Additional Notes — Pied Piper of Newtown#

This section contains additional notes and full-length original reports not included (so far) in the main narrative.

It includes:

  • full length report of visit of Hampshire Field Club to Newtown

  • Robert Browning’s poem “The Pied Piper of Hamelin

  • Eliza Gutch’s “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”, Folk-Lore, 1892

  • Archaeological and Political History of Newtown, including notes from an Extensive Urban survey - Hampshire and the Isle of Wight by Hampshire County Council and English Heritage.

The Hampshire Field Club in the Island#

Th complete article describing the visit of the Hampshire Field Club to the Isle of Wight, Isle of Wight County Press and south of England Reporter, saturday 26 July 1890, p8

Robert Browning, The Pied Piper of Hamelin#

This poem, first published in Dramatic Lyrics in 1842, can be found in volume II of The Poetic and Dramatic Works of Robert Browning in six Volumes, Dramatic Lyrics, pp281-88, 1887.

I haven’t seen evidence either way to suggest that Browning was familiar with Elder’s version of the tale, which was first published three years earlier in 1839.

Eliza Gutch’s “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”, Folk-Lore, 1892#

This paper appeared in [Folk-Lore], the “Quartertly Review of Myth, Tradition, Institution, & Custom”, Vol. III, 1892, p227-252, published in London by David Nutt, 270, strand.

I intend to do an annotated version of Gutch’s article at some point…

Archaeological and Political History of Newtown#

Newtown was originally created as a new town by the Bishop of Winchester in 1254.

An archaeological survey of Newtown was produced by Hampshire County Council and English Heritage and published as Extensive Urban survey - Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dave Hopkins, 2004, https://doi.org/10.5284/1000227 Newtown specifics.

The strategy document also includes a brief review of the history of Newtown.

For issues associated with the creation of new towns at the time, see for example Florilegium Urbanum, “Planning a new town: personnel, process, and product” describing the foundation of Winchelsea. The article has this to say regarding Newtown:

In the years following the tale, and following the sacking of the town during the invasion by the French, it continued its decline, despite several attempts to rejuvenate it. This included an initiative by Elizabeth I, which saw the town returning two MPs despite its small population. (Over the years, the returned MPs included John Churchill, later Duke of Marlborough, in 1678, (and who I have already encountered in On the Trail of the sin-Eater) and Richard Worsley, about which there are other tales to tell.)

sacking of the Town of Francheville#

https://archive.org/details/bim_eighteenth-century_a-new-correct-and-much_albin-john_1795/page/342/mode/2up?q=francheville+newtown A new, correct, and much-improved history of the Isle of Wight, … 1795 by [Albin, John].

Publication date 1795

p343

BOROUGH of NEWTOWN.

THERE is reason to suppose that this town is much more ancient than its name seems to import, but under the name of Francheville; which name it probably obtained either from its being a free town, or else from its having been for some time possessed and at last destroyed by the French when they invaded the island. Aymer, bishop of Winchester, was lord of this borough, and granted by charter to this town of Francheville, all such liberties and franchises as were severally and respectively enjoyed by the burgesses of Taunton, Alifford, and Farnham; which deed or charter was issued at swainston, and first confirmed to the town by Edward the second, afterwards by Edward the Fourth, and queen Elizabeth also ratified it, as a testimony of her disposition in its favour.

Wurd the countess of Albemarle and Devon, lady of the island, gave in her claims, in the eighth year of Edward the First, which were allowed her by the itinerant justices, she is represented as having a knight’s fee in Newtown; of which Robert de Pimely held one half, and William son of Wilham Lisle and Baldwin de Newton, as holding each one quarter of a fee. In the inquisition taken in the seventh year of Edward the Third we also find that William son of Walter Lisle, and Baldwin de Newetoh then held half a fee in Neweton by knight’s service of the honour of the castle of Carisbrooke.

