THE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1966-67 President Profe1;sor Jack Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.S., F.R.S.L. * President-Emeritus Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F .S.A, * Vice-Presidents Kathleen, Duchess of Rutland The Hon. Lady Martin The Right Reverend ,The Lord Bishop of , D.D. The High Sheriff of Leicestershire The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Leicester The Very Reverend H. A. Jones, B.SC. Victor Pochin, Esq., C.B.E., M.A., D.L., J.P. A. Bernard Clarke,. Esq. Levi Fox, Esq., M.A., F.S.A. Professor W. G. Hoskins, M.A., M.SC., PH.D. Miss K. M. Kenyon, C.B.E., M.A., D.LITT., F.B.A., F.S.A.. Mrs. F. E. Skillington * Officers Hon. Secretaries: James Crompton, Esq., M.A., B.LITT., F.R.HIST.S., F.S.A, (Minutes) Miss Mollie P. Rippin, B.A. (General) Miss Winifred A. G. Herrington (Excursions) Hon. Treasurer: C. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. Hon. Auditor : Lieut.-Col. G. L. Aspell, T.D., D.L., F.C.A. Hon. Editor: James Crompton, Esq., M.A., B.LITT., F.R.HIST.S., F.S.A. Hon. Librarian: F. S. Cheney, Esq. * Trustees of the Leicestershire Archceological and Historical Society J. E. Brownlow, Esq. Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A.• J. N. Pickard, Esq., J.P. J. R. Webster, Esq. C. L . Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. * Trustees of the Leicestershire Archceological Research Fund 0 . S. Bennett, Esq., B.A. Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. • Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A. Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.S., F.R.S.L. c. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. vii LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH£0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Representatives on Other Bodies Council for British Arch<£ology: F. S. Cheney, Esq. Professor w. G. Hoskins, M.A., M.SC., PH.D. County Records Committee: Mrs. E. M. Dickson Rural Community Council: J. A. Daniell, Esq., A.M.A. * Committee Mrs. F. E. Skillington (Chairman) The Hon. Secretaries (Minutes, General, Excursions) The Hon. Treasurer The Hon. Editor (Minutes Secretary) The Hon. Librarian Mrs. E. Bartram J.E. Brownlow, Esq. J. A. Culley, Esq. (elected 4 May 1966) J. A. Daniell, Esq., A.M.A. Mrs. E. M. Dickson Dr. P. M. G. Eden, M.A., PH.D., F.S,A, (elected 4 May 1966) A. E. Grimbley, Esq. Professor W. G. Hoskins, M.A., M.SC., PH.D. Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. R. J. B. Keene, Esq., DIP.ARCH.(LEIC.), A.R.I.B.A. G. H. Martin, Esq., M.A., D.PHIL., F.R.HIST.S, A. D. McWhirr, Esq., B.SC. Mrs. W. A. North J. F. L. Norwood, Esq., B.A.

L. A. Parker, Esq., B.A., PH.D. 1 D. Parsons, Esq., B.A. (elected 1 February 1967) Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.S., F.R.S.L. J. R. Webster, Esq. *

Lectures and Excursions Sub-Committee W. Bailes, Esq. J, Crompton, Esq., M.A., B.LITT., F.R.HIST.S., F.S.A. (Secretary) A. E. Grimbley, Esq. Miss W. A. G. Herrington Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A.

Field-Work and Research Sub-Committee A. D. McWhirr, Esq., B.SC. (Secretary) (resigned December 1966) G. H. Green, Esq. (died November 196S) G . M. P. King, Esq., B.SC.

* Social Sub-Committee Mrs. E. M. Dickson (Secretary) Mrs. W. A. North Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A.

viii LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH£0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Historic Buildings Advisory Panel D. A. Blakesley, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. J.E. Brownlow, Esq. H. Collinson, Esq., A.R.C.A., F.S.A.E. James Crompton, Esq., M.A., B. LITT., F.R.HIST.S., F.S.A. J. A. Daniell, Esq., A.M.A. P. M. G. Eden, Esq., M.A., PH.D., F.S.A. A. Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. Professor W. G. Hoskins, M.A., M.Sc., PH.D. Professor C. J. Hughes, M.A., B.PHIL. R. J. B. Keene, Esq., DIP.ARCH. (LEIC.), A.R.I.B.A. G. M. P. King, Esq., B.Sc. G. H. Martin, Esq., M.A., D.PHIL., F.R.HIST.S, P. C. Shelbourn, Esq. Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.HIST.s., F.R.S.L. Mrs. F. E. Skillington V. R. Webster, Esq., M.A.

