Note on a Seal of Ludgershall.

By REV. CHRISTOPHER WORDSWORTH, M.A.

HE Rev. C. Sladen, of Alton Barnes, Wilts, possesses a small brass seal of the usual oval or vesical shape, measuring

1in. lin. It represents the Agnus Dei ("Lamb and Flag") with the legend SIGIL D' NEVSM DE LOTEGARHALL. Lotegarhala, or Ludgershall, near Bicester, Bucks, was an alien hospital connected with Santingfeld, in Picardy, "Santinegfelda juxta Wytsand," and (together with that of "Farle juxta Lectonam," in Bedfordshire, which also was connected with it), the property was made over by King Henry VI. to King's College, Cambridge, in 1448.

An experienced antiquary, Mr. James Parker, suggests (in a letter to the Rev. F. F. Morgan, Rector of Ludgarshall, near Aylesbury), that SIGIL D' NEVSM might possibly stand for "Sigillum domine Virginis Sancte Marie." In which case it might probably have belonged to St. Mary's Church, in Ludgershall. That is certainly the dedication title of the Buckinghamshire Church, as St. James is said by Mr. Parker to be of that in Wiltshire.

As it has made its appearance so near our Ludgershall, it is only natural that we should wish, if possible, to connect it with our Wiltshire neighbourhood.1

That there was an alien priory or hospital at Ludgarshall, in Buckinghamshire, is, however, well understood.

In Dugdale's Monasticon, vol. vi. (part ii.), p. 639, there is mention of one "Brother John Rokele, master of the hospital of Farley and Lotegarshall" (from Prynne, iii., p. 591). Also, a charter of the 1st year of Henry IV. (1399-1400) mentioning the land in

The person from whom Mr. Sladen got the seal professed to have got it from a soldier who brought it from abroad." The fear of the law of treasure trore makes it often difficult to get a precise statement of the facts of findings.

"Ferleya"; as also "in manerio de Luttegersahala" three hides of land and ten acres of forest, granted, for building, to the hospital of Santinfield by Wytsand and the Brethren serving God in that place.

I do not myself think that the arrangement of the letters1 favours Mr. Parker's suggestion of "d'ne Virginis Sancte Marie." I am rather of opinion that "Neusm" is intended for "Newsom," i.e., Newsham, or Newhouse. We find, besides "Temple Newsham," or "Newsom," (the preceptory of the Knights Templars founded in the twelfth century) in the West Riding of Yorkshire, five places called "Newsham" (in Durham, Lancashire, Northumberland, and two in the North Riding of Yorkshire, near Thirsk and Greta. Bridge, respectively). Also "Newsham Green," near Leeds, and two "Newsholmes," one in the East, the other in the West Riding, near Holme Beacon and Gisburn, respectively. I see that in Crockford's Clerical Directory the spelling "Newsome" (St. John Evang.) is given for that which is in Almondbury, near Holme Bridge and Huddersfield. I take the above list from Gorton and Wright's Topographical Dictionary [1833]. But only the last of the nine places has any mention (and that, a subordinate one) in "Crockford." Hence I infer that "Newsome" is not an independent place-name, but that it has a substantival use, equivalent to "newhouse," "new-biggin," or "new-place," "new-stead," or "de novo loco." Thus we have the first Premonstratensian abbey founded in England, in 1143, in Lincolnshire, retaining for centuries (like "New" College, Oxford) its title of "Newhus," or "Newsome." (Dugd., vi., p. 365.) So I venture to suggest that the legend on the seal may mean the Seal of the New House (or Hospital) of Luggershall, Bucks.

I believe that Mr. Parker had not seen the seal itself. I may here add that it has a small bar of the same metal welded-in down the back. This is thickened into a lobe towards the top, and pierced sufficiently to admit a small cord or ribbon to suspend it. The lettering is in Lombardic uncials. In the final word the letters AR" are run into one, and the final L is of smaller size raised above the line.

