Historical Antiquities of Hertfordshire

Aspeden

by Sir Henry Chauncy Vol I pages 240 to 252 first published in 1700

Crown, then King Edward VI. by Charter dated 26th of June, 7 Regnisui, granted this Mannor and all the Messuages, Mills, Tofts; Cottages, also Court-Leets, Views of Francpledge, Chattels, Waifs, Estraies, Free-warren, Chattels of Felons and Fugitives, and Felons of themselves, and put in exigent, Deodands, also Knight's Fees, Wards, Marriages, Escheats, Releifs, Heriots, Fines, Amercements, and all other Rights, Commodities, Profits, and Emoluments whatsoever to

John Philpot, Gent. one of the Grooms of the Privy Chamber, to hold in free and common Socage, and not in Capite, by the Rent of 28l. per Annum payable in the Court of Augmentations.

John Philpot, by Deed dated 22 Eliz. conveyed it to Henry Sadlier and Dorothy his Wife, Daughter of ------- Gilbert of Everly, in the County of Wilts. and after her Decease he married Ursula Daughter of John Gill of Wighall in this County, who by their Deed dated the 12th of May, 5 Jac. I. sold it to William and Ralph Freman, both Brothers and Merchants in London, who resided together, Anno 1610, 8 Jac. I. in this Mannor-House, and were rated there to the Subsidy at 15l. a piece for their Lands.

Which William married Elizabeth, the Widow of Matthew Flyer, of London, Merchant, and eldest Daughter of John Crouch of Cornybury, by whom he had Issue Ralph, Joan the Wife of Thomas Soame, Esq. and Dame Elizabeth the Wife of Sir Samuel Luke, Kt.; but Ralph Freman, the younger Brother of William, having no Issue male, both the Brothers agreed to settle this Mannor on William, and Ralph his Son and his Heirs, to perpetuate their Name; And William dyed on the 23d Day of August, Anno 1623, 21 Jac. I. and was buried in the Parish Church of St. Michael, Cornhill in London, leaving Ralph his Son and Heir; and in the same Year Ralph Freman, the younger Brother of William, was elected the first Sheriff in London. And An. 1633, 9 Car. I. Lord Mayor of that City. About 10th Day of January in the same Year, he invited the King and Queen, and all the Maskers of the Inns of Court, to a Banquet, who, clothed in rich and glorious Apparel, attended in a most solemn and splendid Parade, from the Court to Merchant Taylor's Hall in the City of London.

The first that marched were twenty Footmen in scarlet liveries, with Silver Lace, each one having his Sword by his Side, a Battone in one Hand, and a Torch lighted in his other; these were the Marshal's Men, who cleared the Streets, made Way and waited on the Marshal; after, and sometimes in the midst of them, came Mr. Darrel the Marshal: He was an extraordinary proper Gentleman of Lincoln's Inn, mounted upon one of the King's best Horse, and richest Saddles; his own Habit was exceeding rich and glorious; his Horsemanship very gallant, and besides his Footmen, he had two Lacquies who carried Torches by him, and a Page his Cloak: The King knighted him for his brave Deportment.

After followed one hundred Gentlemen of the Inns of Court, five and twenty chosen out of each House, of the most proper and handsome young Gentlemen of the Societies, every one gallantly mounted on the best Horses, and with the best Furniture that the Stables of the King, and all the Noblemen in Town would afford.

Every of these Gentlemen were attired in very rich Cloaths, cover'd with Gold and Silver Lace, had a Page and two Lacquies, waiting on him in his Livery by his Horse Side; the Lacquies carried Torches, and the Pages their Masters' Cloaks. The Richness of their Apparel and Furniture glittering by the Light of a Multitude of Torches attending on them, with the Motion and stirring of their mettled Horses; and the many and various gay Liveries of their Servants ; but especially the personal Beauty and Gallantry of the handsome young Gentlemen, made the most glorious and splendid Shew that ever was beheld in England.

These Horsemen had for their Musick, about a dozen of the best Trumpeters in their Liveries sounding before them ; After whom came the Antimaskers, representing Cripples and Beggars on the poorest leanest Jades the Dirt-Carts could afford, who had their Music of Keys and Tongs, and the like snaping, and yet playing in a Consort before them ; the Variety and Change from such noble Musick and gallant Horses as went before, unto the proper Musick and pitiful Horses of these Cripples made the greater Divertisement,

Next came Men on Horseback, playing on Pipes, Whistles, and Instruments sounding Notes like those of Birds of all sorts, in excellent Consort. Then the Antimasque of Birds followed: This was an Owl in an Ivy Bush, with many several sorts of other Birds in a great Flock gazing upon the Owl. These were little Boys put into Covers of the Shapes of those Birds rarely fitted, and sitting on small Horses, with Footmen going by them, carrying Torches in their Hands, and others to look unto the Children, which was very pleasant to the Spectators.

Other Musicians on Horseback followed this Antimasque, playing upon Bagpipes, Hornpipes, and such kind of Northern Musick, speaking the succeeding Antimasque of Projectors, to be of the Scotch and Northern Quarters; these had many Footmen with Torches waiting on them.

First in this Antimasque rode a Fellow upon a little

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