Churches of Eastnor

• St. John the Baptist Church - Eastnor

  St. John the Baptist was almost completely rebuilt in the mid 19th century, although the Norman doorway reamins as does the medieval tower.

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Font

  This is possibly the earliest font on show in the country
  The story of the old font deserves embellishment. It was found beneath the floor of the Nave when this was being rebuilt in 1851, and the much more modern base was carved early in the 14th century. It was clearly designed for total immersion of babies, and there is a hinged cover with a lock which meant that not only the holy water could be kept safe, but also other valuables. All fonts from the middle of the 13th century up until the Reformation were locked by order of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1236, as a safeguard against sorcery, and possibly also to prevent “hedge priests” from secretly baptising babies at a fee lower than that of the Parish Priest. The staples for locking the font were removed during the Reformation

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  This is the modern font, in current use.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Memorials

  Charles Somers Cocks

  Charles Somers Cocks – 3rd Earl Somers; 2nd Viscount of Eastnor; 4th Baron Somers; 4th Baronet Evesham. Born 14th July 1819 and died 26th September 1883. This tomb is housed in a large family vault where there are very many plaques and memorials to the Somers Cocks family

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Charles Wentworth Bell

  Charles Wentworth Bell, born Chapel Allerton Nr. Leeds. Warden of this church from 1889 to 1918. Died 20th January 1929 aged 71 after 5 years of suffering.

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Staff Capt. Reginald Somers Cocks

  Staff Capt. Reginald Somers Cocks, killed by a shell at Ouderdom on 24th April 1918 aged 23. This cross was retrieved from France by the family.

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  Bertha Mary Gray

  A lovely stone angel, monument to Bertha Mary Gray who died 17th November 1900 aged 5. Also Oliver John Gray who was killed in East Africa 9th May 1914 aged 24, and their parents William Valentine Gray who died 3rd March 1926 in Surrey aged 63 and Emmeline Ruth Gray who died 10th May 1939 aged 75

   

   

   

  

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Buildings in Eastnor

• Eastnor Castle History

  Eastnor Castle is quite simply – beautiful!   Constructed from sandstone quarried from the Forest of Dean, this magical building positively glows in the light of the rising or setting sun and enchants from every angle; it enjoys magnificent views of the surrounding countryside and the Malvern Hills, and still has a large herd of red deer in the park.

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  An Early history of Eastnor Castle

  When one of the wealthy landowning Cocks family moved to Eastnor at the end of the 16th century they married into the Worcestershire Somers’ family and the sum of their estates – including the inheritance left by the Lord Chancellor Somers in the early 18th century and the banking wealth of the Cocks Biddulph Bank (now incorporated into Barclays Bank) – gave the 1st Earl Somers the funds to start building Eastnor Castle. He married the daughter of the wealthy Worcestershire historian, Dr Treadway Nash. Robert Smirke was appointed as architect of the building, and people’s opinions on the Norman Revival style vary considerably, but actually I think that it is beautiful, and it stands in the most glorious grounds.

  The Construction of Eastnor Castle

  Work on the castle began in 1810 with the young architect Robert Smirke being entrusted by the 1st Earl Somers with the task of making it appear to be a medieval fortress such as the many that already existed to guard the Welsh borders, but it was never intended to be any such thing and was merely the physical means of showing the world how rich and powerful the owner was.
  After ten years of hard graft by a huge workforce , in 1820 the bulk of the castle was completed at a final cost of roughly eight and a half million pounds in today’s money, however parts were habitable well before it’s completion and frequent visits were made by the Earl and his immediate family. The interior was still work in progress though, and in November 1821 the London Morning Post made a somewhat doubting statement, questioning whether the Castle would turn out to be quite the grand and beautiful place that had been intended……..
  “This magnificent range of Gothic work approaches to completion under the superintendence of its possessor , Lord Somers. In works of art, as with every other effort, excellence will be various, and partial preferences with reasons given. At present we shall say nothing about the harmony of the whole performance; but leave a description of the outline for the hour when His Majesty pays it a visit, which it is reported, will be as soon as the building is completed”
  Any hopes of a visit from the King however, were soon dashed when a statement was issued that there were no plans for this whatsoever although he could not be entirely ruled out for the future. However, there was an endless succession of visits from everybody who was anybody and Eastnor Castle quickly became an important part of the “circuit”. I never realised quite how much travelling around each others castles and mansions etc. the aristocracy indulged in. In fact given that the Earl and his wife also indulged in the aristocratic equivalent of popping round to one’s friends for a cup of coffee, it is very difficult to give a true assessment of the staff employed at any one time, as of course they would take many of them with them on their travels. It is very evident, however, from the information that I have found, that many of the servants were not sourced locally – indeed, in 1911 two were from Germany; two were from Yorkshire and one from Lincoln. The Gardeners were Ledbury bred.