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Bird Notes.

The Dipper or Water Ouzel (Cinclus aquaticus) in Wilts. This bird, though frequent enough along streams in Devon, Somerset, and South Dorset, had, when Smith's Birds of Wilts was published in 1887, been only twice recorded as occurring within the limits of the county of Wilts. In 1899, however, a pair reared their young at Castle Combe for the third year in succession, and since then the birds have considerably increased in numbers there-more than one pair nesting there every year. The Devizes Gazette for Feb. 16th, 1899, recorded the fact that a pair had appeared in that month at the Stalls, Longleat, and of course had been shot. There is no reason whatever, why the bird should not become generally distributed in the county if only keepers and "local gunners" can be kept in order and prevented from shooting them before they have time to establish themselves.

The Bittern. Two specimens were shot on the Littlecote estate, one in January and one in February, 1902.

The Hoopoe. One was found dead on a lawn near Trowbridge at the end of April, 1900. Devizes Gazette, May 3rd. Cormorants. Some twenty-five of these birds alighted on some high trees at Marden on October 2nd, 1902. They were apparently much exhausted. One was caught alive and several were of course at once shot. They were seen the next day travelling in a south-westerly direction. Field, and Devizes Gazette, Oct. 9th, 1902.

Wilts Obituary.

Sir Edward Hulse, sixth baronet, of Breamore House, Hants, shot himself at Johannesburg, May 30th, 1903. Born Aug. 25th, 1859. Educated at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford. J.P. and D.L., for VOL. XXXIII.-NO. XCIX.

E

Wilts, J.P. for Hants. Succeeded his father as baronet, 1899. Represented Salisbury as a Conservative M.P. 1886--97. Served as captain in 15th Battalion of Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, 1900-02, and was mentioned in despatches. Acted as chief Press Censor in Johannesburg 1902. Married, Nov. 1st, 1888, Edith Maud, only daughter of Sir Edward Lawson, Bart., of Hall Barn, Beaconsfield, by whom he leaves one son, Edward Henry Westrow Hulse, born 1889. The Wilts County Mirror, June 5th, 1903, has a long obituary notice and also an In memoriam notice by H. C. Richards :-" Edward Hulse was a true friend, a devoted member, a keen politician, an excellent sportsman, and Salisbury will never be able to re-call one who, whilst he was her member, sought more persistently to remember what he could and would do for her sons and daughters."

Obit. notice, Standard, June 1st, 1903.

Cornwallis Wykeham-Martin. Died April 28th, 1903, aged 69. Buried at Purton. Son of Charles Wykeham-Martin, of Leeds Castle, Kent, and Lady Jemima Isabella, d. of James, 5th Earl Cornwallis. Born June 18th, 1833. Educated at Eton. Joined the navy 1846, and served in the Baltic during the Crimean War. He retired from the navy in 1861, and some six years later took up his residence at Purton. He served for some years on the County Council, and was regular in his attendance as a magistrate on the Swindon, Wootton Bassett, and Cricklade benches. He was a strong Conservative and churchman. He leaves two sons, Charles Allen and Robert Fiennes, and six daughters, Mrs. Leigh Pemberton, Mrs. H. Pollock, Mrs. Henry Clutterbuck, and the Misses Theodora, Catherine and Sybil WykehamMartin. He identified himself much with all Purton matters, and was much liked and respected.

Obit. notices, Devizes Gazette, April 30th; North Wilts Herald, May 1st and 8th, 1903.

