Thomas de Ferrers, to John de Kynnardesleye, through which marriage it is supposed Loxley also came into the possession of the Kynnersleys. Loxley Hall is a modern residence, the previous ancient house having been destroyed about sixty years ago, and the ornamental stone work of it, with the ancient sculptured arms of the family, have been formed into a beautiful grotto. The entrance-hall of the present house contains the emblazoned arms of all the chief families of distinction in the kingdom, and

The

paintings of the family for generations back. present proprieter is C. T. S. Kynnersley, Esq., who resides at the High Fields, near Uttoxeter. (1)

Loxley has attained a degree of celebrity as being, if not the birth-place of Robin Hood, at least the scene of many of his bold exploits. An old chronicle of the date of 1621 relates, that after his return to

(1) The monuments of the Kynnersleys in Uttoxeter Church are represented in an engraving in this volume.

Loxley from his visit to his uncle Gamewell, in Warwickshire, after certain inquiries concerning his men,

"Clorinda came by,

The queen of the shepherds was she,"

with whom he fell in love,

"Sir Roger, the parson of Dubridge, was sent for in haste:

He brought his mass book, and bid them take hands, And joined them in marriage full fast."

According to the traditions of the neighbourhood the honeymoon was spent in the beautiful demesne of Loxley; and many engaging stories have been related by the gardener of Loxley ninety years ago— the maternal grandfather of a friend of mine—respecting both the rendezvous and doings of this celebrated outlaw. These lines are supposed to have reference to the gallant freebooter, on his return to Loxley, after the marriage with his wife

"Bold Robin Hood and his sweet bride,

Went hand in hand into the green bower; The birds sung with pleasure in those merry green groves;

O this was a most joyful hour."

A vessel of Etruscan form is said to have been found near Loxley, in the last century, and to have been reproduced in fac-simile by Josiah Wedgwood in his beautiful red ware.

BLOUNT'S HALL.

About a mile to the west of Uttoxeter is Blount's Hall, where the Blounts had a seat. The branch here were descended from John Blount, third son of Sir William Blount, Knight, who had lands in Burton and Rolleston. Edward Blount, tenth Richard II., died without issue, and his property passed to Elizabeth daughter of Walter Blount, younger brother of Thomas. Sir Thomas Pope Blount was the founder of Trinity College, Oxford. In Clerkenwell Church was inscribed on a stone, "Ann Blunt, daughter of Walter Blunt, of Blunt Hall, and sister to the lady Paulet, and to the lady Sidenham, died 24th April, 1503." John Blount, of Blount's Hall, 1527, was High Sheriff for this county. The Hall was taken down in 1770, but the moat may still be seen. When the estate was held-about 1658-by Sir Henry Blount, it amounted to upwards of five hundred acres of land, the greater part of which belongs now to the Loxley estate.

STRAMSHALL.

Straguicesholle, Stranshall, Stronshall (Stramshall), is about a mile slightly to the north-west of Uttoxeter. In the twentieth year of the Conquest it was held by Abricus, and afterwards Roisia de Verdun was lady of Stramshall. A church was built there in 1852, by Mr. Evans, from a design by Mr. Fradgeley, architect, of Uttoxeter.

KINGSTONE.

Kingstone, which is about four miles west of Uttoxeter, belonged to the Gresley's, and was sold in the