MELTON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT BRANCH

Officers Chairman: H. L. Copson, Esq. Vice-Chairman: P. E. Hunt, Esq. Hon. Secretary: Mrs. E. Bartram Hon. Treasurer: K. C. Wright, Esq. Press Officer: Mrs. H. A. D. Walkden

Committee W. Bailes, Esq. J.E. Brownlow, Esq. Mrs. E. B. Cullen G. M. P. King, Esq., B.SC. Reverend R. T. H. Pearse, A.K.c. P. A. Stevens, Esq., M.A., F.M.A.

Representative on Society's Committee Mrs. E. Bartram * Representative on Lectures and Excursions Sub-Committee W. Bailes, Esq.

ix THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY 112th ANNUAL REPORT, 1966-67

Six General Meetings of the Society were held, at which the following papers were read: 1966 30 September Annual General Meeting in the Bennett Building, University of Leicester. Professor W. G . Hoskins, M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D. : "The Leicestershire Landscape". 14 October Professor V. H. Galbraith, D.Litt., F.B.A.: "1066 and All That". Norman Conquest Commemoration Lecture, given in the Bennett Building. 25 November J. M. Crook, Esq., M.A., D.Phil.: "The Greek Revival in English Architecture". 1967 27 January G. H. Martin, Esq., M.A., D.Phil., F.R.Hist.S.: "Victorian Water­ ing Places". 24 February J. N. L. Myres, Esq., M .A., D.Phil., F.B.A., F.S.A.: "Anglo-Saxon Pottery". 10 March James Crompton Esq., M.A., B.Litt., F.R.Hist.S., F .S.A.: "Archi­ tecture in Renaissance Italy".

Meetings By kind pernuss10n of the University the Annual General Meeting and the Norman Conquest Commemoration lecture were held in the Bennett Building. Pro£essor Galbraith's lecture was a memorable occasion. The Lecture theatre was crowded to capacity, and all enjoyed both the pungent wit and urbane scholarship of the former Regius Professor in the University of Oxford. Professor Galbraith consented to allow the Society to print his lecture and copies are available for sale, at 3s. each. Its title

X II2TH ANNUAL REPORT, 1966-67 proceedings showed an unfailing decorum-indeed, if I am to be honest, I must say that in the 1880s they were something more than decorous, they were torpid: otherwise there might have been unseemly struggles among those whiskered nobles and gentlemen over who should occupy the chair-or perhaps should not occupy it-at any meeting." "In 1916, however, all this wa.s swept away and a new constitution adopted, under which the Presidents became Vice-Presidents and a single President was elected. The first was Bishop Woods of Peterborough, in whose diocese Leicester then lay. His two successors were noblemen: the Marquess of Granby (later the 9th Duke of Rutland) and the ;nth Earl Ferrers, an architect and antiquary. In 1937 a decisive breach was made with the past in the election of Professor Hamilton Thompson. For he and those who followed him, Sir Robert Martin and Mr. Colin Ellis, had all taken, before they were appointed to the Presidency, a very active part in the work of the Society and in the recording and preservation of evidences of past history in Leicester and Leicestershire. "Mr. Ellis has made a notable contribution to that work, and a highly individual one. His books include the admirable Historical Guide to the city, which he pro­ duced in collaboration with another distinguished member of this Society, Mr. S. H. Skillington, for the Leicester meeting of the British Association in 1933. History in Leicester, which appeared in 1948, is a study original in plan, observant, crisp, and clear. His Leicestershire and the Quorn Hunt is something very much more than a piece of conventional sporting history: it is a book to delight the social historian and also---especially in its first-rate Appendix, "Some Covers and Land­ marks"-the student of Leicestershire topography. Mr. Ellis's most recent historical work has been concentrated largely on his survey and inventory of memorials in Leicestershire churches; an invaluable corrective and supplement to Nichols. "It is just 30 years since Mr. Ellis first became a member of this Society. At the time of his election he was Chairman of the Excavation Committee that was responsible for the investigation of the Jewry Wall site here in Leicester. He played a major part in persuading the City Council to underwrite the cost of Miss Kenyon's work in the three subsequent seasons, to relinquish its plan for building on the site, and to lay it out instead as an open space. For this and for much other un­ obtrusive public service the city and county are greatly in his debt. He laid down the Presidency of the Society last Autumn, on his removal from Rothley to Bring­ hurst. We must record our very warm gratitude to him for all he has done for us and express to him and Mrs. Ellis our most cordial wishes for their happiness in the broad and peaceful Welland Valley." Mrs. F. E. Skillington, who has been Chairman of the Society's committee for some years, and Lieut.-Col. P. H. Lloyd, were elected Vice-Presidents of the Society. Committee and Officers The Committee met seven times last year. Its membership stands at 24: Mrs. F. E. Skillington continues as Chairman. There are now three Secretaries. The post of Excursion Secretary has been elevated to that of an Officer of the Society, in consequence of the increased work falling upon the office and as a tribute to its holder, Miss W. A. G . Herrington, who does so much for the Society. Miss M. P. Rippin and Mr. J. Crompton continue to share the other secretarial work. The Committee has been strengthened by the addition of Dr. P. M . G. Eden who is an authority on ancient buildings and by Mr. J. A. Culley, who indexes Transactions. Mr. .David Parsons, a tutor in archaeology in the department of Adult Education at the University, has also joined the committee, thus strengthening it on its arch­ aeological side which was felt to be under-represented. Mrs. E. M. Dickson continues to represent the Society on the County Records Committee; Professor W. G. Hoskins and Mr. F. S. Cheney on the Council for British Archaeology; and Mr. J. A. Daniell on the Rural Community Council. Mrs. E. M. Dickson is Vice-Chairman of the new Local History Council, whose President is Professor Hoskins. Professor Simmons is a Vice-President.