Lt. Col. John Frederick Everett, of the Close, Salisbury, died, aged 69, May 14th, 1903. Buried at Sutton Veny. Eldest son of Joseph Everett, D.L., of Greenhill House, Sutton Veny, and Alice, d. of Rev. Robert Rolfe, Rector of Saham Toney (Norfolk). Born at Heytesbury, Oct. 17th, 1834. Educated at Winchester. Ensign 13th Foot, 1853; Lieut. 1855. Served in the Crimea and Indian Mutiny. Captain 25th Regt. 1860. Resigned 1865. Married, 1863, Mary Florence, 2nd d. of Rev. Henry Fowle, of Chute Lodge, Wilts. He succeeded his father in the Greenhill and Upton Lovel estates, 1865, and for some years hunted the South and West Wilts Hounds. He held the command of the 1st Wilts Rifle Volunteers from 1866 to 1885, and of late years had taken great interest in the Salisbury Church Lads' Brigade, of which he was commanding officer. A J.P. for the county, and active in his magisterial duties, a Conservative, and a staunch supporter of all Church work, his loss will be much felt in the Salisbury neighbourhood. The Greenhill estate was sold in 1898, and most of the Upton Lovel property

was also disposed of. Prior to this he had lived for some years at the Manor House, Upton Lovel, but his latest years were spent at Salisbury. The present Church at Sutton Veny was built, at a cost of £8000, as a memorial to his father, by Mrs. Everett, himself, and other members of the family. His six sons are:-Major Henry Ravenhill Everett, of the Somerset Light Infantry; Commander Allan Everett, R.N.; and John, Lawrence, Frank, and Bertie.

Obit. notices, Wilts County Mirror, May 15th; Devizes Gazette, May 21st, 1903.

Canon William Renaud. Died April 15th, 1903, aged 84. Buried in Salisbury Cathedral Cloisters. Born at Havant, 1818. Educated at Winchester and Exeter College, Oxon. B.A. 1840; M.A. 1844. Deacon 1841; priest, 1843, Peterborough. Curate of Norton (Northants), 184143; Wilton, 1843; St. Thomas, Salisbury, 1844-63. Vicar of St. Thomas, Salisbury, 1863-74. Lecturer, St. Thomas, Salisbury, 187399. Rector of Havant, 1874-92. Canon and Prebendary of Salisbury, 1858 until his death. He retired from Havant in 1892 and had since lived at Salisbury, greatly respected by all classes.

Obit. notices, Salisbury Diocesan Gazette, May; Times, April 18th ; Devizes Gazette, April 23rd; Wilts County Mirror, April 17th and 24th, 1903.

Rev. Edward Charles Awdry. Died May 19th, 1903, aged 92. Buried at Chippenham Cemetery. St. Cath. Coll., Camb., B.A. 1836. Deacon 1836; priest 1837 (Gloucs. and Bristol). Curate of Grittleton, 1836. Vicar of Kington St. Michael, 1856-97, when he resigned and had since lived at Chippenham. An original member of the Wilts Archæological Society and for very many years a regular attendant at the annual meetings. A High Churchman of the old school, a bachelor, a most conscientious and well-loved parish priest, a man of the quaintest humour and the kindliest courtesy, and of a singularly simple and saintly life.

Obit. notice, Devizes Gazette, May 21st, 1903.

Rev. Thomas Dry. Died May 10th, 1903, aged 97. Buried at Rushall. Born at Sandford (Oxon), Nov. 8th, 1805. Educated Magdalen Coll. School. B.A. Merton College, Oxon, 1828; M.A. 1832. Deacon (London) 1832; priest, 1833. Curate of St. Michael's, Queenhithe, 1832; Head-master of Forest School, Walthamstow, 1834-43; minister of St. Peter's, Walthamstow, 1840-43; Head-Master of N. Walsham Grammar School, 1843-73; Curate of N. Walsham, 1845-51; Westwick (Norf.), 1868-73; Rector of Rushall, 1873 until his death. He was said to be oldest beneficed clergyman in the Church of England. He married, first, Sarah, d. of John Reid, of the Record Office, Court of Chancery, by whom he had seven children; and secondly, Susannah, d. of John Prentice, surgeon, of N. Walsham, by whom he had three children. Obit. notices, Devizes Gazette and Morning Post, May 14th; Guardian May 20th, 1903.