  Flood at Eastnor Castle

  Proof that severe floods are not just a thing of today, came just before Christmas in 1821 when the Castle was full of influential visitors, the whole of the surrounding countryside was under water and the only way in or out of the Castle was by boat! This must have been a severe blow for the planned festivities, as hunting and shooting would have been very much on the agenda over this period.
  Gradually, the tone of reporting on Eastnor Castle in the press changed from cautious praise to effusive accolades. In late December 1821, after the floods had receded, the many Earls, Counts and Countesses, Lords and Ladies etc. etc. who were staying at the Castle reportedly “partook of the bounteous and splendid hospitality of the Noble owner of that princely domain”. Also, “…amongst the visitors at this splendid residence” and “..the Banquets have been sumptuous in the extreme; cards and concerts supply the evening, and the mornings prior to the floods were devoted to the pleasures of the chase. All strangers are delighted with the magnificence displayed throughout the interior of this fine edifice”

  Description of the finished Castle

  “The florid Gothic in the great hall of entrance is surprisingly grand and beautiful; it’s elevation is 70 feet and leads to the great saloon which is 30 feet. The comes the library on the left, and the drawing room on the right. On the other side of the building is the banqueting room the ceiling of which is carved oak as well as the walls. The billiard room not being finished, the tables were placed in the drawing room. The Festivities of Eastnor are approaching with more and more of everything elegant and superb. The arrangements although impeded by the late floods will be on the most enlarged scale – all in the best report, such as were to be expected from such presiding taste as that of the Earl and Countess of Somers!!”
  Not only did the Earl have good taste, but by all accounts he was a good man, who treated his servants well and did his best to help the poor, but his health began to fail and after his death in 1841, the 2nd Earl took up the reins of the continuing interior work. He engaged Pugin to style and decorate the drawing room in lavish gothic style, and later the 3rd Earl did wonderful things to the long library and the state bedroom.

  The last Earl Somers Cocks

  In the 1870s, the agricultural downturn caused a massive drop in the wealth of the Somers Cocks family, and the Earldom died out in 1883. The last Lord Somers inherited the Castle in around 1920, but it was a sadly depleted estate and in 1926 Lord Summers moved to Australia with his family when he was made Governor of Victoria. The castle was left empty until 1931 when the family returned and some improvements were made to the interior, but when war broke out it was left empty once again. Lord Summers widow did live there again for a few short years after the war but her finances were crippled by hefty death duty taxes which severely depleted her finances.

  Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst

  In 1949 the Hon Elizabeth Somers Cocks and Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst took on the castle and slowly but surely worked their way through the repairs and renovations, mostly financed by selling works of art and reinvesting income from the estate. (Their descendant is carrying on the good work to this day).
  In 1976, Herefordshire was battered by hurricane force winds (I remember seeing apple trees falling like ninepins in our own  orchard), and some of the turrets on the towers of the castle were badly damaged – the government gave a grant to have them repaired.
  Long may this glorious edifice stand – it is absolutely stunning.

  Eastnor Castle Household 1841

  George Daker	35
  Samuel Manwaring	50
  Thomas Whitcombe	50
  Ann Daker	35
  Mary Kenison	30
  Ann Hooper	20
  Sarah Hill	20

  Eastnor Castle Household 1851

  James Barling	28	Helper	b. Gloucestershire
  Ann Rennie	35	Housemaid	b. London City
  Julia Barnes	23	Housemaid	b. London
  Thomas King	19	Errand Boy	b. Worcestershire

  Eastnor Castle Household 1861

  Cecil Brimfield	53	Housekeeper	b. Glamorganshire
  Mary Brimfield	19	Daughter, Dressmaker	b. Glamorganshire
  Elizabeth Ritchie	49	Housemaid	b. Northamptonshire
  Elizabeth Ritchie	11	Visitor	b. Middlesex
  Thomas Bowen	66	Porter	b. Presteign

  Eastnor Castle Household 1871

  Charles Somers Cocks	51	Peer of the Realm	b. Reigate, Surrey
  Virginia Somers Cocks	42	Peeress	b. Calcutta, East Indies
  John Richard Hodges	33	Butler	b. Offham, Kent
  Henry Sims	28	Under Butler	b. Lincolnshire
  Henry James Sayams (?)	24	Footman	b. Bickley, Devonshire
  David Day	19	Footman	b. Childwick Green, Hertfordshire
  James Davis	20	Porter	b. Ledbury, Herefordshire
  LeFrancois Galand	40	Cook	b. France
  James Millimos	29	Groom	b. Norfolk
  Ann Sophia Hart	53	Housekeeper	b. Surrey
  Sophie Trefzgan	32	Lady’s Maid	b. Baden, Germany
  Rebecca Easson (?)		Still Room Maid	b. Aylsham, Norfolk
  Hannah Edmonson	24	Kitchenmaid	b. Northumberland
  Mary Edwards	20	Scullery Maid	b. Mongomeryshire
  Elia Senese	19	Housemaid	b. Italy
  Isabella Geoman	21	Housemaid	b. Scotland
  Elizabeth Ann Dance	19	Housemaid	b. Eastnor, Herefordshire

  Eastnor Castle  Household and Servants 1881

  Ann Sophia Hart	64	Widower, Housekeeper b. Surrey
  Eliza Burr	38	Still Room Maid, b. Kent
  James Sargeant	28	Under Butler, b. Devon
  Albion Manthorp	25	Footman b. Suffolk
  Margaret Moor	27	Housemaid, b. Middlesex
  Martha Fish	36	Housemaid, b. Dorset
  Catherine Elizabeth Davis	17	Housemaid, b. Ledbury, Herefordshire