xi LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH.1£.0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Transactions Volumes 38 and 40 appeared during the year. The hope that Volume 41 would appear before the end of the year was, unfortunately, not fulfilled but it should not be long delayed. Membership The total membership on 30 April 1967 was : Ordinary Members 498 Honorary Members 1 Associate Members 66 Associated Societies 7 Student Members 32 Libraries and Museums 43

647

During the year 67 new members were elected, 22 resigned and 7 died. The total is 36 more than at the same time last year, an encouraging increase, but smaller than the previous year, and we are still well below our total of the 700 Ordinary Members appealed for in September 1965. The need is no less urgent if the Society is to fulfil all its plans and not to increase the annual subscription. A really superb effort in 1967 / 68 could achieve our target figure, The Society regrets to report the death of Mr. G. H. Green, a member of long standing who recently also served on the sub-committee of Field-Work and Research. The Society also records its sympathy with Mr. C. L. Wykes on the death of his mother, Mrs. L. V. Wykes, who was a member of the Society, and with Mrs. E. Bartram, hon. secretary of the Melton branch, upon the death of her husband, Mr. E. Bartram, an associate member.

Historic Buildings The demand for reports on Historic Buildings continues. Reports were drawn up on forty-five buildings; six in connection with applications for grants in aid of restoration. The Society keeps up as much pressure as it can to preserve buildings but demolition continues. It has helped to save a small number but it is powerless to fight against the deliberate neglect which reduces buildings to useless shells in order later to utilise the site. Scheduling, as in the case of The Red House, Shepshed, is no guarantee of survival. The fate of the scheduled ruins of Grace Dieu Priory has caused concern, but a report from the Ministry of Public Building and Works produced an estimate of approximately £15,000 in order to make them really safe. It was felt that there was no chance of raising such a sum locally and so they must be left to languish. By contrast excellent restoration work is being carried out by the County Council at Donington-le-Heath. Neglect by aged owners of ancient buildings and lack of interested heirs is a further obstacle in the way of preservation. Knightthorpe Hall, Loughborough, and Osbaston Hall are both in parlous states from this cause. They might still be saved. The Society still keeps anxious eyes upon the fate of 18 Highcross Street isolated now amidst recent road works and demolitions. Within the city too the fate of many of the tablets recording important events and historic figures in the city's history has recently caused concern. The Society is anxious that a full record should be made of these and that something should be done to ensure their preser­ vation. The threat to our heritage comes not only from those who would demolish, it comes also from those who would alter the character of buildings by tasteless and unintelligent "restoration" or worse still by the intrusion of completely unsuit-

xii II2TH ANNUAL REPORT, 1966-67 able buildings and this not only from private builders. Local opinion, backed by the Society, has happily prevented the erection of a public convenience in the centre of the attractive square in Market Bosworth. There is clearly much to be done. · Grants in aid of restoration are pitifully inadequate to meet the increasing demands made upon them and this situation, aggravated by "the squeeze" is likely to get . worse. The ultimate salvation of many, particularly smaller buildings of historic interest, must lie in the hands of sympathetic owners or purchasers. By stimulating interest in the preservation of buildings amongst more and more people the Society can fulfil a most useful function. It is encouraging to those who visit houses in connection with the writing of reports to find how keenly aware many ordinary men and women throughout the county often are of the importance of preserving an old house. It is upon enthusiasm of this kind that we must rely more and more. Archaiology The year has been singularly disappointing in any pos1ttve achievements as far as its archa:ological side is concerned The Society, somehow, does not seem to have been able to match its own keenness with that of other local bodies like the Archreological Excavation Group. Hopes that something will soon be achieved have been kindled from the appointment of Mr. A. D. McWhirr to the chairmanship and Mr. D. Parsons to the secr,etaryship of Group 6 of the Council for British Archreology. An important result was seen in an enthusiastic meeting, held at the University, on 29 April.

