vanderburch Dei Et apostolicse Sedis gracia archie- piscopus et Dux Cameracensis Sancti Romani imperii Princeps Comes Cameracesii Universis prsesentes Litteras inspecturis Salutem in Domino Sempiternam. Cum S. Concilii Tridentini decreto cautum Sit ut nulla monasteria et domus tarn virorum quam mulierum Erigantur, nisi Episcopi licentia, in cujus dioecesi Erigenda sint Prius Obtenta, Pro parte Eximiorum Dominorum ac Religiosorum Patrum : f. Rudisindii Barlo S. Theologian doctoris et Congregationis Angliae Benedictinae prsesidis ac f. Leandri de S. Martino Sacrse quoque Theologian Doc- toris et Benedictinorum praefatae Congregationis in conventu ac collegio divi gregorii duaci Prioris nobis Expositum Est Crescente in dies numero monialium anglarum ita paucula earum monasteria anhe- lant Recipiendis Locus omnino Desit ac proinde nobis supplicatum Est, ut Licentiam in Civitate nostra Cameracensi Ccenobium in Domo ac fundo ab iisdem pro monialibus anglis ordinis S. Benedicti Emendis, Erigendi authoritate nostra ordinaria concedere Vellemus ac Dig- naremur. Nos igitur optime conscii quantum in Ecclesia Dei splen- doris, atque Utilitatis ex monasteriis hujusmodi monialium anglarum alibi constitutis oriatur, in domino quoque Confidentes Ejusmodi moniales suis divinis officiis, orationibus, Bonis operibus, et Exemplis, nostrae Civitati Cameracensi non parum profuturas, dictis Reverendis Prioribus, Rudisindo et Leandro hac in parte gratificandum, eorumque petitioni, Una cum magistratu hujus nostras Civitatis(de Cujus consensu ad hoc praestito nobis constitit) annuendum censuimus, pro ut lubentes gratificamur Et annuimus per presentes ; iisdem Licentiam et facultatem Concedentes, ut in praedicta nostra Civitate, Pro monialibus anglis ordinis Sancti Benedicti Emere cedificium cum fundo sufficient et in eo Ccenobium forma debita cum Ecclesia Competenti in qua juxta ordinis Sancti Benedicti institutionem, misses, aliaque officia Divina celebrentur

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 3

Et peragantur Extructa et Prope ipsum ccenobium Pro hujusmodi moni- alium Vicario et confessariis hospitium adificare Libere possint et Valeant ; Cseterum intendimus ac volumus lit praememoratae moniales quae Sub Regula, legibus et Constitutionibus ordinis Sancti Benedicti ac congre- gations anglicanae, Sub Regimine ac moderamine illius praesidis, ac vicarii et confessariorum ejusdem ordinis et congregationis vivent, ordinariae nostrae ac successorum nostrorum archiepiscoporum Camera- censium jurisdictioni et Visitationi immediate Subjaceant; Et ut uniuscujusque puellae in monialem hujusmodi ccenobii assumendae dos Realiter nobis Representetur, quatenus ita Constet, Conventum istum nullatenus oneri fore Civitati et Dicecesi nostrae Cameracensi in Praemissorum fidem ac Robur praesentibus per secretarium nostrum Subsignatis Sigillum nostrum duximus apprimendum. Datum Cameraci in palatio nostro archiepiscopali anno Domini millesimo Sexcentesimo vig° secundo mensis octobris Die Sexta.

Subscriptum erat de mandato illustrissimi ac Reverendissimi domini pti, Et Erat signatum Lud. fullo secret. Cum Parapho Et appendebat Sigillum dicti illustrissimi Cum Cauda cera Rubra impressum.

Et supra dorsum Scriptum Erat ut Sequitur.

[The following is endorsed on the foregoing document: — ]

Illustrissimus et Reverendissimus dominus meus archiepiscopus et dux Cameracensis Post Expeditionem harum retroscriptarum ob rationes sibi Expositas permisit ac consentit ut in illis praememoratae moniales Sub Regula, legibus ceremoniis ac privilegiis Congregationis Anglicanae Benedictinae ab Hispanica dependentis vivant, Et a praeside Vicario et Confessariis congregationis Ejusdem per immediatam jurisdictionem Regantur : illustrissimae et Reverendissimae Suae dominationi person- aliter dumtaxat, Si opus fuerit auctoritatem Visitandi Reservando, ut exordia ccenobii hujus Securius Stabiliantur. De Reliquo Post Ex- cessum illustrimae et Rmae S.D. ipsum ccenobium moniales, Vicarium, Confessariosque praefatos jurisdictioni dictae congregationis, privilegiis atque Exemptioni a Sancta sede apostolica indultis penitus Relin- quendo. In cujus Rei fidem presentes per Secretarium Suum Sub- signari jussit Cameraci in palatio Suo archiepiscopali anno domini M.D.C. xxui mensis julii die vigesima Secunda. Subscriptum Erat de mandato illmi et R™ domini mei archiepiscopi praefati Et Signatum Erat J. de la Rille Secretarius cum parapho.

CONSENTEMENT ET PERMISSION DU MAGISTRAT 17ME MAY 1 623

A tous ceux qui ces presentes lettres voiront ou viront Prevost Eschevins et Magistrat de la Ville cite et duce de Cambray, Salue. Scavoir faisons que sur la Requeste a nous presentee de la part du Reverend Pere Leandre de St. Martin Prieur des Benedictins Anglois du Couvent de St. Gregoire en Douay et nous avons accorde et consenti, consentons et accordons que Ton puisse achester certains heritages propre et convenable en ceste dite ville de la qualite et endroit duquel debveront estre advertis et satisfaits paravant l'achast aux fins d'y construire et eriger une maison et monastere pour des

4 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

filles Angloises religieuses de l'Ordre de St. Benoit, refermees non mendiantes et observantes la closture, moiennant toutefois que de la pare d'icelles filles soit pourvu des moyens et de biens pour subvenir au dfc achast Construction, erection et Batimens de la dte maison et monastere a, leur nourriture aux vetements et toutes choses quel- conques qui peuvent en aucune maniere toucher et concerner elles et leur dite maison et monastere, et ce sy bien et largement que ceste ville de Cambray et pays de Cambresis en general ou en particulier ne puisse en quel temps et pour quel cas que ce soit ressentir aulcunes charges d'ycelles et de leur dit monastere n'y y supporter aulcun coust frais et depens interest ou prejudices moyennant aussi que nulle des dites filles Angloises ne pourra en nul temps estre introduite et recue au dfc monastere que prealablement le magistrat de cette dite ville ne soit deuement appaise d'une dote et bonne asseuroie fondation de deux cens florins de rente qu'elle aura et apportera au d* monastere pour y demeurer et appartenir a perpetuite et moyennant encores que au dfc monastere quoiqu'il soit institue premierement pour des filles Angloises, les filles Cambresiennes y pourront etre et seront aussi recces et admises pour y estre au meme rang et advantages qu'icelles Anglaises, entendons au surplus que ces conditions soient pleinement observees et a toujours sans que Tenet d'icelles puisse par quelques dissimulations tollorances on usaige contraire de tel et sy long temps que ce soit estre emportee annullee et preserites a Tadvenir, En temoing, recognoissance et approbation duquel consentement accord et con- cession nous avons a ces presentes signees de notre grefrier, fait mettre et appendre le seel aux causes d'icelles ville le dix septieme jour du mois de May Tan de grace mil six cent vingt et trois.

Sur le replis des dtes lettres etait escrite Pour la Chambre et signe M. de la Miere avec paraphe et y appendant au d* reply le seel aux causes d'icelles Ville en cire verde en double queue de parchemin.

[Here follow a few lines declaring that a collation has been made of the above transcript with the original and found to be word for word the same by the Public Notary of Cambray undersigned, the 22nd August 1659, Hustin Not]

PERMIT BY THE INFANTA ISABELLA FOR THE FOUNDATION

La Serenissime Infante ayant vue les Actes de consentement a la Reception des Religieuses Anglaises de la Congregation de St. Benoit en la Ville de Cambray tant de l'Archeveque que de ceux du magistrat, elle a pour bonnes considerations et a leur supplication, permis et donne licence comme elle fait par ceste, aux dites religieuses d'y pouvoir batir et eriger un monastere de leur Ordre mais aux charges et conditions requises par les dts actes ordonnant a tous ceux qu'il appartiendra de se regler selon, et fait a Bruxelles soub le nom et cachet secret de Son Alsse,

le trentieme de May 1623

+ Ysabel Par ordonnance de Son Al8ee

Mafaille (?) avec paraphe :

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 5

[The following brief extracts by Dom Gilbert Dolan, O.S.B., are from the archives of the Congregation of Valladolid, O.S.B., at the Abbey of S. Domingo de Silos.]

Letter of Dom Rudesind Barlow [in original " Fr. Rosendo Barlo] to the Procurator of the English Congregation in Spain [D. Boniface Blandy?] — Vol. xix. del Archivo, 1624. Jan. 3 :

I. " We have begun our monastery of nuns at Cambray with great honour and edification ; there be twelve religious women as fine dames as I have seen and Virtuous souls j from their house I write this, for here I am stayed to see them settled and put in order. I got from the Dames of Brussels three of the best qualified of all their company to be their guides and . . . [illegible],

II. Vol. xix del Archivo. 1625:

"Novissime vero omnium erectum est monasterium Sanctimoni- alium Ordinis et nationis nostras sub jurisdictione Congregationis hujus in civitate Cameracensi juxta Duacum in quo sunt 12 nobiles Virgines professae et 6 aliae in probatione."

III. 1633. January 28. Status Congregationis. [Report of F. President Bagshaw to General Chapter of Spain]. ... In mon™ monialium . . . "20 monialies et 8 sorores laicae sive conversae."

"... Cameraci pro solatio monialium 2 monachi et unus conversus qui sunt conventuales etiam Duaceni."

1633. P. 198 of same vol. [A Spanish report of this enumerates 22 nuns and 8 lay-sisters.]

" Aquel de las mongas en Cambray passa con mucho traverso y recessidad a causa que la major parte del exercito del Principe Cardinal aloido mucho tiempo en aquellas partas y como tienen pocas rentas y el precio de todo ay ha subido mucho han sufoido muchissimo."

[The three following documents were transcribed from the originals in the archives of the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and Regulars by Dom Wilfrid Corney, O.S.B., and presented to the Lady Abbess of Stanbrook in 1908 : — ]

[A]

[Endorsed] "S. Bened. Sanctissimo Dno Nostro A. M. Fagnani. 14 7bris 1629. Archiepo pro infor cum voto. Pro Procuratore Angliae Congregationis Sti Benedicti." Beatissime Pater !

Supplicat Bni Vrae Procurator Congregationis Angliae ordinis Sti Benedicti, quat3 dispensare velit cum Gertrude Mora, nobilis qm Thomae Mori pro fide in Anglia passi abnepte quae 25 tantummodo annos, et Catarina Gasconia, quae 28 annos habet, et concedere ut non obstante hoc defectu aetatis quaelibet earum eligi possit in Abbatissam aut Priorissam Monasterii B. Virginis ordinis S. Benedicti Congregationis Angliae Cameracensis autem Dicecesis et in eodem oppido Cameraco siti et a dicecesani jurisdictioni exempti, et si ita visum fuerit Praesidi et Definitoribus Congregationis Angliae, cui idem Monasterium subest post quadriennium in eadem ofiicia eligi. Nam cum idem Monasterium a sex tantummodo annis erectum fuerit, nee inveniatur in eo StJ Moniales quae annos, aut aetatis aut religionis ad curam Abbatissae

6 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

suscipiendam prsefixos habet, et aliqua Sanctimonialium in Abbatissam eligi debet illas duas praecipue habilitari ad hoc officium Congregatio desiderat quod caeteras habitus antiquitate discretione et regulari observantia praecedant et alia minora officia cum laude gesserunt. Gertrudis autem quam praeferri cupit et Monasterii praecipua fundatrix est. Nee aliquod damnum aut error in Regimine ex minori earum aetate timendus est cum praeter confessarium * sine cujus consensu nihil possunt momenti agere, etiam ordinarius t constituitur ejusdem Monasterii superior qui curam habebit ne praedictae Gertrudis aut Catarina in errorem ullum offendant. et pro hac gratia quam Deus —

[B]

[The archbishop having been consulted^ replies as follows to the Sacred Congregation?^

Illme et Rme Domine

Accepi litteras Illmae ac Rmae D.V. necnon libellum ex parte monasterii B. Mariae Virginis ordinis S. Benedicti in civitate Camera- censi et congregationis Anglicanae (cui illud subest) Sacrae Congrega- tioni Illinorum et Rmorum Dominorum Cardinalium negotiis Regularium praepositae oblatum. Et quia super eo Illinae et Rmae Dm V. caeterisque Illmis Patribus sententiam meam expetere placuit, sine mora de omnibus in eo contentis me quam diligentissime potui informavi cumque omnia quae narrantur verissima esse compererim, sub humillima correctione expedire judico, ut supplicantium petitioni annuatur, eo magis quod moniales istae ob singularem suam pietatem omnem favorem mereantur. Nihilominus rem totam, ut debeo, discretioni et arbitrio Illmae et Rmae D.V. humillime submitto, Deo supplicans ut eamdem diutissime servet incolumem.

Castelli Cameracensii 9 Novembris 1629. Illmae et Revniae D.V. humillimus et obsequentissimus servus Franciscus Van der Burch Archiepus Cameracensis.

On the reverse of the foregoing document, the official of the Sacred Congregation has made the following summary : —

" Cambrai. ii Janrii 1630. Concedat: si nulla alia existat habens requisita. Si supa per la facolta d' eleggere p. Abba e Priora del Mon. della Mad* di Cambrai che una d' eta di 24 e 1' altra di 28 anni non essendovi altre che abbiano V eta e gli anni della professione a cio necessarii, e considera anche che possiano governar benmo con la sopraintendenza particolamente del Conf* e dell' Arcivescovo al qle il Mon. e soggetto.J

"L'Arciv. attesta 1' esporta ea approva L'Abba e quadriennale e il Mon. e eretto da 9 anni."

* The official " Vicarius monialium," an office subsequently abrogated.

f By the term ordinary was here intended, as in the text of the Statutes, the President of the English Benedictine Congregation, and not the Archbishop.

% Here the official has misunderstood the bearing of the term " Ordinary." The error, as such, is evident in the text of the archbishop's letter, where he states the house in question to be M subject to the English Congregation." The error is rectified subsequently at Rome.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 7

[The Rescript evidently having been sent to the nuns, they, noticing its clause to the effect, that their petition was granted on condition of there being no one else in the convent of requisite age, &c, were obliged to send afresh petition to have this clause cancelled ; because, though none of the foundation itself were of age, the three nuns le?it from Brussels to train them ivere still there, and in office. Moreover, these latter were wishful to remain instead of returning to the house of their profession, as originally stipulated. In any case, the foundation now fully effected must be governed by its own members^

[C] Illmi et Revmi Dni.

Supplicatum fuit Sacrae Cong* quatenus dispensare dignetur cum Gertrude Mora, Nobilis quondam Thomae Mori, pro fide in Anglia passi, Abnepte, et Monrfi B.V. Cameracen : prsecipua fondatrice, ut non obstante defectu turn aetatis turn annorum in Religione, promoveri posset in Abbatissam ejusdem Monrn secundum desiderium et de- cretum Capituli Generalis cui idem Monasterium subest, in mense Julio celebrati, et accepta informatione a Rmo Archiepo Cameracen : Sacra Cong° statuit annuendum supplicationi, si nulla alia sit quae habeat requisita. Cum vero hinc oriri possit difficultas, nee gratia ulla concedi a Sacra Conge nee desiderium dictae Congoi8 Anglicanae im- pleri, est enim ipsamet Abbatissa quae modo regit, et Priorissa quarum utraque habet a jure requisita, et propterea praedicta dispensatio nulla redditur, humiHter supplicatur ut sicut Praeses praedictae Cong'8 obnixe petit clausula ea si nulla alia invenitur qua habet requisita tollatur, et absolute dispensetur, nee timeri potest ulla in regimine illius difficultas, cum in praecipuo Confessario Monrn subdatur in omnibus autem Praesidi Congis et Monrn ejusdem speciali Visitatori et pro hac gratia et quos Deus &c.

[Endorsed on the foregoing, is the following copy of reply to the pro- curator of the English Congregation in Rome : — ]

11 S. Benedetto della Congfie Anglicana Illmis et Rfriis Dfiis DD. Cardinalibus negotiis Episcoporum et Regularium praepositis. 25 Janrii 1630. Arb. Archiepo. Pro Procuratore Congis Angliae ord. S. Benedicti. II Procuratore della Cong. Anglicana dell' ordine di S. Benedetto espone che la S.C. a dato facolta d' eleggere in Abba e Priora del Mon. della Mada di Cambrai una d' eta di 28 el' altra di 24 ann. con la clausula si nulla alia existat habens requisita, e perche questa clausula rendi la grazia frustatoria o almeno la rend : molto difficile, di supa per la moderatione di essa stante che una in par- ticolare e fondatrice e piena di molte qualita e che V Arcivescovo approva."

[No further document is at Stanbrook, but the result of the negotiation ivas that Dame Catherine Gascoigne was installed as abbess in that year, 1630, the preference, probably, being given by reason of age. It was providential, as Dame Gertrude More was carried off by smallpox in the August of 16 33. Dame Catheri?ie Gascoigne, by repeated quadriennial elections, governed the Abbey for a period op forty years .]

8 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

[Bull of Pope Urban VIII., 1638, confirming the monastery at Cambrai, transcribed from a copy formerly in the possession of the Community \ and now in the Archives Communales de Cambrai, Serie GG. 241 [Liasse]. A photograph of the text was kindly procured for Stanbrook Abbey by Dom Edward Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B., in 1909 :— ]

Confirmatio D. Urbani Papae 8i Pro monialibus Sti Benedicti congregationis anglicanse Cameraci 1638.

Urbanus Episcopus Servus Servorum Dei venerabili fratri archi- episcopo Cameracensi seu Dilecto filio ejus officiali salutem et apos- tolicam Benedictionem.

Pro parte congregationis dilectarum in Christo filiarum monialium ordinis Sancti Benedicti quae ex Anglia ante plures annos ad Civitatem Cameracensem Pro consequenda Regulari Disciplina et Religionis catholicse liberiori Professione migrarunt : nobis nuper Expositum fuit quod quamvis fuerit pro earum habitatione et aliis usibus suis concessa per quondam Antonium a. Montmorencii tunc Existentem Abbatem Monasteriorum Sancti Andraeae de Castello et Sancti Stephani de Fidemio Oppidorum seu locorum Cameracensis Dioecesis Ejusdem ordinis Certa Domus inter suos notissimos fines in eadem Civitate Cameracensi sita et ad Dictum Monasterium Sancti Stephani Spectans Cum eo quod si structura et disciplina regularis in eodem restauraretur, quae jam pridem ob controversiam inter utrumque Regem motam an hujusmodi monasterium foret inter Limites Franciae vel Belgii Collapsa fuit tunc et tali casu pretium dictae Domus juxta extimationem per peritum assumptum factam in utilitatem dicti monasterii investiri debeat Eandemque concessionem approba- vimus cum Decreto quod dicta domus ad formam monasterii per ordinarium loci produci debeat : Quod De illius Licentia et Consensu est Effectuatum. Nihilominus tamen dilectus filius Josephus Has- trugus ordinis Sancti Benedicti et forsan plures alii ejusdem or- dinis praetendunt hujusmodi concessionem fore et esse invalidam. Contra quos quia interest dictae congregationis concessionem pre- fatam indicialiter validam per ordinarium loci declarari quod ipse seu ipsi absque Speciali Rescripto Apostolico fieri non posse pariter praetendunt. Ideo pro parte dictae Congregationis nobis fuit humiliter supplicatum quatenus causam et causas validationis hujusmodi Concessionis domus ac quam et quas habet et monet habereque et monere vult et intendit contra praefatos omnesque alios sua quomo- dolibet interesse praetendentes etiamsi forsan conventum fuerit de et super praemissis rebusque aliis cum omnibus suis incidentibus, de- pendentibus, emergentibus, annexis et connexis totoque negotio princi- pali; et tarn conjunctum quam divisum tibi summarie et pro ut in beneficialibus audiendam, cognoscendam, fineque debito terminandam prout juris fuerit cum potestate quos, quando, et quoties et ubi opus fuerit etiam per Edictum publicum Constito summari et extra indicialiter de non tuto accessu utendi Sub censuris et Pcenis ejus arbitrio Servata forma Concilii Tridentini infligendis et applicandis inhibendi, brachi-

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 9

umque saeculare quatenus opus fit invocandi, aliaque faciendi dicendi gerendi, exercendi et Exequendi in praemissis et circa ea necessaria et opportuna praemissis nee Constitutionibus et ordinationibus apostolicis Caeterisque contrariis, non obstantibus quibuscumque committere et mandare aliasque in praemissis opportune Providere De benignitate apostolica dignaremur. Nos igitur unicuique justitiam (ut decet) minis- trari cupientes, ac Singulares personas Congregationis hujusmodi a, quibus ecclesiasticis Censuris, Si quibus quomodolibet innodati ex- istunt ad effectum praesentium duntaxat consequendum harum serie absolventes, fraternitati tuae frater Arch iepisc ope Seu Discretioni tuae fili officialis per apostolica Scripta mandamus quatenus vocatis ad id qui fuerint evocandi in praemissis omnibus et singulis autoritate nostra facias prout dejure fuerit faciendum. Datum Romae apud Sanctum Petrum anno Incarnationis dominicae 16380 quinto decimo Kalendas februarii Pontificatus nostri anno 160 Subsignatum erat Maurus C. Wathour & paulo inferius Baro not : cum paraphis et super plica H. Odam et a dextro latere Godefridi, et pendet Sigillum plombeum Urbani Papae Octavi Sub Duplici Cauda.

MANDATUM.

Illustrissimi archiepiscopi Vanderburch Datum Dominae Catharinae Gascoigne congregationis Benedictinae Anglicanae Cameracencis Religiosae Pro Reforma- tione Sororum Sancti Lazari dicta Civitatis Anno M.DC: XLII.

Franciscus Vanderburch dei et Sanctae Sedis apostolicae gratia archiepiscopus et dux Cameracensis. S.R. imperii Princeps, Comes Cameracesii &c.

Universis praesentes inspecturis Salutem in domino, notum facimus quod praehabito monalium quarum interest de Conventu Monasterii S. Lazari nostrae Civitatis Cameracensis et Superiorum Benedictino- rum Congregationis Anglicanae in nostra Provincia Cameracensi Con- sensu, ordinandam constituendam et nominandam duxerimus pro ut tenore praesentium ordinamus Constituimus et nominavimus Dominam Catharinam Gascoigne monasterii Beatae Mariae de Consolatione in praetacta nostra Civitate Cameracensi dictae Congregationis anglicanae Monialem.

Expresse Professam veram Legitimam et indubetatam Superiorem in Rebus omnibus spiritualibus Praefati monasterii Sancti Lazari, hocque tarn Respectu modernae prefatae ac Superioris quam Earum omnium quae Reformationis habitum sumere volunt. Omnes enim aliae sub Pristinae Superioris obedientia Sicut antea manere Debebunt; itaque volumus et mandamus ut hanc Superioris jurisdictionem et Potestatem praefata Domina Catharina Gascoigne habeat quoad usque omnia Recte ordinata, omnesque Religiosae Reformationem amplectentes competenter instructae Sint in iis quae ad Sancti Benedicti Spectant institutum et Constitutiones ipsis a nobis ad hunc finem traditas Pro quibus omnibus addiscendis credimus unius anni Spatium vel circiter sufficere Posse. Quapropter omnibus et singulis Praenominatis moni-

10 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

alibus Reformationem acceptantibus, Praecipimus in virtute Sanctse obediential Et sub poenis arbitrio nostro infligendis, quatenus non tantum ipsam dominam Catharinam Gascoigne in Suam Superiorem Recipiant, Verum etiam Ei Debitam Reverentiam Et obedientiam Exhibeant, Ad majorem autem hujus ordinationis nostrae firmitatem Et Vigorem, Volumus Et mandamus Praesentes nostras litteras legi Et Publican coram toto Conventu monialium Sancti Lazari Reforma- tionem Praetactam amplectentium, in Primo Capitulo ab ipsius dominae Catharinae gascoigne adventu in illius Monasterium.

