Boscobel; or, the royal oak: A tale of the year 1651
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CHAPTER IV.
BRISTOL IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.
Surrounded by walls, above which rose its picturesque timberhabitations and numerous fine churches, Bristol, at the period ofour history, presented a very striking appearance. So closely packedtogether were the houses, that viewed from the neighbouring heightsthey seemed to form a solid mass, and indeed the majority of thestreets were so narrow that they were little better than lanes.Through the midst of the city ran the Avon, the river being crossed byan ancient stone bridge, with houses on either side like old LondonBridge. On the north-west the city was bounded by the river Frome, andit was here that the chief quay had been formed, ships of very largeburden being able to come up the Avon with the tide. On the east thecity was protected by the castle, a very large pile, surrounded bya broad, deep moat, and approached by a drawbridge. Near the castlewas a strong fort of modern construction, in which there was a largegarrison. Four years later both castle and fort were demolished bythe Parliament. On the west the fortifications were in tolerably goodrepair. But between the western walls and the Avon there was a widemarsh, which extended to the left bank of the Frome, near its junctionwith the larger river. In recent times, this marshy ground has beenconverted into large docks and basins, and surrounded by warehouses.The south side of the city was likewise protected by strong walls,extending to either bank of the Avon, which here made a wide curve.Both St. Augustine's and St. Mary Redcliffe, justly esteemed the mostbeautiful church in the kingdom, were outside the walls. From itselevated position, St. Augustine's, as the cathedral was then called,formed a conspicuous object from the north and west. The city wasapproached by four gates: on the north by Frome-gate, and on the southby Temple-gate, New-gate, and Redcliffe-gate, the latter leading to thegrand old fane before mentioned. What with its many beautiful churches,incomparable St. Mary Redcliffe, the castle, the old walls, the ancienthouses, and the two rivers, Bristol, in the olden time, was a moststriking and picturesque city, and its inhabitants were justly proud ofit.
During the Civil Wars, Bristol had played a conspicuous part, andwas justly accounted the chief Royalist stronghold in the West, andthough it was frequently in the hands of the Parliamentarians, it stillpreserved a character for loyalty. Charles was well acquainted withthe city, having been taken there by his royal father in August, 1643,when it capitulated to Prince Rupert, who had besieged it with twentythousand men. Though but a boy at the time, Charles had been greatlyimpressed by the loyalty of the men of Bristol, and entertaining thebelief that a large portion of them must still be faithful to hiscause, though they did not dare to manifest their zeal, he approachedthe city without much misgiving.
Our travellers were stopped and questioned by the guard stationed atFrome-gate, but Jane Lane's pass sufficed, and they were soon mountinga steep narrow street bordered by tall timber houses, with overhangingstories, leading to the centre of the city.
It had been arranged that the party should separate at Bristol. DameGives had some relatives dwelling in Wine-street, with whom she couldtake up her abode, while Careless meant to fix his quarters at the LambInn in West-street till he should receive a summons from the king.Charles and his fair companion did not intend to remain at Bristol, butto proceed at once to Abbots Leigh, which, as already mentioned, wasdistant about four miles from the city.
In accordance with this plan they now separated, and Careless, havingconsigned Dame Gives to her friends, proceeded to the Lamb Inn.
Having crossed the old bridge, and tracked the long, narrow streetto which it led, Charles and his fair companion passed out atRedcliffe-gate, and after halting for a short time to gaze at thesuperb old church, shaped their course along the left bank of the Avon.
How changed is now the scene! Where a vast floating harbour has beenformed, constantly filled with ships from all parts of the world, andsurrounded by busy wharves and enormous warehouses, only the riverflowed through its deep channel, with very few buildings near it.
After a long ascent, the travellers reached the uplands on the leftbank of the Avon--then, as now, covered with magnificent timber. Halfan hour's ride through these romantic woods brought them to AbbotsLeigh.
The fine old family mansion of the Nortons no longer exists, havingbeen pulled down in 1814, in order to make way for a yet more statelystructure, that now forms the residence of Sir William Miles, and iscelebrated for its magnificent gallery of pictures. Abbots Leigh wasapproached by an avenue of trees, terminated by an antique gate-tower.Passing through the wide archway of this tower, the king and hisfair companion came in front of the old mansion, which, with itsnumerous gables and large mullioned windows, presented a very imposingappearance.
Situated on an elevated plateau, and facing the west, Abbots Leighcommanded a most extensive and varied prospect, embracing Durdham Downson the further side of the Avon, a vast tract of well-wooded country,the broad estuary of the Severn, and the Welsh hills beyond it.
ABBOT'S LEIGH.]
Jane's arrival having been announced by a bell rung at the gate by theporter, Mr. Norton, who was playing at bowls with his chaplain, DoctorGorges, on the smooth lawn in front of the mansion, hastened to meether, and, after greeting her very cordially, assisted her to alight.
The lord of Abbots Leigh was a tall, distinguished-looking personage,attired in black velvet. His wife, who presently made her appearance,was somewhat younger, and extremely handsome.
A most affectionate meeting took place between Jane and Mrs. Norton,who embraced her young relative very tenderly, and expressed greatdelight at seeing her.
"I rejoice that you have got here safely," she said. "We hear of somany disagreeable occurrences, that I can assure you we have felt quiteuneasy about you. Your looks don't betray fatigue, but I dare say youare greatly tired by your long journey."
"No, indeed, I am not," replied Jane. "I think I could ride thirty orforty miles a day for a month, and not feel the worse for it. But Ihave been troubled about my poor groom, Will Jones, who is very weakfrom the effects of a quartan ague."
"Give yourself no further concern about him, Jane," said Mrs. Norton.Then calling to the butler, who was standing near, she added, "Pope,this young man, Will Jones, is suffering from ague. Bid Margaret Riderprepare for him an infusion of aromatic herbs."
"A hot posset cannot fail to do him good," said Jane. "But, above all,he must avoid a damp bed."
"There are no damp beds, I trust, at Abbots Leigh," replied Mrs.Norton. "But Pope shall see that he is well lodged."
Pope, a tall, strongly-built man, who looked more like a soldier thana butler, promised attention to his mistress's orders, and steppingtowards Charles, said a few words to him in a low tone, after which theking, bowing gratefully to Mrs. Norton, took his horse to the stable.
Jane had next to answer Mr. Norton's inquiries relative to her brotherand Sir Clement Fisher.
"They must be full of anxiety for the king," he remarked. "All sorts ofreports reach us, and we know not what to believe. Can you give us theassurance that his majesty is safe?"
"I wish I could," replied Jane. "But he is so environed by his enemiesthat he cannot escape."
"Not immediately perhaps," said Mrs. Norton. "But an opportunity mustoccur. No one will be base enough to betray him."
"Betray him! I should think not," cried Mr. Norton. "If chance broughthim here, I would place my house at his disposal."
"I am delighted to hear you give utterance to such sentiments," saidJane.
"Did you doubt my loyalty?" he rejoined.
"No," she returned. "But I am glad to find that the king has so true afriend."
They then entered the house.