Library The following books were acquired during the year : Antiquaries Journal, XLV (1965). Archaiological Journal, CXXII (1965). Birmingham Archawlogical Society Transactions and Proceedings for 1963 & 1964, LXXXI (1966). Bulletin of the Institute of Historical Research, XXXIX (1966), and Theses Supple- ment No. 27: Theses completed 1965. Derbyshire Archaiological Journal, LXXXV 1965 (1966). Derbyshire Archaiological Journal, LXXXVI (1966). Lichfield & South Staffordshire Archaiological & Historical Society Transactions, VII (1965-66). Medieval Archaiology, I, 1957 (1958). Medieval Archaiology, IX, 1965 (1966). North Staffordshire Journal of Field Studies, VI (1966). Proceedings of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society, LIX (1966). Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, XCVII (1963-64). Transactions of the Lichfield and South Staffordshire Archaiological and Historical Society, VI (1964-65). Transactions of the Shropshire Archaiological Society, LVII, Part 3 (1964). Transactions of the Thoroton Society of Nottinghamshire, LXX (1966). Archaiological Bibliography for Great Britain & Ireland 1963, Council for British Archaiology (1966). Archaiological Bibliography for Great Britain & Ireland 1964, Council for British Archaiology (1966). Early Man in the Welland Valley, Interim Report of the Welland Valley Research Committee, 1966. Fifth Report on the work of the Leicestershire Record Office, 1964-66. Ordnance Survey 6-inch Maps, Provisional Edition 1955-1966: 129 maps cover­ ing Leicestershire and Rutland. Ed. Thomas, C., Rural Settlement in Roman Britain, C.B.A. Research Report 7, 1966. xiii LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH£0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Allison, K . J., Beresford, M. W., Hurst, J. G., and other members of the Deserted Medieval Village Research Group, The Deserted Villages of Northamptonshire (1966). Bond, F., Gothic Architecture in (1905). Brailsford, J. W., Guide to the Antiquities of Roman Britain. British Museum (3rd edn. 1964). Broughton, A. C., S. 'John Baptist, Enderby: The Story of the Church (1954). Cross, C., The Puritan Earl: The Life of Henry Hastings Third Earl of H untingdon 1536-1595 (1966). Firebrace, C. W., Honest Harry- Sir Henry Firebrace (of Stoke Golding) z6z9-, z69I (1932). Fox, C., The Archteology of the Cambridge R egion (1923). Greaves, M., Regency Patron: Sir George Beaumont (1966). Hadfield, C., The Canals of the (1966). Hextall, J. E., and Brightman, A. L., St. Paul's Leicester, I87I-I92I (1921). Hill, Sir Francis, Georgian Lincoln (1966). Roby, H.J., Pedigree of Roby of Castle Donington (1889). Rows.e, A. L., Bosworth Field and the Wars of the Roses (1966). Scott-Giles, C. W., Boutell's Heraldry, (revised 1950, revised edition 1958). Thorpe, H. R., The Roby Family of Castle Donington from z650 to z903 (1904). Ed. Wacher, J. S., The Civitas Capitals of Roman Britain (1966). Ed. Wrigley, E. A., An Introduction to English Historical Demography from the Sixteenth to the Nineteenth Century (1966). Wilshere, J. E. 0 ., "Kirby Muxloe 1597-1702". Duplicated Parish Register Tran­ scripts (1966). Wilshere, J. E. 0., "The families of Bradley and Hughes of Belgrave and T yler of Queniborough". Duplicated Miscellaneous Notes (1966). Wilshere, J.E. 0., "Baldwin of Loughborough and Sharman of Market Harborough", Duplicated Miscellaneous Notes (1966).

Excursions z966 Six excursions from Leicester and two within the city, were arranged for 1966. r. 14 May. Half-day excursion, in which 31 members took part; to three Norman churches, Laneham, Blyth and Carlton-in-Lindrick: Laneham a plain little village church, but with perhaps the oldest Norman doorway in the country; Blyth is a building of such outstanding magnificence that the time allowed for visiting it was far too short; Carlton-in-Lindrick, a fine church, once in a village but now almost surrounded by housing estates. The joint efforts of Messrs. Crane and Grimbley in introducing these lovely churches to members were much appreciated, as was also tea at the Lion Hotel, Worksop. 2. II June. Half-day excursion, conducted by Mr. James Crompton and Dr. Alan Everitt. A visit was made first to the fine Hawkesmoor mansion of Easton Neston where the party was received by Lady Hesketh who displayed the beauties of the house, including its spacious staircase, its dining room with the wonderful stuccoed ceiling and the tunnel-vaulting of the gallery. Brief visits were also made to the church and to the gardens with a temple, dated 164r. A donation for a children's orphanage was given to Lady H esketh. The party then made its way to Northampton, visiting the churches of St. Peter, called by Pevsner "the most interesting church in Northamptonshire", All Saints with its striking exterior, and St. Matthew, a late-Victorian Pearson-esque church enshrining two modern treasures : Henry Moore's sculptured Madonna, and Graham Suther­ land's painting of the Crucifixion. 3. 25 June. H alf-day excursion to Lowesby, conducted by Mr. D. A. Blakesley. Owing to the fact that Lowesby Hall is a home and not usually open to the public, Mrs. E. Kirkpatrick was obliged to limit the numbers to 35. As the excursion also included a visit to Hungarton and to the lost village of Ingarsby, other members