e likewise find that a grant of the freedom of this borough to the mayor and burgesses, was given in the thirtieth year of king Edward the Third; and another, which is dated in the fourth year of Richard the second, shews a gift of forty acres of land lying in Calbourn to the mayor and burgesles of Newtown. It likewise appears from various old deeds, that they had at different times granted many burgage tenures, some of which were for life, and others in fee. Tus charter of king Edward he . to his son Edward, earl of Chester, afterwards Edward the Third, king of England, in the eleventh year of his reign, gave a power to hold a market at the town of Francheville every Wednesday, and a fair of three days every year on the eve of the Feast of saint Mary Magdalen and two following days.—

The power of granting tenures is also naturally to be inferred from its having a power to buy and sell lands as a body corporate, under a common town feal.

AFTER it had been destroyed by the ee in the reign of Richard the second, on its being afterwards rebuilt, it assumed the name of Newtown. The traces of a very large town are met with, though it is now dwindled away so as scarcely to deserve the name of a village, not containing more than about ten cottages, and consequemtly but very few inhabitants. It still preserves a corporation of mayor and burgesses, and has a town-hall ; but this body docs not consist of inhabitants of the

place, but of the proprietors of certain burgage tenures, which entitle them to a vote in the choice of their members. In some ancient deeds of lands, the town is described as having extended from the High-street on the south to Gold-street; and many small burgage lands lie on each fide of the scite of the old streets. Two long streets, stretching in the direction of east and west, were connected by other streets, nearly at right angles, which extended from north to south. These circumstances render it very probable, that the town mentioned in the saxon chronicles, as having been burned by the Danes in the year one thousand and one, could be no other than this very town of which we are now treating. No do we speak merely on the authority 10 former historians. From the best information, that of living evidence, we have been enabled to conclude, that the town formerly extended considerably to the south, probably beyond the situation of the town-hall, which is used for elections and corporation entertainments, and stands on an eminence that overlooks one of the creeks of this harbour. With the use of this ancient building, we are ena| bled to say, that parties carrying their provisions and liquors may be accommodated, when engaged in water or land excursions; being well situated for the former, when the tide is in, which flows up very near to it. A small public house is contiguous to it on the north, and probably stood in Highstreet. At the bottom of the green (or street to

the north) Gold-street turns to the east, and silverstreet to the west, each of which contains one house; in the former the venerable William Har. vey, aged about eighty-two, and the only refident burgess, from whom we had this intelligence, in-

his answers to our enquiries afforded us every satisfaction. A ANTs | Tut haven of Newtown is certainly a most desirable place for shipping, and affords the best security of any about the island. It is capable of receiving vessels of five hundred tons burden at

water and fishery, who hold a court leet, and appoint constables; but a rent, payable to the lord of the manor of swainston, is collected from the holders of borough lands.

Ox the subject of its sending members to par-

port. The twenty-seventh year of queen Eliza-

mons to parliament has been already shewn also vnder that borough. William Mewes and Robert Ridge, Esqrs. were the first on whom this honour was confcrred, in one thousand five hundred and eighty-five. The right of election is attached to thirty- nine borough lands, or burgage tenures, the real owners of which convey them to their re-

  • History of the boroughs, Ec. as before, vol. 2. p- 88.

lations,

lations, friends, of dependents for life, but in confidence to vote as directed by them. The number has been increased to thirty-nine by splitting three, which are therefore conceived not to be good votes. Two of these tenures were sold by lord Edgecumbe to sir Richard Worsley in 1782 for one thousand guineas, though only two decayed cottages.” Tr oldest books shew the qualification of a burgess to have consisted in holding a BOROUGH LAND, paying rent to the mayor and chief burgesses. In the reigh of Charles the second an order was made to limit the number of burgesses to twelve, but in the year one thousand fix hundred and ninetyeight, in the reign of William the Third, the mayor and burgesses pronounced the restriction to be illegal, and declared that the possession of a freehold ina borough land included the right of being a burgess. We shall lay before our readers this

tast determination as a matter of record.