In Quorum omnium fidem hac litteras Sub Sigillo nostro ac secretarii nostri Signatura jussimus Expediri Cameraci Calendis decembris anni M.DC.XLII.

De mandato illmi et Rmi Dni Archipi ptf [Locus Sigilli]

foulon Secret.

Cum Parapho.

MSS. BY DAME BARBARA CONSTABLE AT EVERINGHAM PARK

[The letter written in the first volume ; and in the same handwriting, occupies 12 pages {unnumbered), after which comes "The Preface to the Reders," 24 pages (unnumbered), followed by the Treatise, 602 pages, ending with the date "June 16, Finis, 1663."]

I.

A Spiritual Treatise, conteininge some advise for seculars composed by the unworthy Religious Str B.C. of Jesus of the holy Order of Sfc Benedict in the monastery of Our Lady of Consolation in Cambray of the English Congregation.

Estote perfecti sicut Pater vester. Ambula coram me, et esto perfectus : (Gen. 17, 1.) Nolite contaminare anima vestra : ego sum Dns deus vester Sanctus estote quia ego sanctus sum. (Lev. n, 44.) To my most deare brother Sir Marmaduke Constable, I wish all health and happiness.

My dearest brother since my affection and good will for you is not lesse then for the rest of my friends to whom according to my poor capacity I have indeavoured to contribute a little of the expence of the idle time my condition affords towards the good and sanctifying of their soules according to the varietie of their conditions and necessities, tho' less needing then you; All circumstances considered, who being in a secular state, ingaged in much distraction and incompassed with all tentations have as much if not more need to be comforted, assisted and incouraged in ye way of virtue; nor must you think that virtue is not compatible or belongs not to your estate or condition as well as others, this is a great error wh. I hope to let you see in this little booke you are much abused by. God has created all creatures to love and serve him in the perfectest manner they can ; and such is the force of Christian grace that it will sanctify all states and conditions of what profession or trade soever, provided it be lawfull, and to testify the truth of this, God has exempted none, from the court to the cart, that

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 II

he hath not produced great saints of, as any may see who will but reade histories. And in the primitive Church, at which time sanctity most flourished all in a manner, were secular persons charged with wives & children and the service of their prince and countrie, and yet the Apostles who preached the evangelicall doctrine in its greatest purity, preached publickly not only, the maine principles of Christian doctrine, but even the highest poynts of perfection, witness Sfc Paules' Epistles, with Sfc Peter, Sfc John, & S* James wh. were writt in common to all Christians ; and after them their disciples Sfc Ignatius the martyr & S* Policarp, etc. & even S* Denis writt his high and divine bookes in that age when religious were rare, altho' indeed he limited it only to such persons as lived most religiously yet certainly without distinction of cleargie or secular persons but left it indifferent in that poynt, & yet the most recluse person cannot practise a higher or more divine doctrine. I doe not say this that I would indifferently now in this age recommend such bookes to secular persons, no it is not convenient, but to lett you see that secular persons have and now may be if they please as capable of the practise of the highest perfection as religious, perfection & sanctity are not limited in such narrow bonds as monas- teries, but rather it is by God's own words of — estote perfecti sicut pater vester — delivered to the large extent of the whole world. What greater perfection can be required of the most perfect religious then is contained in the 10 commandments and other Apostolicall and Ecclesiasticall doctrines and ordinations, without the observing whereof none can be saved ; and yet seculars are strictly obliged to the per- formance of them, if ever they will enjoy eternall beatitude. To love God above all things & our neighbours as ourselves, the prime com- mandment ; is a perfection that even the most solitarie and carefull religious will find enough to doe to attaine to the perfection of them : and yet none can be saved without indeavouring to practise them the best they can ; but you will say, perhaps all cannot be saints ; to which I answer all may arrive to that degree of virtuousness and sanctity which God has designed them to, that will cooperate with his grace, which is never wanted to those he sees industrious and desirous to negotiate for heaven with it, all desire heaven but they will not give the price for it that God requires for it, and so it is true that God in fine gives it to whom and as he pleases, as not considering so much our deeds and desires for it, wh: are truely and indeed far inferior to the worth of so great a reward as eternall beatitude, yet he will have us gaine it by our good & virtuous lifes, & you will find yourself much abused if you thinke a virtuous & perfect life belongs only to ecclesi- asticke and religious persons ; you may as well thinke & say that heaven belongs only to them, lett them take it and give me the pleasures of this world, but this would be a most strange & unchristian like thought or saying : & yet really in effect so it proves for only those that lead good lives will gaine heaven, & those that doe not shall gaine the contrarie ; if then heaven and the enjoying of God for all eternity be the thing you aim at, as I doubt not it is : sic currite ut comprehendatis, as the great Apostle advise all christians, so run the course of your life that you may gaine what you aim at, wh. will

12 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

not be by giving yourself to an idle & vain life, taking pleasure and seeking after the riches and honours of the world, for as the same Apostle saith in another place, where he reckons up many that shall never enter into heaven, neque avari, neque ebriosi, neque maledici, neque rapaces, regnum dei possidebunt, but many will say they are not guilty of these crimes, to whom I will answer only thus perhaps not according to the largest sense of the words, but lay your hand upon your heart and examine well its affections & desires & the effects they produce and see whether manny sinnes doe not proceed from these sources, wh. doe not only defile but hasard your soule. You doe, you will say, not covett & extort other men's goods wrongfully; but yet you would be glad to be master of all the treasures of the world lawfully, & have you not some inordinate & secret desire & wishes you were so, & would you not take much delight and complaisance in being so rich, & very loth to loose a pennie of it tho' by way of alms & charity & doing yr poor neighbour any good, or doe you not feel a certaine repining & sorrow when by some casuality you loose it ; if yes, you are not right, this proceeds from the origin of a covetous desire of having riches for our owne delight & satisfaction & will indanger salvation if we spend our lives carelessly in it. You say also you hate drunkenness, & gluttony; but if you delight not only in eating & drinking abundantly & superflously, but doe spend much money & cause much paines to be taken in finding out fine delicfous inventions only for the pleasing of your sensuall appetite, wh. serves rather for the destruction then maintaining & nourishing your bodily health & strength, this is not right, take heed you find not your part among drunkards & gluttons, or at least, by these and other such inordinations wh. are nowadays much practised by most & the sins thereof not much regarded, you come not at last to be of the number of those, qui non possidebunt regnum dei. In fine not to be tedious to you in this my dedication, consider that you are now in those last days, et periculosa tempora, when homines erant seipsos amantes, etc. I endeavour for you by these following advise, which if you take as much paines to practise as I have done to gather and unite them together, I shall hope to receive the comfort I desire, wh. is to meet you in eternity for wh. I shall offer my poor prayers as long as I shall live & be able to say, I am

ever yours to com. S. B. C. Finis June 16. 1663.

II.

[A small volume of the same size and writing^

"A little Instruction to teach a Secular Woman how she should live, &c. Translated out of an old French Author without a name."

[On the fly-leaf is the autograph " Ann Constable, 1695," and in later writing — "A nun born 1654, daughter of Sir Mar. Constable & Ann, d. of Tho. Sherburn of Stonyhurst " — She was baptized April 21, 1655, and her mother was the dau. of Richard Sherborne. She was a nun O.S.A., and died Feb, 10, 1705. At the end of the volume, which consists of "650 pages, is the date " Nbvem. Finis. 1666."]

DAME BARBARA CONSTABLE, O.S.B.

From the original painting (presumably by Robert Walker) at

Burton Constable, the seat of Major Walter George

Raleigh Chichester-Constable, J. P., D.L.

Cath. Rec. Soc. XIII.

To face p. 12.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793

13

Archives Communales de Cambrai. GG Liesse 241.

27 Juin 1793. Citoyens, president etc. Les Dames Angloises ne doutent nullement de la bonte des citoyens composant le Comite de la Section D de Cambrai envers elles. Elles s'empressent de satisfaire a leurs ordres, et si elles ne trouvent pas dans Particle XI cite du Decret du 21 Mars, qu'elles soient incluses dans la loi qui regarde les Etrangers, elles supposent que le nombre XI a ete mis par meprise, etant fermement persuadees que vous ne les auriez comprises, si elles ne Petoient pas en effet. Pour nous conformer done a vos ordres nous vous envoyons les noms et ages et les lieux de naissance de toutes les Anglois ou etrangers composant notre famille

nee a Frickleyen laComteedeYork. nee a Tournay de parents ecossais. nee h. Winchester, Hampshire, nee a Prescot, Lancashire. neeaHaggerston, Northumberland.

nee a. Pennystone dans le Comte de Yorkshire.

nee a Childon, Lancashire.

nee a Londres Angleterre.

nee a Bryantown en Maryland.

nee a Marketraisen, Lincolnshire.

nee dans Walton en la Comte de Lancashire.

nee Huttington, Buckinghamshire.

nee a. Broughton, Lancashire.

nee Walton en la Comte de Lan- cashire.

nee a Dublin en Irlande.

nee a Winchester, Hampshire.

nee a Lisbona en Portugal de parents Anglais.

nee a Sephton, Lancashire.

nee a Sephton, Lancashire.

nee a Cottham, Lancashire.

ne dans la paroisse de Dean Lan- cashire. James Higginson Chaplain, age 29 ne a Standish, Lancashire.

Elles esperent que cette liste satisfera en plain aux desirs et attente du Comite auquel elles protestent toute la soumission qui lui est due. En Notre Maison a Cambrai ce 27 Juin 1793 Abbesse et Procuratrice.

[This draft bears the following endorsement.']

" These papers belong to Str Ann Teresa. The originals were sent

M. Anselm Ann, agee de 78 ans M . Jeanne Alexander, agee de 7 7 ans M. Frangois Sheldon, agee de 7 2 ans M.Margarite Burgess, ageede7oans M. Bernarde Haggerston, agee de

66 ans M. Lucie Blyde, agee de 63 ans

Anne Francoise Pennington, agee 58 Therese Joseph Walmesley, agee 5 2 M. Louise Hagan, agee 52 Ann Joseph Knight, agee 50 Ann Therese Partington, agee 47

M. Magdeleine Kimberley, agee 46

Scholastica Caton, agee 43

M. Benedicte Partington, agee 40

M. Bernarde Barn wall, agee 35

Martha Fryer, agee 31

M. Agnes Robinson, agee 30

M. Teresa Shepherd, agee 30 M. Augustine Shepherd, agee 28 Joseph Miller, agee 25 Augustin Walker Directeur, age 7 2

14 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

to the Section D June the 27, 1793, to comply with an order sent by the said Section which required us to give in the names, ages and places of birth of all our Nuns."

As the existing catalogue of the community printed hereafter is not a complete register of the community, it is deemed advisable at this point to insert brief notes on the names appearing in the above prison list.

Dame Elizabeth Anselma Anne, born in 1715, was the third daughter of Marmaduke Anne, ofFrickley Hall and Burghwallis Hall, co. York, Esq., by Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Plumpton, of Plumpton Hall, co. York, Esq. Her father was son of Michael Anne, Esq., and his wife the Hon. Jane Langdale, daughter of Marmaduke, 2nd Lord Langdale of Holme. She was professed in 1735, and died in the prison at Compiegne Jan. SI, 1794> a glorious follower in the footsteps of her collateral ancestor the blessed martyr John Anne, who suffered death for his priesthood and the Catholic faith at York on March 16, 1588-9.

Dame Jane Alexander, born of Scotch parentage at Tournai in 17 14, prof. 1757, accompanied the community after release from prison to Woolton, where she died June 17, 1799.

Dame Elizabeth Frances Sheldon, born 1720, was daughter of William Sheldon, of the Manor of Lower Ditchford, co. Warwick, and of the city of Winchester, Esq., by his second wife, Anastatia, daughter of Bartholomew Smith, of Winchester, Esq. Her father's first wife, Catherine, daughter of Christopher Roper, 5th Lord Teynham, was the mother of the two nuns Catherine and Mary, who died in 1723 and 1756 respectively. Elizabeth was professed in 1740, accompanied the nuns to Woolton after their release from prison, and died at Salford Hall, July 14, 1808.

Dame Margaret Burgess, born 1721, prof. 1749, and her sister Dame Scholastica Burgess, who died at Cambrai, Sept. 16, 1770, were daughters of Robert Burgess, of Cronton, in Prescot, co. Lancaster, a Catholic non- juror in 1 717, who, as a husbandman, registered a small leasehold farm. Dame Margaret died in prison at Compiegne, April 3, 1794. Her brother Thomas removed to a farm called the Hawkslough at Clayton Brook, in the parish of Leyland, and had several children, of whom Dom James Bede Burgess, O.S.B., born in 1768, died in 1837 ; Thomas, the third son, a joiner in Clayton-le- Woods, married Cecily Gregson, of Gregson Lane in Brindle, and was father of the Rt. Rev. Thomas Burgess, Bishop of Clifton, born 1791, died 1854; Julia, married Edward Swarbrick, of Blackburn, grocer, and was mother of two lay-sisters of that name who died at Stan- brook Abbey ; and Ann, wife of Mr. Abbot, was mother of the Rev. Thomas Abbot.

Dame Elizabeth Bernard Haggerston, born 1725, was daughter of Sir Carnaby Haggerston, of Haggerston Castle, co. Northumberland, 3rd Bart., by Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Peter Middelton, of Stockeld, co. York, Esq. When the nuns obtained their release from prison and came over to England, in May 1794, Dame Bernard was too ill to proceed, and was conveyed to Sutton Place, Guildford, co. Surrey, the residence of John Webbe- Weston, Esq., who had recently married, as his 2nd wife, her niece Mary, eldest daughter of William Haggerston-Constable. There she succumbed to the hardships she had undergone, and was buried at Holy Trinity, Guildford, July 16, 1795. Her eldest brother, Thomas, succeeded to the baronetcy. Her second brother, William, assumed the additional name of Constable upon succeeding to the Everingham estates in con- formity with the settlement of Sir Marmaduke Constable, 4th and last Bart., whose sister Anne, daughter of Sir Philip Mark Constable, 3rd Bart., and his wife Margaret, daughter of Francis Radcliffe, 1st Earl of Derwent- water, was the wife of William, second but eldest surviving son of Sir

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 15

Thomas Haggerston, 2nd Bart., and father of Sir Carnaby Haggerston, 3rd Bart. William Haggerston-Constable married the Lady Winifred Maxwell, daughter and heiress of John, Lord Maxwell, who assumed the title of Earl of Nithsdale upon the death of his father, the attainted Lord Nithsdale, and from him descends the present representative of the family, the Duchess of Norfolk, eldest daughter and coheiress of the late Lord Herries.

Dame Mary Lucy Blyde, born in 1729 at Penistone, co. York, was abbess at the time of the seizure of the convent, having been appointed to that dignity in the preceding year upon the death of the Abbess Mary Clare Knight, Oct. 30, 1792, and so continued till 1802. She was prof. 1756, and died at Salford, Aug. 12, 18 16.

Sister Anne Frances Pennington, lay-sister, born in 1734 at Garston, in the parish of Childwall, co. Lancaster, died in the prison at Compiegne, Feb. 6, 1794.

Dame Teresa Joseph Walmesley, born in 1739, was the only child of Thomas Walmesley, of London, 4th son of John Walmesley, of Wigan, who was son of John Walmesley by his second wife, Margaret, dau. of William Plesington, of Dimples Hall, Esq., and aunt of the martyr, the Rev. John Plesington. She was prof. 1759, and died in the prison at Compiegne, Jan. 21, 1794.

Dame Louisa Hagan, born at Bryantown in Maryland in 1740, was professed in 1763, returned to England with the community, and died at Salford, June 6, 181 1.

Dame Elizabeth Anne-Joseph Knight, born in 1742, was a younger sister of the Abbess Mary Clare Knight, (born 1740, prof. 1765, elected to that dignity in the year of her death, which occurred Oct. 30, 1792). They were daughters of Arnold Knight, of Buslingthorpe, co. Lincoln, by his wife Anne, daughter of Marmaduke Anne, of Frickley Hall and Burghwallis Hall, co. York, Esq., and sister of Dame Elizabeth Anselma Anne above. Their grandmother Elizabeth Anne, nee Plumpton, married 2ndly William Knight (vide C.R.S. vol. iv.), who subsequently resided at Frickley Hall. Their brother Alexander Knight settled at Sixhills Grange, co. Lincoln, and was the father of Sir Arnold James Knight, M.D., whose son Edmund became bishop of Shrewsbury in 1879. Dame Elizabeth Anne-Joseph was professed in 1765, came over with the community to Woolton, and died at Salford, March 2, 1813.

Dame Elizabeth Anne Teresa Partington, born in 1744, was prof. 1775, daughter of Thomas Partington, of Walton-le-Dale, co. Lancaster, and first cousin to Dom John Basil Brindle, O.S.B., and his sister Dame Ellen Mary Placid Brindle, O.S.B., of Paris, came with the community to Woolton, and died at Salford, Sept. 4, 1820. She was sister to Dame Mary Benedicta below.

Sister Magdalen Kimberley, lay-sister, born in 1745 at Hutington [?], co. Bucks, professed 1767, accompanied the community to England, and died at Woolton, June 17, 1802.

Sister Anne Scholastica Caton, born 1749, was daughter of John Caton, of Broughton, near Preston, co. Lancaster, yeoman, and his wife Anne Gregson, both of very good Catholic families. Her brother, the Rev. Thomas Caton, died at Cottam, the ancient seat of the Haydocks, in 1826, aged 70. She returned to England with the community, and died at Salford, Feb. 13, 1830.

Dame Mary Benedicta Partington, born 1751, prof. 1772, sister of Eliza- beth above, came over with the community, and died at Salford, Dec. 28, 1826.

Dame Margaret Bernarda Barnewall, born in Dublin in 1756, of an ancient Irish family, after her release from prison obtained permission to

1 6 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

join the Trappistines, and died at the convent at Stapehill, co. Dorset, Aug. 20, 1835.

Sister Martha Fryar, lay-sister, born at Winchester, co. Hants, in 1761, returned to England with the community, and died at Salford, Jan. 2, 1825.

Dame Martha Agnes Robinson, born at Lisbon in 1761, of a good English family having associations with Lisbon, prof. 1781, after her release from prison came over with the community, was abbess 1806-14, and again 1818-22, and died at Salford, June II, 1830.

Dame Anne Mary Teresa Shepherd, born at Sefton in 1762, prof. 1782, came of the very highly respected Lancashire Catholic family noted in C.R.S. vol. vi. p. 112. After her return to England she was abbess at Woolton 1802-6, and died at Salford, June 12, 1809.

Dame Helen Augustina Shepherd, sister to above, born in 1764, prof. 1783, came over with the community to Woolton, was abbess 18 14-18, and died at Salford, Feb. 12, 1818.

Sister Jane Josepha Miller, lay-sister, born 1766, was daughter of Joseph Miller, of Cottam, co. Lancaster, by Agnes, daughter of Ralph ffidler, of ffidlers in Lea, and his wife Jennet, daughter of Robert Haydock, of Leach Hall in Bartell. The Millers had long been tenants of the Haydocks of Cottam Hall, and from them was descended Bishop John Milner, V.A.-M.D., who reverted to the ancient spelling of his name. She was clothed at Cambrai, and after her release from prison accompanied the nuns to Woolton, where she was prof, in March, and died July 15, 1796.

Dom George Augustine Walker, born in 1720, son of George Walker, yeoman, who in 17 17 was residing in Aspull, co. Lancaster, and as a Catholic non-juror registered a house at Deane, to which subsequently he must have removed, as his son declares he was born there. He was pro- fessed at Paris in 1743, and became president-general of the English Benedictine Congregation in 1777, an office which he held till death in the prison at Compiegne, Jan. 13, 1794. When the Revolution had commenced he took upon himself to be vicar of the nuns at Cambrai in 1790, and went to prison with them.

Dom James Higginson, born at Standish in 1764, son of a tenant of the Dicconsons, of Wrightington Hall, was professed at the Benedictine Monastery at Douay in 1785, became socius to Fr. Walker at Cambrai in 1792, and died on the mission at Birtley, co. Durham, Dec. 13, 1835.

[The following extracts from the Mairie de Compiegne were made for Stanbrook by Mgr. de Teil, Vice-postulator of the Cause of the Sixteen Martyrs of the Carmel of Compiegne?^

MAIRIE DE COMPlfeGNE.

(Oise)

Extrait du registre des actes de l'Etat civil pour l'Anne 1794.

Deces Marie Anselme Ann. [In margin.]

L'An second de la Republique franchise une indivisible et im- perissable, le quintidi vingtcinq Nivose a dix heures du matin, Pardevant moi Joseph Roger notable de la Commune de Compiegne y demeurant nomme par deliberation du Conseil General d'icelle du vingt sept Brumaire dernier pour recevoir les actes destines a constater }es naissances, manages et deces des citoyens de la section du Nord dudit Compiegne, districts de Compiegne, de- partement de POise ; sont comparus en ladite Commune, les citoyens

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 1 7

francois Guay, Commissaire en la maison de reclusion dudit Compiegne, sise rue du Salut public demeurant en cette commune age de trente un ans, Alexandre Pierre Gabriel Scellier, maire de cette commune, age de quarante-deux ans, Pierre Louis Herbet, agent national de la meme commune age de quarante-six ans et de Pierre Jean Boissel officier municipal de la susdite commune, tous les quatre demeurant en la section du Nord dudit Compiegne ; le premier, place de la revolution, le dernier, rue de Pierrefonds et les deux autres rue du Vieux Pont, lesquels nous ont declare que la citoyenne Marie Anselme Ann, native de frickly dans la province de yorkshire en angleterre, arretee a Cambrai, departement du Nord, le treize octobre dernier en vertu du decret contre les etrangers et amene en ladite maison de reclusion dudit Compiegne ou elle est arrivee le vingt trois dudit mois d'Octobre dernier suivant le proces verbal dudit jour, y etait morte et decedee ce jourd'hui vingt cinq nivose present mois a quatre heures du matin a Page de soixante-dix-neuf ans, d'apres cette declaration je me suis sur le champ transporte en ladite maison de reclusion, ou etant et parvenus dans une salle au premier sur la gauche ou logent les religieux detenus, je me suis assure du deces de ladite Marie Anselme Ann, ci-dessus denommee et j'ai du tout fait et r^dige sur le champ le present acte en presence desdit citoyens Scellier, Herbet et Boisset temoins ci-dessus denommes qui l'ont certifie conforme a la verite et signe avec moi ; fait en la maison commune dudit Compiegne les jours mois etan susdits. — signe au registre : Boissel, Herbet, Scellier, Maire. — D&ivre sur papier libre pour simple renseignement. Choved.

Deces Georges Augustin Walker. [In margin.]