   

  Eastnor Castle Household 1891

  Mary Ellis	57	Housekeeper	b. Yorkshire
  William G. Howells	41	Domestic Servant	b. Berrow, Worcestershire
  Mary Goss	23	Domestic Servant	b. Swansea, Wales
  William F. Stone	26	Under Butler	b. Ash, Kent
  Ellen Feast	26	Domestic Servant	b. Hackney, London
  Annie Gibbs	20	Domestic Servant	b. Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire
  Emily Frankly	34	Domestic Servant	b. Berkshire
  Elizabeth Mardment	44	Dressmaker	b. Dorset

  Eastnor Castle Household 1901

  Isobel Somers	46	Living on own means	b. London
  Robert H. Somers	3	Grandson	b. London
  Elizabeth Alexander	34	Nurse	b. Studley, Wiltshire
  Agnes Garcombe	17	Assistant Nurse	b. Heavitree, Devon
  Edith M. Goode	25	Secretary	b. Woodford
  May Ellis	61	Housekeeper	b. Yorkshire
  Jessie R. Hoddinott	27	Hospital Nurse	b. Herefordshire
  Betsy Walker	40	Cook	b. Scotland
  Emos Woodford	48	Butler	b. Tarrant Monkton
  Emily Allison	36	Lady’s Maid	b. Oswestry, Salop
  Eliza H. Carver	30	Housemaid	b. Gloucestershire
  Eliza Squirdle	27	Laundry Maid	b. South Norwood, Surrey
  Alice Barnett	20	Housemaid	b. Bromesberrow, Gloucestershire
  Lily Anderson	20	Housemaid	b. Northamptonshire
  Margaret Tuck	18	Kitchenmaid	b. Beckford, Gloucestershire
  Lilian Rouse	16	Scullery Maid	b. Cheshire
  William Gethowells	51	Hall Porter	b. Berrow, Worcestershire
  Charles Sayers	25	Footman	b. Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
  Walter Lane	15	Hall Porter	b. Castlemorton, Worcestershire

  Eastnor Castle Household 1911

  Alfred Bartel	56	Caretaker	b. Germany
  Fanny Bartel	42	Wife	b. Eye, Northampton

  Eastnor Castle Household 1921

  Alice Bette Jones	b. Ledbury, Herefordshire 1885	General Domestic Servant to Captain The Lord Somers, lst Life Guards
  Sarah Jones	b. Ullingswick, Herefordshire 1851	Caretaker for Lord Somers
  Mabel Anderson	b. Camberwell, London 1893	General Domestic Servant to Lord Somers
  Albert Charles Edward Edwards	b. Great Yarmouth, Norfolk 1897	Indoor Man Servant to Lord Somers

  News from Eastnor Castle

  Suicide at Eastnor Castle – May 1845

  “An inquest was held 9th inst at Eastnor Castle the mansion of Earl Somers, by Llanwarne Esq. , one of the coroners for the county and a respectable jury on view of the body of Mrs. Sarah Benison housekeeper to Earl Somers who cut her throat in a frightful manner.
  Mr. M A Wood, surgeon, being sworn, deposed that he had known the deceased three or four years. She had been the Housekeeper at Eastnor Castle for twenty years, and had long been affected with disease of the chest for which complaint he had attended her. For the last few months he had been frequently called in by her for confirmed disease of the heart, she was aware of the character of her complaint but the knowledge of it did not appear to affect her mind. For the last few weeks she had been confined to her room yet she continued cheerful until about a fortnight since when she became low and desponding. When Mr Wood enquired the cause of the change in her manner she replied that she had unpleasant dreams, but would not communicate the particulars. Mr Wood considered from what he heard afterwards that her mind was affected and she had disposition to commit suicide, but could not account for the lapse of her understanding. He was aware that about the time of the change taking place in her mind, she had settled her affairs and he had conveyed to her at the request of Lord Somers his Lordship’s sense of her valuable services to the family. Mr Woods further deposed that he saw her alive the last time on Wednesday, when she was sitting up in bed apparently very low and desponding. He had no doubt that she was then in an insane state of mind. He saw the body after death and found a most extensive wound across the throat, the windpipe and gullet had been severed and life must have been extinguished almost instantaneously.”

  Accident for the Hon. John Somers Cocks – October 1818

  The Hon. John Somers Cocks MP for Hereford, whilst shooting near Eastnor Castle, met with an accident. After having discharged his gun, in the act of reloading it the powder from his flask was ignited by part of the wadding that remained in the barrel and the whole exploded. Fortunately he escaped with a trifling injury to his right hand.

