AT GORHAMBURY, HERTS. GORHAMBURY, the seat of lord viscount Grimstone, celebrated from having been the residence of the great lord Bacon, is situated within a short distance of St. Alban's. It derives its name from de Gorham, a relative to Geoffery and Robert de Gorham, abbots of St. Alban's, who conferred on him a grant of these lands, about the middle of the twelfth century. This estate continued to be the property of his descendants, till near the end of the fourteenth century, when it was reannexed to the abbey, by the abbot De la Mare, who purchased it for 800 marks. The manor remained in the possession of the abbey till the dissolution, when Henry VIII. granted it to Ralph Rowlat, whose eldest daughter married John Maynard, esq. by which union the estate became the property of that gentleman. It was afterwards purchased by Nicholas Bacon, esq. who was made lord keeper of the privy seal by queen Elizabeth. Sir Nicholas erected the mansion, which is now a ruin westward of the present edifice. It was originally of a quadrangular form, but the only parts remaining which are worthy of notice are a portion of the great hall, a lofty octangular tower, and the porch of entrance. STATUE OF HENRY THE EIGHTH. Be The porch is a square projection of richly-ornamented stone, rising to the height of the original building. neath a pediment are the royal arms of Elizabeth, and still lower on each side of a square window, are several rudely-carved statues of Roman soldiers. The interior of the porch was ornamented by sir Nicholas with all the splendid emblazonments peculiar to the age. Within the great hall were painted several elegant devices, and here the lord keeper often entertained his royal and munificent mistress Elizabeth. The tower is of brick, and commands from its summit a variety of beautiful prospects, but, from its now ruinous state, it is seldom if ever ascended. About thirty yards from the tower is a niche in a broken wall, where stands the Statue of Henry VIII. This statue is in gilt armour, and conveys some resemblance of the robust Henry, though now mutilated, and in a state of decay. It was introduced here by the lord Bacon, at the time the wall was built. This superb mansion of the great Bacon, from which the puissant Elizabeth often issued her royal mandates, has been entirely neglected since the present residence of the lords Grimstone was erected, between the years 1778 and 1785. |