Aujourd'hui quartidi vingtquatre Nivose Tan deuxieme de la r^publique franchise, une, Indivisible, et Imperissable a cinq heures du soir, pardevant moi Joseph Roger membre du Conseil General de la Commune de Compiegne y demeurant, nomme par deliberation d'icelui du vingt sept brumaire dernier pour recevoir les actes destines a constater les naissances, manages et deces des citoyens de la section du nord dudit Compiegne, district de Compiegne departement de l'Oise,sont com- parus en ladite commune les citoyens Alexandre Pierre Gabriel Scellier, Maire de cette commune age de quarante deux ans, Pierre Louis Hubert agent national de la meme commune age de quarante six ans et de Pierre Jean Boissel officier municipal de la susditte commune age de cinquante six ans, tous les trois demeurant en la section du Nord dudit compiegne, les deux premiers, rue du Vieux pont et le dernier rue de Pierrefond, lesquels nous ont declare que Georges Augustin Walker citoyen Anglais pretre catholique des dames religieuses anglaises de Cambray departement du Nord detenues en cette commune, lequel est natif de la province de l'ancashie en angleterre, age de soixante treize ans, et etait entre a la maison de reclusion dudit Compiegne, sise rue du Salut Public, le quatre frimaire dernier en vertu du decret qui ordonne que tous les etrangers seront mis en arrestation y etait mort et decede ce jourd'hui vingt quatre Nivose, present mois a. deux heures du matin, d'apres cette declaration je me suis sur le champ transporte en laditte maison de reclusion ou etant parvenus dans une chambre au

XIII. B

1 8 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

second a gauche du corridor faisant face a l'escalier je me suis assure du deces dudit Georges Augustin Walker ci-dessus denomme, et j'ai du tout fait et redige sur le champ le present acte en presence desdits citoyens Scellier, Herbet, Boissel temoins ci-dessus denommes qui l'ont certifie conforme a la verite et signe avec moi ; fait en la maison com- mune dudit Compiegne les jours mois etan susdits.

Signe au registre : Boissel, Herbet, Scellier maire.

Pour copie conforme au registre delivree sur papier libre pour simple renseignement.

Compiegne, le huit Janvier mil huit cent quatre vingt seize.

Le Senateur, Maire

L. S. Choved.

Extrait du registre des actes de l'Etat Civil de la Ville de Compiegne pour l'annee 1794.

Deces Pinnington Anne Francoise. [In margin.]

Ce jourd'hui dix huit pluviose Tan second de la republique francaise, une indivisible et imperissable, a neuf heures du matin, pardevant moi Joseph Roger Membre du Conseil General de la Commune de Com- piegne y demeurant, nomme par deliberation d'icelui le vingt sept brumaire dernier pour rediger les actes destines a constater les naissances, manages et deces des citoiens de la section du Nord dudit Compiegne district du meme lieu, departement de l'Oise, sont comparus les citoiens Alexandre Pierre Gabriel Seillier, Maire de cette commune age de quarante deux ans, Pierre Louis Herbet agent National de la meme commune, age de quarante-six ans et francois Guay commissaire de la maison de reclusion, juge en la section du Nord dudit Compiegne, rue du salut Public, age de trente deux ans, tous trois demeurant en laditte section, de laditte commune les deux premiers rue du Vieux Pont et l'autre place de la revolution, lesquels nous ont declare que la citoienne Anne francoise Pinnington, religieuse anglaise, demeurant a Cambray, district du meme lieu departement du nord agee de cinquante neuf ans ou environ, native de Nooton, Village de la province de Lannghire en Angleterre, arretee audit Cambray comme etrangere et amenee en ladite maison de reclusion dudit compiegne le vingt deux octobre dernier, suivant le proces verbal quy en a ete redige ledit jour et ou elle a ete detenue depuis ce temps, y etait morte et deced^e ce jourd'hui a quatre heures du matin, d'apres cette declaration, je me suis sur le champ transporte en laditte maison de reclusion, ou etant et parvenu dans une salle du premier a gauche, ou logent les religieuses detenues, je me suis assure du deces de laditte Anne Francoise Pinnington et j'ai fait et redige sur le champ le present acte que lesdits citoiens Alexandre Pierre gabriel Seillier, pierre Louis herbet et Francois Gay, ont certifie con- forme a la verite et l'ont tous signe avec moi, fait en la maison commune dudit Compiegne les jour, mois et an susdits.

signe au registre ; Seillier herbet, Gay, Roger.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 19

Extrait des actes de l'Etat-Civil.

De'ces Burgess Marguerite. [In margin.]

Ce jourdliui quatorze Germinal, Tan second de la republique francaise, une indivisible et imperissable a cinq heures du soir, pardevant moi Joseph Roger Membre du Conseil general de la Commune de Compiegne y demeurant, nomme par deliberation d'icelui le vingt sept brumaire dernier pour recevoir les actes destines a constater les naissances, Manages et d^ces des citoiens de la section du Nord dudit Compiegne, district du raeme lieu ddpartement de Poise, sont comparus en la maison commune susditte de Compiegne, les citoiens, Alexandre Pierre Gabriel Scellier, maire de cette Commune, age de quarante deux ans, Pierre Louis Herbet agent national de la meme commune age de quarante six ans et Louis Cardon, commissaire de la Maison de Reclusion sise en la section du nord dudit Compiegne rue du Salut public age de cinquante ans, tous les trois demeurant audit Compiegne, les deux premiers rue du Vieux Pont et l'autre rue du Plat d'etain, lesquels m'ont declare que la citoienne Marie Marguerite Burgess, religieuse anglaise demeurante ci-devant a Cambrai district d'idem d^partement du Nord, agee de soixante douze ans native de Wigan, province de l'Enkashire en angleterre, ArrStee audit Cambrai comme etrangere le treize octobre dernier, et amenee en ladite maison de reclusion dudit Compiegne, le vingt deux octobre dernier, suivant le proces verbal qui en a ete" redige ledit jour et ou elle a 6t6 detenue depuis ce temps, y est morte et decedee aujourd'hui a deux heures de relevee, d'apres cette declaration je me suis sur le champ transporte en la susdite maison de reclusion ou etant et parvenu dans une des salles aupremier a gauche ditte l'infirmerie et au bout de la grande salle ou logent les religieuses detenues je me suis assure du deces de ladite Marguerite Burgess et j'ai sur le champ fait et redige le present acte que lesdits citoiens Scellier Herbet et Cardon ont certifie conforme a la verite et l'ont tous signe avec moi, fait en la maison Commune dudit Compiegne les jour, mois et an susdit.

Signe ; Scellier, herbet, Cardon.

[There are at Stanbrook two manuscripts in different handwriting, but evidently of nearly the same date, giving the following "Narrative" with scarcely an alteration of a word. One is signed by the writer, Dame Ann Teresa Partington, and is the more valuable of the two, being quite original. At Stonyhurst there is another manuscript copy of this same, bound up with other matter. The nuns at Stanbrook, having some years ago collated its text with their own manuscripts, found hardly any difference in words, save just improvements in style here and there. One important omission in their manuscripts was found supplied in the Stonyhurst MS., i.e. the name of Dame Margaret Burgess, the fourth of the Community who fell a victim to prison hardship, expiring there on April 3, 1794. Though no doubt ever existed as to this fact, the Stanbrook nuns were glad to find the missing name. Evidently it had escaped the memory of Dame Ann Teresa Partington when writing her Narrative under difficulties; the later date, April $rd, separating

20 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

D. Margaret's fate from that of the other three nuns in January and February. D. Margarefs name is in the Necrology ', and her death register^ made by the prison authorities^ is given above. The date at which the Narrative ivas written was evidently 1796, or early in 1797. This manuscript ivas of very great value in the Process of the Blessed Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne.]

A Brief Narrative of the Seizure of the Benedictine Dames of Cambray, of their Sufferings while in the hands of the French Republicans, and of their arrival in England. By one of the religious, who was an eyewitness to the events She relates.

[Signed] Ann Teresa Partington.

In the Summer of the Year 1793, the allied armies being near the gates of Cambray, the Religious were repeatedly ordered in the most threatening manner by the District of Cambray to lay in provisions for Six months against the Siege that was then expected to take place. They accordingly provided themselves with such a Stock of Necessaries as their finances would allow them to purchase. From the commence- ment of the unhappy troubles, they had been constantly alarmed, by the visits, or decrees of the Agents in the Revolution who were no where more outrageous than at Cambray. But the Nuns not being conscious of having given any offence were willing to flatter themselves that they were in some safety. However on Sunday October 13th 1793 the District of Cambray sent four of their Creatures to fix the public Seal on the papers and effects belonging to the Nuns. These Commis- sioners arrived at the Convent about half past eight at night. The Religious were retired to their Cells having to rise at Midnight to perform their Matins Office so that it was some minutes before Lady Abbess Lucy Blyde could open the Inclosure Door; at which they seemed displeased. The Very Revd Mr. Walker, who out of a motive of charity assisted the Nuns as their Spiritual Director; was only just recovering from a very dangerous illness and was in bed, but on hearing what was going forward got up and came into the Convent.

All the Nuns being assembled, one of the men who seemed the most cruel of the Company read a very long paper the purport of which was that all the Effects belonging to the Nuns were confiscated to the Nation. Mr. Walker began to expostulate with them, but their brutality soon silenced him. They then proceeded to fix the seals on all the Books, papers, &c, belonging to the Lady Abbess and Dame Procuratrix Dame A. T. Partington, threatening them all the while how severely they should be punished in case they concealed the smallest article of their property. Having secured everything, they told the Nuns that they were now prisoners, and then they wrote a long account of their proceeding, at the close of which they added by the desire of the Community that the religious wished to remain prisoners in their Convent under a Guard rather than be removed to any other place of confinement. This paper the Lady Abbess and Procuratrix signed. They went out of the Monastery about Eleven o'clock to put the public Seals on everything in the outward buildings

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-I793 21

and apartments one of which was appointed for the use of the Con- fessor, this they did with the utmost Severity. They then arrested the Revd Messrs Walker and Higginson, the last mentioned was a young religious man who in consideration of the age and declining health of the former had been some months before appointed to assist him. To prevent them from having any Conversation with the Nuns they took them away instantly. It was near Twelve when the Guards conducted them to prison. Mr. Walker was quite broken with age and infirmity. The Nuns had the affliction of seeing all that passed from their adjoining Convent. They thought they were dragging them to prison for immediate execution, but Providence kindly reserved them to be their Support in another place of Suffering. What the religious felt on the occasion may be better imagined than expressed.

That Night they confined them in the Town house. Next morning they were removed to the Bishop's Seminary which formerly belonged to the Jesuits but was then turned into what they called a Maison de Detention. There they remained till the 20th of Novr 1793, deprived of the most common Necessaries. They were once, a day and a half, without any other food than one bit of Bread. They began to suspect that their death was to be effected by their being left to Starve. No one durst serve them with Victuals. They wrote to many Inn keepers and assured them of immediate payment for the scanty Sustinence they asked for, but so hateful was the name of a Priest in Cambray, and the people so terrified at what they saw going on, that no answer was ever returned. They could not prevail even with a Barber to venture to attend them. At length a good woman Marie Demal who had lived Servant with the Nuns, hearing of their distress, had the courage to visit them instantly and in spite of every danger and difficulty provided Victuals for them the best she could get. She con- tinued her charitable assistance till they were removed to Compiegne. Mr. Walker frequently said afterwards that she had saved his life.

But to return to the Nuns. From the moment the Commissioners from the District entered their house on Sunday Night, they found themselves Strictly Guarded, but they were still made to hope that they might remain in their Convent as they had desired, even some of the members of the District assured them in the most Solemn Manner that there was no danger of their being (?) from it. That this was all treachery the Nuns were afterwards well assured — for the day after this Solemn promise had been made them, Friday the 1 8th of Octr 1793, they were seized upon by a body of light horse Guards, part of whom surrounded the Street Door whilst the rest entered into their Convent with a crowd of blackguards at their heels. A very brutal Man sent by the District of Cambray was at their Head. When he came up to the Inclosure Door his first question was, have you laid in a provision for Six months. On being assured that that had been done, he seemed for an instant at a loss what to say, but after a short pause he gave orders that the Nuns should be totally out of their house in half a quarter of an hour and that they should take neither Trunk nor Box with them. He only allowed each one of them a small bundle. His figure and manner of speaking appeared so savage

22 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

and insulting that the Nuns were in the Greatest Terror, so that amidst the hurry and Confusion of so sudden a Calamity overwhelmed with sorrow at being thus turned out of their beloved abode, and for want of sufficient time to make up their bundles, many of the Nuns went away with only the Clothes they had on. At this afflicting moment, the future want of every necessary found no place in their Minds — they were Stupified with grief. The Procuratrix, however, petitioned to carry off a small Book where was written a few memorandums very useful to her, but the 111 natured Man to whom she addressed herself wrested the Book from her hands telling her at the same time to fetch Brandy for the Hussars, which she instantly was obliged to do, while the barbarous man was running about the house with a club in his hand ready to make any one feel the weight of it who did not make haste to be gone. Thus in less than half an hour they were completely turned out of their whole property without being able to learn from any one what was to be their fate. They thought Death would soon have followed and expected every moment to see the fatal Gullotine.

In the Street they found one coach and two carts, each of them Strongly Guarded by a detachment of Hussars on horseback with Naked Swords. The Nuns were soon hurried away — the Hussars seemed much displeased at this barbarous usage. Some of them Shed Tears, and on the way with the most feeling compasion, They even lent their Cloaks to those of the religious who were in the uncovered Carts to keep them from Starving. Through the whole dismal journey of five days, they did all they could to soften the hardships they saw the Nuns exposed to on all Sides, but it was not in their power to hinder the populace from leading the religious with insulting language wherever they past. Besides when the Nuns arrived in any Town to pass the Night they were guarded by the Soldiers who did duty at the prison in which they happened to be lodged ; among them they met with a variety of insults, insomuch that they always dreaded the approach of Night. The Nuns were Twenty in number and a Novice upon probation when they were expelled from their Convent (Viz)

Mary Anselm Ann. Margaret Burgess. Teresa Walmesley.

Jane Alexander. Elizth Haggerston. Louisa Hagan.

Elizth Sheldon. Mary Blyde. Abbess. Elizth Knight.

Elizth Partington. Mary Barnwall. Ann Shepherd.

Mary Partington. Agnes Robinson. Helen Shepherd.

Lay Sisters.

Ann Pennington. Magd Kimberley. Martha Friar.

Louisa Lefebevre. Ann Cayton. Jane Miller Novice.

The Hussars who Conducted them did not at first know whither the Nuns were to be taken. They were Strangers to the Country; had been sent for from some distance for the grand purpose of carrying Prisoners from Cambray. They received orders every Night how they were to proceed the following day. At last the Nuns found that the appointed place of their Captivity was Compiegne where, being at a distance from every friend, they must have little, or no hope of recovering any part of their large property.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 2$

The first Night, Friday, they were lodged in a very ruinous place at Bapaume ; it had the appearance of having been a Convent, it was almost destroyed, the Windows all broken &c : The violence of the rabble was so great here, that the Nuns were very happy to be taken out of the Carts into any place like a house. The Mayor of this Town was a native of Cambray and was well known to the Nuns, one of his Sisters having had her education among them, but he now knew nothing of them nor showed them any favour. He was highly displeased at their being in the religious dress, and said the people of Cambray had acted against the Law by not making them Shun a dress which the law had prescribed.

The jailor of this prison seemed a quiet man, and his Daughter was so kind as to buy the Nuns two faggots, some very Brown Bread, and a kettle of boiling water. They made Tea, but Sugar and milk were delicates not to be thought of, or at least not to be had. They were so exhausted with grief, and the fatigue they had gone through that day, that most of them could not eat the Bread. They laid their wearied bodies on the floor, and they spread a few bundels they had brought with them to Stretch their limbs upon, and even in this State they were frequently disturbed by the Guards looking through the broken Windows.

The next night (Saturday) they past at Peronne in the Citidal. Here they were Guarded by the National Troops, whose brutality can hardly be described. Nothing could be more disagreeable than their language and behaviour. A Woman who appeared to belong to one of them molested the Nuns by every means she could. However amongst all this cruel treatment They had the comfort to meet with some friends. A Woman whose Father in better times had been employed by the Nuns had the courage to make her way to them in the Prison. She and her Husband bought for them Bread, small Beer and a few Boiled Eggs, which was really a treat. Some of the Nuns had eat nothing for two days. Here they found a few Bed-stocks full of dirty straw, on which the Soldiers had Slept apparently for some months. The Nuns for a time were much afraid of the consequence they might procure by lying down upon it : at last excessive weariness overcame that difficulty, but there was no rest to be found in this place of horror, the Soldiers were passing to and fro the greater part of the Night, even through the room which had been assigned to the Nuns. Next morning by the favour of an Irish Lady, who was there in Arrestation, the Nuns had one cup of Tea before the Hussars came to summon them to continue their tedious Journey.

On Sunday Night they rested at Ham. On their arrival there was, as they expected a great Stir among the rabble, each one crying out Aristocrates to the Guillotine, but this Language was become so familiar to the Nuns, that it had lost much of the effect it had at first. The Prison they were lodged in being at the Skirts of the Town they got out of the Carts with fewer of the Mob attending them than usual. Not to be insulted to a great degree now seemed a favour. The Governor of this place happened to be in Town, an humane Man. He gave orders that the Nuns should have a room to themselves and

24 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

allowed them clean straw, which was Spread all over the floor. They were happy to lye down upon it, and the Night passed without any noise or Interruption. They were also permitted to buy a Candle, and, what was more to their purpose, something to eat. Next morning the Governor calld upon them and on parting with them recommended himself to their prayers. They attributed this shew of kindness to the good will of a poor woman, who had the care of the prison. She had lived at Cambray, in the neighbourhood of the Nuns, and she seemed to be much affected on seeing them in their present distress. It gave her particular concern to see them go in Carts, while all the other prisoners (a few men excepted) were carried in Coaches to their several destinations. She thought as every one did, that the Nuns were exposed in Carts for no other end, than that they might be the more insulted.

Monday Night they stopt at Noyon. It is impossible to describe the fright they were in on their arrival there : the Carts had no sooner Stop't in the Market place, than thousands of people assembled in the most riotous manner around them. For Nuns to appear in the religious Dress was at that time the worst of crimes. Some talked of tearing them to pieces, others said they would bury them alive with their prescribed Dress. The Hussars repeatedly endeavoured to speak in their favour but so great was the Noise and the tumult among the populace, which in a Short time had increased to a dreadful number, that not a word could be heard. Not only the streets, but the windows and the tops of some houses, were full of Spectators. The Hussars finding it impossible to keep any order, Sent for the Soldiers quartered in the Town, by whose assistance the Nuns were at last taken out of the Carts, half dead with fear, after having been detained in the Market place near an hour, amidst a variety of the most outrageous insults and threats. One instance alone may shew the Temper of the people in their regard; one -of the Nuns Mary T. Shepherd when she was taken out of the cart being Scarcely able to stand fell against the horse which was at side of her. The Beast immediately Struck her at which the rabble set up the most insulting Shouts, and clap'd their hands for joy.

The Soldiers, who came to assist the Hussars, guarded the Nuns that Night, were extremely civil to them ; one of them, a very young man, wept most bitterly out of compassion ; they conducted them to a decent Inn instead of the common prison, and they allowed them to call for whatever they could pay for. Two Officers took particular care of them, the younger of whom for a time could not refrain from Tears. The head Officer of the Hussars came twice to the Inn to see them, but Nothing could revive their Spirits. The thought that they must again be exposed on the Carts, was too distressing to admit of any Comfort. Their kindness, however, was a great- alleviation of the pungent grief and distress of the Nuns. It is three Years since these scenes of horror happened, yet the writer of this declares that her Blood Chills whenever she thinks of that dreadful day : Those who have experienced such distress will excuse her for expressing herself so feelingly on this Subject.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 25

Gratitude to a merciful providence over us in all our distress prompts me to remark here, that tho the Mob said everything Shock- ing— and Surrounded us on every Side, as if to tear us into a thousand pieces, and on one occasion cut off a piece of one of our Veils — Yet not one of them laid a hand upon any of us. And in every place some were found who shed Tears of Compassion over us.

The Nuns left Noyon about Nine on Tuesday morning. They had covered their Veils with coloured Handkerchiefs and disguised them- selves as much as they could in order to appear as they sat in the Cart like the French Villagers, who wear no Hats. This precaution was of some service, for on the road the people seemed at a loss what to make of them.

About four in the afternoon, the Nuns arrived at Compiegne and there the Hussars left them, after having said much in their favour to the Mayor, and two other Members of the District, who came attended by the National Guards to receive the Prisoners.

The Hussars were Natives of Normandy, most of them Young Men, about nineteen or twenty Years of age. The Nuns were the more surprised at their civility, as they were gidy and very profane in their Language to one an other.

The prisoners brought from Cambray to Compiegne at that time were fifty-two in Number, the Nuns included. They were all con- fined in one house ; it had been a Convent formerly belonging to the Nuns of the Visitation, but was then a common prison. The Gentle- men of the District of Compiegne very frequently Visited the prison ; when they called upon the Nuns they asked them a hundred questions, but upon the whole they behaved with civility. The Procurator Sindic, seeing them half Starving, had the goodness to write twice to Cambray to desire the Municipality of that City to return Some part of their wearing apparel, but they sent None. The Nuns had a room assigned to them in the Infirmary of the Convent ; the adjoining apartments were occupied by prisoners of all ranks and descriptions, their Number increased daily, they were chiefly from Cambray and its environs. Whole families were sometimes brought up at once. It seems this place had been fixed upon in preference to Cambray because it was more within the reach of the assassins of Paris, who were then deluging the streets of that Capital, with human Blood.

On the 25 of November 1793 a great number of prisoners were brought from Cambray, among whom were The Revd Messrs Walker, the Young Priest his Assistant, and the Honble Thos Roper.* It is not easy to express what the religious felt when Mr Walker appeared as they had not the least reason to hope of ever seeing him again. He also seemed much affected. The pleasure of seeing him, was however greatly allayed by orders which were immediately given that he should by no means come near the Nuns. One of the members of the District

* Though Henry Roper, the 8th Lord Teynham, through fear conformed to the Anglican Establishment when the Chevalier de St. George raised his standard in 171 5, members of this hitherto staunch Catholic family continued to hold the Faith for long afterwards. The Hon. Thomas Roper was a younger son of Henry, 10th Lord Teynham, and was a relative of the Sheldon nuns at Cambrai.

26 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

having observed to his colleagues that if he was allowed to visit the Nuns some part of religious worship might probably be kept up among them, which he said, they were bound to root out entirely. For a time, the Nuns saw him seldom and always with fear and great appre- hension. I have reason to think, that it cost him a great deal to be obliged to pass his time with a set of men whose manners and conversa- tion were shocking to common decency.

Soon after this the very man who had with a club in his hand turned the Nuns out of their Convent at Cambray was sent after them to prison. He was removed to Paris soon after, where, it was said, he lost his Head. Such was the fate of many who had been particularly active in promoting the unhappy Revolution.

For a time the gaol allowance was a pound of Bread for each person per day, and one good meal, the expense of which was to be defrayed by the prisoners jointly, the rich paying for the poor, and strict orders were frequently given that equality should be observed, according to the new Republican law. That no one might escape unnoted the prisoners were called over twice every day.

About the beginning of January 1794 most of the Nuns fell sick. Eight or nine were confined to their beds at the same time, and the rest so much indisposed, as to be scarcely able to help their dying Sisters. A good woman who sold milk to the prisoners took great compassion of them, and came to assist them, but in a short time fell dangerously ill herself : this unfortunate accident made others afraid to come near them. The disorder was a Fever proceeding (as the Doctor said) from great hardships and chagrin. They had still only one room for the whole Community (twenty-one in number), several of whom were now drawing near their end. Every one seemed to pity them, but the fever beginning to spread among the prisoners, each one feared for him- self. Upon this it was thought proper to allow the Nuns a small adjoining room, and the prisoners in general, who were about an hundred and sixty, were permitted to walk in the garden, a favour which had not been allowed them before. The windows in the Nuns room were unnailed that they might open them for a little fresh air, but it was the middle of Winter, and the weather so very damp and wet, that this allowance was of no avail to them.

