History of Verulam and St. Alban's

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1815. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... married Anne, daughter of Sir Nathaniel Bacon, of Culford Hall, Suffolk, half brother to the Lord1 Chancellor, conveyed it to her for life, with remainder to bis heirs. After his decease, his widow married Sir Harbotrle Grimston, Bart, second son and'successor to Sfr Harbottle Grimston, f Bradfield, in Essex, who purchased the reversion of the manors of Gorhambury and Kingsbufy, of Hercuhis Meant s, nephew and heir-at-law to Sir Thomas Meautys. The Gfirostons are descended from Sylvester, afterwards surnamed'de Grimston, a valiant Norman, who accompanied the Conqueror to England, and bore his standard at the battle of Hastings. In the following year, William appointed him his Chamberlain; and he did homage for Grimstotr, Hoxton, Tonsted, and other lands, which he held' of the Lord R'oos, as of the Honour of Roos, in H'oldernesse, Yorkshire. from him the Grirostons of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Herts, are all dseended. It does not appear that this family was much engaged in state affairs till the time of Henry the Seventh: In the reign of Edward the sixth, Edward Grimston, Esq. was made Comptroller of Calais; and he was afterwards continued in that office by Queen Mary. On the'taking of Calais by the duke of Guise, ia Lodge's Peerage of Ireland, Vol. V. p. 188. fhe year 155S, he was made prisoner, and confined1 in the Bastile, where the ministry of that day suffered him to languish, lest he should return to England, and make public the repeated remonstrances which he had addressed to them, on the H7conditioned state of the garrison to withstand a lege. At length after two years confinement, he scaped, by stratagem-to his native country, and was honorably accquitted of any misconduct connected with the loss of Calais. He was afterwards knighted by Queen Elizab...