  Penelope Wartnabe and Luke Bull – April 1827

  Two employees at Eastnor Castle, Mrs Penelope Wartnabe housekeeper and Mr. Luke Bull, a farm bailiff, had something of a row which resulted in Mr. Bull calling Penelope a whore. She claimed that he had frequently tried to force his attentions on her, but been rejected every time, whilst he insisted that she was a two timing unchaste woman (she allegedly was also “walking out” with a Mr. Merick), and after he turned nasty he was dismissed from his employment. On that same day he wrote an unsealed letter to Penelope at the Castle, and instructed that it was to be delivered to Hector Jack, a servant, who read it out to all the other servants. Bull kept telling anyone who would listen that Penelope was a very unchaste woman, and that he could prove it; he wanted the fact to become known to Lord and Lady Somers so that they would dismiss her, and reinstate himself. Witness accounts from the servants proved that Luke and Penelope were frequently seen in each other’s company, but also that Penelope frequently entertained Mr. Merick late at night.
  Thomas Willis, an under coachman at the time, gave very strong evidence that he found Penelope and Luke together in the Housekeeper’s room one night, and the situation was such that it left no doubt whatsoever about the character of Penelope.The Head Coachman was, however, less than complimentary about the honesty of Thomas Willis and more or less said that he was a compulsive liar, so in spite of overwhelming evidence from several reliable witnesses, Penelope won the case because so much of it hinged on what Thomas Willis said that he actually saw, and that was now very much doubted as to be true. The Judge was not entirely happy about it all, but had little option and awarded Penelope £10 damages.

  Highway Robbery – 1828

  Richard Lane was charged with attacking Thomas Sivell, a small farmer at Eastnor, on the King’s highway on 31st March last in the parish of Eastnor, and with stealing from him a silver watch, money and his hat (!). Mr Curwood conducted the case for the prosecution and related that Thomas was returning from Ledbury Fair, via the Somers Arms public house, when he was knocked down and severely beaten by three men. He yelled for help, and two witnesses arrived to see two men leap through a hedge. They gave chase and managed to grab one man, who dropped Thomas’s hat. One of these witnesses was John Wall, an under gamekeeper at Eastnor Castle, who gave a graphic account of the scene; it was then revealed that poor Thomas was not only black and blue but had a skull injury and a broken rib. The Rev. Mr. Higgins, the committing magistrate read out a confession made by the prisoner, who made no attempt at defence.
  The learned Judge, Mr. Baron Vaughan summed up the evidence and Richard Lane was pronounced guilty by the jury, whereupon Mr. Vaughan, no doubt looking exceedingly stern, declared that in every case where cruelty or violence was used it was necessary to make a terrible example of the offender. The sentence of death was duly pronounced on the offender.

  Attempted assassination of Earl Somers by his Valet – November 1856

  There was some mystery concerning the facts of this event, and reporters were hard pushed to find the truth. One account had it that Earl Somers returned to Eastnor Castle with his family and domestics, amongst which was his personal valet, a Swiss man, Valentine de Matrie, who had been employed by Lord Somers for over fourteen years. The Earl became concerned when he discovered that a parcel was missing from his luggage, and he duly summonsed the Butler and other members of staff to see if any light could be shed on the matter, but the parcel remained undiscovered. The Butler was asked to send for the Valet, who went to the Library to be questioned by the Earl, but he was in quite a state it seems, being agitated and excited. The pair were alone in the room, and after a short period the Earl was heard to cry for help – several servants rushed in and found the Valet with a knife in his hand and the Earl bleeding from a wound. The Valet escaped, and this is where the mystery begins, because from that point all the staff were forbidden to talk to anyone about what had happened.
  A second version reported that the Valet was refused entry to the Library by the Earl, and he subsequently became abusive and violent, forcing his way into the room. Other servants heard a fracas as they carried luggage up the stairs, and rushed in to intervene – de Matrie was ejected from the room, vociferously promising revenge, and seen off the premises by the Gamekeeper; a policeman arrived from Ledbury and stayed overnight, as well as medics.
  A press reporter happened to be nearby on the day in question, and knew that both doctors and police had been summoned to the Castle, but none of them were permitted to discuss the incident. Further, the Valet was not the only member of staff to go missing that day and the Earl made it plain that no action was to be taken with regard to apprehending either of them.
  A mystery indeed, especially as one week later the Earl wrote letters to the papers expressing astonishment at the reporting of an incident that never happened. Was this just a case of the press getting things totally wrong as they often do, or was there perhaps something more intriguing going on? It seems that intrigue is more likely, because some days later the following appeared in a London newspaper:
  “To the editor
  Sir – I have been perfectly astounded at seeing today in the columns of the Times a letter from Earl Somers, requesting the editor of that journal to give a contradiction to the statement which I forwarded to you on Monday last, relative to the affair which had taken place at Eastnor Castle the week previously. I say, sir, that I am astonished at this attempted contradiction because the matter is notorious in his Lordship’s neighbourhood. It will have been observed that in Earl Somers’ letter he requests the editor of the Times to give the contradiction; he does not give the contradiction himself. The Worcester Herald of last night thus notices the matter: “it has been said that his lordship was wounded, or at least menaced, by a stiletto; but this probably is only imaginative, founded on the fact that a bowie knife, or knife of that description was taken from de Matrie by the constable who removed him from the Castle.
  De Matrie left the area on Tuesday for London, he has taken his family with him and is believed to be proceeding to the continent via Southampton.” I am informed that the man left by the 10.50 train from Worcester and is now out of the country. These, sir, are facts that cannot be controverter and yet Earl Somers declares that there is no foundation for the statement that I made. If there had been no foundation why did he allow it to appear in the Worcester Herald without contradiction.
  Will Lord Somers deny the following facts;
  Had he a Valet in the name of de Matrie in his service? Did that man make a threat and attempt to carry that threat out, and was a bowie knife taken from him? Was the man sent away the next morning with a sum of money? Was he accompanied to the railway and watched until he was off? Is he now on the Continent.? If these are facts (and I know that they are) how can Lord Somers say that there is no foundation for the statement made….”
  Some days later, after nearly every paper in the country had reported on the attempted assassination, a rather curt paragraph on the matter started appearing, stating that that the Earl had dismissed his Valet for misconduct, who then became abusive to other servants so it was felt prudent to call the police. All mention of the matter ceased as far as I can ascertain.
  So, it remains a mystery!………Unless of course there is someone reading this who can put a satisfactory end to the tale?

