The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction | Page 2

have been scathed by lightning.
Behind the house, near the entrance of the park from the turnpike-road,
are some ponds, similar in appearance to those frequently seen
adjoining ancient mansions; above these, at the edge of a precipice, was
the front of the ancient castle. This building is doubtless that erected by
Lord Fanhope, at the beginning of the fifteenth century. It was used as a
royal resort by Henry VIII., who was often here, and by Queen
Catherine, who resided here some time previous, and during the time
her divorce was in process at Dunstable. There are, in the possession of
Lord Holland, two ground plans of this castle, which, by the late Lord
Ossory, were supposed to have been taken about the year 1616, at
which time it was supposed the castle was demolished. From these, the
following particulars of this building are collected:--The area was a
square of about 220 feet; in front was a large court, 115 feet by 120;

behind this were two very small ones, each 45 feet square; and between
these was an oblong courtyard. Between the front and back courts, the
building had two small lateral projections, like the transepts of a church.
In front were two square projecting towers; and round the building, at
irregular distances, were nine others, projecting, of different shapes, but
principally five-sided segments of octagons--if this description be
intelligible. It was, probably, from the general appearance of the plan,
intended more as a residence for a nobleman or prince, than a fortress,
although the situation was favourable for defence. The view in front is
extremely beautiful for this part of the country.
Lord Ossory planted a grove of firs at the back of this spot, and erected,
in 1773, in the centre, a monument, consisting of an octagonal shaft
raised on four steps, surmounted by a cross, bearing a shield with
Queen Catherine's arms, of Castile and Arragon. This was designed by
Mr. Essex, the improver of King's College, Chapel, and is very neat,
but of small dimensions. On a tablet inserted in the base of the cross, is
the following inscription, from the pen of Horace Walpole, Earl of
Orford, which when read on the spot, excites some degree of interest:--
In days of yore, here Ampthill's towers were seen, The mournful refuge
of an injured queen; Here flowed her pure, but unavailing tears, Here
blinded zeal sustained her sinking years. Yet Freedom hence her radiant
banner wav'd, And Love avenged a realm by priests enslav'd; From
Catherine's wrongs a nation's bliss was spread, And Luther's light from
lawless Henry's bed.
The possessors of Ampthill are thus traced by Mr. Parry:--
The survey of Ampthill Park, made by order of Parliament, 1649,
speaks of the castle as being long ago totally demolished.[1] There was,
however, what was called the Great Lodge, or Capital Mansion. King
James I. gave the Honour of Ampthill to the Earl of Kelly. It soon
reverted to the Crown. In 1612, Thomas, Lord Fenton, and Elizabeth
his wife, resigned the office of High Steward of the Honour of
Ampthill to the King. The following year the custody of the Great Park
was granted to Lord Bruce, whose family became lessees of the Honour,
which they kept till 1738. In the 17th century, the Nicholls's became
lessees of the Great Park under the Bruces, who reserved the office of
Master of the Game. The Nicholls's resided at the Capital Mansion.
After the Restoration, Ampthill Great Park was granted by Charles II.

to Mr. John Ashburnham, as some reward for his distinguished services
to his father and himself (vide Hist. Eng.) The first Lord Ashburnham
built the present house, in 1694. In 1720 it was purchased of this family
by Viscount Fitzwilliam, who sold it in 1736 to Lady Gowran,
grandmother of the late Lord Ossory, who in 1800, became possessed
of the lease of the Honour, by exchange with the Duke of Bedford. His
family name, an ancient one in Ireland, was Fitzpatrick; he was Earl of
Upper Ossory in Ireland, and Baron of the same in England. He died in
1818, and was succeeded by Lord Holland, the present possessor, who
has also a fine old mansion at Kensington.[2]
[1] In Peck's "Desiderata Curiosa," is a list of salaries paid in Queen
Elizabeth's time to the Keepers, &c. of all the Royal Palaces and
Castles. At Ampthill they were as follow: Keeper of the Manor House,
2l. 13s. 4d., Great Park, 4l., with herbage and pannage, 15l.; Paler of
the Park, 4l. 11s. 4d., herbage and pannage, 15l.
[2] For an Engraving of which see _the Mirror_, vol. xiii. p. 385.
The present Lord Holland, Henry Richard Vassal Fox, Baron Holland
of Holland Co. Lincoln, and Foxley, Co. Wilts, Recorder of
Nottingham, F.R.S.A.; was