These notes, by Caroline Utting, give further background to the exhibition in St Mary’s Church – November 2024
The short films were created by primary schools in and around Ross during two workshop days at St Mary’s Church in 2017
1637
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Plague in Ross killed 315 people.
John Kyrle born 22nd May at The White House Dymock. He was the first of 3 children. His brother Walter is thought to have been disabled. He had a sister.
Father Walter Kyrle and barrister and MP for Leominster in 1640 (see also: John Kyrle: Formative Years)
There was plague in Ross. In September 99 deaths were recorded, in October 46. 414 died in total.
“For many years a rate of £55 a week was levied on the rest of Herefordshire to revive the stricken town.”
John Giffard began producing saltpetre in Hereford to supply the navy.
The main produce of Dymock was wool and apples.
Walter Kyrle is thought to have built a house in Ross in 1620 and used it as his address when he went to Middle Temple in 1625. Jon Hurley “In Search of John Kyrle” Note: the 1924 Gazette article suggests it was an existing house.
Christopher Wren 5yo
1638 1yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Elizabeth Dewell met John Lilburne (in prison)
1639 2yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Covent Garden Piazza completed
Louis XIV born
1640 3yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Walter Kyrle elected MP for Leominster, along with Sampson Eure in the Short Parliament (March-April) and 7 months later in the Long Parliament. Note: Ross did not have its own Parliamentary representation at the time.
Robert Harley and Fitzwilliam Coningsby MPs for Hereford and then Richard Seaborne and Richard Weaver.
Arthur Jones and William Tomkins MPs for Weobley
The Lord of the Manor was the Earl of Essex
Thomas Thynne (future Viscount Weymouth) born.
Christopher Dewe was the Postmaster in Hereford
1641 4yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Edward Harley at Lincolns Inn
The Herefordshire Grand Jury petitioned Parliament about weirs blocking the Wye
Fitzwilliam Coningsby (of Hampton Court Herefordshire) thrown out of Parliament for owning part of the now illegal soap monopoly. The electorate sent his son Humphrey (a Middle Temple student of 20yo) in his place.
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
Elizabeth Dewell married John Lilburne
1642 5yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
A petition from Herefordshire was delivered to the HoC. “Evidently the petition was meant to show that in Herefordshire too there was a body of opinion to back the reformists. It does not seem that Sir Robert Harley, still in London, was involved with it. His wife considered it to be the work of “Mr Kirll and some other gentellmen.” Probably James Kyrle of Walford.
Edward Harley joined the Parliamentary cause.
The Council of Wales and the Marshes was terminated by Parliament
John Egerton, Earl of Bridgewater, ceased to be Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire.
William Tomkins MP for Weobley died and his brother Thomas took his place.
Parliamentary forces under Stamford took Hereford in September and stayed until December, when they withdrew to Gloucester. While in Hereford the ordinary soldiers stole from known Royalists inside and outside of the city to feed themselves and augment their meagre income.
23rd October Charles’ army was marching from Shrewsbury towards London. Essex’s army left Worcester to intercept him, and the two forces met at Edgehill in Warwickshire. This first major battle was inconclusive. Many of the soldiers in the Royalist army were from Herefordshire, the Marches and South Wales.
November 1642 Charles I set-up court in Oxford
The Parliamentarians left in Hereford were somewhat out on a limb and sent scouting parties out across the county. The vicarage at Goodrich and James Kyrle’s fortified house at Walford came under attack. Thomas Swift, vicar at Goodrich and rector at Bridstow, was married to the sister of John Dryden and became the grandparents of Jonathan Swift. Thomas Swift was an ardent Royalist.
Goodrich Castle was described by Stamford as “a place of infinite Importance”, it belonged to the Earl of Kent who was a strong Parliamentarian. 100 soldiers were sent from Hereford by Stamford to garrison it and had no compunction about raiding the vicarage to keep themselves in food etc. They withdrew on 3rdDecember.
1643 6yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
Arthur Jones (MP for Weobley) became Viscount Ranelagh in June, by which time he was with the army in Ireland.
Royalist troops were garrisoned at Ross.
