In May 1921 the Local History Groups from Rugby and Nuneaton shared a history trip in the local area. This was the subject of a detailed report in the Nuneaton Chronicle on 13th May 1921. It has been transcribed below.
HISTORICAL EXCURSION.
NUNEATON AND RUGBY JOIN FORCES.
In spite of the persistently showery weather, the members of the Nuneaton and Rugby branches of the Warwickshire Historical Association took part in a memorable field day last Saturday. The Nuneaton contingent, under the leadership of members of the executive committee, Messrs Bennell, Bennett, Cross, and Daffern. proceeded, fifty strong, by motor to Brinklow, where the Rugby party of twenty-five, under the able leadership of Mr. Myers (chairman of the branch) and Mrs. Emily Robinson, L.L.A., awaited their arrival. This cultured lady, well-informed in local history and topography, at once conducted the party to the interesting old church, where the Rev. G.A. Dawson, M.A., vicar, described the peculiar physical features of the ground plan of the ancient edifice, the floor of which rises from the western tower to the altar in a gradual slope of twelve feet, In the course of his remarks, the Vicar said he only knew of two existing churches in England that had a similar characteristic. For the reign of Henry II (1100-35) the church belonged to the monks of Kenilworth Priory, and at the restoration of the church in 1862, ancient rood stairs were found which led to a screen separating the chancel from the nave. From a door in this screen, now destroyed, it was supposed that the Prior of Kenilworth pronounced the Benediction on the occasion of his annual visit.
At the Dissolution in 1541, the church fell into the hands of the Crown, and the living is now the gift of the Lord Chancellor. The register dates back from the year 1558, and some of the volumes were shown to the visitors, most of the writings being in an excellent state of preservation, Another interesting feature that was greatly admired was the “Peacock window” of stained glass, said to have been of the oldest Saxon period. A relic of the Civil Wars was in evidence on the outside walls of the western embattled tower, where Cromwell’s soldiers left traces of their stay in the village by mutilating the stone work in sharpening their swords and other weapons of warfare.
After the visitors had enjoyed the beauties of the church, and thanked the vicar, through Mr. Myers, for his kind hospitality, a party set out for the ancient tumulus and encampment, which is a well-known landmark for many miles around. Those who climbed the eminence were well recompensed, for despite the rain and mist a good view was to be seen of the surrounding country, extending to Coventry on the one aide and Rugby on the other, whilst between many of ancient Warwickshire manors were recognised nestling among the trees.
The journey to Kings Newnham baths was made baths was made through a maze of country lanes which, after showers of rain, presented a picture worthy of the brush of the artist, The varied tints of green of the hedgerows were relieved here and there with wild apple trees in full bloom and sprucely-kept cottage gardens. Other harbingers of Spring in evidence were the young lambs disporting themselves in the fields, the mating partridge. fearless of the throbbing motors, whilst some of the party heard the cuckoo call for the first time this year. The stay at the baths was cut -short by the rain, but the sun had come from behind- the clouds on arrival at Kings Newnham Hall. In addition to its historical associations, this ancient country manor was well worth the journey. The party was met by Mr & Mrs. Brierly, and conducted through a beautiful laid-out terraced garden, and shown relics of the church, of which only tithe ancient tower remains. One of these is an octagonal font, now used as a flower stand, in a splendid state of preservation. In the valley could be seen the winding Avon and a picturesque old mill. Opposite the entrance of the hall are three fish ponds, said to be of monkish origin, whilst behind the house is the church tower, also the place of the reburial of embalmed bodies discovered by Lord. John Scott, .and the memorial slab to Lady Audrey Leigh.
ORIGIN OF THE TUMULUS
After a substantial tea had been enjoyed at Church Lawford, the party assembled at the Parish Hall, where Mrs Robinson gave an interesting lecture on the places visited during the afternoon. Commencing with the tumulus of Brinklow, she said that many similar mounds existed in England. During the last hundred years, however, a number were erased by farmers, who “ ploughed them ’ummocks down.” There were about 40 existing in Warwickshire, but they were not all of the same period. The tumulus at Brinklow was of doubtful origin, but she did not support the popular idea of it being Roman. It was not likely that the Romans would place an encampment immediately in the path of their great Fosse Way, whilst the earthworks were not on the rectangular system of the Roman encampments. There were strong arguments in favour of a Teutonic origin. though it had been said that the works were made as late as the reign of Stephen, but the absence of brickwork disproves the latter theory. The origin of the word Brinklow came from “brink” (Scandinavian) and “low” (a mound of burial). There was a great similarity between the mound of Brinklow and the mound upon which Tamworth Castle was built, which was of undoubted Anglo-Saxon period.
ANCIENT CUSTOM OF BRINKLOW.