  Fire at Eastnor Castle February – 1864

  A servant lit a fire in one of the bedrooms in order to air it, then left the room and closed the door. When she returned a while later, the metal door knob burnt her hand and she quickly realised that there must be a fairly large fire raging……she called for help and other servants quickly came and eventually managed to put the flames out, but not before all the furniture had been destroyed. Had they not been so quick to contain the fire, it is very possible that a large part of the Castle could have been lost.

  Death of daughter of Earl Somers – 9th January 1859

  Virginia aged three died of diptheria.

  Blunderbuss accident – November 1878

  On the night of 5th November, Alfred Coleman (son of the Head Gardener at Eastnor Castle) was firing a very old blunderbuss when it exploded, necessitating amputation of his hand.  Lord Somers’ Footman was also injured in the eye.

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News from the Past Eastnor

• Eastnor News from the Past

  Christmas Day and Fire

  1863 – Christmas Day in Eastnor Church

  The church was decorated beautifully with holly, ivy, laurel and other evergreens, along with more than 40 candles which were set about the church in metal sconces.

  A wonderful decorated scroll was inscribed with black and red letters on a white background “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given”

  The sermon was well received.

  1877 – Flower Show at Eastnor is a Washout

  Ledbury Horticultural Society held their annual show, after a break of a couple of years, in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, and the weather was not looking good on the eve of the show.  This was nothing however to what happened on the day.

  The day began with heavy rain clouds covering the sky, and people were only encouraged to continue with their preparations by the occasional glimpse of sun.

  Early in the afternoon a heavy shower was a prelude of things to come – in the shape of terrific thunderstorms with torrential rain, which managed to get through the tents.

  Nothing daunted, visitors flooded to the show, and were rewarded by some late sun.

  Classes in the revamped show included those for nurserymen and gentlemen’s gardeners but there were few takers which was disappointing;  furthermore, their exhibits were rather below standard.

  It was the cottagers who rather swept the board with their produce.

  1891 – Fire at Eastnor Castle

  A fire broke out at Eastnor Castle just after Christmas;  it started in the library and two valuable pieces of tapestry representing summer and winter were badly damaged before the flames could be put out.

  The tapestry formed part of a set of four pieces which came from Fontainebleu, and were worked during the time of Louis XV.

  A large company of people were being entertained when the fire was discovered.

  1895 – Coming of Age of Lady Henry Somerset’s Son

  Eastnor rejoiced in the coming of age of Mr. H.C. Somers Somerset, only son of Lady Henry Somerset, the owner of Eastnor Castle.

  Lady Somerset presided at a dinner for the tenantry in the great hall, and after the meal Mr. W. Coleman, Estate Agent, presented Mr. Somers Somerset with a set of six silver gilt bowls, and on behalf of the cottagers and employees on the Eastnor estate, with a silver inkstand and illuminated address signed by 125 subscribers.

  Mr. Somerset was hugely appreciative of the gifts and assured the company of his intention to carry on the traditions of his mother’s family.

  Lady Somerset also made a speech and said that she had spent around £30,000 on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire estates, and £60,000 on repairs.  Because of this, she had had to tighten her belt somewhat in order to remain at Eastnor Castle.

  Some three years later, the Hon H.C. Somers Somerset was thrown from his horse near the Castle, and sustained serious head injuries.

  See also Eastnor Castle

  1898 – New Fountain on Eastnor Village Green

  Lady Henry Somerset presented a fountain to Eastnor village, and she and Arthur Somers Cocks, heir to the Eastnor Estate, along with Verena Somers Cocks, walked to the site of the fountain on the green for the official opening.

  The Rev. H.S. Sanders gave the address, and said that the villagers were now able to drink the water from the Malvern Hills – reputed to be the best in the UK.

  The fountain standing in the centre of the green was on four huge oak pillars, with three entrances and an ornate covering.  On the wall over the well were two pottery panels,modelled by Lady Henry Somerset, depicting Christ and the woman of Samaria.

  Alongside the well, there was provided a drinking trough for cattle and horses, and two smaller ones for dogs.

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An Early history of Eastnor Castle

When one of the wealthy landowning Cocks family moved to Eastnor at the end of the 16th century they married into the Worcestershire Somers’ family and the sum of their estates – including the inheritance left by the Lord Chancellor Somers in the early 18th century and the banking wealth of the Cocks Biddulph Bank (now incorporated into Barclays Bank) – gave the 1st Earl Somers the funds to start building Eastnor Castle. He married the daughter of the wealthy Worcestershire historian, Dr Treadway Nash. Robert Smirke was appointed as architect of the building, and people’s opinions on the Norman Revival style vary considerably, but actually I think that it is beautiful, and it stands in the most glorious grounds.