On the 12th of January, about 2 o'clock in the morning, Mr. Walker found himself very 111, but would not disturb Mr. Higginson till the usual hour of rising. Among the prisoners was a Doctor [Dufeuille] from Cambray, which was a fortunate circumstance for all the sick. He was called about 7 o'clock and declared Mr. Walker's case to be dangerous. He grew worse fast, so as to alarm every one, for the prisoners all esteemed him. He fell into his agony in the evening, and expired near 2 o'clock, having been ill only twenty-four hours. It was thought by some to be the Gout at his Stomach that so suddenly hurried him off, but the Doctor always affirmed, that the many hardships he had undergone, and the want of necessaries requisite to a person of his age and weak health, had not a little contributed to his death. Many of the Nuns were at that time too ill to be informed of this catastrophe, but the distress of the few who were informed of it was great beyond

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 27

expression. The circumstances the religious were then in made his loss to be severely felt, and long deeply regretted by the nuns. He had for some years past been as a Father, and an exemplary friend, to each of them, having remained with them by choice in the hardest of times, even when his life was in danger, and when he might have lived comfortably in England. During his long confinement he was never heard to let fall one word of complaint, tho' few had suffered so much as he. He died as he had lived, a good religious man. The writer of this well remembers that sorrowful day. He had lived 73 years, during twenty of these he had resided at Rome, and had received distinguish- ing tokens of esteem from his present Holyness Pius the VI. The last 1 7 years of his life he had with great credit to himself held the office of President- General of the English Congregation of the Order of St. Bennet.

Next morning, January 14th, while Mr. Walker's corpse was still in the prison, Dame Anselm Ann died, aged 79. On the 21st of the same month, Dame Walmesley breathed her last, aged 55. About the end of the same month Ann Pinnington, a lay-sister, who till then had been of the greatest service about the sick, fell dangerously ill. Her disorder was a gangrene in her arm which from the first threatened her life. Nothing could be had in the prison proper to apply to it, nor would the Commissioner who was over them that day, tho' he was in the prison and thoroughly informed of the nature of the disorder, allow anything to be procured from the town, so that twenty four hours had elapsed before anything material was done. In the meantime the mortification had spread prodigiously and her life was despaired of. She expired on the 6th of Feb. about three o'clock in the morning aged 60.

Towards the beginning of March the same year, the surviving Nuns began to recover tho' but very slowly.

The District of Compiegne now began to treat the prisoners with great severity — very many had been sent from Cambray. The District had seized all their property, but would allow nothing towards keeping them from starving. On the 6th of March three of the Members of the District of Compiegne came to the prison escorted by a detach- ment of the National Guards. The prisoners were all ordered to assemble in one large room, some of the Nuns were still confined by sickness so that only a part of them could attend — all the prisoners stood like condemned criminals. The Procurator-Sindic made a long harangue putting them in mind that they had hitherto been served with one meal per day, but that nothing had been paid for so liberal a treatment (as he called it). That the people of Compiegne were resolved to reimburse themselves one way or other. The prisoners alleged that they had already been stript of everything and their houses plundered, that to think of forcing more from them was cruel in the extreme. These expostulations, true as they really were, had no effect. The Procurator-Sindick again and again told them that if the sum of . . . french livres was not collected amongst them and sent to the District before 10 o'clock next morning they should be punished with the greatest severity. The prisoners being by no means able to

28 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

furnish the sum demanded, they were on the nth. of March stinted to coarse brown bread and water. Many of the Nuns were still unwell when this severe order took place, some of them were even confined to their beds. Six red herrings, which they happened to have when this command was given out was all they had for three days, not being allowed to buy anything, not even a little salt. A surgeon of Compiegne, who had attended some of the Nuns, was so compassionate as to go himself to the District when the Members were assembled to beg as a favour they would permit a little broth to be sent to Dame Alexander who was near 80 years old, and had been confined to her bed about 6 weeks of a fever which terminated in an hectic fever and an imposthume. He was refused, on which as they were told tears gushed into his eyes. Be that as it may, all that the Nuns got by the charity of this good man, was a heap of compliments of condolence from the Mayor, and from some of the Magistrates, but they gave us nothing.

Their wants growing every day greater, they applied to some of the inhabitants of Compiegne for needlework, but the windows of the room they occupied being most part blockaded, little could be done materially to mend their condition. In order to raise money to buy bread they contrived privately to sell, tho' at a vast loss, a few gold crosses e'tc which they happened to have about them when they were taken from Cambray.

The Magistrates of Compiegne, finding that nothing could be got from the District of Cambray, were every day more and more impor- tunate with the prisoners for money, which they had not to give. One day they came to take away their beds, which consisted of each a matress and one blanket j a charitable friend gave them money to leave the Nuns theirs a month longer, at the expiration of which they came again & made ye same bustle, but another friend promised to pay for them a month longer, and thus they went on, always under the apprehension of being obliged to lye on a few locks of straw.

On the 17 of May, 1794, at 8 o'clock in the morning, about 20 Members of the District of Compiegne, and six or seven of Robers- pierre's creatures from Arras, came to the prison escorted by 120 Guards. The prisoners were instantly ordered each one to their own quarters, and a Guard posted at every door in the prison. A soldier with a drawn sword was also stationed within the Nuns' room and strictly ordered to take care the Nuns did not open a window nor leave the room for a moment, and above all that they burnt no papers. Some of the Nuns turned pale and almost fainted, which the Mayor observing, he, with his usual good nature towards them, ordered the Guard to sheath his sword. An officer soon after made his round, and asked the Guard in anger, why he had not his sword drawn. He told him, the Nuns were affraid, at which the officer began to scoff and said something about the guillotine, and with horrid imprecations commanded the Guard to draw his. This made the Nuns more affraid. While they were in this situation, from time to time they heard the jailer call the prisoners one at a time, the men first and then the women, to a lower room, but no one returned. The Nuns durst not speak to each other for fear of the Guard. After they had been in the

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 29

most cruel suspense about nine hours, the Nuns were called down, it was then 5 in the evening. Before they got half way down the stairs, counter orders were given, and one of the Nuns, Dame A. Robinson, who could speak french, was ordered down. The Nuns therefore returned with a Guard, and only this young religious was conducted to the room below. The Commissioners immediately began to search her pockets, but the Mayor checked them, so that they were not so insolent to her as they had been to others. Nothing of value being found about them, they were dismissed, and the whole tribe of rough fellows, about thirty in number, came up with them to the room where the Nuns ell were. One of them (who was a fallen priest) could speak a little English. He was a busy man on this occasion, and was the orator. He addressed the Nuns in a manner which seemed the most proper to terrify them, innumerating the punishments that would certainly be inflicted upon them if they concealed either writing or anything of value from them. The Procuratrix produced the little paper money they had, and laid it before them. The Nuns in general assured them that all their writings had been taken from them at Cambray. After asking many questions and talking in a low voice to each other, they withdrew, leaving the money upon the table, which however, the Nuns durst not touch. They then pro- ceeded to search all the prisoners beds, men and women, pulling the straw and everything else about the room. They took everything of value, such a trifle as a silver thimble did not escape them. In the course of this examination they pulled the womens caps off their heads (some of them were ladies of quality), unpinned their gowns, and searched them in the most cruel manner. If they found a crucifix or a reliquary of gold or silver they took it, if it was of a baser metal, they broke it and sometimes gave the bits to the owner. From the Hon. Thos Roper and Revd James Higginson, who were our companions in prison, they took everything they could find (viz. a metal watch and two beautiful gold repeating watches which had formerly belonged to the Rev Fathers Walker and Welch — this last mentioned gentleman had ended his life with the Nuns at Cambray during the early part of the Revolution.*

Having stript the other prisoners of everything of value, they were returning to the Nuns' room, when one of the prisoners addressed the Mayor as follows : Surely sir, you are not going to search those poor Nuns a second time. You know how barbarously they were used by the people of Cambray, and at present you are well assured that they live in the greatest poverty, having only the poor pittance which they gain by their needle to maintain them. The Mayor seemed to be pleased with the person who spoke in their favour, and after a short pause turned off, called the Guard out of the Nuns' room, and soon after went out of the prison attended by the Administrators of the District (as they called themselves) and the Guards. This was one of the most suffering days we ever passed, tho' in those times of universal terror the Nuns experienced many sorrowful ones.

The prisoners from the time I am speaking of were treated with greater severity than they had ever been before. They were in the greatest distress, some of them passed days and weeks with no other

* Aug. 20, 1790.

30 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

food than bread & water, and few of the prisoners at Compiegne entertained a hope of escaping a public execution, yet this seemed to have no effect on their morals, for they were for the most part very ill livers, tho' few days passed but one or other of them was taken out of the Compiegne prison & thrown into the dungeon to be ready for execution. Here some of them remained till the death of Roberspierre, others were carried to Paris, and an end put to their existence by the fatal guillotine.

About the middle of June, 1 794, sixteen Carmelite Nuns were brought to the prison and lodged in a room which faced that which was occupied by us. They were very strictly guarded. They had not been long there before they were, without any previous notice, hurried off to Paris for no other crime than that an emigrant priest, who had been their Confesser, had written to one of them. In this letter a Bishop, who was also an emigrant, had unfortunately desired his Compts to an old gentleman who was cousin to the Nun to whom the letter was directed. He was a man of great property, a crime not easily overlooked in those days. This Venerable person was carried to Paris with the Nuns. A servant who attended him seemed ready to die of grief, and the good old man shed tears at the parting.

The Carmelite Nuns quitted the Compiegne prison in the most saint-like manner. We saw them embrace each other before they set off, and they took an affectionate leave of us by the motion of their hands & other friendly gestures. On their way to the scaffold, and upon the scaffold itself, as we were told by an eye-witness of credit Monsieur Douai, they shewed a firmness and a cheerful composure which nothing but a spotless conscience and a joyful hope can inspire. It was reported that they sung or said aloud the Litany of the Blessed Virgin untill the fatal axe interrupted the voice of the last of them. They suffered on the 16th of July, the feast of their patronness Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 1794. One of this holy community happened to be absent when the rest were taken to Paris. She concealed herself in different places till the death of the tyrant Roberspierre, which happened on the 28th of July 1794. When this monster was removed she returned to her friends in Compiegne- & frequently visited us in prison. She gave us the names and the ages of her Sisters who were put to death, they are as follows.

Croisi [Croissy] agee de 49 ans.

Trozelle [Trezel]

Haunisset [Hanisset]

Le Doine \Lidoine\

Pellerat \Pelras]

Tourret [T/touret]

Piedecourt

Brudeau [Brideau]

Brard

Chretien

Dufour

Meuniere [Maunier]

49 ans.	de Paris.
5i 52	de Compiegne. de Reims.
42	de Paris.
34 79 78	de Lazarts. [Cajarc (Lot).] de Monij. [Mony (Ois).] de Paris.
	de Bedfort. [Bel/ort]
58 52	de Bourt. [Bourth (Eure).] de Evreux.
	de Beaune.
29	de Franciarde. [St. Denis
	(Paris).]

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 31

Soiron 55 de Compiegne.

Soiron 45 —

Rousset [Itoussef] 52 de Compiegne. [Fresne.]

Vezolat [ Verolot] 30 de Compiegne.

One of this community was Novice and two others were portresses or extern Lay-sisters.

On the 28th of July 1794, the same year, the tyranny of Robers- pierre, eight days after the Carmelites, met its deserved fate at Paris, by his being overthrown and guillotined with 20 of his infamous adherents — the populace insulted them in the most abusive manner.

Two or three days after the Carmelites were taken to Paris, the Mayor and two Members of the District of Compiegne called upon us in the prison, we were still in our religious dress which he had frequently wished us to change, but we always alleged that we really had not money sufficient to furnish ourselves with any other clothes than the ragged habits we then wore. The same day he returned to us again, called two of the Nuns aside, and told them that they must put off that uniform, as he called it, that he durst no longer permit them to wear that prohibited dress, that should the people grow riotous we should be more easily concealed in any other dress than in the religious one. The truth was he expected like the Carmelites we should soon be conducted to Paris for execution, and he was affraid he might be put to trouble if we were found in the religious garb. Being again assured that we had not money to purchase other clothes, he went himself to the room which the good Carmelites had inhabited while in prison and brought some of the poor clothes they had left behind them there. These he gave to us, telling us to put them on as soon as possible. We were in great want of shoes, the Mayor civilly said he would get us what we wanted, but one of the jailers bluntly told the Procuratrix we should not want shoes long. On leaving the room the Mayor turned to Mr. Higginson and said, Take care of your companions — as much as to tell him, Prepare them for death, for he had nothing else in his power as the Mayor well knew.

The next day the news became public that the poor Carmelites had been all guillotined. The old clothes which before appeared of small value were now so much esteemed by us that we thought ourselves unworthy to wear them, but forced by necessity, we put them on, and those clothes constituted the greatest part of the mean apparel which we had on at our return to England. We still keep them — a few articles excepted, which we have given to particular friends.

The prisoners at Compiegne were still importuned to pay off the old debt (as they called it) for the allowance of one meal per day which had formerly been given them but which had long since been withdrawn, insomuch that during many months before we had leave to quit this tedious confinement we had not even bread given us unless we could pay for it.

The two last months of the year 1794 and the beginning of the year 1795 Demg extremely severe, we had a great deal to suffer from wants of various kinds, especially from want of fuel, as no one had

32 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

a sufficient quantity of clothes to keep herself (tho' the youngest of us) moderately warm. The room we inhabited was large and very cold, but no entreaties could obtain more than one single blanket for each Nun. The scarcity of provisions also encreased in a dread- ful manner. Bread was so hard to be got that no one inhabitant of the town was permitted to purchase more than a certain fixed allowance which made a very scanty portion. Guards were placed at every baker's shop, and in their prescence the bread was weighed out to each one his pittance till the whole poor stock was distributed, but commonly there was not a sufficient quantity of it to supply more than half the people who were expecting to have a little, so that no day passed without some tumult in the town. The bread for the most part was of the very worst and most disgusting quality, yet we thought ourselves very fortunate when we could buy a sufficient quantity of it. Very frequently when we had finished one poor meal we had not a morsel left for the next.

The English throughout every part of France had more than once petitioned for some mitigation of their sufferings and some of them had, with becoming freedom, pointed out the absurdity of detaining in confinement so many innocent sufferers, for the apprehension of whom there had never existed a pretence of justice. At last it was decreed that all foreigners should have an allowance of two livres paper money per day. Bread was then sold at 3 livres per pound. This allowance besides its being irregularly paid was utterly insufficient to subsist upon in the state in which France then was, paper money being then reduced to a very low rate there. We received this allow- ance for the first time on the 23rd of Dec. 1794. It was then counted to make the value of twopence halfpenny or at most three pence per day English money.

Some months after this, the prisoners began to be treated with more lenity than they had yet experienced. The Honble Tho8 Roper & the Rev. James Higginson had liberty to go into the town. This was of great service to us. Mr. Roper showed himself indefatigable in using every means possible to procure victuals and fuel for us. He carried the wood himself and ran from shop to shop to buy us bread. But notwithstanding this seeming liberty, the prison was still very disagreeable. Tho' the soldiers had no longer power to command us as formerly, yet the door to the street was open night & day, so that it was scarcely possible to step out of our room without meeting a crowd, one part of the prison being turned into a guard-house all came in & went out as they pleased. The garden too was always taken up by the soldiers and the rabble.

About this time the Convention frequently ordered the prisoners of war to be sent from one town to another to show them to the people. When those bodies of prisoners passed through Compiegne, they were always lodged in our prison, & nothing distressed us more during the whole of our confinement than on such occasions to meet with brave Englishmen in want of the most common necessaries of life & to see them treated with the greatest scorn & contempt by the most despicable of the French Jacobins, who were quite elated

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 33

to have an English soldier under their feet. Whenever these prisoners arrived all was noise & confusion & we expected nothing less than to see the house on fire, the weather being remarkably cold they burnt everything they could lay their hands on.

Seeing no prospect to the end of their miseries in this unhappy country in which we were confined, & provisions growing so scarce and dear that it became quite out of our power to procure them, we at last resolved to apply to Paris for passports to return to our native country. The Mayor of Compiegne privately advised us to take this step & assured us of his assistance. Accordingly a peti- tion was drawn up & signed by the whole Community. The Mayor forwarded it to the Convention at Paris and seconded it by a letter in our favour. About ten days after, our liberty was announced to us by the District of Compiegne. After this we contrived to borrow (the good Carmelite above mentioned assisting us) sacred vessels & ornaments that we might have the happiness of hearing one Mass, the only one we had during our eighteen months confinement, & we were in the greatest fear the whole time of it.

In order to raise the necessary supplies for our journey, we contrived privately to draw money from England, though at a great loss, by the way of Hambourg. A charitable gentleman, the present Edwd Constable of Burton, Esq. had two years before given us leave to call upon him for money what we might want in case we came to be in distress which he seemed to foresee would happen. The horses being for the most part taken for the army, we found it very difficult to get carts to transport us to Calais. After many delays, [and] a great deal of trouble and expense, the whole Community left Compiegne on the 24th of April, 1795 in two carts, four of the eldest Nuns having gone off before in a coach. We were in the prison at Compiegne 18 months & 5 days. In our journey we made Cambray in our way, but had not courage enough to cast a passing glance at our dear Convent, which from the time we were driven out had been turned into a common gaol, (it was then in a most ruinous condition), out of which very many had been dragged to the guillotine — in one day 25 persons were dragged to the market- place in Cambray and there guillotined, among whom was a most pious and learned priest, Mr. Tranchant (who had frequently sung Mass in our church). He was saying Mass in his own house & his niece serving, they were immediately hurried to prison not allow- ing him time to take off his vestments.

We found that all our houses & effects had been publicly sold, but had not been paid for. We were also informed that our enemies had made the common people believe that the prevailing scarcity was greatly to be attributed to the English Nuns having amassed such quantities of provisions. This was made an accusa- tion against us by the very people who had ordered us to prepare provisions against a siege or to be expelled the town. The Rev. James Higginson went six or seven times to the Town House thinking to expostulate with the District upon their cruel behaviour, and to assure them that one time or other we should call them to

XIII. c

34 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

account, but he was refused entrance. Finding therefore nothing could be done, the Community followed Lady Abbess and three old religious, who as I said before set off from Compiegne a few days before us. We found them at Calais where they had been some days, we rested one night, and the next morning, May 2nd, the whole Community sailed from Calais in a Danish vessel, Captain Johnson. We happily landed at Dover the same evening in number sixteen religious, the Rev. James Higginson & Mr. Roper. The next day being a Sunday, we rested at Dover, and reached London about 10 o'clock on Monday night May 4th. We remained at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross London, till Wednesday 6th, when the charitable Marchioness of Buckingham,* hearing that our situation was exceeding unpleasant at a common Inn, sent her chaplain, a clergyman of the Established Church, to inform us that she had provided a house at the West end of the town during our stay in London. Here she was the first to visit us, affording us every comfort in her power; and the respectable clergyman above mentioned copied the example of his noble patroness. We experienced many instances of civility & kindness during our stay in London, for several of which we are indebted to persons unknown to us, but the Blessed Redeemer of man, who has promised to repay a cup of cold water given in alms for His sake, will not suffer their charity to go un- rewarded. Gratitude obliges me to mention here one friend in particular, Mr. Coghlan,f bookseller, who though a person in business and possessed of no great riches, yet rendered us most substantial services. It was he who first made us known to the Marchioness of Buckingham, and he richly deserves our thanks for many other favours.

The Community remained in London about 1 2 days, during which time Rev. Mr. Cowley, \ the President, and Rev. Mr. Brewer § decided that we should take the management of a school for the education of young Catholic ladies. Nothing but the great desire we had to main- tain ourselves and to be no burden to our friends or to society in general, upon whom Providence has permitted us to be reluctantly thrown, could have prevailed upon any of us to have undertaken such a charge, worn out as we were with past sufferings. Superiors,

* Mary Elizabeth, only d. and h. of Robert, Earl Nugent, married George, 2nd Earl Temple, who was created Marquess of Buckingham in 1784. Her father, who had conformed, was reconciled to the Church at Bath, at Easter, 1788, by Dom Joserh Cuthbert Wilks, O.S.B., and died in the following October, when the earldom of Nuge it passed to his son-in-law, the Marquess of Buckingham. The Marchioness in 1800 was created in her own right Baroness Nugent, with remainder to her second son, Lord George Grenville-Nugent-Temple. She died March 16, 181 3. She had befriended many of the French emigre' clergy, and several of the English communities which came over to England after the Revolution.

+ James Peter Coghlan, the eminent Catholic publisher, died Feb. 20, 1800, aged 68.

X Dom William Gregory Cowley was president-general of the English Bene- dictine Congregation from 1794 till his death in 1799.

§ Dom John Bede Brewer succeeded Fr. Cowley as president-general, and at this time had charge of the mission at Woolton, near Liverpool, where a school for young ladies had been established through his instrumentality and under his supervision.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 35

however, informing us that such was their pleasure, we left London in three companies on different days as we could get places in the stage coach. The last company arrived at Woolton May 21st, 1795, where we experienced every civility & kindness. Mrs. Porter & Dr. Brewer entertained the whole Community for a week at their house, with great good nature and compassion, rendering to each one every solace possible. We got settled in a school which had been for about six years under the superintendance of the Rev. Dr. Brewer, but the managment of which he now resigned to the Nuns. Here we have now been near three years, during which time we have found no abatement in the kindness & charitable attention showed to the Community, not by our friends and relations only, but by our country- folk in general. We are not less grateful for the allowance of a guinea and a half per month, for each religious, which in common with so many of our fellow sufferers we have received from govern- ment ever since our arrival in our native country ; & we shall always think ourselves under an additional obligation of praying for the welfare of England.

We had not been long settled at Woolton, before Edward Con- stable of Burton & Francis Sheldon of Wycliffe, Esquires,* honoured us with a visit. They paid us the kindest attentions. They brought with them a French priest,f whom Mr. Constable allowed 40^ per annum. As we could not hear Mass anywhere nearer than Mr. Brewer's chapel, he offered to leave the French priest at Woolton ; of that offer we joyfully accepted, & he has since remained with us. To assist the Community in general Mr. Constable has also made us an allowance of 60 £ per annum, which is paid quarterly; & we have reason to hope that it will not be withdrawn, till something falls to enable the Community to live without it.

[Bishop Mi bier's account in the Laity's Directory for 1796, with additions and corrections (in brackets), from the copy preserved at Stan- brook Abbey, either in the hand of Dame Ann- Teresa Partington, or in that of one of her contemporaries. On the binding of the book is written : " Ann-Teresa Partington."]

The Narrative of the Sufferings of the English Communities under the dominion of the French Republicans, continued fro?n the Directory of last year, page 13.

The English Benedictine Dames of Cambray.

These Ladies had acquired a great reputation for their method of education, for their performances in fine needle-work and artificial

* Edward and Francis Sheldon, sons of Edward Sheldon and Cecily Constable, and nephews of Dame Elizabeth Frances Sheldon, one of the community, succes- sively assumed the name of Constable upon coming into the Burton Constable and Wycliffe estates under the will of their uncle, William Constable.

t The Abbe Pernez, of whom Mr. Constable wrote from Burton Constable under date Aug. 5, 1795, when proposing him as convent chaplain : " He is a worthy and respectable ecclesiastic, victim to Religion & honour ; a well-behaved, perfectly good- tempered man, & approved in every way by the Bishop of this district [Dr. William Gibson, V.A.-N.D.j & by the Bishop of St. Pol de Leon."