The second attack on Hereford by Parliamentary forces under Waller took place in April. The people of Hereford didn’t put up a fight. The force remained for 2 weeks, after which the Royalists took over the city again. Sir William Vavasour (Yorkshireman) was appointed Governor of Hereford and Sir Henry Lingen became Sheriff of Herefordshire.
When the county justices assembled for the Epiphany Quarter Sessions in January 1643, the opportunity was taken to prepare a “Humble Petition” to the two houses of Parliament, from the Grand Jury. The document does not read as a particularly humble one. Although it acknowledges that “many grievances abounded in the Kingdome, which wee hoped would have bin reformed by the Parliament, gladding our Hearts by the establishing of some excellent Lawes at the beginning”, it deplores the dispute between King and Parliament, and moves into a litany of the plunderings and outrages committed in Hereford by the Parliamentary forces under the Earl of Stamford, claiming that some citizens had been hanged or dragged at horses’ hooves without charge, “to the horrible astonishment of His Majesties subjects of this country”. It protests against the unseemly sermons of Mr John Sedgewick in Herefords Cathedral, and at Stamfords opening of the prisons and release of felons. It also records his oppressive forcing of the money from the citizens, his unlawful appropriation of cathedral revenues, and his removal of arms and ammunition. It ends with the plea that the two Houses “would forthwith submit to such termes of Accommodation, as his Majestie will graciously yield unto” and so avoid “wee say not a civil warre, but that which is like to be the most horrid and desperate Civil warre that can be apprehended to befall any Nation”.
1644 7yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
Wilton Bridge was guarded by musketeers from Goodrich Castle. A small Parliamentary force seized it. One of the bridge spans was destroyed. In May Colonel Massey was able to ford the river and capture the castle. They stayed for a short period. Sir Henry Lingen escaped to Goodrich, which was bombarded by Birch
Edward Harley was shot in the arm at the Skirmish of Gloucester.
Herbert Croft, brother of Sir William Croft) became Dean at Hereford Cathedral.
David Crowther The History of England Podcast:
“Here then very briefly is the story of Christmas. The Solemn League and Covenant had promised to reform the church, and the expectation was that it would be in line with the Scottish kirk model, which is what many English Presbyterians looked up to – and in particular, one Robert Harley, Brilliana’s husband, who was tasked to lead a committee to draw up the report. The Scots of course had cancelled Christmas celebrations back in 1640.
The conclusion of the sub committee was that all this unbiblical stuff – feast days and festivals, all these pictures and decoration and things were nothing but a distraction, which got in the way of making direct contact with the God of the Gospels. Christmas was seen as particularly problematic, because the Catholic Counter Reformation had really emphasized it, the cult of Mary and the Holy Family; so Christmas began to look more and more like popery. Which as you know was not considered a good thing at the time. And so they should all go. With the exception of Sunday of course, though that must be properly kept, no bowling or boozing. Plus there’d be fast days, always a lot of fun, can’t beat a good fast day for a hooley; and there would be holiday on days of national remembrance, we must of course always remember the 5th of November. On 19thDecember 1644 came an ordinance banning Christmas. Before long, plays were also cancelled; the order lapsed in January 1648 as it happens, and plays sprang up like mushrooms, so they were banned again and this time the theatres demolished to boot.”
1645 8yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price – took a stand against the directory for worship, which supplanted the book of common prayer.
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
Pg 117 “The Committee for Both Kingdoms commissioned Birch on 5th December to take 1000 foot and troop of horse from Bathe and Bristol and march to Herefordshire, there to join with Colonel Morgan, Governor of Gloucester, ……”to endeavour to distresse the cittie of Hereford, and use all means to take it in”. the committee’s attention had been drawn to Hereford by a disgruntled and disaffected Royalist, Sir John Bridges, whose family home was Wilton Castle, just across the River Wye from the town of Ross. Bridges had commanded a regiment on the King’s behalf in Ireland, and, back in Herefordshire to raise recruits, had fallen out with its Royalist leaders. Sir John’s father, Sir Giles Bridges, was related by marriage to the Scudamores and was godfather to Viscount Scudamore’s son James, but this did not prevent a bitter dispute when the Royalists wanted to make Wilton Castle uninhabitable to prevent its possible use as a Parliamentary garrison. Despite Bridges’ opposition, the castle was burned down by Lingen’s and Scudamore’s men.