The Construction of Eastnor Castle

Work on the castle began in 1810 with the young architect Robert Smirke being entrusted by the 1st Earl Somers with the task of making it appear to be a medieval fortress such as the many that already existed to guard the Welsh borders, but it was never intended to be any such thing and was merely the physical means of showing the world how rich and powerful the owner was.
After ten years of hard graft by a huge workforce , in 1820 the bulk of the castle was completed at a final cost of roughly eight and a half million pounds in today’s money, however parts were habitable well before it’s completion and frequent visits were made by the Earl and his immediate family. The interior was still work in progress though, and in November 1821 the London Morning Post made a somewhat doubting statement, questioning whether the Castle would turn out to be quite the grand and beautiful place that had been intended……..
“This magnificent range of Gothic work approaches to completion under the superintendence of its possessor , Lord Somers. In works of art, as with every other effort, excellence will be various, and partial preferences with reasons given. At present we shall say nothing about the harmony of the whole performance; but leave a description of the outline for the hour when His Majesty pays it a visit, which it is reported, will be as soon as the building is completed”
Any hopes of a visit from the King however, were soon dashed when a statement was issued that there were no plans for this whatsoever although he could not be entirely ruled out for the future. However, there was an endless succession of visits from everybody who was anybody and Eastnor Castle quickly became an important part of the “circuit”. I never realised quite how much travelling around each others castles and mansions etc. the aristocracy indulged in. In fact given that the Earl and his wife also indulged in the aristocratic equivalent of popping round to one’s friends for a cup of coffee, it is very difficult to give a true assessment of the staff employed at any one time, as of course they would take many of them with them on their travels. It is very evident, however, from the information that I have found, that many of the servants were not sourced locally – indeed, in 1911 two were from Germany; two were from Yorkshire and one from Lincoln. The Gardeners were Ledbury bred.

Flood at Eastnor Castle

Proof that severe floods are not just a thing of today, came just before Christmas in 1821 when the Castle was full of influential visitors, the whole of the surrounding countryside was under water and the only way in or out of the Castle was by boat! This must have been a severe blow for the planned festivities, as hunting and shooting would have been very much on the agenda over this period.
Gradually, the tone of reporting on Eastnor Castle in the press changed from cautious praise to effusive accolades. In late December 1821, after the floods had receded, the many Earls, Counts and Countesses, Lords and Ladies etc. etc. who were staying at the Castle reportedly “partook of the bounteous and splendid hospitality of the Noble owner of that princely domain”. Also, “…amongst the visitors at this splendid residence” and “..the Banquets have been sumptuous in the extreme; cards and concerts supply the evening, and the mornings prior to the floods were devoted to the pleasures of the chase. All strangers are delighted with the magnificence displayed throughout the interior of this fine edifice”

Description of the finished Castle

“The florid Gothic in the great hall of entrance is surprisingly grand and beautiful; it’s elevation is 70 feet and leads to the great saloon which is 30 feet. The comes the library on the left, and the drawing room on the right. On the other side of the building is the banqueting room the ceiling of which is carved oak as well as the walls. The billiard room not being finished, the tables were placed in the drawing room. The Festivities of Eastnor are approaching with more and more of everything elegant and superb. The arrangements although impeded by the late floods will be on the most enlarged scale – all in the best report, such as were to be expected from such presiding taste as that of the Earl and Countess of Somers!!”
Not only did the Earl have good taste, but by all accounts he was a good man, who treated his servants well and did his best to help the poor, but his health began to fail and after his death in 1841, the 2nd Earl took up the reins of the continuing interior work. He engaged Pugin to style and decorate the drawing room in lavish gothic style, and later the 3rd Earl did wonderful things to the long library and the state bedroom.

The last Earl Somers Cocks

In the 1870s, the agricultural downturn caused a massive drop in the wealth of the Somers Cocks family, and the Earldom died out in 1883. The last Lord Somers inherited the Castle in around 1920, but it was a sadly depleted estate and in 1926 Lord Summers moved to Australia with his family when he was made Governor of Victoria. The castle was left empty until 1931 when the family returned and some improvements were made to the interior, but when war broke out it was left empty once again. Lord Summers widow did live there again for a few short years after the war but her finances were crippled by hefty death duty taxes which severely depleted her finances.

Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst

In 1949 the Hon Elizabeth Somers Cocks and Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst took on the castle and slowly but surely worked their way through the repairs and renovations, mostly financed by selling works of art and reinvesting income from the estate. (Their descendant is carrying on the good work to this day).
In 1976, Herefordshire was battered by hurricane force winds (I remember seeing apple trees falling like ninepins in our own  orchard), and some of the turrets on the towers of the castle were badly damaged – the government gave a grant to have them repaired.
Long may this glorious edifice stand – it is absolutely stunning.

