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DESCRIPTION

OF

BROWS HOLME,

&c.

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In the parish of Whalley and county of Lancaster, and on the north side of the river Ribble, is the extensive forest of Bowland, divided from the county of York by the river Hodder, having its source above Slaidburne, and joining the Ribble at Mitton demesne, On an elevated situation in this forest stands the ancient House of BROWSHOLME; but by the old deeds now there, it appears that the first residence of the Parker family was called Over Browsholme, which was above the present house, and nearer to the Roman road leading from Ribchester to Overborough. The field is now called the Copy, and the foundations of extensive buildings have been dug up there lately. In the year 1603, the first of James I. Charles Blount, Baron Mountjoy, and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, was by King James created Earl of Devonshire, and Knight of the Garter. He was the son of James, the sixth baron, and married the daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Wills, Knight, of Yorkshire. This Earl of Devonshire sold to Thomas Parker, Esq. of Over Browsholme, "all that messuage, tenement, and one pasture, within the forest of Bowland, in the county of York, called Nether Brookesholme, which "premises were late parcel of the duchy of Lancaster."

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At this

time Mr. T. Parker new-fronted the house in the style of that day, introducing in the door-way the three orders of architecture, and laid out the grounds, which were situated near the brook, and much warmer and more sheltered than Over Browsholme, in the formal fashion of the times:

"His gardens next your admiration call;
"On every side you look, behold a wall;
"No pleasing intricacies intervene,

"No artful wildness to perplex the scene;
"Grove nods at grove, each alley has a brother,
"And half the platform just reflects the other."

In a letter from Mr. William Parker, Archdeacon of Cornwall, 1674, to his relation Mr. Thomas Parker, he states, that "he hears he is altering "and beautifying his house at Browsholme." In front was a bowlinggreen, inclosed by a high wall and iron gates, over which was the Latin inscription, Nemo hanc entrat portam, qui violat æquum." The house then consisted of one centre and two wings, in the form of an half H. The door-way, which is ornamented with pillars of the three orders of architecture, is not in the centre, but has three windows on one side, and two only on the other: this space was in one room; it was called the hall, and was in extent sixty-eight feet long, twentythree wide, and twelve high: the roof of this hall is a remarkable instance of the good beams and timbers they at that time used in their floors and ceilings. There were two large fire-places, and some plain massy oaken tables, the reliques of old English hospitality. The principal staircase went out of this hall, and was curiously carved in oak. The west wing contained the principal drawing or visiting room, which was thirty feet long by twenty-two feet wide, and fifteen high (now used as the drawing-room), the principal bed-room, the staircase, and the chapel

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at the top of all. The east wing contained the offices. On the second floor is a room called the oak drawing-room, being most richly carved in oak wainscot. There were a great many lodging-rooms; and the library was at the top of the east wing, containing a large collection of curious and rare works in the early ages. A very scarce and fine Missal. "The Life of St. Edmund, the founder of Bury St. Edmunds, in Suffolk, richly illuminated with portraits and views of the Chapel at Bury." This was written in the twelfth century. The four first works of Caxton, in high preservation and excellent condition, which were sold Anno Dom. 1810, for one hundred and sixty guineas; Earl Spencer, Mr. T. Grenville, and Mr. J. Townley, being the purchasers. There is also a very valuable collection of manuscripts relating to the pedigrees of families in the counties of York and Lancaster, written and arranged by Mr. Robert Parker, of Carlton Hall, 1619. Also many curious letters and documents from the Parliament Generals in the Rebellion of 1645—a large collection of coins and medals, with the "Seal for ap"probation of Ministers," in Cromwel's time. On the marriage of the late Edward Parker, Esq. (Anno Dom. 1750), with Barbara, second daughter of Sir Wm. Fleming, Bart. of Rydall Hall, in the county of Westmorland, the gateway, high walls, &c. were removed, all but the steps and straight walk up to the house. Mr. John Parker, father of the said Edward Parker, Esq. built the stables, which were directly in front of the house, and near to the old steps. The approach from Lancaster and the west, came by the stable-yard, and at some distance from the house. There were then some very fine oaks on the road side, which afterwards made the floor of the grand jury room at Lancaster. Mr. Edward Parker took from the hall the present library, and made it his dining-room. It is wainscoted with very fine old oak wood from Park-head, near Whalley, now in the possession of James

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Taylor, Esq. who presented it to the present owner of Browsholme, Anno Dom. 1809. The chimney-piece is most richly carved, and has the arms of the Townleys of Hapton Tower, in the centre, to whom it originally belonged. In the year 1752, the west wing became so ruinous, as not to be habitable, and was afterwards used merely as a place for lumber. In the window of the drawing-room were ten panes of painted glass, containing the different armorial bearings of the families connected with the Parkers, viz.-Redman, Chatterton, Whittingbam, Buller, Parker of Extwistle, in the county of Lancaster; Asheton, of Cuerdale Hall; Tempest, of Rayne Hall; Bouch, of Ingleton Hall; Butler, Panchard, Anstis, Southouse, &c. &c. In the room above this, was found the skull, which must have been used in the chapel, as the family were Catholics to the reign of Elizabeth. In the attic chambers were two very curious bedsteads, entirely of oak; the testers, posts, &c. richly carved. In the oak drawing-room was a large chest containing coins, medals, and many pieces of armour, and a buff leathern jacket, worn by one of the family in the rebellion of 1645.

The following is a list of the different articles furnished to the army at Thornton, in Craven, by this Mr. Parker. "A Particular of "such Goods as have been taken and plundered from Mr. Parker's House " at Browsholme, by the Soldiers which lay at Thornton and Gisburne "at several Times. Decimo nono Novembris 1642-One silver salt, "ten silver spoons, one payer of new russet boots and spurrs, one "new doublet of water'd grogram, one clothe doublet, one clothe "jerkin, one linen shirt, one sword and sword belt, one red silk

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shagge waistcoat, one pair of blue knit stockings, two pounds of "bees wax, one pair of great grey stockings, fourteen holland bands, "three capps, four pair of gloves, eleven shillings in money, ten small

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