At an Aisembly had in the said Burrough, on * Tuesday the 20th Day of sept. 1698, apFrancheville, [ Pear the Chief Burgesses then that are ; mark’d thus (—), — John, Lord Cutts, Mayor. Joseph Dudley, Esq. } | — John Leigh, Esq.

Deputy Mayor. James Worsley, Esq. Hen. Dore. Coll. Richard Holms. Coll. David Urry. —|Mr. Edward Hayles.

Mr. John Chiverton. || |—|sir Robert Worsley, Bart. Maj. Henry Holmes, || |— William stephens, Esq. - | Mr. john Phillips. William Bowerman, t1q, Mr. David Urry. 1

Twentieth Day of sept. 1698, Order of Mayor and Chief Burgesses to admit those possessed of

Burgage Tenures to vote. | A a 2 At

© Newtown

[

T — U | At this Assembly “por examining the ancient | Records of the said Corporation, and taking the Depositions on Oath of James Overy, as also upon the Averment of some of the chief Bur. gesses there then present; it is resolved, that the Restraint of the chief Burgesses of this Corporation to the Number of twelve, or any less Number than are Frecholders of Burrough Lands is against Law, and contrary to the ancient ‘ Usage of this Corporation. | Also *tis ordered and agreed, chat e shall prove himself to be a Freeholder of any Burrough Land in Fee, either by the Rent Roll now produced in this Assembly, bearing Date and beginning in the Year of our Lord 168; (whereof a true Copy shall be kept by the Mayor for the Time being), or otherwise effectually in Law, shall upon Demand, be sworn a free Burgess,” |

We have already stated the articles of agreement which were entered into between the governor and the gentlemen of the island, in the preceding | - chapter, respecting the disputes of this Borough; and therefore shall not repeat them here.

Ir was discovered some years after, on inspecting the old books of the borough, that the last mentioned declaratory order was contrary to the. Ancient usage of the borough ; when it was consequently erased out of this book, and the borough restored to the right of electing burgesses out of

those who enjoyed a freehold in a © gh land.

ou decisions have been made in the house of commons to regulate the mode of election, and to establish the right of voting for representatives.— In the parliament of king Charles the First, which assembled in one thousand six hundred and forty, sir John Barrington, Bart. and John Bulkeley, Esq. were voted the fitting members instead of sir John Mewes, Knt. and Nicholas Weston, Esq.

To the parliament which assembled in one thousand seven hundred and twenty-seven, James Worsley and Henry Holmes, Esqrs. were returned as the representatives of Newtown ; but a petition was presented to the house in favour of sir John Barrington, Bart. and Charles Am. Paulet, Esq. which was ultimately determined in a committee of the house, on the 23d of April, 1729, when the house resolved, that the petitioners were duly elected, and ought to have been returned instead of James Worsley and Henry Holmes, Esqrs. who had been returned. It was then laid down as a final resolution of the house, that the right of eleting members to serve in parliament for the borough of Newtown, in the county of southampton, © is in the mayor and burgesses, having borough lands within the said borough.” The tenures of this sort were then declared to be thirtyfix. William Harvey, already mentioned, declares them to be thirty-six. sir Richard Worsley and sir John Barrington divide the borough between them ; indeed we may, perhaps, more properly say that they are united, and, with the assistance

Aa 3 | of of Mr. Blachford, who possesses one of these tenures, and is brother-in-law to sir John Barrington, can always command a majority of thirty-six. For as sir Richard Worsley possesses ten good ones (by splitting two of them, they are made twelve), and sir John Barrington eight, such an accession ensures the returns in favour of their nomination. Tus corporation is still preserved by having a titular mayor, and twelve burgesses, which are chosen by the lord of the manor; and such mayor is the returning officer to every new parliament, or on any vacancy by death, * or other> WE; ©. We have to observe with respect to Newtown, that it is a manor within that of swainston, of which we shall take notice hereafter when we come to treat of it within its particular parish. It has a chapel, which is dependent on the church of Calbourn, endowed with a glebe which is enjoyed by the rector of Calbourn. In the first year of king Edward the sixth, an entry was made in the re- gister of Winchester in the following words: © For * the settling the matter of variance between John % Mewes, Esquire, and Mr. Randolph Howard, * parson of Calbourn, the bishop, as arbitrator, « awards that Mr. Mewes shall pay his whole * tithes for his mersh, called Bernard-mersh in «* Newtown: and whereas the parson of Calbourn * hath formerly paid only twenty shillings per * annum towards the finding a priest for the in„ habitants of Newtown, it is ordered that he shall f from