xiv II2TH ANNUAL REPORT, 1966-67

joined that part of the excursion, bringing the number up to 48, and by the time various local people had "dropped in" to hear what Professor Hoskins had to say about their church, the number was more like 60. This was one excursion in which the weather did not help. Lowesby Hall, with its beautiful painted Verrio ceiling, was enjoyed and admired, and Mrs. Kirkpatrick kindly allowed the extra members to wander around the gardens, but by the time Hungarton church was reached it was raining, and by the time the walk across the field to the lost village of Ingarsby should have begun, there was such a downpour that members from cars crowded into the coach to hear a talk on what would have been seen had weather permitted. Colonel Gemmell took pity on the members and allowed them to go inside the oldest part of Ingarsby Hall (mistaken­ ly called "the chapel") instead of merely viewing the outside. Professor Hoskins was, thereby, able to confirm his view that the building was part of a house and not the chapel. A rather inadequate meal at Oakham ended a day of mixed blessings. 4. 23 July. Whole-day excursion to Cirencester and ChedworthRoman Villa, attended by 40 members and friends. Mr. Alan McWhirr, who was then in charge of the dig, met the party at Cirencester and conducted a tour around the quite extensive excavations. He pointed out that there was very little of a spectacular nature to be seen, and that very often weeks of hard digging resulted in nothing being found. Nevertheless his description of the Roman town and the sites to which he led the party were so interesting that many said they would like a similar excursion the following year. After tea, a drive through delightful country to the Roman Villa of Chedworth enabled the party to see to what discoveries digging occasionally led the fortunate few. 5. 10 August. Evening excursion to Hallaton: On the one perfect summer's even­ ing in a wet week, a party of 33 was met by Mr. Philip Stevens, who conducted the party around Hallaton church and village in such a manner that it was afterwards described by some as the best evening excursion we have ever had. The Vicar, who welcomed the party at the church, also gave a short talk, emphasising that Hallaton had once been a more important place than Market Harborough. The site of the castle was also visited, and Mr. Stevens gave a detailed account of the lay-out and suggested possible reasons for the building of a castle on that spot. 6. 24 August. Evening excursion. A perambulation of Leicester. A 49-seater coach was full. Professor Simmons, precariously perched, led the party to observe French influence in St. Paul's church on the Fosse Road, the Victorian suburb of Knighton, the smaller houses of Oarendon Park, the tall elegance of All Souls', the artisan dwellings of the same area, and finally, the Museum and the Oock Tower. This evening too ended in a request for more. 7. 3I August. An evening tour of Roman Leicester on foot. 32 members were conducted round by Miss J. Mellor, who is trying amidst difficulties (including flooding of one site) to trace the walls of the Roman city. This visit to the scene of her labours again emphasised that digging is hard work, often not rewarded by finds. 8. 17 September. Half-day excursion. The last excursion of the season was to Tansor, Cotterstock and Fotheringhay, three beautiful churches set in pleasant countryside. The leader, Mr. T. B. Davis, provided the party with leaflets setting out the chief points of interest in each church so that members could wander round at will and ask questions if necessary. St. Mary's church at Tansor dates probably from the eleventh century, and has much zig-zag decoration. At Cotterstock, the church of St. Andrew has a chancel built in 1337 as part of a college of seculars at Cotterstock, it also has a fine fourteenth-century porch and a west doorway with zig-zag work. For many its greatest charm lay in its situation by the peaceful banks of the Nene. At Fotheringhay too there was once a college and, although the chancel was pulled down in the

xv LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH£0LOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

sixteenth century, what remains gives an impression of space and light. There are two Elizabethan memorials, one to Edward, second duke of York, and one to Richard, the third duke. On the return to Oundle for tea there was time for an unscheduled visit to the parish church of St. Peter. Donations from the Excursion Fund were made to all the churches visited. Arrangements for the excursions were in the hands of Miss W. A. G. Herrington, Honorary Excursions Secretary.

MELTON MOWBRAY AND DISTRICT BRANCH The following meetings of the Branch were held during the year, with the exception of two, in the Council Chamber, Egerton Lodge. 1966 21 October R. Jeavons, Esq., "The Development of the Castle in England and Wales". II November Professor W. G. Hoskins, M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., "The Evolution of the Small English House". 9 December Social Evening: Wine and Cheese party. 1967 13 January P.A. Stevens, Esq., M.A., F.M.A., "British Waterways in History". 10 February Members' Evening. IO March T. H. Corfe, Esq., M.A., "The Phoenix Park Murders and the failure of the Irish Revolution". 14 April Brian Waters, Esq., "Aerial Photography, an aid in Local History Studies".

