ARUNDEL CASTLE ARCHIVES Vol IV A CATALOGUE Edited by Francis W Steer Preface Unlike its predecessors, this fourth volume of the catalogue of the archives at Arundel Castle will have to remain in manuscript until either printing costs are reduced or a new and economical process of reproduction is invented. This situation is a matter for regret on two counts as it spoils a series of printed books which have been of assistance to scholars all over the world and it is going to make the definitive edition of the catalogue of this vast collection of archives more difficult for someone to compile in the future. This volume, so far as manuscript permits, follows the style of the other three. It contains (pp1-65) a vast accumulation of records (mainly drafts although some are of special interest and importance) which Messrs Few & Co. (solicitors to the Dukes of Norfolk since 1815) must have transferred to Norfolk House, St James‟s Square, London, over 90 years ago. The documents are in excess of 9,200 and demonstrate, in particular, the litigious character of Bernard Edward, 12th Duke of Norfolk (1765-1842) and the immense amount of work which accrued to his solicitors; they also show the policy with regard to the dispersal and/or consolidation of estates – sometimes to pay off enormous mortgages and at other times to simplify that difficult administration of what was a huge and scattered estate extending into several counties. The catalogue (1965) of the Arundel documents deposited at Sheffield City Library should not be forgotten by students concerned with properties in Yorkshire, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. The University of Hull also holds a large quantity of archives relating to the Carlton Towers and the Everingham (Herries family) estates. For over 20 years, the masses of documents at Arundel Castle have been one of my principal interests and now, in my later years of semi-retirement, these archives are what I regard as my final link with my professional career. Of course, if I had had the assistance, the great Arundel collection would have been dealt with and finalized many years ago, but such is the confusion of the documents that each volume of the catalogue has to be regarded as a supplement to those that have preceded it. Whenever one thinks that the listing of a series of records has been completed, a further assignment is found in an unexpected place; this unsatisfactory situation arises from two causes: (a) the indiscriminate packing of records from Norfolk House when it was sold in 1938, and (b) the amateur attempts of my predecessors who tried to get order out of chaos. Anyone who never saw the quantity and confusion of the records i at Arundel Castle will appreciate the work and the dirt, or the frustration which has been endured for so long and will continue until everything is listed and properly stored. As more and more of the records are listed, however briefly, the greater is the opportunity for the scholar to find what he wants. As I have said before, reliance must be placed on indices and on the introductory paragraphs to groups of records; such descriptions have to be short, but the aim has always been to give a reliable indication of what the researcher may expect to find. It is not the function of the archivist to act as interpreter or assessor of archives – that is the responsibility of their user; all that the archivist can to is to act as a guide. When a great collection of records is held by a private owner or a corporate body, questions of access to scholars arise; I dealt with this problem in an article entitled „The Archivist, the Public and the Stately Home‟ (1963), where I drew attention to the demands with which privately employed archivists are confronted. Fifteen years later, the position has not changed and once again I emphasize the point that records in private hands can only be consulted by courtesy and not by right. Private owners can no longer afford to subsidize historical (or any other) research and that is why a discretionary charge is made at Arundel if people wish to use the Duke of Norfolk‟s records. Likewise, certain records (i.e. those less than 100 years old and those of a confidential nature) are not available to researchers under any circumstances despite the ridiculous 30-year period which advisers to those responsible for the Public Records have seen fit to regard as a sufficient lapse of time between the creation of an archive and its accessibility to the public. Although there are certain exceptions to this ruling, has no one realized the pain and the mischief which can be caused by granting such general facilities to “scholars”? To a lesser extent, perhaps, access to other records such as the FC series in this catalogue may be restricted (a) on the grounds of production difficulties and (b) because the extravagancies of the Howard family in the 19th century may be an embarrassment to later generations of the family who are paying the penalty for the prodigality of their ancestors. The interests of the Howards were manifold and at times it has not been easy to decide the most appropriate class for certain documents; the index must be the key, but as more than one reference to a person, place or subject on a page of this catalogue is not indicated in the index, its users should read the whole page. Nothing in the way or archives is thrown away at Arundel Castle and that is why some records (e.g. Acts of Parliament) are listed in all four volumes of the catalogue. The present volume, rich in lists of accounts and correspondence, covers records dating between the 13th century and 1978, and comprises – at a conservative estimate – particulars of something like 45,000 documents. A catalogue can seldom be entirely free from error as an archivist cannot be expected to know everything; for example, the location of some long-extinct manors cannot be identified with certainty as time alone precludes extensive research. If users of this and the earlier catalogues will be kind enough to point ii out mistakes, such help will be much appreciated. The present writer also craves the indulgence of readers for any lapses of accuracy: he hopes that the number is small. Inconsistencies in the form of entry may also occur, but as Ralph Waldo Emmerson said, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines”. There is a modern tendency to denigrate the aristocracy; this is to be deplored and the Arundel Castle records demonstrate how much the Dukes and Duchesses of Norfolk (and I have Duchess Minna, wife of the 14th Duke and their son Henry, 15th Duke particularly in mind) did for those in less fortunate positions than themselves. The Howard tradition of generosity, kindness, courtesy and thoughtfulness continues, and no one is more conscious of this than myself. I have been privileged to be associated with the family and with the romantic Arundel Castle for many years and I dedicate this volume, as imperfect as it may be, to Miles, 17th Duke of Norfolk, with gratitude, respect and, not least affection. Chichester 19th May 1978 FWS P.S. While compiling the index of this book, I became increasingly aware of how difficult it is to include every possible and desirable cross-reference. I have also realized that I could perhaps have done more to resolve identifications, especially of manors, and to have been more precise in noting the numerous changes in the styles and titles of the Fizalan and Howard families. Time has been against me and I have to accept the fact that I am not in good health; the hope of completing the work at Arundel (however brief the catalogue may be) in the years that are left to me continually occupies my thoughts. The best that I can do is to provide some sort of foundation on which my successors may build. If this book is less perfect that I would like and if its index is less concise than it should be, I urge those who consult this catalogue not to overlook the classification on pp.VII – X and to read the whole of the entries relating to a specific subject 27th July 1978 FWS iii A note to Researchers This volume (Volume IV) of the Arundel Castle Archive Catalogues was transcribed from a hand-written facsimile copy. It has been carefully proof-read. However, if you come across any mistakes, please do not hesitate to inform the Archive Team at Arundel Castle. Information which, subsequent to publication in 1980, has been found to be incorrect is indicated by striking through, and any additional information appears throughout inside square brackets and in red. N.B. When using the Index, researchers should be aware that the page numbers refer to those at the bottom of the (original) catalogue page and NOT to the computer generated page numbering. iv List of Abbreviations Months are quoted in the generally accepted form of abbreviation a. = acres Bart. = Baronet Beds. = Bedfordshire Berks. = Berkshire c. = circa Car. = Charles cent. = century cols. = columns co(s) = county/counties d. = died dau. = daughter dec‟d = deceased Derbys = Derbyshire Devon = Devonshire D.N.B. = Dictionary of National Biography Doc(s) = Documents Eliz. = Elizabeth exors = executors extrix. = executrix ff. = folios ft. = feet gent. = gentleman Geo. = George Glos. = Gloucestershire Hants. = Hampshire in. = inch inc. = including or included Jas. = James jun. = junior kt.