Eastnor Castle Household 1841

Eastnor Castle Household 1851

Eastnor Castle Household 1861

Eastnor Castle Household 1871

Eastnor Castle  Household and Servants 1881

Eastnor Castle Household 1891

Eastnor Castle Household 1901

Eastnor Castle Household 1911

Eastnor Castle Household 1921

News from Eastnor Castle

Suicide at Eastnor Castle – May 1845

“An inquest was held 9th inst at Eastnor Castle the mansion of Earl Somers, by Llanwarne Esq. , one of the coroners for the county and a respectable jury on view of the body of Mrs. Sarah Benison housekeeper to Earl Somers who cut her throat in a frightful manner.
Mr. M A Wood, surgeon, being sworn, deposed that he had known the deceased three or four years. She had been the Housekeeper at Eastnor Castle for twenty years, and had long been affected with disease of the chest for which complaint he had attended her. For the last few months he had been frequently called in by her for confirmed disease of the heart, she was aware of the character of her complaint but the knowledge of it did not appear to affect her mind. For the last few weeks she had been confined to her room yet she continued cheerful until about a fortnight since when she became low and desponding. When Mr Wood enquired the cause of the change in her manner she replied that she had unpleasant dreams, but would not communicate the particulars. Mr Wood considered from what he heard afterwards that her mind was affected and she had disposition to commit suicide, but could not account for the lapse of her understanding. He was aware that about the time of the change taking place in her mind, she had settled her affairs and he had conveyed to her at the request of Lord Somers his Lordship’s sense of her valuable services to the family. Mr Woods further deposed that he saw her alive the last time on Wednesday, when she was sitting up in bed apparently very low and desponding. He had no doubt that she was then in an insane state of mind. He saw the body after death and found a most extensive wound across the throat, the windpipe and gullet had been severed and life must have been extinguished almost instantaneously.”

Accident for the Hon. John Somers Cocks – October 1818

The Hon. John Somers Cocks MP for Hereford, whilst shooting near Eastnor Castle, met with an accident. After having discharged his gun, in the act of reloading it the powder from his flask was ignited by part of the wadding that remained in the barrel and the whole exploded. Fortunately he escaped with a trifling injury to his right hand.

Penelope Wartnabe and Luke Bull – April 1827

Two employees at Eastnor Castle, Mrs Penelope Wartnabe housekeeper and Mr. Luke Bull, a farm bailiff, had something of a row which resulted in Mr. Bull calling Penelope a whore. She claimed that he had frequently tried to force his attentions on her, but been rejected every time, whilst he insisted that she was a two timing unchaste woman (she allegedly was also “walking out” with a Mr. Merick), and after he turned nasty he was dismissed from his employment. On that same day he wrote an unsealed letter to Penelope at the Castle, and instructed that it was to be delivered to Hector Jack, a servant, who read it out to all the other servants. Bull kept telling anyone who would listen that Penelope was a very unchaste woman, and that he could prove it; he wanted the fact to become known to Lord and Lady Somers so that they would dismiss her, and reinstate himself. Witness accounts from the servants proved that Luke and Penelope were frequently seen in each other’s company, but also that Penelope frequently entertained Mr. Merick late at night.
Thomas Willis, an under coachman at the time, gave very strong evidence that he found Penelope and Luke together in the Housekeeper’s room one night, and the situation was such that it left no doubt whatsoever about the character of Penelope.The Head Coachman was, however, less than complimentary about the honesty of Thomas Willis and more or less said that he was a compulsive liar, so in spite of overwhelming evidence from several reliable witnesses, Penelope won the case because so much of it hinged on what Thomas Willis said that he actually saw, and that was now very much doubted as to be true. The Judge was not entirely happy about it all, but had little option and awarded Penelope £10 damages.

Highway Robbery – 1828

Richard Lane was charged with attacking Thomas Sivell, a small farmer at Eastnor, on the King’s highway on 31st March last in the parish of Eastnor, and with stealing from him a silver watch, money and his hat (!). Mr Curwood conducted the case for the prosecution and related that Thomas was returning from Ledbury Fair, via the Somers Arms public house, when he was knocked down and severely beaten by three men. He yelled for help, and two witnesses arrived to see two men leap through a hedge. They gave chase and managed to grab one man, who dropped Thomas’s hat. One of these witnesses was John Wall, an under gamekeeper at Eastnor Castle, who gave a graphic account of the scene; it was then revealed that poor Thomas was not only black and blue but had a skull injury and a broken rib. The Rev. Mr. Higgins, the committing magistrate read out a confession made by the prisoner, who made no attempt at defence.
The learned Judge, Mr. Baron Vaughan summed up the evidence and Richard Lane was pronounced guilty by the jury, whereupon Mr. Vaughan, no doubt looking exceedingly stern, declared that in every case where cruelty or violence was used it was necessary to make a terrible example of the offender. The sentence of death was duly pronounced on the offender.