Not sure this is true “September 3rd the Scots Army rampaged through the streets of Ross. They were starving from the Siege of Hereford.” Charles I is also said to have visited Ross the same week on his way from Monmouth to Hereford.
The Siege of Goodrich Castle – Parliamentary soldiers led by Colonel Birch. The Royalist Charles Clifford and his lover, Alice Birch (niece of the Colonel), were allowed to leave before hostilities began, but drowned crossing the Wye in bad weather.
The Scots army also ransacked Dymock where the Kyrles were living.
In March Prince Rupert was sent to relieve Chester but was forced to turn back by an uprising in Herefordshire. It was for neither Parliament nor King, but a spontaneous act of exasperated countrymen, who had formed an association to defend themselves against, as they saw it, lawless, plundering soldiers, whichever side they fought on. They were called “Clubmen” because most of them were only armed with cudgels and farm implements, though some had firearms or perhaps because they clubbed together. 25,000 Clubmen of Herefordshire practically besieged the Royalist Garrison at Hereford until Prince Rupert turned up. He negotiated terms of surrender and executed 3 of the leaders. Then, against the agreed terms, he set his troops free to plunder the local area.
www.thehistoryofengland.co.uk/resource/clubmen
Clubmen had first risen in Shropshire in 1644. There was a March rising in Worcestershire, Herefordshire. They were mostly Yeomen and husbandmen. Prince Rupert crushed the uprising and quartered his troops in the county, giving them free rein.
1645-1715 are the years when the mini-ice-age reached its peak.
1646 9yo
The vicar of Ross was Philip Price
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
Sir John Winter (Wynter) lived at the White House Dymock, having burned down his home White Cross House, Lydney, to prevent it falling into the hands of Parliamentarians. The Winter family owned it, so presumably when it is said Kyrle inherited it through his wife, it is meant the family inherited the lease.
Walter Kyrle wrote to William Scudamore of Ballingham regarding Henry Lingen, suggesting he should vacate Goodrich Castle.
John Kyrle was taught by Edward Reese.
Richard Harris was the miller at Town Mill.
John Vaughan rented a furnace at Bishopswood “set by the hands of Walter Kyrle Esq” who was steward of the manor.
Sir John Kyrle, who leased a mill and forge in nearby Goodrich from the Earl’s Steward because of “one great wheel at the forge called the Chaffery Wheele out of reparacions and most of the chimneys.”
Rev Philip Price was turned out of his living and replaced by Rev John Tomas (later Baptist minister of Bewdley). He was followed by Rev. John Skinner and then Jonathan Smith?
Edward Harley was elected MP for Herefordshire in the Long Parliament but excluded in 1648 in Pride’s Purge (for not supporting the grandees of the New Model Army).
April – King Charles sought refuge in Scotland, but was sent back to England a few months later and imprisoned.
1647 10yo
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament.
Walter Kyrle Esq recorded accounts for money to rebuild the Pound (Palace Pound) on behalf of the Lord of the Manor.
From 1646 a Presbyterian Group was dominant in Parliament. Charles was in the north, playing for time. In February the Scots were paid off and handed Charles over. He was moved to Northampton. The New Model Army was told to disband or sign up for Ireland. The troops were not happy and elected a council in April/May. In June Trooper Joyce went to Homby House, where Charles was, and captured him. In late July there were demonstrations in support of Presbyterianism and against the army. Members of Parliament fled London and sought protection of the New Model Army, which marched to London and returned the MPs to Parliament. Terms were put to the King by Ayrton and Lambert. They were very generous, proposing 2 yearly Parliament, re-establishment of the Church of England with liberty for those who preferred other forms of worship. Behind their backs the King was negotiating with the Scots.
The Putney Debates took place. The radicals in the NMA, the Levellers wanted to expand suffrage, put power in the body of the people and grant freedom of religion, reform of the legal system that included holding trials in English (usually in Latin), and disestablishment of the church.