36 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

flowers, and for cutting out upon vellum various ornaments and devices with the most exquisite taste and execution. By these and their other resources, they lived without being any burthen, but rather were a benefit to the country in which they were placed, whilst their principal attention and endeavours were bent, by the exercises of religion and the practice of every virtue, upon arriving at our true country in the heavenly region. It was, however, the will of the Almighty to prepare them all in general, and more immediately some of them, for this happiness by a course of sufferings. In the summer of the year 1793, the allied armies having pushed their conquests almost to the gates of Cambray, these poor religious were advised, for a double purpose of treachery, to lay in provisions against the siege that was then expected to take place. They listened to this advice, and accordingly provided themselves with such a stock of necessaries as their finances would allow them to purchase. Not being conscious of having given any offence, they conceived themselves to be in perfect safety, when, on the 1 8th of October, in the said year, they were surprised by a body of guards, part of whom surrounded, whilst the rest entered into their convent, and in less than half an hour hurried them out of the same without affording them the means of taking with them a change of clothes or any other necessaries. The appointed place of their captivity was Compiegne, which was more within reach of the assassins, who then deluged the streets of Paris with human blood, than Cambray was. Thither these ladies, whose only crimes were their religion and their country, were carried in open carts, amidst a variety of insults and barbarous usage. Their place of confinement in this town was the infirmary of the convent which formerly belonged to the order of the Visitation, whilst an adjoining part of the same convent was occupied by an illustrious band of christian heroines, worthy to have lived in the primitive ages of the Church. These were seventeen (sixteen) Carmelite Nuns, formerly of the convent of St. Denis (Compiegne) and the sisters in religion of Madame Louise, the saint-like aunt of Louis XVI., who, on that account, seemed to have been marked out by Roberspere and his sanguinary confederates as victims for the guillotine. They were led out to execution a few days [on the 16th July, the feast of our Bd. Lady of Mount Carmel their patroness, 1794, nine months] after the arrival of the Cambray Nuns at the same prison, [they had been in prison with us, Cambray Nuns, about 6 weeks,] and, though they could not converse with them by words, yet they took an affectionate and pious leave of them from their windows by the motion of their hands and their gestures. On their way to the scaffold, and upon the scaffold itself they showed a firmness, and a cheerful composure, which those who braved death at the cannon's mouth have rarely exhibited, and which nothing but a spotless conscience and a joyful hope can inspire. They invoked the Queen of Martyrs to assist them in their conflict, singing the litany of the Blessed Virgin in their procession to martyrdom, and until the fatal axe interrupted the voice of the last of them. The English Nuns were for a long time in daily expectation of meeting the same fate. They observed that their place of confinement was blockaded in a particular manner, which generally took place with

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-I793 37

respect to such bodies of prisoners as were intended for execution, and when they petitioned for a supply of clothes of which they stood greatly in need, their keepers in the most wanton and undisguised manner were accustomed to tell them that soon they would 7ieither want for dotlies nor for anything else. At length, however, a parcel of left-off wearing apparel, which had been the executioner's perquisite,* was sent to them. This consisted of the dresses of the above-mentioned religious sufferers. Such a present, however despicable in the eyes of worldlings, in their eyes was more valuable than the robes of royalty would have been ; they received the poor clothes upon their knees, kissing and bedewing them with their tears, and these constituted part of the mean apparel which they had on at their return to their native country.

Great were their sufferings during their tedious confinement, especially from the want of bread and fuel. These were dealt out to them in the most scanty proportions, and the former was of the very worst and most disgusting quality. Nor was it in their power by their needle- work, and industry in other respects, materially to mend their condition, though they exerted themselves for this purpose. They were twenty in number when they were expelled from their convent, exclusive of their chaplain Dom Augustine Walker, president of the English monks, who for his erudition and piety, having long resided at Rome, had received distinguishing tokens of esteem from his present Holiness, and exclusive of another reverend gentleman [Rev. James Higginson], who, in con- sideration of the age and declining health of the former, was appointed to assist him. Of these, during the rigours of their confinement departed this life, on the 13th of Jan., 1794, the Rev. D. President Walker, on the 14th of the same month Dame Anselma Ann, on the 21st ditto D. Teresa Walmesley, on the 6th of Feb. D. Ann Pennington, and about the end of March D. Margaret Burgess ; so that now only fifteen nuns, a novice upon probation, and the gentleman who had assisted Dom President, were left of this once flourishing community.

At length the scarcity of provisions encreasing in a dreadful manner throughout every part of France, and the absurdity of detaining in con- finement so many innocent sufferers, for the original apprehension of whom there had never existed a pretence either of justice or of policy, being perceived by the rulers of that unhappy country, these ladies obtained liberty to quit their confinement, and on the 24th of April in the present year [1795] procured passports to return to their native country.

On their journey they made Cambray in their way. Here they found that their listening to the advice that had been given them, in preparing provisions against a siege, was made an accusation against them, and the common people were made to believe that the prevailing scarcity was greatly to be attributed to the English, who had amassed such quantities of provisions. They found, however, that their house and effects, though sequestered and publicly sold, had never been paid for, nor had one been appointed to receive the purchase-money for the

* This is an error on the part of Milner, and is erased in the Stanbrook copy. They were not the clothes in which the Carmelites were martyred — vide p. 31.

3& RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

same. This circumstance afforded them a hope that they might, on a later day, receive some compensation for their great losses.

On the 3«1 of May they sailed from Calais, and on the 4th arrived in London. Their arrival here was no sooner known, than [the Marchioness of Buckingham] a lady, still more distinguished by her ex- tensive charities than by her station in life, sent the chaplain of her family [Rev. Mr. Holt, a native of Lancashire], a clergyman of the Established Church, to inform them that, conceiving their situation at a common inn to be exceedingly inconvenient and unpleasant to them, she had provided a house at the west end of the town for them during their residence in London. Here she was the first person to visit them and afford them every comfort in her power. They were struck with such marks of divine bounty in their regard, and they ceased not to put up their prayers in behalf of the immediate instrument of it and of her noble relatives. Nor were they less sensible of the unaffected com- passion and substantial services which they, in common with so many others, their fellow-sufferers, experienced from the respectable clergyman here alluded to, who, copying the example of his noble patrons, has proved himself the good Samaritan to such a variety of sufferers of a different religion, and many of them of a different country.

Upon an invitation from the Rev. Dr. Brewer, these ladies have proceeded to Woolton, near Liverpool, where, after qualifying them- selves as the act in favor of Roman Catholics directs, they have under- taken the superintendence of a school for the education of catholic young ladies, which they mean to conduct agreeably to their much approved plan established at Cambray, and long known to this country.

[There is a slip of paper pasted in at the foot of page 7 of the Stan- brook copy of the Directory for 1796, on which is written , probably in the hand of Dame Agnes Robinson^ though it may be thai of Dame Ann- Teresa Partington :]

"The Names of the Carmelites of Compiegne who were put to death among whom were one novice "... (the rest is obliterated by the paste, the sense evidently being that Mary of the Incarnation furnished these names, as the next sentence is :) " This good Carmelite was in the summer of the year 1814 living in the town of Compiegne with a few devout companions with whom she was concerting to form a little community serving God according to the severe rule of the Carmelites as a French priest informed us who had seen her in Janry 1814."

[The following Catalogue is transcribed from that in the Archives Centrales at Lillet " Benedictines de Cambrai," Carton 1. 1 — ]

A CATALOGUE

Of Ye Names and Ages Of all those that have at any time entred into this Monastery of our Bd. Lady of Consolation in Cambray, as well of such as have been and are religious profess'd, as of such as have lived for any time in ye monastery and gone away.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-I793 39

December 2. In ye Year 1623.

Entred Mrs. Helen More (in religion called De. Gertrude), of ye age of 17. great grandchild to Sr. Thomas More.

BorniMarch 25, 1606, at Low Leyton, Essex, an estate belonging to her father, Cresacre More, Esq., of Barnborough Hall, co. York ; professed Jan. 1, 1625 ; died Aug. 17, 1633, aged 27.

After her death, her spiritual writings were collected and arranged by Father Baker for publication, but they did not actually appear till long after his decease. One portion arranged by him was issued at Paris in 1657 under the title of " The Holy Practices of a Divine Lover, or The Sainctly Ideofs Devotions? with Dedication to Dame Catherine Gascoigne,Abbess of Cambrai, unsigned. This work has lately been re-edited by Dom Hildebrand Lane Fox, O.S.B. The other and far more important portion of the collection was printed at Paris in the following year 1658 with a dedication to Rd. Mother Bridget More, then Prioress of the Paris House, signed F. G. (Rev. Francis Gascoigne, brother to Dame Catherine). The work is entitled " Confessiones Amantis, or A Lover's Confessions and Ideofs Devotions? In the beginning of the same book is given her " Apology for herself and her Spiritual Guide and Directory Very Rev. Father Baker." The book concludes with a series of fragments of devout aspirations and reflections, as also a few prayers in verse found amongst her papers after death. The work has been re-edited lately by Rev. Dom E. Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B. Her Life was written by Father Baker, entitled " The Life and Death of D. Gertrude More, a Religious Virgin of the English Cloister of Benedictin Nunnes in the Cittie of Camdraie. Dom E. Benedict Weld-Blundell, O.S.B., has lately edited this manuscript at the special request of the Lady Abbess of Stanbrook, who entrusted to his hands not only the valuable MS. of Part I., bearing the stamp of Lambspring, which had for a long period been carefully preserved in the Stanbrook library, but also Part II., until then thought to be lost, but which had just been identified amongst other manuscripts at Ampleforth Abbey, and had kindly been lent to Stanbrook by the Abbot for the purpose of thus publishing, by the fusion of these two distinct manuscripts, the first complete edition of Father Baker's original work. This was in 1907, Dom E. B. Weld-Blundell's volume appeared in 1910.

Do.

Mrs. Margarette Vaversour, (in religion Dame Lucy), daughter of Sir William Vaversour of Haselwood, in Yorkshire, Barenet. She was 1 7 years of age.

B. 1606, at Haslewood Castle, co. York, d. of William Vavasour, Esq., by Anne, d. of Sir Thomas Manners, 4th s. of Thomas, 1st Earl of Rutland. It was her brother, Sir Thomas Vavasour, Knt., who was created a baronet in 1628, and died in his father's lifetime in 1632. Her father died in 1637, aged 70. She was professed Jan. 1, 1625, and died Aug. 25, 1679, aged 73. Her eldest sister, Mary, was twenty-five years abbess of the convent at Brussels, and died in office in 1676, aged 76.

Do.

Mrs. Anne Morgan (in religion D. Benet) of Weston in War- wickshire ; aged of 19.

B. 1604, at Weston-sub-Weathley, co. Warwick ; prof. Jan. I, 1625 ; d. April 18, 1640. Her brother, Col. Thomas Morgan, of Heyford Hall, co. Northampton, and of Weston, co. Warwick, raised a regiment of horse for the King's service, and was slain at the first battle of Newbury, Sept. 20, 1643. His daughter Jane, his sole heiress, married in 1637 Sir John Preston, of The Manor, Furness, co. Lancaster, 1st Bart.

4© RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

Do.

Mrs. Catherine Gascoigne, aged of 22, daughter to Sr. John Gascoigne of Barnbow, in Yorkshire, Baronet.

B. 1600, d. of Sir John Gascoigne, of Parlington Hall, Lasingcroft Hall, and Barnbow Hall, co. York, created a baronet of Nova Scotia in 1635, by Anne, d. of John Ingleby, of Lawkland Hall, co. York, Esq. Prof. Jan. 1, 1625; elected abbess 1629, re-elected till 1641, and again 1645 till 1673; died May 21, 1676, aged 76. Her sister Anne married George Thwenge, of Heworth Hall and Hilton Castle, co. York, Esq., and was mother of the priest, Thomas Thwenge, who was martyred at York, Oct. 23, 1680.

Do.

Mrs. Grace More (in religion D. Agnes) aged of 32.

B. I59i;d. of John More, of Bampton, co. Oxon, by Mary, d. of Thomas More, of More Place, Herts, and Barnborough Hall, co. York, grandson of the lord-chancellor. Prof. Jan. 1, 1625 ; died Mch. 4, 1655-6, aged 64. She translated " A Treatise of the Ruin of Proper Love, and of the Building of Divine Love," written in French by Dame Jeanne de Cambrai, O.S.A., of which an imperfect transcript by Dame Susanna Phillips is now in the public library at Lille.

Do.

Mrs. Anne More, aged of 24. Both these Mores were nighly related to Mrs. Helen More, and descended from Sr. Thomas More by younger Brs. of yt. family.

B. 1600, d. of Edward More, of Barnborough ; prof. Jan. 1, 1625 ; died Nov. 9, 1662, aged 62. She was cousin to Dame Agnes More.

Do.

Mrs. Francis Watson (in religion D. Mary) aged of 15 ; she was daughter to Mr. Richard Watson in Bedfordshire.

B. 1608, eldest d. of Richard Watson, of the Park, Ampthill, co. Bedford, Esq., by Agnes, d. of John Whitbread, of Writtle, co. Essex, Esq., and sister of John Whitbread, of Writtle, whose wife, Magdalen, daughter of Nicholas Waldegrave, of Borley, co. Essex, was the sister of Frances, Countess of Portland. Richard Watson's estate, Beckerings Park, or the Park, parcel of the Honor and Manor of Ampthill, was sequestered for recusancy in 1644, and it was there Fr. Augustine Baker found a refuge in his last days. Frances Watson was professed Jan. 1, 1625, and died June 10, 1660.

1623 Dec. 2.

Mrs. Mary Hoskins aged of 20 for a lay Sr.

B. 1603 ; prof. Jan. 1, 1625 ; died March 4, 1667, aged 64. " Dorothie Hoskins, her book, 1630," appears in a MS. formerly belonging to the convent at Cambrai.

1623 Dec. 2.

Mrs. Jane Martin (in religion Sr. Martha) aged of 35 for a lay Sr.

B. 1588 ; prof. Jan. 1, 1625 ; died April 1, 1631, aged 43.

June, 10. In ye Year 1624.

Entred Mrs. Margarette Yaxley, aged of 31, (in religion D. Placida).

Cath. Rec. Soc. XIII.

To face p. 40.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 41

Daughter of Henry Yaxley, of Yaxley co. Suffolk, Esq. ; died Nov. 25, 1666. Her sister, Dame Mary Viviana Yaxley, born 1603, prof, at Brussels May 9, 1 62 1, was one of the three nuns lent by that convent to initiate the community at Cambrai ; returned to Brussels in 1650, and died there Feb. 18, 1654. Another sister, Ursula Yaxley, made her profession in the convent of Poor Clares, at Gravelines, in 1619. ,

id. 16.

Entred Mrs. Anne Timperly (in religion D. Scholastica,) aged of 19, she was daughter to Sr. Thomas Timperly in Suffolk.

Born at Hintlesham Hall, co. Suffolk ; prof. 1625 ; died June 13, 1640, aged 34.

id. 16.

Entred Mrs. Rebecca Browne for a lay sister, a gentlewoman, of a good family, aged 20, (called in religion Str. Flavia) of Durham.

Died Feb. 2, 1665.

January ye 10. In ye Year 1625.

Entred ye Honble. Anne Eure (in religion D. Magdalene) aged of 15, daughter to ye Right honble. Baron Eure of Malton in York- shire.

Born 16 10, at Malton, 5th dau. of William, 4th Lord Eure of Wilton, co. Durham, K.B., and Bart., by Lucy, dau. of Sir Andrew Noel, Knt., of Dalby-on-the-Wold, co. Leicester. Died Nov. 9, 1662, aged 52.

Item.

Same day and year. — Entred ye honble. Catherine Eure, sister to Mrs. Anne, and with Mrs. Elizabeth Bignall these two last went away. [Mrs.] Stratford, aged of 15.

The Hon. Katherine Eure was the 6th and youngest dau. of Lord Eure. 9ber. ye 2d.

Came Misses Betty and Jane Howard, aged of 14 & 11, daughters to Mr. Howard of Corbie.

Elizabeth and Jane Howard were daughters of Sir Francis Howard, Knt, of Corby Castle, co. Cumberland, by his first wife Margaret, dau. of John Preston, of the Manor in Furness, co. Lancaster, Esq. Sir Francis was a younger son of Lord William Howard, of Naworth Castle, co. Cum- berland, known as ' Belted Will.' Elizabeth Howard subsequently married, Nov. 11, 1632, Edward Standish, of Standish Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., and by her marriage contract, dated June 18, 1632, she had a fortune of ,£1500. Her sister Jane is not named in the pedigree. Their brother Col. Thomas Howard was slain at Atherton Moor, co. York, June 28, 1643, in the royal cause.

June 21.

Enter'd Anthoes Latchmore (in religion D. Mildred,) aged of 29, of an honest family, her parents were wealthy.

Born 1595 ; prof. 1627 ; died April 18, 1663. The correct spelling was Lechmere.

Augt. ye 10.

Enter'd Mrs. Jane Cooke, (in religion D. Clare,) aged of 14, shee was borne in Cambridge.

Born 161 1 ; prof. 1627 ; died Sept. 21, 1685.

42 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

Septr. 22.

Entre'd Anne Frere aged of 1 3 (in religion called D. Mechtild).

Born 1612 ; prof. 1628; died Jan. 26, 1676. She was probably a sister or near relative of Dom Joseph Frere, O.S.B., a member of the ancient family of that name seated in Essex, who died in 1694, aged 96.

June ye 18. In ye Year 1626.

Entre'd Mrs. Mary Hunt, aged of 34 : shee went away. August 22.

Entered Mrs. Catherine Vavasour, aged of 16, sister to D. Lucy before named.

Born 1610 at Haslewood Castle, co. York ; prof, under her own name 1628 ; died Aug. 18, 1676.

August 29.

Entre'd Mrs. Margaret Hadock aged of 25 : shee went away.

Daughter of Cuthbert Haydock, and sister of Robert Haydock, of Cottam Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq.

December 23.

Entre'd Mrs. Margarette Cotton, aged of 19 of Bedhampton in Hampshire (in religion called D. Winifride).

Born 1607; daughter of Richard Cotton, of Warblington and Bedhamp- ton, co. Southampton, Esq. ; prof. 1628 ; died Nov. 5, 1662.

May ye first. In ye Year 1628.

Entre'd Mrs. Jane Cellar, aged of 25 for a lay Sr : she was borne in Wales.

Born in the parish of Acoppen, co. Mon., 1603 ; prof. March 20, 1631; died April II, 1683.

May ye 10.

Entre'd Mrs. Catherine Brent, (in religion D. Christina) & her sister Mrs. Elizabeth Brent of Sloake in Oxfordshire, aged ye first of 27, ye second of 21.

Catherine, born 1601 ; prof. Augt. 15, 1629 ; abbess 1641-5 and 1677-81 ; died Sept. 14, 1681. Elizabeth, born in Gloucestershire 1607 ; prof. Aug. 15, 1629 ; sent to found the convent at Paris in 1652, and died there April 1, 1660. They were daughters of William Brent, of Larkstoke, co. Gloucester, Esq., of an ancient family which also had a seat at Banbury, co. Oxford.

Septr. ye 5.

Entre'd Mrs. Francis Browne (in religion D. Ebba) daughter to Sr. Peter Browne of Kiddington in Oxfordshire, Baronet — aged of 19.

Born 1609, prof. 1629, died Sept. 22, 1631, aged 22. Her father, Sir Peter Browne, Knt., married Margaret, dau. of Sir Henry Knollys, Knt., and died at Northampton of wounds received at the battle of Naseby. His eldest son Henry was created a baronet by Charles II., July 1, 1659.

Ye same day & year.

Entred Mrs. Elinor Timperly, (in religion Str. Teresa) aged of 22, sister to ye before mentioned De. Scholastica.

Born 1606 ; prof. 1630 ; died March 23, 1671.

\€ Jjemi/iC //a fly'.

C hrtfii Jimen.

+ labi/ifalfw p&t Co/ntrrsio/uut filar um. flUa- rum *£> oCtfieiih'am. &r**i !>** Hf SantUt

£§,'uS Secun/ttm 'T^gQiJam SatiiHJtmi tya/ris % r,cX\*ft\ £i tyerpifuuM. yndusiojiem (Jn.

From the original formula of vows in the handwriting of Dame Bridget More, O.S.B.

To face p. 43.

Cath. Rec. Soc. XIII.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 43

December.

Entred Mrs. Margaretta Gascoigne, aged of 22, sister to De. Catherine Gascoigne before mentioned.

Born April 22, 1608, at Barnbow Hall, prof. 1629, died Aug. 16, 1637, aged 29. Her "Life" was written by Fr. Augustine Baker, and the MS., thought to be lost, has lately been found at Downside Abbey.

June 28. 1629.

Entred Mrs. Brigitt More aged of 19, sister to ye fore- mentioned De. Gertrude More.

Born in Herts, 1609; prof. Sept. 24, 1630 ; sent with the colony of nuns to found a new convent at Paris, and elected first prioress on Feb. 20, 1652, in which office she remained till 1665 ; died there Oct. 12, 1692, aged 82.

Ye same day & year.

Entred Mrs. Mary Percy (of ye noble family of ye last Earl of Northumberland) aged of 33 for a lay sister. She was called in religion Sister Hilda.

Born 1596; prof. 1631 ; died Feb. 6, 1670. It is probable that she was of the family of Percy of Beverley, co. York, and a near relative of Thomas Percy, one of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators, grandson of Joselyn Percy, 4th son of Henry, Earl of Northumberland. A namesake, Mary Percy, daughter of Francis Percy, of Scotton, co. York, and his wife Frances, dau. of Ralph Vavasour, a younger son of the Haslewood family, was professed at Ghent, Aug. 12, 1626.

It does not follow from a nun's profession as a lay-sister that she was relegated to the menial work of the convent, and estranged from the choir nuns. Dowers were required by ecclesiastical authority to safeguard common life and common property. There is evidence of ladies not having the required dower being taken as lay-sisters.

February ye first. In ye year 1630.

Entred Mrs. Hellen Kenion aged of 26 for a lay sister; her parents were good sufficient people in Lancashire, and her sister Margaret also a lay Sister.

Helen Kenyon was born 1604 ; prof. 1632 ; died Nov. 10, 1657. Margaret was prof. 1632 ; died May 14, 1645.

April 27. In ye year 1631.

Entred Mrs. Mary Boult (in religion called Sr. Bennet) a gentle- woman of a good family, aged 25 for a lay Sr.

Born 1606, of a Devonshire family, and probably a near relative of the Rev. John Bolt, the chaplain and organist at the English Augustinian convent at Louvain ; prof. 1633 5 died Oct. 10, 1659.

June 13. In ye year 1633.

Entred Mrs. Elinor Brent, aged of 22 (in religion called D. Ellin) sister to D. Christina & D. Elizabeth Brent before mentioned.

Born 161 1 ; prof. 1635 5 died May 5, 1688. ^

August, ye 3d.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Vaughan, aged of 21, shee went away.

44 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

Aug. 13.

Entred Mrs. Joane Risdon aged of 24 (in religion called D. Gertrude) of a good family in Devonshire.

Born 1608, 3rd dau. of Giles Risdon, of Babeley in Parkham, co. Devon, Esq., by Elizabeth, dau. and coh. of William Viell, of Trevorder, co. Corn- wall, Esq., and his wife Jane, dau. of Sir John Arundell, of Trerice, in that county ; prof. 1635 ; died Jan. 26, 1675. She was sister to Dom Thomas Cuthbert Risdon, O.S.B.

Aug. ye 3rd. [1634]

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Smith, aged of 18 (in religion Barbara). She was natural daughter to a person of quality in England.

Born 1616 ; clothed 1634 ; prof, on her death-bed, and died Feb. 24, 1635.

June 23. In ye year 1638.

Entred Anne Taverne for a lay Sister, aged of 35 : She was borne of honest parents in ye citty of Cambray.

Born 1603 ; prof. 1640 ; died Jan. 5, 1661. August 31.

Entred ye Honble. Mrs. Lucy Cary aged of 19 (in religion called De. Magdalena) and her Sister Mrs. Mary Cary aged of 17, daughters to ye Right Honble. Harry Cary, Viscount of Faukland, some time Vice Roy of Ireland.

Lucy, born 1619; prof. 1640; died Nov. I, 1650. Mary, born 1621; prof. 1640 ; died Sept. 22, 1693. They were sisters to Anne dementia and Elizabeth Augustina Cary. Dame Mary of St. Winefride Cary went with her sister Anne Clementia to found the convent at Paris in Nov. 1651, but returned to Cambrai in 1652.

Aug. 31.

Likewise entred Mrs. Barbara Constable, aged of 21, daughter to Sir Philip Constable of Evringham in Yorkshire, Baronet.