The Church of Brinklow was dedicated to St John the Baptist, and on the day of this saint, which coincided with Midsummer Day this veil worship was observed. This pagan custom was not swept away by Christian era, but was kept up throughout the centuries. A great wooden wheel was procured, swathes of straw were bound round the rim. and the whole was taken to the top of the mound, set alight, and rolled down the valley. There were also three bonfires made, one of which consisted of bones, which was, according to the custom, made to drive away the fiends. It was said that “they did not like the stink of bones.” and it was one of these fires that drove the dragon, that St. George killed, to Coventry. Another fire was made of bones and wood, symbolical of the burning of the bones of St. John the Baptist, and “the scattering io the four winds.” The third fire was built wholly of wood, and around this the young serfs and thralls disported themselves. The ”wake” was still observed, and bonfires still made.
KING’S NEWNHAM BATHS.
The baths at Kings Newnham, Mrs Robinson continued, were of Roman origin, and remains of old Roman brickwork were still in existence. They did come into prominence until the reign of Queen Elizabeth, who, as a princess, visited Lawford Hall. This recorded that in 1575 the wonderful healing properties of the spring were discovered by a labouring man named Clement Davies, who wounded his hand when cutting down a tree. He bathed his arm in the spring and, to the surprise of everyone, it was cured in a week. The sensation of this wonderful cure reached the ears of Queen Elizabeth, who sent her chief physician down to investigate. He reported that the water, among other things, was good for rheumatism and dyspepsia but “not” more than eight pints a day” were to be taken.
The wells were mentioned by several celebrities in the following centuries, and in 1815 (says Dr. Buckland) “two magnificent heads . and other bones of the Siberian rhinoceros and many large tusks and teeth of elephants, with some stags’ horns and bones of the ox and the hors» were found in a bed of diluvium.” The baths were in use until the last century, a large one for swimming, small one for hot water bath, and a light foot bath. The dressing-rooms were converted into living rooms, whilst in the parlour the following inscription is to be seen on a pane of glass: “Rev. Edward Nason, M.A., Curate of Brinklow, August 15th.1784” They were in the possession of Lady Jane Scott. who composed the tune for the famous -song “Annie Laurie. “
REMARKABLE DISCOVERIES.
The church at King’s Newnham of which nothing now remains but the tower, were once decorated by the painting of one of Reuben’s pupils and fresco representing the “ Offering of the Magi; Descent from the Cross,” and whole-length figures of the Four Evangelists were destroyed when the building fell into disrepair. In 1852, while some workmen were engaged, under the instruction of the late Lord John Scott, in making excavations for the purpose of discovering the boundaries of the church, some re markable discoveries were made. Several coffins were found, the first of which was one constructed of lead, with a wooden shell, containing the remains of a man who was, on examination, found to have been beheaded, and the only inscription was the letters “T.B.,” which were written in black silk on the shirt. The body of Lady Audrey Leigh, daughter of Francis, Earl of Chichester (Lord Dunsmore) and Audrey Countess of Chichester, was also discovered, embalmed, enclosed within leaden coffins, Lady Audrey’s appearance was exceedingly fair and beautiful, her flesh plump, whilst perfume of rosemary filled the nostrils when the coffin was opened. The date was 1640. whilst her age was 16 or 17 years. The bodies of her parents and others were also found, all in an excellent state of preservation. They were all re-interred, and the Lord Scott caused a memorial stone to be erected – over the remains of Lady Audrey.
In conclusion, the lecturer mentioned the two celebrities of Church Lawford; one the Rev. John Marriott, a personal friend of Sir Walter Scott, who dedicated the 3rd canto Marmion to him. The second was Rev. Charles Marriott, his son, who helped Newman write the celebrated “Library of the Fathers,” whilst at Oxford.
At the conclusion of the lecture, Mr. A. F. Cross said he had been asked to voice the thanks of the Nuneaton members for the splendid arrangements that been made that afternoon by their Rugby friends. It had been a great delight, apart front the badly-needed rain, to transfer themselves from the industrial surroundings of Nuneaton into scenes of such pastoral charm. They had listened to Mrs. Robinson’s eloquent discourse with great pleasure, and when they returned Rugby’s hospitality Mrs. Robinson would be interested to find that Nuneaton would also be able to point with pride to a list of famous people born in that neighbourhood. He instanced George Eliot, Michael Drayton, George Fox, and Robert Burton. (Applause.) Both the j excursion and the lecture had been greatly enjoyed by everyone present.
Mr. J. C. Bennell (Director of Education) seconded the vote of thanks, which was heartily accorded.
Mr. Myers, on behalf of the party, also I thanked Mr. Brierly and family, and also Mrs. Townsend for the excellent tea provided.
The return journey was made via Shilton, Ansty and Bulkington.