On 11th November the King escaped to the Isle of Wight.
15th November Fairfax and Cromwell disciplined the NMA at Burford.
1648 11yo
Walter Kyrle a member of the Long Parliament until Pride’s Purge on 6th December (a military coup, which left only MPs that supported the NMA in the HoC and cleared the way for the eventual execution of the King). Colonel Thomas Pride and his men refused entry to Parliament to any MPs not considered supportive enough.
Beginning of the Second Civil War. Charles I escaped from Hampton Court (London) to Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.
Richard Stallard was the bailiff for Ross Borough.
The stretch of road from St Mary’s to the junction with Wye St was known as Wilton Gate Street and later in the 18th century, as Townsend. Bishops Court became known as The Pound and Pounds Inn. Lady Mary Cheek or Chalke leased it.
In the spring there was a concerted Royalist uprising in Wales. The King’s supporters in Scotland began to assemble an army. On 29th April the NMA met at Windsor. There was great anger that they were having to fight again because the King would not come to terms. Cromwell went to Wales and then the north for the Battle of Preston, which he won.
David Crowther The History of England Podcast:
“Here then very briefly is the story of Christmas. The Solemn League and Covenant had promised to reform the church, and the expectation was that it would be in line with the Scottish kirk model, which is what many English Presbyterians looked up to – and in particular, one Robert Harley, Brilliana’s husband, who was tasked to lead a committee to draw up the report. The Scots of course had cancelled Christmas celebrations back in 1640.
The conclusion of the sub committee was that all this unbiblical stuff – feast days and festivals, all these pictures and decoration and things were nothing but a distraction, which got in the way of making direct contact with the God of the Gospels. Christmas was seen as particularly problematic, because the Catholic Counter Reformation had really emphasized it, the cult of Mary and the Holy Family; so Christmas began to look more and more like popery. Which as you know was not considered a good thing at the time. And so they should all go. With the exception of Sunday of course, though that must be properly kept, no bowling or boozing. Plus there’d be fast days, always a lot of fun, can’t beat a good fast day for a hooley; and there would be holiday on days of national remembrance, we must of course always remember the 5th of November. On 19thDecember 1644 came an ordinance banning Christmas. Before long, plays were also cancelled; the order lapsed in January 1648 as it happens, and plays sprang up like mushrooms, so they were banned again and this time the theatres demolished to boot.”
1649 12yo
Charles I beheaded on 30th January.
February “England’s New Chains Discovered” published by John Lilburne, Richard Overton, Thomas Prince and William Walwyn – a criticism of Oliver Cromwell by the Levellers. March they were imprisoned.
April Elizabeth Lilburne, Katherine Chidley and Mary Overton organised the unprecedented All Women’s Petition and obtained 10,000 signatures. It was delivered on 25th April to the HoC.
In April a group, that became known as The Diggers, began to cultivate the common in Cobham. Since 1642 the country had, had to support 2 armies, made up of many men who were taken out of food production. Houses had been destroyed and 55,000 made homeless. Bad weather also had an impact on food production. Many people were facing starvation in the north.
The Commonwealth was declared.
Parliament undertook the reconquest of Ireland which led to the Massacre at Drogheda.
1650 13yo
Walter Kyrle died 10th February, 50yo.
The Booth Hall, which was owned by Tobias Feckenham, was pulled down. A small row of houses that linked it to Underhill also pulled down.
Adultery was made a hanging offence.
Marchemont Nedham was employed by the Commonwealth to produce a newspaper called Mercurius Politicus.
Charles II was in Scotland trying to get support for a return. On 3rd of September was the Battle of Dunbar. Cromwell won.
The first English coffee house was established in Oxford, by a Jewish entrepreneur called Jacob, at The Angel Coaching Inn.
1651 14yo
Mercurius Politicus reported on Prince Charles (II) in Scotland, massing troops for a march south to Worcester. London was looking for a union with the Dutch, another republic. But they were unsuccessful.
3rd September was the Battle of Worcester. Charles II fled to France.
Likely work began on demolishing the booth Hall and construction of the market house.