Born 1617 ; prof. 1640; died Jan. 26, 1684. Her father was created a baronet by Charles I., July 20, 1642, and was a severe sufferer in the royal cause. Her mother was Anne, dau. of Sir William Roper, Knt., of Eltham and St. Dunstan's, co. Kent. Two of Dame Barbara's brothers, Philip and Thomas, were Benedictines. Two of her works have been referred to elsewhere. Another is preserved at Stanbrook entitled " Gemitus Pecatorum, or the Complaints of Sinners" dated at end Dec. 31, 1649, of which a tran- script is at Bergholt. At p. 2 she states that she was nineteen when she entered at Cambrai, which does not necessarily contradict the entry in the text, as it may include the date of her first crossing over to the Continent. She also says that her mother took her up into her arms when a new born infant, and dedicated her wholly to the B.V. Mary.

Aug. 31.

Also entred Mrs. Catherine Gascoigne (in religion called D. Justina) aged of 15, daughter to Sr. Thomas Gascoigne of Barnbow in Yorkshire Baronet, & neece to D. Catherine Gascoigne afore mentioned.

Born March I, 1623, at Barnbow Hall ; habit, Jan. 25, 1639 ; prof. April 15, 1640 ; sent to Paris to join the new convent Feb. 6, 1652 ; prioress

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-I793 45

there 1665-90, and died there May 17, 1690. Her father was the 2nd baronet ; and her mother was Anne, dau. of John Symeon, of Baldwins Brightwell, co. Oxon, and sister of Sir George Symeon, Knt.

Aug. 31.

Also entred Mrs. Mary Tempest aged of i6, (in religion De. Euphrasia) daughter to Mr. Tempest of Broughton in Yorkshire.

Born 1622, dau. of Sir Stephen Tempest, of Broughton Hall, Knt, by his second wife Catherine, dau. of Henry Lawson, of Neesome, co. Durham, Esq.; died Feb. 14, 1689.

Aug. 31.

Also ye same day entred with ye 5 precedent Mrs. Francis Lucy aged of 16.

Born 1621; prof. 1640; died Jan 25, 1641.

October, 27.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Cary (in religion called De. Augustina) aged of 21, daughter to Viscount Faukland & sister to Mrs. Lucy & Mrs. Mary.

Born 1617 ; prof. 1640; died Nov. 17, 1682; younger sister to Anne Clementia.

Oct. 29.

Likewisee entred ye honble. Mrs. Mary & Mrs. Francis Stourton aged ye first of 14, ye other of 12 for pensionnars : they were daughters to ye honble. Baron Stourton of Stourton ; they both went away.

Daughters of William, 10th Baron Stourton, by Frances, dau. of Sir Edward Moor, of Odyham, co. Southampton. Frances was buried at Stourton, co. Wilts, Aug. 5, 1646, and Mary, Sept. 27, 1672. Lord Stourton died in Aug., 1685.

March ye 8. In ye year 1639.

Entred Mrs. Anne Cary aged of 24 (in religion called D. Clementia) daughter to ye Ld. Viscount Faukland & sister to Mrs. Lucy, Mrs. Elizabeth, & Mrs. Mary Cary.

Born 161 5, eldest dau. of Sir Henry Cary, K.B., elevated to the peerage of Scotland, Nov. 10, 1620, as Viscount Falkland, and his wife Elizabeth, only dau. and heiress of Sir Laurence Tanfield, chief-baron of the Exchequer; habit April 3, 1639 ; prof. 1640 ; sent with her sister Mary, and a lay sister, Ann Scholastica Hodson, to establish a filiation of the convent at Paris in Nov., 165 1 ; was assisted by Queen Henrietta Maria, to whom she had been maid of honour at the court in England, and others, and in Feb., 1652, was joined by more sisters from Cambrai, but through humility would not take upon herself any office of superiority, and in consequence Dame Bridget More was elected the first prioress of the new convent, Feb. 20, 1652 ; died at Paris April 26, 1671. A long memoir of her appears in Cath. Rec. Soc. ix. 339-46.

She wrote the life of her mother, which was revised with notes by her brother, the Hon. Patrick Cary, and remained in MS. at Cambrai till the Revolution of 1793, when it was removed with the valuable library of the abbey to the Archives of the Department of the North in Lille. It was eventually published by Richard Simpson, Esq., under the title of "The

4^ RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

Lady Falkland : her Life, from a MS. in the Imperial Archives at Lille," London, 1861, 8vo.

I) N "

On ye same day— Entred Mrs. Isabella Gurney (in religion called S. Teresa) aged of 24 for a lay Sister.

Born 161 5 ; prof. 1641 ; died Jan. 22, 1678. March 23.

Entred Mrs. Issett Mullens aged of 23 for a lay Sister (in religion called Sr. Angela.)

Born 1616 ; prof. 1640; died Dec. 6, 1641. She was probably connected with the ancient Catholic family of Molyns of Mungewell Manor, co. Oxford, of whom several were nuns at the English Augustinian convent at Pans, and one, Francis, was chaplain there.

September 2.

Entred Mrs. Mary Hoghton (in religion called De. Eugenia) aged of 18, daughter to Mrs. Hoghton of Park Hall in Lancashire & neece to D. Catherine Gascoigne.

Born 1621, at Park Hall in Charnock Richard ; second dau. of Lieut.-Col. William Hoghton, who was slain at the first battle of Newbury, Sept. 20, 1643, by Mary, dau. of Sir John Gascoigne, of Barnbow, co. York ; prof. 1 64 1 ; died March 12, 170 1.

September 2.

Ye same day also entred Mrs. Anne Hodson, for a lay sister, aged of 18 of honest parents of ye parish of Leland in Lancashire (in religion called Sr. Scholastica.)

Born 1 62 1 ; prof. Feb. 24, 1642 ; accompanied Dame Clementia Cary and her younger sister Dame Mary to establish a filiation convent in Paris in Nov., 1 65 1, and died there May 31, 1690.

April ye 17. In ye year 1640.

Entred Mrs. Catherine Sheldon daughter to Mr. Sheldon of Beoly in Warwickshire, aged of 22.

Born 1617; dau. of William Sheldon, of Beoley, co . Worcester, and Weston, co. Warwick, Esq., by Elizabeth, dau. of William, 2nd Lord Petre ; prof. 1642 ; died April 18, 1650. Her parents were married in April, 1612. Her eldest brother Ralph was the famous antiquary, and through his muni- ficence was known as the Great Sheldon. Another brother, Edward, was a Benedictine.

October 28. In ye year 1642.

Entred Mrs. Mary Lusher, aged of 18, for a lay sister (in religion called Sr. Francis.) Her father being of a younger family was an apothicary in London; her mother by younger Brs. was descended from Sr. Thomas More.

Born 1624; prof. 1644; died July 28, 1687. Henry Lusher of London, apothecary, signed his short pedigree at the Visitation 1634. He claimed descent from the Surrey Lushers, through his father, Richard Lusher of North Elmham, Norfolk, his mother being Anne, daughter of Thomas Whale [? Whall] of Norwich. He returned his six children, by Frances, daughter of Edward More of Haddon, Oxon, as— (1) Thomas; (2) Edward; Mary; Elizabeth ; Anne ; and Bridget. {Harl. Soc. xvii. 71.)

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 47

June ye 16. In ye year 1644.

Entred Mrs. Mary Appleton aged of 20 (in religion called D. Marina) daughter to Sir Harry Appleton Bart, in Essex.

Born 1624, dau. of Sir Henry Appleton, 2nd Bart., of South Bemfleet, co. Essex, by Joan, dau. of Edward Sheldon, of Beoley, and consequently first cousin to Dame Catherine Sheldon ; prof. 1646 ; went to the new convent in Paris in Feb., 1652, but returned with Dame Mary Cary to the mother-house at Cambrai ; elected abbess 1681, and died in office Jan. 29, 1694. Her brother Laurence was prior at Lambspring.

March 10. In ye year 1646.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Roper aged of 14 (in religion called D. Benedicta) daughter to Mr. Roper of Tenham of ye Ld. Tenhams family but of a younger house.

Born 1 63 1, dau. of Anthony Roper, of Eltham, co. Kent, and fourth cousin to Christopher Roper, 4th Baron Teynham ; took the habit in 1647 ; prof, on her death-bed, and died March 6, 1648.

August 24.

Entred Mrs. Cecilia Hall, aged of 19, & her sister Mrs. Catherine Hall aged of 12, daughters to Mr. Hall of High Meadow in Gloucester- shire. Mrs Catherine was called in religion sometimes D. Maura sometimes D. Catherine.

Cecily, born May 22, 1625, third dau. of Benedict Hall, of High Meadow, co. Gloucester, Esq., by Anne, dau. of Sir Edward Wintour, of Lydney, co. Gloucester, Knt, and his wife Anne Somerset, dau. of Edward, 4th Earl of Worcester ; prof. 1648 ; died March 13, 165 1. Catherine was born about 1634; prof. 165 1 ; abbess 1673-7; died March 17, 1692.

In ye year 1647. Came Mrs. Elizabeth Gertrude Hodson aged of 21.

Born in the parish of Leyland, Lancashire, in 1626, and younger sister of Sister Anne Scholastica Hodson ; prof, as a lay-sister March 1, 1650 ; followed her sister to Paris in Feb. to assist in the foundation of that convent, died there Oct. 7, 1652, and, as the community had then no burial- place of their own, was interred at Port Royal.

May ye 3rd. In ye year 1648.

Entred Mrs. Mary Roper, aged of 14 : she went away. Born 1634, sister to Elizabeth Benedicta, the novice.

July ye 4th.

Entred Mrs. Anne Middleton (in religion D. Benedicta) aged of 17, daughter of Sr. Peter Middleton of Stockhold in Yorkshire.

Born 1 63 1 ; prof. 1650 ; died Aug. 5, 1688.

July ye 4th.

Entred likewise Mrs. Mary Stapleton (in religion D. Etheldred) aged of 23, daughter to Mr. Stapleton of Carleton in Yorkshire, neece to Mrs. Catherine Gascoigne.

Born at Quosque Hall, 1624, dau. of Gilbert Stapleton, subsequently of Carlton, Esq., by his 2nd wife Ellinor, dau. of Sir John Gascoigne, Bart.; prof. 1650 ; died Aug. 6, 1668 {vide Waugh, Downside I\ev., July, 1909).

48 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

August ye 5th. In ye year 1649.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Lusher aged of 20 for a lay Sister; shee was sister to Sister Francis.

Born 1629; prof. 1651 ; died May 7, 1684. See under 1642.

March 24. In ye year 1651.

Entred Mrs. Brigett Lusher aged of 18, for a lay sister ; she was sister to ye afore mentioned Sr. Francis and Sr. Elizabeth.

Born 1633; prof. 1653; died March 12, 1690.

July ye 5th. In ye year 1652.

Entred Mrs. Margaret Smith, aged of 16; she was sister to ye now Bishop Smith.

Born 1636, daughter of Bartholomew Smith, of The Sohe, Winchester, Esq., and sister of Bishop James Smith, V.A.-N.D. ; prof. ; died Augt. 14, 1680. Her father was high-sheriff of Hants in 1654.

September 18.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Shafto aged of 20, daughter to Mr. Shafto of . . . (in religion called D. Gertrude).

Born 1632, sister to Dom Placid Shafto and Dom Celestine Shafto, O.S.B., and daughter of Edward Shafto, of Bavington Hall, co. Northumber- land, Esq., by Margaret, dau. of Edward Errington, of The Grange, co. Northumberland, Esq. ; prof. 1653 ; died Augt. 8, 1654.

June ye 7th. In ye year 1653.

Entred Mrs. Clare Radcliffe, (in religion called D. Brigitt) aged of 22 & her sister Mrs. Ursula Radcliffe aged of 20, daughter of Sr. Edward Radcliffe of Diulston in Northumberland, Baronet ; sisters to ye first Earl of Derwentwater.

Glare, born 1631 ; prof. 1655 ; died Augt. 11, 1681. Ursula, born 1633 ; prof. 1655 ; died Oct. 30, 1689. They had four aunts, daughters of Sir Francis Radcliffe, of Dilston Castle, 1st. Bart., who were Poor Clares at Gravelines, and two nieces Augustinian nuns at Louvain.

7bre. ye 5th.

Entred Mrs. Dorothy Fleetwood aged of 27; she is gone away.

She was the youngest daughter of Sir Richard Fleetwood, of Calwich Hall, co. Stafford, 1st Bart., by Anne, dau. of Sir John Peshall, of Horsley, co. Stafford, 1st Bart. She became the second wife of Thomas Barnfleld, of Wolverhampton and Dunston, by whom she had a son James Barnfleld, aged four in 1663.

June 20. Year 1654.

Entred Mrs. Francis Timperly aged of 19 : she went away.

Daughter of Michael Timperley, of Hintlesham, co. Suffolk, Esq., and his wife Frances, dau. of Sir Henry Bedingfeld, of Oxburgh, co. Norfolk, Knt., was taken by her brother Dom Henry Gregory Timperley, O.S.B., to the convent of the Blue Nuns at Paris in Sept., 1660. There she took the habit, and died Nov. 19, 1661, aged 26. Vide C.R.S.^ viii.

July 20.

Entred Mrs. Joane Trevelyan aged of 31, (in religion called Sr.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 49

Catherine) for a lay Sister, daughter to Mr. Trevelyan of a very ancient family in Cornwall and a gentleman.

Born 1623, apparently dau. of John Trevelyan, of Basill, co. Cornwall, Esq., and his wife Mary, dau. and coheiress of George Arundell {vide C.R.S. viii.) ; prof. 1656, died July 3, 1682.

In ye year 1655.

Entred (July 5th.) Mary Barbara Breton, aged of 19, borne in ye citty of Cambray of good honest parents, for a lay-sister.

Born 1636 ; prof. ; died Sept. 28, 1689. October ye first.

Entred Mrs. Francis Gascoigne, aged of 18, Sister to D. Justina before mentioned.

Born Oct. 31, 1637, dau. of Sir Thomas Gascoigne, of Barnbow Hall, co. York, 2nd. Bart., and sister of Dame Catherine Justina de S. Maria Gas- coigne who left this convent to assist in the foundation of that at Paris in 1652 ; prof. 1657 ; died Sept. 21, 1708.

November ye 8th. In ye year 1660.

Came Mrs. Dorothy Fen wick, aged of 30 (called in religion Sr. Alexia) for a lay sister ; she was a gentlewoman borne of a good family in Northumberland.

Born 1630 ; daughter of Roger Fen wick, of Shortflat and By well, co. Northumberland, Esq. (3rd son of Sir William Fenwick, of Wallington), by Margaret, dau. of Sir William Blakiston, of Gibside. Her father was married Feb. 26, 1626-7, ar*d died Feb. 23, 1635-6. Her nephew Sir Robert Fenwick was knighted at Windsor May 17, 1683, and died in 1691, when his children were brought up protestants. Sir Robert had two brothers Bene- dictines, Dom Wm. Austin Fenwick and Dom Ludovick Laurence Fenwick, and two sisters, Thomasine and Mary, Augustinians, another sister, Dorothy, becoming the wife of Charles Tumour, eldest son of Sir Charles Tumour, godson of Charles II. Sister Alexia died June 29, 1689.

same day.

Entred Mrs. Mary Errington, aged of 18, (in religion called D. Agnes.) Also her sister Mrs. Margaret : she went away.— & Mrs. Dorothy Cook who dyed a postulant.

Mary Errington, born 1642, was dau. of Nicolas Errington, of Ponteland, co. Northumberland, Esq., by his first wife Margaret, second dau. of Roger Widdrington, of Cartington, co. Northumberland, Esq. ; prof. 1662 ; died June 4, 1662. Her sister Margaret was still unmarried at the time of the Visitation of Northumberland in 1666.

December ye 19. In ye year 1666.

Came Mrs. Anne Gill aged of 26 and Mrs. Elizabeth Shelton, for a pensionar at 1 1 years old : ye latter went away.

Anne Gill, born 1640 ; prof. 1668 ; died Feb. 1, 1692.

February ye 15. In ye year 1667.

Came Mrs. Elizabeth Legg (in religion D. Mary,) aged of 23, daughter to lott Legg & neere relation to ye Lord Dartmouth; she was borne in Ireland.

XIII. D

50 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

Born 1643; prof. 1669; died June 22, 1691. The reference to Lord Dartmouth shows that the entry must have been made at a much later period than is professed, for George Legge, governor of Portsmouth, was only elevated to the peerage in Dec, 1682. In 1687 he was appointed admiral of the fleet sent to intercept the Prince of Orange ; and after the Revolution he was sent to the Tower, where he died Oct. 25, 1691.

November ye 19th. In ye year 1669.

Honorable Lady Barbara Cambell (in religion D. Melchiora) enter'd this Monastery aged of 46 ; she had been professed & lived at ye English Benedictines at Bruxelles about 27 years, she stayed here just seven years & then returned back to ye house of her profession where she died a few years after. She was daughter to ye Earl of Argyle in Scotland, was a woman of a good capacity ; but having a scruple to have left ye house of her profession she decided to go back, & was presently condescended to, tho' she had not been so easily admitted of for she had importun'd ye Superiors of our Congregation almost 12 years together to come hither before they would admit of her ; being for several reasons unwilling to take a person profess'd of another house & under a different Government. Ye day after she came into ye house she came into ye quire where all ye religious of our Convent were present with lighted candells, the Veni Creator sung, Rd. F. Confessor brought ye Bd. Sacrament to ye quire door where before it she renewed her vows promising obedience to ye Congre- gation. Ye paper was write, sealed & signed by her, & kept in our depositum till ye day before she went away, when by order of our Rd. F. President ye dames of ye Councill being assembled at ye parloir our Rd. F. Confessor & Mr. Edward Thimbleby, Prevost of St. Geries, in ye towne, being at ye grate for witnesses; ye paper was brought thither & read to her & she was asked by Mr. Thimbleby if she desired to have it cancelPd: she answered yes & having given her reasons for her desire to return, ye paper was presently tore & burnt with a candle there ready for yt end, & shee declared to be at liberty. Consequently departed ye next morning.

Dame Barbara Melchiora Campbell, born 1624, youngest daughter of Archibald Campbell, 7th earl of Argyll, by his first wife, the Lady Anne Douglas, dau. of William, 7th earl of Morton, at the age of three years was entrusted to the care of Lady Mary Percy, abbess of the English Bene- dictines at Brussels, and was placed in the convent school June 8, 1628. Thence after fourteen years she passed to the novitiate, received the habit Dec. 28, 1642, under the religious name of Melchiora, and was professed Jan. 6, 1644. She had two sisters nuns, one in the convent of Berlaymont, contiguous to the English convent at Brussels, and the other professed in the convent of La Cambre. As early as 1657 she petitioned to be admitted into the abbey at Cambrai, but it was not until Nov. 19, 1669, that she was permitted to enter. Soon after her reception she desired to return to her old convent, but the Lady Abbess Vavasour would not have her back till she had remained at Cambrai at least seven years. After the expiration of this term, with the consent of Dame Catherine Maura Hall, the abbess of Cambrai, and with dimissorial letters dated Nov. 28, 1676, from the president- general of the English Benedictines, Dom Gregory Benedict Stapleton, she returned to Brussels, where she resided till her death in 1688.

The Rev. Edward Thimbleby, provost of the cathedral of St. Gery in

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 5 1

Cambrai, was a younger son of Richard Thimbleby, of Irnham Hall, co. Lincoln, Esq., and his wife Mary, dau. of Edward Brookesby, of Shoby, co. Lincoln, Esq., by Eleanor, dau. of William Vaux, 3rd Lord Vaux of Har- rowden, and died July 17, — (date uncertain, according to Dodd. Ch. Hist. iii. 479, about 1690).

May 21. In ye year 1670.

Came D. Mary Anna Ayvay, a novice from ye English Benedictines at Dunkerk, aged of 16, having taken ye habit there at 15. Her motive of removall from thence hither was ye desire she had to be in our Con- gregation & govern'd by ye order she profess'd. Shee came in ye Dun- kerk habit which was chainged for ours at ye quire dore with ye cere- monys of desiring her admittance, all ye religious present, ye litanies & Veni Creator sung.

Born 1654; prof. 1672; died April 20, 1713. She was a few years younger than the Franciscan, Fr. James Alban Ayray.

November ye 19.

Entred Mrs. Mary Conquest (in religion D. M. Benedict) aged of 1 1 years, daughter to Mr. Conquest in Bedfordshire.

Born 1659 ; prof. 1677; died Nov. 19, 1686. Daughter of John Thimbleby Conquest, of Houghton Conquest, co. Beds, Esq., by Eleanor, 5th dau. of Benedict Hall, of High Meadow, co. Gloucester, Esq., and consequently niece of Dames Cecily and Catherine Hall. Her sister Teresa was a Benedictine nun elsewhere.

December ye 15.

Entred Mrs. Cecilia Hussey, aged of 18, daughter to Mr. Hussey of Marnhull in Dorcetshire, with her little sister Mrs. Susanna aged of 10 & J. This latter went away.

Cecily, born 1652, was the only child of George Hussey, Esq., of Nash Court in Marnhull, who purchased that manor in 165 1, by his first wife Elizabeth, dau. of Charles Walcot, of Walcot Hall, co. Salop, Esq. ; prof. 1672 ; abbess 1705-10 ; died April 9, 1721. Her half-sister Susan was by her father's second wife, Grace, dau. of Sir Lewis Dives, of Bromham, co. Bedford.

January ye 18. In ye year 1671.

Entred Mrs. Anna Maria Thompson, aged of 15 : shee went away.

September ye 2 1 .

Entred Mrs. Dorothy Hoghton (in religion D. Scholastica) aged of 15, daughter to Mr. Hoghton of Park Hall in Lancashire, neece to D. Eugenia before mentioned.

Born 1656, eldest dau. of John Hoghton, of Park Hall in Charnock Richard, Esq., by his second wife Elizabeth, dau. and sole heiress of Edward Ditchfield, of Ditton Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq. ; prof. 1674 ; abbess 1694- 1701, and again 1710-13 ; died Aug. 2, 1726. Her brother William married Elizabeth, dau. and heiress of Robert Dalton, of Thurnham Hall, and his eldest son John assumed the name of Dalton about 17 10.

September ye 30.

Mrs. Susanna Phelypes aged of 23, daughter to Sr. James

52 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

Philips of Stoake Charity Baronet, & his lady Elizabeth Titchbourne ye ancient seate of ye Phelypes was Barrington in Somersetshire.

Born 1648, eldest dau. of Sir James Phelips, of Stoke Charity, co. South- ampton, 3rd. Bart., by Elizabeth, 3rd. dau. of Sir Richard Tichborne, of Tichborne Hall, co. Hants, Knt. and Bart., by Susanna, dau. and coheiress of William Waller, of Stoke Charity, Esq. ; prof. 1673 ; died Dec. 4, 1705.

Ye same day.

Entred with her, Mrs. Elizabeth, her sister, aged of 19, & Mrs. Mary Cox aged of 29, these two latter went away again.

Elizabeth Phelips, baptized at Stoke Charity Jan. 27, 165 1, became heir to her brother Sir James Phelips, 4th and last Bart., who joined James II. in Ireland in Jan., 1688-9, and died at Cork March 18, 1689-90 ; she married (settlement after marriage dated April 16, 1702) George Bolney, of Testwood, and subsequently of Winchester, co. Southampton, Esq., who died in 1736, and her will was dated June 20 of that year.

Mary Cox, dau. of Sir John Cox, of whom see under 1699.

Ye same day.

Entred Mrs. Anne Moore (in religion D. Magdalena,) aged of 13, daughter to Sr. Henry Moore of Fawley in Berkshire, Knight Baronet.

Born 1698, dau. of the 2nd baronet according to the above statement, but Burke, Extinct Baronetage, says she was grand-daughter, that is, dau. of Francis Moore (Sir Henry's eldest son, who died before his father, June 3, 1683), by Frances, dau. and sole heir of Alexander Jermyn, of Cordington, co. Sussex, Esq.; prof. 1675; cued Dec. 12, 17 19. Sir Henry died about 1690, and was succeeded by his grandson Sir Richard, and the baronetcy became extinct upon the death of the tatter's son Sir Thomas Michael Moore, 6th Bart., of Fawley, April 10, 1807, who was interred under a large marble slab in the chapel (now the refectory) of the convent at Stapehill, Dorset.