Excursions 1966 Seven excursions were organised from Melton Mowbray. All were well sup­ ported; one surprised leader found himself at the head of a procession of a dozen packed cars. l. 7 May. Whole-day coach trip to Cambridge, led by the Rev. R. T. H. Pearse and Mr. K. C. Wright. Even on a cool day Cambridge looked delightful, in a mantle of freshest green. Some lunched at a nearby hotel, whilst the rest enjoyed a picnic meal, after which tours were made of five of the twenty-two colleges: Queen's, King's, Oare, Trinity and St. John's. All are beautiful and contain interesting features, from the enchanting Second Court of Queen's, with its narrow cloisters and half-timbered President's Lodgings, to the magnifi­ cence of King's College Chapel. After a quick look at the oldest of the four round churches in England, St. Sepulchre's, the FitzWilliam Museum was visited, with its fine collection of pictures, statuary, tapestries, miniatures, porcelain and glass and other objets d'art. In its extensive library a member of the University showed some of the rare missals, manuscripts, prints and an exception­ ally complete stamp collection. The treasures of the FitzWilliam led to a search for refreshments before a contented but footsore party boarded the coach for a peaceful return journey. 2. l June. Evening excursion to Foxton Locks, led by Mr. P. A. Stevens. After a journey via the Welland Valley, the company paused at the picturesque but derelict Gumley-Debdale Wharf, where the triangular widening of the canal enabled a narrow boat to be manoeuvred round in the opposite direction. Arriv­ mg at the spectacular staircase of Foxton Locks, Mr. Stevens explained their history and purpose, after which the company climbed up and down the complex system, marvelling at the construction, and peering down into the narrow channels. Some members repaired to the Black Horse, where there is also an excellent collection of pictures and photographs of the former glories of Foxton Locks. xvi II2TH ANNUAL REPORT, 1966-67

3. 18 June. Afternoon excursion to Melbourne and Breedon-on-the-Hill, led by the Rev. R. T. H. Pearse. On an afternoon of mixed cloud and sunshine, the church dedicated to St. Mary and St. Hardulph could be seen from afar on its pinacle of rock, perched on the very edge of the quarry and approached by a steep, winding road-way. Within, the rector drew attention to the Anglo-Saxon stone carvings which are more than a thousand years old, and unequalled anywhere in Western Europe, a miracle of survival. In the village at the foot of the hill the eighteenth-century conical "lock up" was viewed. At Melbourne, the magnificent Norman church was inspected where Mr. Pearse gave a brief account of the history and features of this massive and awesome church. The old vicarage and a huge tithe-barn adjoin the church. After tea at the Melbourne Hall Tea Rooms, Mr. Blunt's farm was visited. In the beautiful garden lie many stones thought to be relics of the former castle. This member of the Society is interested in further research and possible "digs". 4. 6 July. Evening excursion to Long Clawson, led by Mr. G. M. King. Furnished with maps of the village, thoughfully provided and prepared by the leader, a large company drove the few miles to "Clachestone", as it is listed in the Domesday Survey of 1086, there to spend a few hours studying the abundant evidence of its earlier history. At the lovely old Manor House the owners, Mr. and Mrs. P. Wilford, kindly allowed the whole party to wander at will. In the vast attics was a linen press and a very early washing machine which aroused great interest. In the delightful garden are the remnants of mud walls, and nearby an old mud barn, soon, alas, to be demolished. In the much restored church of St. Remigius, the vicar, the Rev. A. Willcock, had on display many church records and documents. The Marriage Registers from 1558 were perused. Correspondence relating to enclosures and to the relative merits of restoring or rebuilding the parish church in the 1890s was of considerable interest. The site of the original early Norman manor-house was next visited. The approach conceals under an enormous bush a dangerous well of unknown depth. The tour ended in the immaculate garden surrounding Mr. and Mrs. Seagrave's cottage, which until recently was constructed entirely of mud walling. The stone foundations have been retained and the outbuildings are still walled with mud. Stilton Cheese was once produced at this cottage. This rewarding study of a village as a whole has encouraged us to repeat the experiment and each season to visit a nearby village.