1652 15yo
The 1st Dutch War began.
First London Coffee House established by Pasqua Rosee of the Levant Company.
1653 16yo
The Complete Angler published by Izaac Walton.
1654 17yo
Alice Kyrle entered John for Balliol College. He was accepted as a Gentleman Commoner on 21st April. In his cohort were George Weld, oldest son of Sir John, of Shropshire, Henry Jeffryes esq son and heir of William of Holme Castle Worcestershire (his aunt Joyce lived in Hereford and was well known), Robert Rodde of Whitney Herefordshire, John Spark of Plymouth, John Molesworth of Pencarrow, John Gayor of Plymouth.
Cromwell became Lord Protector.
The Quakers arrived in Brookend St. They were often the subject of attack from the locals.
The First Dutch War ended.
1655 18yo
John at Balliol College Oxford. He was listed as a Second Year Man, along with Jefferys, Rodd, Sparks, Molesworth and Gayer – spelling of names had altered.
1656 19yo
John at Balliol College, listed as a Fellow Commoners 3rd Year Men, with Jefferys, Sparks, Molesworth and Gayer.
There was a breach in the Mill Pool wall. The first evidence of courts being held in the Market House on Law Day found.
Edward Harley inherited the family estates and was elected MP for Herefordshire in the Second Protectorate Parliament.
The Temple Bar, which was the principal entrance to the city of London from the city of Westminster, was erected, to regulate trade within the City of London. On the one side is The Strand and on the other fleet Street. On the southside of The Strand, by the Temple Bar is Middle Temple. The archway erected there was designed by Wren and constructed of wood. 200yrs later it was replaced with a stone version. That was rebuilt in Paternoster Square.
1657 20yo
John Entered Middle Temple to study law. The Inns of court were more like gentlemen’s clubs, places to network and socialise. Few members qualified as lawyers. Most gentlemen went to learn enough law for them to run their estates and carry out business. John was no different in this respect.
On 17th July Cromwell was invested as Lord Protectorate at Westminster.
1658 21yo
Cromwell died in September and was succeeded by his son Richard.
Interestingly Kyrle, Jefferys, Sparks, Molesworth and Gayer were still listed at Balliol College
1659 22yo
William Bennet was fined for not pulling down a cottage he had erected on part of the Lord’s waste outside Wilton Gate.
George Monck was in secret communication with Charles II about returning.
1660 23yo
John is reported to have returned to Ross.
1st May MPs agreed to invite Charles II to take the throne. 25th May he landed at Dover. 29th he arrived in London (did John witness this before returning to Ross?)
Charles II made William Seymour, (Earl of Hertford), 2nd Duke of Somerset. He died in October 72yo. His wife was Frances, 2nd Duchess of Somerset.
1661 24yo
Rev Philip Price died. John Newton replaced him. He was made a Chaplain to Charles II and was the author of books on maths and astronomy. He took a great interest in the local grammar school and seems to have had a good sense of humour. He oversaw a fairer division of tithes paid to rectors. He was considered a mathematician and astrologer of national importance.
Sir John Scudamore of Holme Lacy was in London for the coronation on 23rd April when he was attacked in St Giles of the fields and robbed of his clothing, which was valued at over £17.
1662 25yo
Alice Kyrle died before John’s 25th birthday.
The 1st Wye and Lugg Navigation Act made provision for the tow path for Bow Haulers and the building of locks at New Weir.
Charles II sold Dunkirk to Louis XIV.
1663 26yo
John inherited over £40 in gold, linen, Turkey cushions, old upholstered chairs, stools, a featherbed, a straw bed and a flock bed. Alice also left £450. Behind the house there was a stable with a hayloft, a hut for keeping 2 pigs, wood and coal, and a brew house next to the kitchen.
1664 27yo
1665 28yo
Plague in London
1666 29yo
The Great Fire of London. It stopped just short of the Middle Temple.
1667 30yo
1668 31yo
1669 32yo
John presented Balliol College with a solid silver tankard hallmarked 1669/70, cast by Thomas Jenkins.
1670 33yo
John Winter left John silver plate and three pieces of gold.