August 30. 1674.

Entred Mrs. Francis Pulleyn (in religion D. Placida,) aged of 21, daughter to Mr. Pulleyn in York. Her mother was Mrs. Elizabeth Saville by whose little nephew marrying ye Lord Thomas Howard, Placida comes to be allied to ye new Duke of Norfolk.

Born 1653, dau. of . . . Pulleyn, of . . . co. York, Esq., by Elizabeth, sister of Sir John Savile, of Copley, co. York, Bart. It was Mrs. Pulleyn's niece, Mary Elizabeth Savile, who married Lord Thomas Howard. Prof. 1677 ; left upon her mother's death in 1675, but returned in the following year, and was professed in Feb., 1677 ; died Jan. 16, 1720 {vide under 1676).

Ye same day.

Entred Mrs. Hall, Dowager of High Meadow in Gloucestershire, who had lived in this Monastery a retired life, having her priest Revd. F. Anselm Williams, a professed Monk of St. Malloes, when yt monastery had belonged to ye English Congregation, & three servants ; her daughter Rd. Mother Catherine Maura Hall was at yt time Abbess of yt convent. Shee died ye 20 of March in ye year & lys buried under a tombstone amongst our deceased religious, with ye Epitaph we shall hereafter write down. Her daughter M. Cath. Maura dying some years after lyes buried in ye same tomb.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 53

Anne, dau. of Sir Edward Wyntour, of Lydney, whose relationship with the earls of Worcester has been given under the notice of Dame Cicely Hall, was the widow of Benedict Hall, of High Meadow. She died March 20, 1676, aged 79. Her chaplain, Dom Anselm Williams, O.S.B., subsequently founded the mission at Bath, and died there in 1693.

April ye 30. In ye year 1676.

Entred Mrs. Mary Crookshank, Mrs. Betty Moone, & Mrs. Betty Ayray, ye two last for pensionnars, all three went away.

December ye 13.

Entred Mrs. Betty Farmour aged of 10 & a half, for a pensionnar : she went away.

Born 1665, <*au. of Richard Fermor, of Tusmore, co. Oxon., Esq., by Frances, dau. of Sir Basil Brooke, of Madeley Court, co. Salop, Knt., by Frances, dau. of Henry, 4th Lord Mordaunt. She married in 1687 Stephen Tempest, of Broughton Hall, co. York, Esq., and died Dec. 29, 1738, aged 73.

The same day.

Entred for a second time Mrs. Francis Placida Pulleyne who had performed more than a year noviceship ye first time she came, but was obliged upon her Mother's death to goe into England to settle her temporal business, & returning again was professed ye February following.

Vide under 1674.

Also Elizabeth Camplin for a lay-sister.

Prof, under her own name in 1678 ; died Nov. II, 1705.

June ye 2nd. In ye year 1677.

Entred Mrs. Joan Hoghton ; went away.

2nd dau. of John Hoghton, of Park Hall, and sister of Dame Dorothy Scholastica. She married Richard Walmesley, of Showley Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., and died Nov. 13, 1722.

July ye 17.

Entred Mrs. Catherine Swinburne & her sister Mrs. Anne ; all these three came for pensionnars & went away.

The two eldest of the 13 daurs. of Sir John Swinburne, of Capheaton, co. Northumb., 1st Bart., by Isabel, d. and h. of Henry Lawson, of Brough Hall, co. York, Esq. Cath. became a nun at Saumur. Anne became the wife of Nich. Thornton, of Nether Witton, co. Northumberland, Esq.

August.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Collingwood, aged of 18, & her mayde Anne Batmanson aged of 29, for a lay sister, ye first went away.

Elizabeth Collingwood, daughter of George Collingwood, of Eslington, co. Northumberland, Esq., by Agnes, dau. and coh. of John Fleming, of Rydal, co. Westmoreland, Esq., had uncles Thomas, a Jesuit, and Roger Anselm, a Benedictine, and two brothers Robert and Charles, Jesuits. Her eldest brother George was executed at Liverpool, Feb. 25, 17 16, for taking part in the Rising of 1715.

Anne Batmanson's brother William, if not her father likewise, lived on a farm at Ushaw, co. Durham, now the site of Ushaw College ; prof. 1680 ; died Feb. 1, 1701.

54 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

October 15. In ye year 1678.

Entred Mrs. Mary Errington & her Sister Mrs. Margaret for pensionnars & went away.

Daughters of Mark Errington, of Ponteland, co. Northumberland, Esq., by Anne, dau. of Gilbert Stapleton, of Carlton Hall, co. York, Esq., and sister and eventual heiress of Sir Miles Stapleton, 1st Bart.

June ye 13. In ye year 1681.

Entred Mrs. Catherine Kenet and her Sister Isabella, aged of 30, & 27, daughters to Mr. Kenet of Coxhoe in Bishoprick.

3rd and 4th daughters of John Kennett, of Coxhoe Hall, Esq., by Troth, dau. of Sir Thomas Tempest, of Stella Hall, co. Durham, Bart., son of Sir Nicolas Tempest, of Stella, 1st Bart., by Isabel, dau. of Robert Lambton, of Lambton Castle. Catherine, prof, under her own name, 1683; died May 5, 1700. Isabella, likewise prof, under her own name, 1683; died Feb. 21, 1733- Ye 29 of October.

Entred Mrs. Mary Dodd aged of 29, for a lay sister, & Mrs. Catherine Agatha Fazakerly, aged of 23 ; she had been 3 years a novice at ye Augtines. at Paris.

Mary Josepha Dodd, born 1652 ; prof.; died Dec. 8, 1715. Catherine (in religion Agatha) Fazakerley, born 1658, dau. of Nicholas Fazakerley, of Fazakerley Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., (by Winefrid, dau. of Edward Tarleton, of Aigburth Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq.), and grand-daughter of Capt. Nicholas Fazakerley, who was slain in the royal cause at Liverpool in Oct., 1643, was prof. 1683 ; died Sept. 20, 1726.

June ye 26. In the year 1682.

Entred Elizabeth Smith (in religion Sr. Martha), aged of 22 for a lay sister.

Prof.; died Sept. 7, 1737.

October ye 3d. In ye year 1683.

Entred Mrs. Dorothy Widrington aged of 17, daughter to cap- tain Edward Widdrington, a younger Br. to ye Lord Widdrington, & Mrs. Shaftoe, aged of 30. — Both went away.

Dorothy Widdrington's father Edward, second son of William 1st Lord Widdrington, of Widdrington Castle, Northumberland, who fell fighting in the royal cause at the battle of Wigan Lane, Augt. 25, 165 1, and died a day or two later, married Dorothy, elder dau. and coheir of Sir Thomas Horsley, of Horsley Castle, co. Northumberland, Knt., and was slain in the service of James II. at the battle of the Boyne, July 1, 1691. Miss Shaftoe was one of the five daughters of George Shaftoe, of Bavington, co. Northumberland, gent.

July ye 5th. In ye year 1684.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Hoghton, aged of 1 7 ; gone away.

3rd dau. of John Hoghton, Esq., and sister of Dorothy and Joan. July ye 20.

Entred Mrs. Mary Swinburne, aged of 20, daughter to Sr. John Swinburne, Baronet of Capheaton in Northumberland, & her sister

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 55

Mrs. Isabella aged of 19; this latter went about ye middle of her Noviceship into England to be cured of as it was thought ye Kenill & dyed there & was ye first Catholic buried in St. James' Chappell when our monks were chaplains to K. James ye 2nd. of Blessed memory. She was buried in our habit.

3rd and 4th twin-daurs. of Sir John. "Mary," an error for Margt., became abbess 1 701-5 and 1713 till death, Apr. 20, 1 741. Isabel, Sr. Gertrude, died April 1, temp. James II.

May ye 29. In ye year 1685.

Honorable Dorothy Widdrington aged of 19, (in religion called D. Agnes) daughter to ye Right Honorable Baron Widdrington, of Widdrington Castle, in Northumberland, peere of England, & ye Lady Charlotte Bertie, neece to ye Earl of Lindsay.

Born 1666, 3rd dau. of Sir William Widdrington, 2nd Lord Widdrington, by Elizabeth, dau. and heir of Sir Peregrine Bertie, Knt., of Eveden, co. Lincoln, younger son of Robert, first earl of Lindsey, who fell in the royal cause at the battle of Edgehill, Oct. 23, 1642 ; prof. 1687 ; died Feb. 18, 1733. Her parents were married at St. Paul's, Covent Garden, Jan. 2, 1653-4.

Ye same day.

Entred Mrs. Mary Williams, aged of at, daughter to Sir Thomas Williams Knight; shee died when shee was a postulant & is buried amongst our religious.

September ye 7. In ye year 1686.

Entred Mrs. Winifride Knightly, aged of 1 7 ; she fell sick as soon as shee came to ye house, & after six weeks in a malignant feaver shee died & is buried amongst our religious.

November ye 11.

Entred Mrs. Brigitt Meynell, aged of 14, (in religion called Mary Teresa) daughter to Mr. Meynell of Killvington in Yorkshire.

Born 1672, dau. of Roger Meynell, of North Kilvington Hall, Esq., by Mary, dau. of Sir John Middelton, of Thurntoft, second son of Sir Peter Middelton, of Stockeld, co. York ; prof. 1689 ; died July 4, 1697.

June ye 2d. In ye year 1688.

Entred Mrs. Margarette & Mrs. Monica Jenison, (in religion D. Augustina,) ye first aged of 18 went away, ye second aged of 15. They were daughters to Mr. Jenison of Wallworth in Bishoprick.

Daughters of John Jenison, of Walworth Castle, co. Durham, Esq., by his second wife, Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Pierson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Esq. Margaret was born July 4, 1670. Monica Augustina, baptized May 4, 1673 j prof. 1693 ; died April 5, 1747.

7bre 21.

Entred Mrs. Jane Crane aged of 17, went away.

Dau. of Francis Crane, of Woodrising, co. Norfolk, Esq., by the Hon. Mary Widdrington, dau. of William, 1st Lord Widdrington.

56 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

About 7bre. In ye year 1691.

Mary Gandelier, borne of honest parents in a village in ye diocese of Cambray, was admitted to be a lay-sister by the convent where she had faithfully and laboriously served ye space of . . . years. Aged of 20 she was an out Sr. 6 years, then desired & received ye black veyle. She retired from her village upon an accident which was yt. haveing desired a little boy their neighbour to helpe her to bring up ye cowes he was drowned in a bog, upon wh. his parents troubled her for a sum of money to be rid of their importunity she came hither.

December ye 16.

Entred Elizabeth Taylour (in religion called Sr. Bennet,) aged of 2 7, for a lay-sister.

Prof. ; died Feb. 10, 1707.

May ye 5th. In ye year 1692.

Entred Mrs. Margaret Chilton, (in religion called D. Gertrude) aged of 21.

Born 1 67 1 ; prof. 1694 ; died April 10, 1733.

August ye 4th.

Entred Mrs. Anne Sinclaire, of Lord Sinclaire's House in Scot- land aged of 24, she went away.

A relative of Henry, 8th Baron Sinclair. It was probably she who went from here to the convent of the Blue Nuns at Paris, and took the veil in 1693, kut did not persevere.

March 23. In ye year 1693.

Entred Mrs. Dorothy Englefield, aged of 17, (in religion called D. Benedicta) daughter to Mr. Englefield of White Knights in Berkshire.

Born 1676, dau. of Anthony Englefield, of White Knights, Esq. (grand- son of Sir Francis Englefield, of Englefield, co. Berks, and Wotton Basset, co. Wilts., 1 st Bart), and his wife Alice, dau. of Thomas Stokes, of London, Esq.; prof. 1695 '> died July 3, 1725.

August ye 3d.

Entred. our Convent my Lady Dowager Crosland, widdow to Sr. Jordan Crossland Knight, aged of 66, (to lead a retired life) with her two Grandchildren viz: Mrs. Dorothy Langdale aged of 16, (in religion D. Constantia) & Mrs. Joan Crossland for a pensionnar aged of 14 : she went away.

Dame Bridget Crosland was a dau. of John Fleming, of Rydal Hall, co. Westmoreland, Esq., and sister and coheiress to William Fleming, Esq. Dorothy Constantia Langdale, born 1677, was dau. of Philip Langdale, of Houghton Hall, co. York, Esq., by Bridget, dau. of Sir Jordan Crosland, Knt., of Helmsley, co. York, constable of Scarborough Castle. She was niece to Fr. Henry Crosland, S. J., born 1655, who died in 1724, and the Rev. George Crosland, born in March, 1665, who died Oct. 12, 1729, and was buried in the chapel at Haslewood Castle, late the residence of his sister Jane, wife of Sir Walter Vavasour, 3rd Bart. She was professed 1695 and died Jan. 28, 1760.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 57

Ye same day.

Entred 3 of Mr. Meynell of Killvington daughters : Mrs. Mary (in religion called D. Mary Benedicta), aged of 16, Mrs. Elizabeth, aged of 17, Mrs. Jane aged of 15, for pensionnars : the two latter went away.

Sisters of Bridget, who came in 1686. Mary Benedicta, born 1677; prof. 1695; died Feb. 4, 1764. Elizabeth married Peter Middelton, of Stockeld, Esq., and Jane became the wife of Marmaduke Palmes, of Naburn, co. York, Esq.

May ye 21. In ye year 1694.

Entred Mrs. Susan Bruning, aged of 22, daughter to a young Br. of . . . borne in ye Indies, shee went away.

Her father, Francis Bruning; who died at Surinam in the West Indies in 1698, was a younger son of Anthony Bruning, of Wymering, co. Hants, Esq., by his second wife, Mary; 2nd dau. of Francis Hyde, of Pangbourne, co. Berks, Esq.

October ye 10.

Entred Mrs Mary Trowlope aged of 28, for a lay sister : she went away.

October ye 13.

Entred Mrs. Catherine Chillton aged of 22 (in religion called Catherine Teresa.)

Born 1672, sister of Margaret, who entered in 1692; prof. 1696; died March 10, 1739.

April ye 27. In ye year 1695.

Entred Mrs. Michelle De Latre (in religion called D. Ethel- dreda) aged of 22.

Born 1673, dau. °f John and Mary De Latre, of London ; prof. 1697 ; died March 8, 17 . Three of her brothers became Benedictines.

August ye 10.

Entred Mrs. Margaret Harrington aged of 11 (in religion D. Maura,) daughter to Mr. Harrington of Egbourth, his ancient Seate Huyton Hay in Lancashire.

Born 1684, dau. of John Harrington, of Huyton Hey and Aigburth Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., by Dorothy, dau. and heiress of Edward Tarleton, of Aigburth Hall, Esq. ; prof. 1701 ; died Feb. 6, 1720.

In September.

Entred her sister Anne for a pensionnar, aged of 12; she went away in May 1698.

Upon the death of her brother Charles Harrington, Esq., in 1720, Aigburth Hall and the manor of Huyton passed to the Molyneux family of New Hall, in West Derby, co. Lancaster.

October ye 30. In ye year 1696.

Entred Mrs. Teresa Blake, aged of 15, for a pensionnar, gone away.

58 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

May ye 27. In ye year 1697.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Kennet daughter & heiress to Mr. Cuthbert Kennet of Coxhow in Bishoprick of Durham, aged of 12, for a pensionar. She was after some stay here sent by her friends order to Paris where after having past neere two years shee desired to return hither again & was called in religion D. Mary Agnes. She gave 6oo;£ sterling to build an infirmary, & 100^ for silver candle- sticks in ye church, besides a plentifull portion.

Born 1685, dau. and heiress of Cuthbert Kennett, of Coxhoe, co. Durham, Esq., and his wife Frances, dau. of Richard Towneley, of Towneley Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq. ; prof. 1702 ; died Feb. 6, 1723.

March ye 12. In ye year 1698.

Entred Mrs. Ellin Lestrange aged of 21 — for an out sister (called in religion Sr. Teresa.) She was borne in Dublin in Ireland of honest & very good Catholic parents.

Ellen Teresa L'Estrange was born 1677 ; received 1700; died Jan. 7, . . .

May ye 3d.

Entred Elizabeth Ryder, aged of 29, for a lay sister (in religion called Sr. Scholastica.)

Born 1669; prof. 1700; died Augt. 20, 1722.

Ye same day.

Entred Elizabeth Home aged, of 24, for a lay Sister : she went away.

June ye 8th.

Entred Mrs. Perpetua Hesketh, aged of 18, she went away, & Mrs. Francis Howett aged of 13, (in religion called D. Mary Winifride.)

Perpetua, born 1680, dau. of Thomas Hesketh, of Maynes Hall in Little Singleton, co. Lancaster, Esq., by Margaret, dau. of George Talbot, of New Hall in Salesbury, co. Lancaster, Esq., married Edward Holland, of Sutton, co. Lancaster, gent. Frances Hawett, born 1685, dau. of Thomas Hawett, of Ormskirk, co. Lancaster, Esq., and his wife, a dau. of Hugh Holland, of Roby, gent., was niece of Dom Edmund Hawett, O.S.B. ; prof. 1702 ; died Dec. 4, 1734; and her sister Jane married in 1709 John Westby, of White Hall, in Upper Rawcliffe, co. Lancaster, Esq.

7bre [Sept.].

Entred Mrs. Anne Hoghton aged of 12, for a pensionar; — gone away.

Dau. of William Hoghton, of Park Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., by Eliza- beth, dau. and coh. of Robert Dalton, of Thurnham Hall, in the same county, Esq. Her eldest brother John assumed the name of Dalton.

June ye 22. In ye year 1699.

Entred Mrs. Mary Bradshaich aged of 16, for a pensionar she gone away.

August ye 3d.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Prichard, aged of 15 for a pensionar gone away.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 59

August 25.

Entred Madame la Baronne de Bussie, Dowager of Bussie, to retire herselfe for a time, aged of 63 ; shee stayed about four years with her maide & then went away.

November 21.

Entred Mrs. Mary Cox aged of 20: shee went away. & Mrs. Mary Toldewine for a lay sister, aged of 24, (in religion called Sr. Mary Magdalene.)

Mary Cox was daughter of Gabriel Cox, of Farmingham Lodge, co. Kent, Esq., by Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Sneade, of Eaton Bishop and Broxwood Court, co. Hereford, Esq., and his wife Elizabeth Napier. Her father died in exile at the court of James II. at St. Germains. He was son of Sir John Cox, who was slain at the battle of Solebay, May 27, 1672, being then in command of the Duke of York's flag-ship " Prince." Sir John's father, Richard, lost his life in the royal service at the battle of Newby.

Sr Mary Magdalen Toldewine, born 1675 5 Pr°f« l7°l > died Jan. 31, I749- November ye 2t.

Entred ye Honorable Jane Widdrington, daughter to ye Right Honble. Ld. Widdrington of Widdrington Castell theretofore maide of honor to her Majesty Catherine of Portugall, Queen to Charles the 2nd. of England, whose court shee left [and] all ye honors & preferments she did & might have enjoyed in the world, which actually smiled upon her at ye very time she forsooke it, to come & lead a retired life in this our Monastery with her sister D. Agnes. Ye Chappell of yd. [? ye] dead in our garden is one monument of her piety, ye building of it cost her 100^ sterling.

Born at Berwick, Jan. 26, 1661-2, and dau. of William, 2nd Lord Widdrington, governor of Berwick, and his wife Elizabeth, dau. of Sir Peregrine Bertie, of Eveden, co. Lincoln, Knt., 3rd son of Robert, first earl of Lindsey.

June ye 14th. In ye year 1701.

Entred Mrs. Mary Horton, aged of 9, for a pensionar gone away. August ye 5.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, aged of 16, for a pensionar, gone away.

December 1st.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Rigmaiden, aged of 14, for a pensionar, gone away.

Probably sister to Dom Simeon Benedict Rigmaiden, O.S.B., a col- lateral branch of the ancient Lancashire family of Rigmayden, of Wedacre Hall.

May ye 8th. In ye year 1702.

Entred Mrs. Elizabeth Hoghton, aged of 16, for a pensionar, gone away.

Dau. of William Hoghton, of Park Hall, Esq., and his wife Elizabeth, dau. and coh. of Robert Dalton, of Thurnham Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., married, 1st, Edward Errington, of Walwick Grange, co. Northumberland, Esq., and 2ndly, Edward Charlton, of Hesleyside,in the same county, M.D.

60 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

October 17.

Entred Mrs. Mary Mansfield aged of 20. (in religion D. Maria Gertrude.)

Born 1682, dau. of Richard Mansfield, of Ballinamultina, co. Waterford, Esq., who married, in 168 1, Dorothea, dau. of Matthew Hore, of Shandon, in the same county. Her grandfather, Walter Mansfield, suffered much during the Commonwealth. She was prof, in 1704, and died May 18, 17. . .

December ye 20.

Entred Mrs. Brigitt Coffine, aged of 24 (in religion D. Brigitte.)

Prof. 1704 ; died April 24, 1758. She is named in the will of her cousin, Miss Mary Coffin, of Ramsden Heath, co. Essex, Jan. 7, 1726, who had inherited the manor of Chawreth from her grandmother, Mrs. Audeley, of Ramsden Belhouse.

June 22, 1703.

Entred Mra Mary Middleton aged of 12, for a pensionar, gone away.

Daughter of Peter Middelton, of Stockeld, co. York, Esq., and his wife Elizabeth, dau. of Marmaduke, 3rd Lord Langdale. She subseqently went to the English Augustinian convent at Paris, where she was professed in 171 1, under the name of Magdalen Teresa, and died in 1773. Her aunt Elizabeth Mary Middelton was professed in the same convent in 1685, and died in 1727.

June ye 23.

Entred Mrs Mary Gascoigne aged of 15, Mrs Elizabeth Plumpton, aged of 12, and Mr8 Margaret Grimstone, aged of 14 for a pensionars. All gone away. Mrs Plumpton went away July 2 1 . 1709.

Mary, dau. of John Gascoigne, of Parlington Hall, co. York, Esq. (by Mary, dau. and heir of Roger Widdrington, Esq.), and sister of Sir Edward Gascoigne, 5th Bart., returned to the convent to become a nun — vide under 1712.

Elizabeth Plumpton, born May 26, 1692, was the eldest daughter and eventual coheiress of Robert Plumpton, of Plumpton Hall, co. York, Esq., by his first wife Anne, dau. and con. of Nathaniel West, of Borwick Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., grandson of Thomas West, 2nd Lord Delawarr. Mrs. Plumpton's mother, Elizabeth West, had been previously married to Robert Sayer, of Worsall, co. York, Esq., and after Mr. West's death married thirdly George Leyburne, of Cunswick Hall, co. Westmoreland, and Nateby Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq. Elizabeth Plumpton was twice married, first, to Marmaduke Anne, of Frickley Hall, co. York, Esq., marriage settlement dated 1 & 2 March, 1716, and, secondly, to William Knight, Esq., of Kingerby, co. Lincoln, subsequently of Frickley, and had issue by both husbands. Elizabeth Plumpton's brother John, born April 27, 1693, mar- ried Elizabeth, 2nd dau. of John Gascoigne, of Parlington, Esq., and sister of Sir Edward, 5th Bart., and had a son Robert, born April 23, 1721, after whose death at Cambrai, Aug. 8, 1749, unmarried, the Plumpton estates passed to the heirs of Elizabeth and her sister Frances {vide under 1714).

Margaret Grimston was a grand-daughter of William Grimston, of Grimston Garth, co. York, Esq. (by his second wife, a daughter of Sir Robert Strickland, of Thornton Briggs, co. York), one of whose daughters married as his second wife Philip Langdale, of Houghton Hall, named under the next entry.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 6l

May ye 19, 1704. In ye year 1704.

Entred M™ Ursula Langdale, aged of 21, for religion, gone away.

Dau. of Marmaduke Langdale, of Langthorpe, eld. son of Philip Lang- dale, of Houghton Hall, co. York, Esq., by his first wife, Bridget, dau. of Sir Jordan Crosland.

June ye 19. In ye year 1705.

Came Mra Mary Howett, aged of 18, for a pensionar gone away.