5. 11 August. Afternoon excursion to Rockingham Castle, Liddington church and the Bishop's Palace, led by Mr. P. E. Hunt. Heavy rain marred this otherwise delightful trip into Rutland. Rockingham Castle commands admiration even on the murkiest day, standing rock firm on a spur, with green parkland dropping away to all that now remains of the former Royal Forest. The interior was inspected with its portraits and beautiful period furniture and other numerous treasures. Tea was taken at the Falcon Hotel, Uppingham, before moving on to Liddington church where the vicar, the Rev. R. A. Roebuck, showed us the many remarkable features of his church: three beautiful sedilia; a Laudian communion rail and a fifteenth-century rood-screen, originally brightly coloured, but now much worn and so defaced as to be barely distinguishable. A list of clergy in exquisite old English lettering and a description of the notable brasses both made by the churchwarden, were admired. The Bishop's Palace adjoining the church is the work of John Russell, also bishop of Lincoln. After the Dis­ solution, the manor eventually came into the possession of the second Lord Burleigh who converted it into a bedehouse for twelve poor men, with two women to look after them and a warden in charge. The Great Hall is of noble proportions with handsome mullioned and transomed windows on the south side. Craftsmen from the Ministry of Works were busy restoring the superb ceiling.

6. 20 August. Evening excursion to Oakham Castle to commemorate the 900th Anniversary of the Norman Conquest. For this rather unusual excursion over

xvii LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHR.OLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY

fifty people travelled to Oakham and assembled (by courtesy of the Rutland County Council) in the Hall of its historic Castle. Here, surrounded by the famous horse-shoes, the Battle of Hastings was re-fought. The protagonists were Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Stevens, Mrs. Stevens arguing the case for William, and Mt. Stevens championing Harold's cause. No blows were exchanged and no permanent breach occurred. The story of the Bayeux Tapestry was related in a sound and colour film lent by the Area and County Library and shown to us by Mr. D . Harrison. The evening ended with wine and cheese. 7. 10 September. Evening excursion to Garendon. By courtesy of Mr. G. de Lisle and through the kindness of the members of the Loughborough and District Archreological Society, members were privileged to visit the current "dig" at Garendon Park. Here, Mr. Williams and his assistants conducted a tour of the excavations. The Cistercian Abbey, founded by Robert le Bossu, earl of Leicester in 1133, decayed and has vanished almost without trace. During several seasons, the Loughborough excavators have uncovered a stone drain or passage of considerable length. It was constructed of dressed slabs of sandstone. Deeply cut stones with intricate mouldings have also been found and after using the modern technique of the restitivity meter, three sides of a very large rectangular building with walls 6ft. 6in. thick were exposed; this could have been the monks' dorter. Recently the floor of the chapter house was cleared and yielded· up fragments of medieval tiles of unusual colouring and design. A few years ago the eighteenth-century Hall, reputedly built on the site of the abbey was demolished. Already little or no trace of the hall can be seen except two large barns. As darkness descended, some of the party climbed up to view the Temple of Venus, a reminder of Mr. Ambrose Phillipps's Grand Tour during the eighteenth century. It boasts a roof of diminishing squares reminiscent of that of the Pantheon in Rome.

xviii THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 30 April 1967 GENERAL ACCOUNT £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Subscriptions : Lincoln Record Society 2 2 0 By Subscriptions : ...... 693 18 0 Council for British Archa:ology 5 10 0 Income Tax Repaid on Covenanted Sub- English Place-Name Society 1 5 0 scriptions ... 103 6 5 British Record Society 2 12 6 Income from Investments : Society for the Prot~ction of Ancient Buildings 1 1 0 Interest in £ 101 5s. 4d. Leicester Cor­ Leicestershire Trust for Nature Conservation 1 0 0 poration 3 % Mortgage Loan (gross) 3 0 10 Mids. Fed. of Museums and Art Galleries Interest on £150 3½ % Conversion Stock (2years) 1 0 0 1961 (gross) 5 5 0 14 10 6 8 5 10 Provision for the net cost of printing and issue Sale of Postcards 2 4 of Transactions Vol. XLII 500 0 0 Payment for use of Blocks 30 0 0 Less Overprovision for Vol. XL per Grant from County of Leicester Education contra 88 15 4 Committee 25 0 0 ~- 411 4 8 Donation 1 10 0 Library Fund, Binding and Honorarium 121 12 6 Interest, Leicester Trustee Savings Bank ... 35 16 0 Lecturer's Expenses 33 5 9 Grant to Italian Art & Archives Rescue Fund 10 10 0 Transactions, Vol. XL Administrative Expenses: Cost of Printing and Issue, including Rent 10 0 0 Binding 533 14 2 Fire Insurance ... 2 17 6 Less : Charges for bound copies 13 19 6 Printing, Stationery and Postage 181 5 11 Advertisements 25 10 0 Bank Charges ... 4 7 5 39 9 6 Melton Mowbray Branch 24 14 3 Sundries 2 14 6 494 4 8 225 19 7 L ess : Provision made 500 0 0 Grant from Ministry of 817 3 0 Public Building & Works 83 0 0 Net Income for the year 80 15 7 583 0 0 Overprovision to contra 88 15 4

£897 18 7 £897 18 7 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the Year ended 30 April 1967