ce from henceforth, with the favourable aid of the inhabitants of Newtown, at his own costs, maintain a priest up-rising and down-lying, to reside * jn the house adjoining to the church-yard at « Newtown. The mayor and burgesses, and the innhabitants of Newtown, do, on this consideration, quit their claim to Longbridge Croft, otherwise called Magdalen’s Croft, which they « will suffer the said parson of Calbourn and his successors to enjoy: and the said mayor and „e burgesses, and inhabitants, as also the parson « of Calbourn doe agree, that if any difference ce shall hereafter arise touching this award, that « they will refer themselves to the determination « of the bishops of Winchester for the time being.“ signed June the eighth, in the first year of Edward the sixth. :

A $uRvey of the island which was taken in the second year of queen Elizabeth has noted, that the parson of Calbourn held a grant of forty acres, called Magdalen’s Land, belonging to the chapel of Newtown, and that he provided a reader for the chapel on account of the fame.

We should not omit to mention, that, besides the vestiges of the streets already mentioned, the ivy-covered walls of half a church may be seen. Besides this, a saltern or two conclude the observations to be made of the remains of this ancient town.

https://archive.org/details/historyofisleofw00warniala/page/136/mode/2up?q=francheville+newtown

The history of the Isle of Wight; military, ecclesiastical, civil, & natural: to which is added a view of its agriculture by Warner, Richard, 1763-1857

Publication date 1795

pp.39-43

The peace of the island continued unmolested till the reign of Edward III.; whose absurd claims to the crown of France involved him in a war with France, which, though brilliant with respect to temporary success, was extremely pernicious to his country in its consequences. During these hoftilities, the Isle of Wight was repeatedly threatened with a defcent, which induced the islanders to enter into regulations for their security, of the following nature:”

  1. That there mould be but three ports in the island ; namely, La Riche, shamblord, and Yarmouth.

  2. That three perfons fhould be appointed wardens of thefe ports, who were to prevent any one from retiring from the island, or exporting provisions from thence without licence.

  3. That none but licenfed boats mould be permitted to pafs, except the boat belonging to

  • Trivetus. p. 284. t Rot. Far. i2th Edward III.

the abbot of Quar; a boat belonging to sir Bartholomew de Lisle, and another belonging to Robert de Pimely.

  1. That feveral watches fliould be appointed, and perfons nominated to fuperintend them and the beacons.*

Nor were thefe precautions useless, for in the thirteenth of Edward HI., the French aftually landed at the Eastern extremity of the island, in considerable force. They were, however, soon opposed by sir John de Longford, sir Bartholomew de Lisle, and sir Theobald Russel, (who had been appointed wardens,) with a body of islanders under their command. A sharp conflict ensued, in which sir Theobald Russell was slain, but the French were obliged to retire with loss to their shipping.