Sister to Dame Frances Mary Winefred Hawett — vide under 1698.

July.

Entred Mrs Alathea Swinburne, aged of 1 7, daugter to Sr John Swinburne of Capheaton (in religion called D. Mary Teresa.) Shee founded a Mass to be sayd in our Church for her life time daily and a year after her death to be continued and did many other things for ye conveniancy & advantage of ye Convent.

Item — Entred Mra Elizabeth Forcer & her sister Mary, aged of 1 6 & 11 : gone away.

Alethea, 13th dau. of Sir John Swinburne, created bart. 1660, and his wife Isabel, dau. and sole heiress of Henry Lawson, of Brough Hall, co. York, Esq., by Cath., d. and h. of Sir William Fenwick, of Meldon, co. Northum- berland, Knt. ; prof. 1707 ; died May 24, 1762. She had 11 brothers.

Elizabeth and Mary Forcer were daughters, by his first wife Alethea, dau. of Charles, Lord Fairfax, (and his wife Bridget, dau. of Basil More, of Barnborough Hall, co. York, Esq.), of John Forcer, of Old Elvet, eldest son and heir of George Forcer, of Harberhouse, co. Durham, Esq., by Isabel, dau. of John Swinburne, of Capheaton, Esq. Elizabeth died Aug. 21, 1728, and was buried in St. Michael-le- Belfry, York. Mary died at Gilling Castle, the Yorkshire seat of Lord Fairfax, in 1760.

July ye 2nd In ye year 1706.

Entred Mre Elizabeth O'More (in religion called D. Maria Joseph,) aged of 32. Shee had been here some years before & taken ye habit but went away & was a postulant at ye Benedictines at Paris, then a Novice at ye Benedictines at Gaunt, after which she went into England & having stayd 6 years she grew weary of the world & came out of England in order to have come hether but took up at ye Teresians at Antwerp when shee did more than a year's noviceship being much edified with the religious comportment of those Nuns which made her enter amongst them ; but perceiving it was not her vocation to be there & thinking herself obliged to follow her first vocation shee resolved to come & present herselfe here which shee did & was admitted. Shee was born in England, but her father was de- scended from ye O'more in Ireland. It was her great Grand Father who stood out against Queen Elizabeth for 7 years together maintening an army at his expense for ye defence of his nation & Catholic religion. Her father in ye time of Oates' Plots died in confinement for ye true religion.

Born 1674 ; prof. 1708; died Augt. 7, 1720.

62 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

June ye 15.

Entred M™ Sara Hodgkins, aged of 14, for a pensionar : gone away June 16, 171 1. June ye 15.

Also entred Mrs Elizebeth Trap aged of 13 : gone away June 16, 1711.

Elizabeth, 2nd dau. of Francis Trappes-Byrnand, of Nidd Hall, co. York, Esq., by Elizabeth, sister and coheiress of Ralph Appleby, of Linton, co. York, Esq., and Mary, his wife, dau. of John Tempest, of Broughton Hall, co. York, Esq. She was baptized at Nidd Hall, Augt. 4, 1693, and was buried there Feb. 17, 1729.

Item.

Entred Mrs Elizabeth Darling, aged of 34, for a lay-sister, gone away. Item.

Entred Mr8 Catherine Comblin, for a lay-sister, aged of 20; gone away.

June 23. In ye year 1707.

Entred Mrs Jane Paston, aged of 13; gone away 16 of June — 1711.

Daughter of John Paston, of Horton Court, co. Gloucester, Esq., by Frances, daughter of Sir Henry Tichborne, 3rd Bart., of Tichborne, co. Hants, by Mary, daughter of William Arundell, Esq., and niece of Thomas, Lord Arundell of Wardour.

Item.

M" Lucy Howard, aged of 27, entred in August & went soon after.

Daughter of William Howard, of Corby Castle, co. Cumberland, Esq., by Jane, daughter of John Dalston, of Acornbank, co. Westmoreland, Esq., and sister of Elizabeth Howard who came in 171 1. Her father died in 1708.

September ye 21. In ye year 1708.

Entred Mrs Mally Butler, aged of 9 years for a pensionar & went away.

Mary Butler is frequently mentioned in the diary of Thomas Tyldesley, the Jacobite, as " cos. Malley Butler." She was dau. of Henry Butler, of Rawcliffe Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., by his first wife, Magdalen, grand- daughter and ultimately heiress of Sir John Girlington, of Thurland Castle.

December.

Entred Mrs Mary Slaughter, aged of 31, for a lay-sister: gone away.

Apparently dau. of Bellingham Slaughter, of Cheney Court, co. Here- ford, Esq., by Winifred, dau. of John Berington, of Winsley, co. Here- ford, Esq.

January ye 17. In ye year 1709.

Entred MrB Anne Plumpton, aged of 12, (in religion D. Mary Angela) daughter to Mr Plumpton of Plumpton.

Born April 25, 1697, sister to Elizabeth, vide under 1703; prof. 1713; died Dec. 20, 1779.

DAME ANNE MARY ANGELA PLUMPTON, O.S.B.

From a portrait at Burghwallis Hall, the seat of Major Ernest Lambert

Swinburne Charlton Anne. The veil and wimple at some later period

have been repainted in place of the original Benedicline head-dress.

To face p. Gz

Cath. Rec. Soc. XIII.

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 63

Item.

Mrs Rebecca Hewett, a widdow aged of 38, for a lay-sister: she went away.

June ye 7.

Entred Mrs Barbara Howley, aged of 16 for a pensionar: gone away.

August ye 29.

Entred Mra Cecilia Plumpton & her sister Jane: they are twins & both aged of 9 & a half: gone away.

Born March 5, 1 699-1 700, daughters of Robert Plumpton, Esq., and sisters of Elizabeth Plumpton, vide under 1703. Their mother, Anne West, died June 19, 1705, and their father married secondly, Juliana, dau. of Thomas Appleby, of Linton-upon-Ouse, and relict of Rowland White, Esq. She died June II, 1708, s.p., after which three more of the girls were sent to Cambrai, and their father married thirdly, Isabel, dau. of William Anderton, of Euxton Hall, Esq., and his wife Mary, dau. of William ffarington, of Worden Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., by whom he had no issue. Cecily re- turned, was professed in 171 7 under the name of Bernarda, and died April 28, 1768. Jane died a spinster, May 3, 1726.

September 4.

Entred Mrs Margaret Trapps of Nid in Yorkshire, aged of little more than 1 1 — gone away.

Sister of Elizabeth Trappes, and 3rd dau. of Francis Trappes-Byrnand ; born 1697 ; married George Crathorne, of Ness Hall, co. York, Esq.

September ye 27.

Entred M1*8 Anne Warvick, aged of 31, daughter to Mrs War- vick of Warwick in Cumberland.

Dau. of Thomas Warwick, of Warwick Hall, Esq., by Frances, dau. of John Dalston, of Acornbank, co. Westmoreland, Esq.; prof. May 31, 171 1, under name of Benedicta ; died March 15, 1754.

December ye 3. In ye year 17 10.

Entred M" Anne Caven, aged of 20, for a pensionar: gone away.

yber ye 30. In ye year 17 11.

Entred Mrs Elizabeth Howard, aged of 26 for high pensionar, for a short time ; daughter to Mr Howard of Corbie in Cumberland : gone away.

Sister of Lucy, who came in 1707. October ye 20.

Entred Mrs Betty Middleton aged of 9 & a half: daughter to Mr Peter Middleton of Stockhohl in Yorkshire, by his 2nd lady ye lord Langdale's daughter.

Elizabeth, dau. of Peter Middelton, of Stockeld Park and Myddelton Lodge, co. York, Esq., who was imprisoned in York Castle in July 1686, for refusing to take the protestant oath of allegiance, married Sir Carnaby Haggerston, of Haggerston Castle, co. Northumberland, 3rd Bart., and her second son William inherited the Middelton estates upon the death of her brother William in 1763.

64 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

November ye n. In ye year 171 2.

Came M™ Mary Gascoigne, daughter to Sir John Gascoigne of Partington in Yorkshire little little neece Venered Mother Catherine Gascoigne & Thomas Gascoigne who died at Lambspring was her great grand father. She had been formerly a pensionar & went away, but after some years shee had been staying in England she generously contemed ye vanities of ye world, & obtained her father's & mother's consent & returned to ye our Monastery in ye 22 year of her age, & brought along with her two of her sisters Mrs Elizabeth & MrB Anne for pensionars aged of 19 & 18. Their father is second brother to Sr Thomas Gascoigne of Barnbow in Yorkshire. Mrs Elizabeth & M™ Anne gone 18 of July 1715.

Vide under June 23, 1703, where it will be seen that Mary Gascoigne's age is at variance with the present entry. She appears to have been born in 1690-1. Her father, Mr. John Gascoigne, was the younger son of George Gascoigne, Esq., 2nd son of Sir Thomas Gascoigne, 2nd Bart. Her brother Edward succeeded as 5th Bart. She took the name of Paula in religion, was prof, in 17 14, and died Jan. 17, 1746.

July ye 26. In ye year 17 13.

Entred Mrs Mary & Mrs Elizabeth Jenison, two sisters one aged of 17 ye other of 15; daughters to Mr John Jenison of Little Wallworth.

Daughters of John Jenison, of Low Walworth, co. Durham, Esq., and his wife Sarah, daughter of Mr. Williams, of Combe, co. Hereford. Mary married Francis Hutton, of Woodham, co. Durham, gent., and Elizabeth became the wife of John Hutton, brother to Francis, and died s.fi. Their father, born Oct. 2, 1667, died Aug. 23, 1739, and their mother died May 15, 1742.

July ye 4th. In ye year 17 14.

Came MM Teresa Allein & her sister Francis, ye first of 14, ye second of 9, bourgeoises of Cambray. The Magistrates desired they should be here for a short time for some particular reasons, which mi lady Abbess condescended to for to oblige ye Magistrates.

July ye 27.

Came Mrs Anne Aston for a lay-sister, aged of 26.

Prof. 1716; died Nov. 10, 1734. August 25.

Came Mrs Frances Plompton, aged of 14, daughter to Mr Plompton of Plompton in Yorkshire.

Born Dec. 23, 1702, and sister to Elizabeth Plumpton, vide under 1703, married George Palmes, of Naburn Hall, co. York, Esq. 7bre ye 3th

1 7 14 — Came Mr8 Mary Stourton, daughter to ye honorable Charles Stourton, & neece to ye Right honorable Ld Edward Stourton Peere of England, aged of 13 yeares : gone away July 14 — 17 18.

Dau. of Charles Stourton (younger son of William, nth Baron Stourton, by Elizabeth, dau. of Sir John Preston, 1st Bart., of the Manor of Furness, co. Lancaster, and Preston Patrick and Under Levens, co. Westmoreland),

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 162O-1793 65

by Catherine, dau. of Richard Frampton, of Bilson, co. Dorset, Esq. Her brother Charles succeeded as 14th Lord.

Ye same day.

Came Miss Molly Hussey, daughter to Mr Hussey of Mam hall in Dorcetshire & neece to Mother Cecilia Hussey, aged of 1 2 years ; went ye 29 of 7bre 17 18.

Dau. of John Hussey, of Nash Court in Marnhull, Esq., by Mary, dau. of Thomas Burdet, Esq.

July 13. In ye year 17 15.

Entred Mrs Catherine & Ellen Gascoigne aged one of 16, & ye other of 13. Sra to D. Mary Paula & neeces to our venered Mother Catherine Gascoigne, daughters to Sr John Gascoigne of Partington in Yorkshire; Mre Ellen went away July 20 — 17 19.

Daughters of John Gascoigne, of Parlington Hall, Esq. — vide under June 23, 1703, and Nov. II, 17 12. Catherine, born in 1699, was prof, under the religious name of Josepha in 1717 ; was abbess 1741-69, when she resigned on account of illness, being succeeded by Dame Agnes Ingleby ; she died Jan. 25, 1774.

May ye 8. In ye year 17 16.

Came Mrs Mary Watford, aged of 14 years & 5 months went away 20 July 1720.

July ye 17.

Entred Mr8 Brigit Naylor for a lay-sister, aged of 16, (in religion Sr Mary Joseph) gone away.

Born at Scarisbrick, Lancashire, sister to Dom William Placid Naylor, O.S.B., and aunt to Dom John Joseph Placid Naylor, O.S.B., son of her brother Charles. Her family is referred to C.R.S. vol. v. 210 n.

7ber 18— 1 7 16. 9bre 18.

Came M™ Landale to ye fathers apartment where she died Sber 23 — 171 7, in child bed; she & her son lies buried in our burying garden in her Grand Mothers ye Lady Crasland Grave.

Bridget, daughter of Sir Jordan Crosland, was the wife of Philip Lang- dale, of Houghton Hall, co. York, Esq. Her daughter Dame Dorothy Constance was at this time a nun in the convent. Her husband was the son of Sir William Langdale, of Langthorpe, Knt., by his first wife, Ursula, daughter of Robert Stapleton, Esq.

7bre 23. In ye year 17 17.

Entred MrB Mary Chorley aged of 23, daughter to Mr Richard Chorley of Chorley Hall in Lancashire, who suffered death at Preston for having taken arms to bring in his true & lawfull King James the third, in ye raign of Georges prince of Hanover & pretended King of England.

The age is apparently an error, as she was baptized at Chorley, Aug. 28, 1696, being the third dau. of Richard Chorley, Esq., by Catherine, only dau. of John Walmesley, of Buckshawe, co. Lancaster, Esq., bv his first XIII. E

66 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

wife, Anne, dau. of Laurence Breres, of Buckshawe, Esq. Her father, who was executed at Preston, Feb. 9, 17 16, for joining the Chevalier de St. George, was buried on the same date at Chorley. One of her brothers was a Benedictine, and two others Jesuits.

August ye i8t

— Came Mrs Anne Jenison, aged of 16, daughter to Mr Jenison of Wallworth ; went away.

Vide under Sept. 30, 1720. Anne Ursula, youngest daughter of John Jenison, of Low Walworth, Esq., and his wife Sarah Williams, was born Oct. 2i, 1700. She went to the Blue Nuns at Paris, where she took the veil in 1722, and died in 1770. Vide C.R.S. vol. viii. p. 375.

July 13. In ye year 17 18.

Came Mra Catherine Brooke, aged of 13, daughter to Mr. Brooke of Medeley; went away, July ye 17 — 1720.

Dau. and coheiress (her only brother Basil having died young) of Comberford Brooke, of Madeley Court, co. Salop, and Comberford Hall, co. Stafford, Esq., by Rose, dau. of Sir John Austen, of Bexley Court, co. Kent, 2nd Bart. She married John Smithman, of Little Venlock, Esq., had two sons and three daughters, and died in 1737.

Ye same day. Came Mrs. Mary Stanford, aged 1 1 ; went to ye French house 18 January 1721.

Eldest daughter of William Stanford, of Abbot's Salford, commonly called Salford Hall, co. Warwick, Esq., by Mary, eldest daughter of Richard Bet- ham, of Rowington Hall, in the same county, Esq. As Salford Hall is so intimately connected with the life of the community, which found a shelter under its venerable roof from 1807 until 1838, a brief notice of its history is expedient. Salford was a possession of the Abbey of Evesham, which in 1543 was granted by Henry VIII. to Sir Philip Hobby, who in the last year of the king's reign sold the manor of Abbot's Salford to Anthony Littleton. The tatter's daughter and heiress married John Alderford, but dying child- less her husband married secondly, in July, 1579, Elizabeth, daughter of Peter Dormer, of Nubottell, and relict of Edward Morgan, and by her had two daughters and coheiresses, Eleanor and Margaret. Alderford rebuilt the hall in 1602, incorporating parts of the older building, and died in 1606. His elder daughter, Eleanor, married Charles Stanford, second son of Sir Robert Stanford, of Perry Hall, co. Stafford, son of Sir William Stanford, justice of the King's Bench, and his younger daughter, Margaret, married Sir Simon Clarke or Woodchurch, of Woodchurch, co. Kent, who thus became possessed of Salford Priors. Charles Stanford, whose wife brought him Abbot's Salford, completed the building of the hall, and commemorated the event by hanging up a bell on the top of the house bearing the inscription, "Charles Stanford, Esqre., Ellinor, 1610." Their eldest son, John, suc- ceeded to the estate and married Frances, daughter of Sir John Peshall, of Horsley, co. Stafford, 1st Bart., and sister to Dorothy, wife of William Stan- ford, of Perry Hall, cousin of John Stanford. A younger son joined The English Discalced Carmelites, Fr. Edmund of St. Martin Stanford, and died April 10, 1635. John Stanford died in 1649, leaving sons, William, who married Dorothy, daughter of Clement Paston, of Appleton, co. Norfolk, Esq., and died s.fi., and John, who married Mercy, second daughter of Francis Sheldon, of Abberton, co. Wigorn, Esq. The latter had a son, William, and four daughters, Dorothy, wife of . . . Savage, of Bagend, co. Wigorn, Esq., Mercy, wife of Thomas Chambers, of Studley, Esq., Frances, and Penelope. The son, William, who registered his estate as a Catholic

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 67

non-juror in 171 7, and was living at Salford Hall in 1730, was the father of the young girl who came to the school at Cambrai in 17 18. William had four sons, John, William, Charles, and Robert, who all died s.p.f and two daughters, Mary, as above, and Frances. The youngest son, Robert, the last of the family, died in 1785, bequeathing Salford Hall to his wife Mary for life, with remainder to John Stanford Berkeley, second son of Robert Berkeley, of Spetchley, co. Worcester, Esq., and in case of his death to the said Robert Berkeley for the term of his life only, after which it was to go for ever to the Eyston family of East Hendred, co. Berks. Mrs. Stanford most generously offered the community at Woolton, which was a house quite uncongenial to the tastes and requirements of the monastic profession, Sal- ford Hall and grounds rent free, and lent them one hundred pounds free of interest towards the expense of removal. From the earliest times there had been a chapel in the house, and at this period Pere Louvel, a French emigre^ resided in it, and served the chaplaincy. The registers only com- mence in 1763, though the list of Benedictine chaplains can be traced from 1727. Mrs. Stanford also offered to pay the chaplain's stipend of twenty- five guineas whether the nuns should prefer to bring their own with them, or to retain the services of M. Louvel. Mrs. Stanford died at her house in College Green, Gloucester, on May 24, 1812. "She was a woman of superior cast of mind," said a local print, " universal charity and a high sense of philanthropy were the ruling principles of her life, and the tears of the poor best bespeak their loss, who had so constantly partook of her unbounded benevolence." Meanwhile John Stanford Berkeley had pre- deceased his father, Robert Berkeley, who concurred in everything Mrs. Stanford had done, and continued to allow the community to occupy Salford Hall until the nuns purchased Stanbrook Hall, near Worcester, to which they removed in 1838 . Upon Robert Berkeley's death Salford passed to the Eyston family in accordance with the will of its last squire, Robert Stanford.

July 24.

Came Mra Anne Engleby (went away August 27 — 1721) & Mr8 Anne Penny, one aged of 14, ye other of 18.

Margery Anne Ingleby appears in the pedigree as being baptized June 6, 1702. She was the eldest daughter of John Ingleby, of Lawkland Hall and Clapdale Hall, co. York, Esq., by Troath, daughter of William Brad- shaigh, of Bishop Middleham, co. Durham, Esq. She did not marry, and was buried at Clapham, June 17, 1773. For her sisters Mary Alathea and Isabel vide under 1721.

7ber 22.

Came Mn Elizabeth Fairclouth, & Mary Dweryhouse, ye

first aged of 20, ye 2nd of 17, for lay-sisters; they came out of Lancashire.

Elizabeth Fairclough was professed under her own name in 1720, and died Dec. 9, 1744. Several of the family became Benedictines. Sr Mary Josepha Dwerihouse was also professed in 1720, and died Oct. 26, 1726. She was dau. of Thomas Dwerihouse, yeoman, of Greasindale, in Garston, of a staunch recusant family.

Ye same day. Came Mrs. Mary Conquest, of Horton Conquest in Bedfordshire, neece D. M. Benedict Conquest and little-neece to Rd. Mother Catherine Hall, aged of 13. Went away.

She was one of the four daughters of Benedict Conquest, of Houghton Conquest Hall, Esq., by Anne, daughter of the Rev. John Birch, rector of Houghton Conquest, and subsequently became Mrs. Wright. Her father

68 RECORDS OF THE ABBEY OF OUR LADY OF

was the son and heir of John Thimbleby Conquest, Esq. (eldest son and heir of Richard Conquest, of Houghton Conquest, Esq., by Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Thimbleby, of Irnham Hall, co. Lincoln, Esq., lady of the bed- chamber to Queen Henrietta Maria, through which marriage Irnham eventually came to the Conquests), and his wife Eleanor, 5th daughter of Benedict Hall, of High Meadow, co. Gloucester, Esq. Her brother Bene- dict in 1753 inherited the Irnham estate from his cousin (twice removed) Mary, daughter and heiress of John Thimbleby, of Irnham, Esq., by Doro., dau. of Robert, 3rd Lord Petre, and widow of Thomas Giffard, of Chillington Hall, co. Stafford, Esq. He, however, died on Oct. 27 of the same year, 1753, and his only son Benedict Conquest dying unmarried at the age of 20, the estates passed to his only dau. Mary Christina, who married Henry, 8th Lord Arundell of Wardour. The latter had two daughters and coheiresses, Mary Christiana, who married her cousin, James Everard, 9th Lord Arundell of Wardour, and Eleonor Mary, wife of Charles, 7th Lord Clifford of Chudleigh.

7ber 26.

Came Mra Francis Hussey, & her sister Grace, aged of 9 & 1 1 ; neeces to M. Cecilia; went away 20 July 1720.

Daughters of John Hussey, of Nash Court in Marnhull, co. Dorset, Esq., by Mary, dau. of Thomas Burdet, of Thames-Ditton, co. Surrey, Esq. Frances is named in the will of her father in 1736.

8ber ii. In ye year 17 19.

Came Mra Martha Dodd, aged of 20, for a lay-sister; gone away. Probably a niece of Sr. Mary Josepha Dodd.

gber jyjg ye 30.

Came Mrs Dorothy Moore for religion aged of 36, Sr to Sir Richard Moore of Fawley in Barkeshire; gone away 14 of May 1720.

Dau. of Francis Moore, eldest son of Sir Henry Moore, of Fawley, co. Berks, 2nd Bart., and sister of Sir Richard, the 3rd Bart. Her mother was Frances, dau. and sole heiress of Alexander Jermin, of Cordington, co. Sussex, Esq. She returned Sept. 27, 172 1, was professed under her own name, and died Aug. 17, 1726.

9ber ye 9th.

Came ye honorable Alathea Widdrington, aged of 14, daughter to ye Right Honorable ye Lord William Widdrington of Widdrington Castle, neece to D. Agnes Widdrington; went away August 2d 1723.

Born April 21, 1705, dau. of William, 4th Lord Widdrington, by his first wife Jane, eldest dau. of Sir Thomas Tempest, of Stella, co. Durham, 4th Bart., and sister and heiress of Sir Francis Tempest, 5th Bart. ; went to York Bar convent in 17 13, whence, after her father's conviction of high- treason in 17 16 and subsequent pardon, she came to Cambrai ; left as above, but returned Jan. 27, 1725, and was prof, under the name of Augustina in 1726 ; died Aug. 24, 1775.

August 1.

17 19. Came Mrs Burcke aged of 16, daughter to Captain Burcke; gone away.

Aug. 12. In ye year 1720.

Came Mrs Winkley, aged of 21 ; went ye 12 9ber 1720.

Jane, bapt. Dec. 12, 1697, dau. of Edward Winckley, of Banister Hall, co. Lancaster, Esq., and his first wife Mary. Her brothers Thomas and

CONSOLATION AT CAMBRAI, 1620-1793 69

James having become priests, and Edward dying s.p. in 1750, this junior branch of the Winckleys of Winckley Hall became extinct. A sister, Anne Austin, O.S.B., died