THE SEAT OF JOHN ROCK GROSETT, ESQ. LACOCK ABBEY, one of the most perfect remains of a monastic habitation in the kingdom, is situated in a part of the county which is remarkably level and productive, adorned with venerable trees, and the beautiful windings of the Avon. The ancient buildings of the Nunnery are preserved with the greatest care, while the Residence is not found to be incompatible with the comforts and refinements of modern times. It is related by Dugdale, that Ela, the only daughter and sole heiress of William De Eureux, Earl of Salisbury, married William Long Espee, a natural son of Henry II. by Fair Rosamond, who thereupon became Earl of Salisbury, and died 1226; and that Ela, his Countess, having continued seven years a widow, purposed to found a Monastery for the health of her soul, as also for the soul of her husband, and all her ancestors; and that at length having received a revelation that she should do it in a certain place, called Snailes Mede, near unto Lacock, to the honour of our Lady and Saint Bernard, this noble lady began the foundation of Lacock, in 1233, the seventeenth year of the reign of Henry III. and afterwards took upon her the habit of a Nun there. In 1240 she was elected Abbess, being then fifty-three years of age. After she had continued Abbess for eighteen years, finding herself debilitated with age, so that she could not undergo the government of the house as she desired, she resigned, and, departing this life five years afterwards, was buried in the choir of the Conventual Chapel; at the destruction of which, the tomb-stone was removed to the cloister, where it now lies. The Monastery and estate, at the dissolution, were granted by Henry VIII. to Sir Henry Sherrington, Knt. the representative of an ancient family of Lancashire, who converted the ancient building to a residence, the remains of which are duly venerated and kept in the best repair: many alterations have, however, been made in subsequent periods. On the carriage front, a view of which is given, the principal compartment of the edifice is flanked by octangular turrets, crowned with cupolas, as seen in buildings of the reign of Henry VIII. and the roof partially concealed by an ornamented open parapet; the principal entrance is by a double flight of steps; on the left is a range of building, having two pointed windows, with buttress and battlements, and, beyond, a high gable-roofed building; on the right angle is a large octangular tower, ornamented with balustrades, and a staircase turret, crowned with a cupola. LACOCK ABBEY, WILTSHIRE. The garden front shews the large tower, at the south-east angle, with a curious old gabled building, having a twisted ornamental chimney. On the east side are the remains of the chapterhouse, vestry, and old kitchen. The ancient cloister, a remarkable feature in the edifice, extends round three sides of the quadrangle; on the fourth side are the hall and cellars. Several parts of the mansion bear a modern character in their construction. It stands about nine miles from Calne, and four from Chippenham, within three miles of the celebrated seat at Corsham, the residence of Paul Cobb Methuen, Esa. Olivia, the daughter and heiress of Sir William Sherrington, Knt. of Lacock, married John Talbot, Esq. of Salwarpe, in the county of Worcester, which marriage brought this estate into the family of Talbot, who long held possession of it. John Talbot, Esq. died in the year 1572, and was succeeded by his son, Sherrington Talbot, Esq. who resided at Lacock Abbey, and died in 1640: by Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Leighton, he left issue Sir John Talbot, who died in 1714, leaving two daughters, coheiresses :-Barbara married Henry Yelverton, Viscount Longueville, father of Talbot Yelverton, created Earl of Sussex in 1717: Anne, the other daughter, married Sir John Ivory, Knt. who had Issue John Ivory Talbot, Esq. of Lacock Abbey, M. P. for Luggershall, in this county, in the year 1714; who by Mary, the daughter of Thomas Lord Mansell, of Margam, left issue three children : John Talbot, Esq. of Lacock, M. P. for Marlborough, 1747, who died unmarried; the Rev. Thomas Talbot, father of Thomas Mansell Talbot, Esq. of Margam; and a daughter, who married Davenport, Esq. father of Davenport Talbot, Esq. of Lacock. Lacock Abbey is now the residence of John Rock Grosett, Esq. R 4 |