Ross church wardens were presented to the Manor Court for not repairing the wall between the churchyard and the Pound.
1671 34yo
Dr John Newton’s Act of Parliament on tithes was passed. He was also responsible for an Act of Parliament that decreed a parish could have only a single vicar, not a vicar and a reverend.
1672 35yo
“The right noble the Lady Frances Duchess of Somerset, at the request of her tenants, inhabitants of the borough or town of Ross, grants for 21 years, a certain portion of the rents arising from the tolls, and 10 feet of soil round the market-house then lately erected etc.etc. for keeping it in repair.”
1673 36yo
1674 37yo
Lady Frances Seymour (nee Devereux) 2nd Duchess of Somerset died at the age of 74.
1675 38yo
The year without a summer – must have read this somewhere.
Richard Harris, miller at Town Mill, was presented (at court) for allowing the bridge at the millpond head and the causeway from Philip Osbornes house to the mill and the street before the mill door to be out of repair.
1676 39yo
1677 40yo
1678 41yo
Rev Dr John Newton died.
John Kemble, a priest, was caught up in the Captain Titus Oates anti-Catholic agitation. He was living with relatives at Pembridge Castle and was arrested in December.
1679 42yo
John Kemble was taken to London and then brought back to Hereford where he was dragged through the streets on a hurdle hung in Widemarsh Street.
New Vicar was Thomas Brom
Robert Whitlock surveyed the Wye from Hereford to Tintern and suggested improving the river by turning parts of it into canals (would probably have caused quite a stir).
The Exclusion Crisis was building momentum – the Whigs wanted James excluded from the succession.
Elizabeth Bubb was christened in Foy.
1680 43yo
A list of mills and weirs was drawn up. They were considered obstructions to navigation of the Wye.
“The market tolls and rents for the stall were not administered directly by the Lord of the Manor or his steward, but were rented out to a middleman, William Fisher in partnership with William Sparry in the 1680’s. They were also responsible for the upkeep of the market house.”
The Exclusion Crisis continued.
1681 44yo
The Exclusion Crisis continued.
1682 45yo
1683 46yo
George London began work redesigning the garden at Longleat – parterres, waterworks and planted avenues.
December to…..
1684 47yo
…February – the coldest 3-month period, known as the Long Frost when waterwheels were frozen – no flour production. The sea also froze.
The messuage, close and garden of the Bishop’s Palace were leased to William Fisher, plus one acre adjoining the Palace and one parcel of land adjoining the churchyard and one lying within the beast market.
1685 48yo
Charles II died
6th June the battle of Sedgemoor James II verses the Duke of Monmouth (the oldest illegitimate son of Charles II). James II won but he is not popular.
1686 49yo
John Scudamore of Kentchurch, Herbert Westfaling of Rudhall, John Kyrle of Ross, William Markey of Alton Court, Ross and Richard Clarke of The Hill Walford, together with William Merrick, John Baker, and John Furney, all of Ross transferred the trusteeship of Webbe’s Hospital in Copse Cross St to John Jones of Llantilio in Monmouthsire.
1687 50yo
1688 51yo
The Glorious Revolution – William of Orange landed at Brixham and James II fled abroad.
Judith Bubb baptised at Foy.
1689 52yo
Mary Bubb died, and Elizabeth aged 10 and Judith aged 1 were sent to live with John. Their father had deserted them.
1690 53yo
1691 54yo
Around this time the new staircase to the Market House was built, replacing the exterior one. Inside the Market House was set out as a courthouse with a dais at one end.
1692 55yo
1693 56yo
1694 57yo
1695 58yo
John’s tenor bell was hung in the belltower of St Mary’s. It had been cast at the Rudhall Foundary in Gloucester.
The Second Wye and Lugg Act was passed. It caused the removal of weirs from mills such as Carey and the Dean and Chapter mills at Hereford. Some of the shallows were dredged and trees cut from the banks. This led to an upturn in trade in Hereford.
John Scudamore felled timber on a large parcel of land for the construction of ships in Plymouth. These were for fighting the Spanish War of Succession.