The fituation of the island, immediately opposite to the coast of France, rendered it always liable to visits from the French, before the exiftence of thofe castles, which the prudence of Henry VIII. creeled. so that there was scarcely

  • sir R. Worfley, p. 31.

a war with that kingdom from the thirteenth to the feventeenth century, in which Tome attempts were not made to land in the Isle of Wight. Many of the inhabitants, indeed, confcious of its expofed fituation, and the conftant danger in which they ftood of lofing their lives and fortunes, during the almoft perpetual hoftilities between France and England in the fourteenth century, voluntarily withdrew, with their effe£ls, to the coaft of Hampfhire : and this fpirit of emigration began to be fo univerfal amongft them, that Edward IH. was obliged to enforce their continuance on it, by an order to the wardens, that the lands of thofe who had retired from the island, and did not immediately return, fliould be feized, and efcheat to the crown.*

G It appears

  • Brcv. Regis de Morando in Inf. Ve£a, 51. Ed. III. Rex dileftis et fidel. fuis, Johi. de Cavendifh et fociis fuis jufliciariis ad placita coram nobis tenenda aflignatis, fal., &c. Cum infula Vefta, qme infra littus maris in comitatu southamptoniae fituatur, hoftibus noftrispublicis maxime fit propinqua, quam etiam infuiam iidem hoftes multum deiiderant ; et cum, infra breve tompus, appropinquare et debellare proponunt, ut audivimiis. ct I* parint. Nos licet de avifamento concilii noftri felliones

noftras

It appears that their apprehenfions were not without foundation. Early in Richard’s reign, the French, with a multitude of galliesand fhips, landed at the village of Rye, which they burnt to the ground, making prifoners of many of its inhabitants, and murdering the reft. They then proceeded into the heart of the island, and attacked Carisbrook-castle, whither numbers of the islanders had retired for protection. This fortress was defended by a gallant knight, sir Hugh Tyrrel, who, by his prudence and bravery, at length obliged the invaders to retire, but not before they had extorted a contribution of one thoufand marks from the inhabitants, who were

noftras in com. prasdifto ad placita coram nobis tcnenda quamdiu noftrse placuerit voluntati ordinaverimus, volumus lamen et jubemus quod omnes et fmguli refidentes et habitantes in infula Vefta, cujufcunque fuerint flatus et condition’s, falvationi et dcfenfioni cjufdem infular continue intendant, et ibidem rnoram faciant et remaneant, abfque eo quod ipfi feu eorum aliquis coram nabis in feflionibus noftris in comitatu prsedi&o comparere {eu v-entre, vel in aflifis juratis feu rccognitionibus aliquibus ibidem (quanquam nos fpecialitci” tangant.) poni feu paneilari non compellatur, aut tencntur quocunque modo vcl colore qftoufque aliud inde duxerimus demandandum, &c. Rymcr’« Feed. vol. VII. p. 147.

glad, by thefe means, to refcue their houfes and property from fire and devaluation.*

The annalifts have transmitted to us some other accounts of attempts by the French to surprise this place. One of these occurred in the fifth year of Henry V., when a large party of them landed, for the purpose, as they asserted, of keeping Christtmas there: their entertainment, however, was but a sorry one; for the islanders being apprized of their arrival, suddenly attacked, and destroyed, a great number of them.

Not learning prudence from their ill success, they made another hostile visit a fhort time after this failure, demanding a subsidy, in the name of Richard II. and Isabella his queen. The conduct of the islanders on the occasion, marks

  • In this expedition the French burned the towns of Newtown and Yarmouth. They made the following ilipulation alfo with the inhabitants, before they agreed to retire, which is ridiculous enough, from the improbability of its being regarded, had the invaders infilled on its observance ; That, should they return within twelve months after their departure, the inlanders would not attempt to interrupt their devastations.

strongly the spirit of the times; and gives us very favorable impressions of their courage and generosity. They denied any money being due from them to the French; but added, if the latter had any inclination to try their prowess in battle, they mould land without molestation, and be allowed six hours to rest and refresh themselves; after which interval, the men of the island would meet them in fair combat. The invitation was declined, however, on the part of the Frsnch, and they speedily decamped.

p. 135-140

The borough of Newtown (which changed its ancient name of Francheville, on being rebuilt when burnt by the French in the reign of Richard II.) is a prescriptive borough, and firft fent members to the fenate in the twenty-feventh year of Queen Elizabeth. It was formerly a place of confiderable confequence ; and traces of its magnitude are Rill difcernible in four lanes, which interfeft each other at right angles, and are faid, formerly to have been covered with houfes.