LIBRARY FUND £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Purchases of Books 44 13 2 Sale of Books 45 0 0 Balance of Fund at 30th April 1967 26 7 10 Subscription refunded 1 1 0 Grant from General Fund 25 0 0 £71 1 0 71 1 0

THE S. H. SKILLINGTON MEMORIAL FUND 638 6 1 ~ Cost of Offprints from Transactions Balance of Fund at 1st May 1966 Volume XL and Reprints 48 12 6 Sales of Publications, including back numbers Postages and General Expenses ... 6 4 11 of Transactions 148 10 0 Balance of Fund at 30th April 1967 731 18 8 £786 16 1 £786 16 1

EXCURSIONS ACCOUNT Printing, Postages and Bank Charges .. . 41 0 7 Balance of Account at 1st May 1966 41 5 11 Balance of Account at 30th April 1967 .. . 12 10 7 Excursion Receipts 256 10 0 Less Expenses 249 4 9 7 5 3 Donation ... 5 0 0

£53 11 2 £53 11 2 THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY BALANCE SHEET-30 April 1967

£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated Funds: Investments : Excursion Secretary's Account 12 10 7 £101 Ss. 4d. Leicester Corporation 3 % The S. H . Skillington Memorial Fund 731 18 8 Mortgage Loan (Value £101) ... 101 5 4 Library Fund 26 7 10 £150 3½% Conversion Stock 1961 (value General Account: £83) 121 4 9 Balance at 1st May 1966 138 3 5 222 10 1 Add Net Income for the year 80 15 7 Current Assets : 218 19 0 Sundry Debtors 28 5 11 Leicester Trustee Savings Bank 1,468 8 6 989 16 1 Cash at Bank 501 12 8 Provision for the net cost of printing and issue do Excursion Account 12 10 7 of Transactions: do Melton Mowbray Branch 7 6 6 XLI . . . Cash in hand ~ Vol. 500 0 0 15 0 0 ;1, Vol. XLII .. . 500 0 0 2,033 4 2 1,000 0 0 Current Liabilities: Sundry Creditors 27 15 8 Subscriptions paid in advance 238 2 6 265 18 2

£2,255 14 3 £2,255 14 3

TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCH1£0LOGICAL REPORT OF THE HONORARY AUDITOR AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY The accounts set out on pp. XIX-XXI are in agreement with the books J. E. Brownlow, Esq. which, in my opinion, have been properly kept. I obtained the information Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. and explanations I required. J. N. Pickard, Esq., J.P. In my opinion the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of J. R. Webster, Esq. affairs and the results of the Leicestershire Archa::ological and Historical C. L. Wykes, Esq., F .C.A. Society. Leicester. G. L. ASPELL, Chartered Accountant, Honorary Auditor. THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHJEOLOGICAL RESEARCH FUND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT for the year ended 30 April 1967

£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Purchase of a set of 6" -Ordnance Maps of the Income from Investments: County 73 16 0 Interest on £1,750 3½ % War Loan (gross) 61 5 0 Cheque Book 1 0 Interest on £284 19s. 9d. 4 % Consols (gross) 11 7 10 Net Income for the year .. 22 17 4 72 12 10 Interest on Bank Deposit Account 23 4 6 Sale of Index to Transactions 17 0 £96 14 4 £96 14 4

BALANCE SHEET- 30 April 1967 Capital Account: Investments on Capital Account: Balance at 1st May 1966 1,314 19 4 £1,029 4s. 8d. 3½ % War Loan (value £556) 1,064 19 4 >: Income Account: £284 19s. 9d. 4 % Consolidated Stock ~: Balance at 1st May 1966 1,377 12 5 (value £180) 250 0 0 Add Net Income for the year ... 22 17 4 1,400 9 9 1,314 19 4 Investment on Income Account: £720 15s. 4d. 3½ % War Loan (value £390) 752 9 1 Balance at Bank: Deposit Account 541 11 0 Current Account 103 5 9 644 16 9 Due from the Leicestershire Archreological & Historical Society 3 3 11 £2,715 9 1 £2,715 9 1

TRUSTEES OF THE LEICESTERSHIRE ARCHiEOLOGICAL REPORT OF THE HONORARY AUDITOR RESEARCH FUND The above accounts are in agreement with the books which, in my 0. S. Bennett, Esq., B.A. opinion, have been properly kept. I obtained the information and explanations Colin D. B. Ellis, Esq., C.B.E., M.C., M.A., F.S.A. I required. Anthony Herbert, Esq., A.R.I.B.A. In my opinion the accounts give a true and fair view of the state of Miss M. P. Rippin, B.A. affairs and the results of The Leicestershire Archreological Research Fund. Professor J. Simmons, M.A., F.R.Hist., F .R.S.L. Leicester. G. L. ASPELL, Chartered Accountant, C. L. Wykes, Esq., F.C.A. Honorary Auditor