Edward Harley wrote “A Scriptural and Rational Account of the Christian Religion.”
1696 59yo
John leased the land for The Prospect from Thomas Thynne, created 1st Viscount (Lord) Weymouth in 1682, who was married to Frances (Finch), the granddaughter of Frances Seymour 2nd Duchess of Somerset (died 1674).
1697 60yo
An Act of parliament ordered surveyors of the highways throughout England and Wales to erect a direction stones or post at every crossroads in their parish.
From Oxoniensia.org (Letters of the Wood Family)
Robert Wood to his father Thomas Oxford 13th September 1697
Honoured Sir
I am come now to return you thanks for all favours received during my residence at Littleton and to acquaint you that on Thursday the eighth between 4 and 5 in the evening I got safe to Oxon, which place I no sooner arrived at but I heard the welcome news of the promotion of several friends, one of which was Mr Whiting, whom the Bishop of Hereford* has bestowed a Parsonage upon, value 200£ per annum….
*Gilbert Ironside
1698 61yo
Hill Court was rebuilt for Richard Clarke (d.1702). John is reputed to have been involved in both the design of the 7 bay, 2 storey house and the design of the gardens. A window cut into a yew tree hedge, to reveal the ruins of Goodrich Castle, was said to be his idea. Also an avenue of Elm Trees along the drive.
1699 62yo
Rev. Charles Whiting* became rector of Ross and became a close friend of John. They set-up a grammar school together – see 1704.
John let The Prospect to William Fisher at £5 per annum.
*Charles Whiting 1661-1711 attended Hart Hall as a Pleb 1677 (16yo), became a scholar of Wadham 1678, a fellow 1686 (25yo), Chaplain to Dr Ironside Bishop of Bristol, Prebendary of Hereford 1694 (33yo) and Rector of Ross 1699 (38yo). Died 1711 (50yo).
1700 63yo
The Kyrle Gates at The Prospect are installed.
William Sparry and Ruth Grindall had the agency to collect market stall rent in the 1700’s.
1701 64yo
1702 65yo
Elizabeth Bubb married Rev. Reginald Aubrey of Foy, aged 23yo.
1703 66yo
1704 67yo
John and Charles Whiting set-up a grammar school on the site of a former chantry.
Through his agent, John Mainwearing, gent, in 1704, Lord Weymouth “ gave and delivered to Charles Whiting DD Rector of Ross, and to John Kyrle Esq, the possession of the premises to the intent that the same should be and remain to the use of the said Dr Whiting as the master of the grammar school there, and future masters of such school forever, for the instruction and education of youth therin, according to the doctrines and usages of the Church of England as established by law.”
1705 68yo
1706 69yo
1707 70yo
Kingdom of Great Britain created.
William Fisher was granted a licence to sublet The Prospect to Richard Ball.
1708 71yo
1709 72yo
Grammar School – Lord Weymouth, by deed dated 2nd November “settled an annuity of £10 on a master who would be appointed by the owner of Ross Manor.”
Charles Whiting was also involved in the setting up of the Bluecoat School with Lord Viscount Scudamore. John Kyrle amongst others who gave £40 to the trustees to purchase the land for it to be built upon.
1710 73yo
1711 74yo
Rev Charles Whiting died aged 50yrs.
1712 75yo
Westminster School website:
Rev. Robert Morgan born 1665 died 1745 DD of Christ Church Oxford Canon of Hereford 1702 became Rector of Ross on 27th April (47yo). According to Thomas Hearne (antiquarian, diarist 1678-1735), Robert Friend considered him “one of the greatest scholars in the kingdom. (Hearne, Collections, xi 107). Son of Robert Morgan Bishop of Bangor 1667-73.
1713 76yo
1714 77yo
Thomas Thynne, Viscount Weymouth, died 74yo.
1715
78yo
1716
79yo
1717
80yo
1718
81yo
1719
82yo
1720
83yo
1721
84yo
Kyle was instrumental in the repair to to the top of St Mary’s spire and the three of the four pinnacles.
1722
85yo
1723 86yo
Christopher Wren died 91yo
1724 87yo
Died 7th November
1725
Louis XIV died