The firft liberties and franchifes granted to the burgefTes of Newtown are contained in a charter of Aymer, Eifhop of Winchefter, lord of the place ; who invefts his town of Francheville, with all fuch immunities and privileges as were enjoyed by the inhabitants of Taunton, Alesford, and Farnham. This charter bears date at swanifton : and afterwards received the feveral confirmations of Edward II. Edward IV. and Queen Elizabeth. Edward II. alfo granted to the burgefifes of Newtown, a charter in the eleventh year of his reign; in which is beftowed the liberty of a market to be holden on the Wednefday in every week ; and of a fair annually, on the feaft of st. Mary Magdalene, on the eve preceding, and on the day following.

The elective franchife in this borough was determined by the Houfe of Commons in 1729, to be confined to the mayor and burgefles, having borough lands. Previous to this final adjuftment of the right, perpetual contefts arofe relative to the exertion of it,- The moft ancient books of the corporation prove, that the qualification of a burgefs was formerly the holding of a borough land^ paying rent to the mayor and chief burgeffes ; but in the time of Charles 1 1. the right of voting was confined to the burgeffes alone, and the number of thefe limited to twelve. This limitation however was pronounced illegal by the corporation, in the reign of William III. which met on the twentieth day of september, 1698, and came to the following refolutions :

“At this assembly, upon examining the ancient records of the faid corporation, (Newtown, alias Francheville) and taking the depofitions on oath of James Overy; as alfo upon the averment of fome of the chief burgeffes there, then prefent ; it is refolved, that the reftraint of the chief burgeffes of this corporation, to the number of twelve, or any lefs number than are freeholders of borough lands is againft law, and contrary to the ancient ufage of this corporation.”

“Also ‘tis ordered and agreed^ that whofoever

mail prove himself to be a freeholder, of any

borough land in fee, either by the rent-roll now

produced in this assembly, bearing date and beginning in the year of our Lord 1685, (whereof a true copy shall be kept by the mayor for the time being) or otherwise efFe&ually in lawj shall upon demand, be sworn a chief burgess.”

This meeting had been convened in confequence of an agreement entered into during the preceding year, between Lord Cutts, the then governor, and the principal gentlemen in the island; the object of which was, to reftore that harmony, good fellowship and neighbourhood of the distnft, that had been mightily interrupted by constant disputes relative to the right of voting in the three corporations of Newport, Newtown, and Yarmouth. In these articles of agreement it was stipulated, that the governor should call a hall at Newtown, examine witnefles concerning the ancient method of choofing members to serve in parliament for that corporation, and effectually reftore the said corporation, and all who have a just pretence to be members of it, to their ancient rights of burgage -tenure; provided always, that the said governor be first put in poffeffion of a qualifying burgage-tenure, sufficient to enable him to be a member and eleftof of the said corporation: he paying for the fame.

The meeting was called, and the regulations above detailed entered into at it.*

In the course of a few years, however, after this adjustment, the right of voting became again the occasion of controversy. The corporation, on infpecting the old books of the borough, difcovered that the arrangement of 1698 was contrary to the ancient usage; the minutes of that meeting were therefore erased from the town-book, and those who enjoyed a freehold in a borough land were once more

  • The Corporation at that time confided of,

John, Lord Cults, Mayor. Jofeph Dudley, Efq. Deputy-Mayor.

Henry Dore Col. David Urry Mr. John Chiverton Major Henry Holmes Mr. John Philips Mr. David Urry

James Worfley, Efq. Col. Richard iriolmes Mr. Edward Hayles sir Rob. Worfley, Bart. William stephen, Efq. William Bowerman, Efq.

John Leigh, Efq.

T 2 invefted nvefted with a right of voting for a reprefcntative for Newtown.

We have feen that this regulation was reverfed by the House of Commons in 1729, which lodged the privilege in the mayor and burgesses having borovgh lands.