Attempted assassination of Earl Somers by his Valet – November 1856

There was some mystery concerning the facts of this event, and reporters were hard pushed to find the truth. One account had it that Earl Somers returned to Eastnor Castle with his family and domestics, amongst which was his personal valet, a Swiss man, Valentine de Matrie, who had been employed by Lord Somers for over fourteen years. The Earl became concerned when he discovered that a parcel was missing from his luggage, and he duly summonsed the Butler and other members of staff to see if any light could be shed on the matter, but the parcel remained undiscovered. The Butler was asked to send for the Valet, who went to the Library to be questioned by the Earl, but he was in quite a state it seems, being agitated and excited. The pair were alone in the room, and after a short period the Earl was heard to cry for help – several servants rushed in and found the Valet with a knife in his hand and the Earl bleeding from a wound. The Valet escaped, and this is where the mystery begins, because from that point all the staff were forbidden to talk to anyone about what had happened.
A second version reported that the Valet was refused entry to the Library by the Earl, and he subsequently became abusive and violent, forcing his way into the room. Other servants heard a fracas as they carried luggage up the stairs, and rushed in to intervene – de Matrie was ejected from the room, vociferously promising revenge, and seen off the premises by the Gamekeeper; a policeman arrived from Ledbury and stayed overnight, as well as medics.
A press reporter happened to be nearby on the day in question, and knew that both doctors and police had been summoned to the Castle, but none of them were permitted to discuss the incident. Further, the Valet was not the only member of staff to go missing that day and the Earl made it plain that no action was to be taken with regard to apprehending either of them.
A mystery indeed, especially as one week later the Earl wrote letters to the papers expressing astonishment at the reporting of an incident that never happened. Was this just a case of the press getting things totally wrong as they often do, or was there perhaps something more intriguing going on? It seems that intrigue is more likely, because some days later the following appeared in a London newspaper:
“To the editor
Sir – I have been perfectly astounded at seeing today in the columns of the Times a letter from Earl Somers, requesting the editor of that journal to give a contradiction to the statement which I forwarded to you on Monday last, relative to the affair which had taken place at Eastnor Castle the week previously. I say, sir, that I am astonished at this attempted contradiction because the matter is notorious in his Lordship’s neighbourhood. It will have been observed that in Earl Somers’ letter he requests the editor of the Times to give the contradiction; he does not give the contradiction himself. The Worcester Herald of last night thus notices the matter: “it has been said that his lordship was wounded, or at least menaced, by a stiletto; but this probably is only imaginative, founded on the fact that a bowie knife, or knife of that description was taken from de Matrie by the constable who removed him from the Castle.
De Matrie left the area on Tuesday for London, he has taken his family with him and is believed to be proceeding to the continent via Southampton.” I am informed that the man left by the 10.50 train from Worcester and is now out of the country. These, sir, are facts that cannot be controverter and yet Earl Somers declares that there is no foundation for the statement that I made. If there had been no foundation why did he allow it to appear in the Worcester Herald without contradiction.
Will Lord Somers deny the following facts;
Had he a Valet in the name of de Matrie in his service? Did that man make a threat and attempt to carry that threat out, and was a bowie knife taken from him? Was the man sent away the next morning with a sum of money? Was he accompanied to the railway and watched until he was off? Is he now on the Continent.? If these are facts (and I know that they are) how can Lord Somers say that there is no foundation for the statement made….”
Some days later, after nearly every paper in the country had reported on the attempted assassination, a rather curt paragraph on the matter started appearing, stating that that the Earl had dismissed his Valet for misconduct, who then became abusive to other servants so it was felt prudent to call the police. All mention of the matter ceased as far as I can ascertain.
So, it remains a mystery!………Unless of course there is someone reading this who can put a satisfactory end to the tale?

Fire at Eastnor Castle February – 1864

A servant lit a fire in one of the bedrooms in order to air it, then left the room and closed the door. When she returned a while later, the metal door knob burnt her hand and she quickly realised that there must be a fairly large fire raging……she called for help and other servants quickly came and eventually managed to put the flames out, but not before all the furniture had been destroyed. Had they not been so quick to contain the fire, it is very possible that a large part of the Castle could have been lost.

Death of daughter of Earl Somers – 9th January 1859

Virginia aged three died of diptheria.

Blunderbuss accident – November 1878

On the night of 5th November, Alfred Coleman (son of the Head Gardener at Eastnor Castle) was firing a very old blunderbuss when it exploded, necessitating amputation of his hand.  Lord Somers’ Footman was also injured in the eye.

1863 – Christmas Day in Eastnor Church

The church was decorated beautifully with holly, ivy, laurel and other evergreens, along with more than 40 candles which were set about the church in metal sconces.

A wonderful decorated scroll was inscribed with black and red letters on a white background “Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given”

The sermon was well received.

1877 – Flower Show at Eastnor is a Washout

Ledbury Horticultural Society held their annual show, after a break of a couple of years, in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, and the weather was not looking good on the eve of the show.  This was nothing however to what happened on the day.

The day began with heavy rain clouds covering the sky, and people were only encouraged to continue with their preparations by the occasional glimpse of sun.

Early in the afternoon a heavy shower was a prelude of things to come – in the shape of terrific thunderstorms with torrential rain, which managed to get through the tents.

Nothing daunted, visitors flooded to the show, and were rewarded by some late sun.

Classes in the revamped show included those for nurserymen and gentlemen’s gardeners but there were few takers which was disappointing;  furthermore, their exhibits were rather below standard.

It was the cottagers who rather swept the board with their produce.

1891 – Fire at Eastnor Castle

A fire broke out at Eastnor Castle just after Christmas;  it started in the library and two valuable pieces of tapestry representing summer and winter were badly damaged before the flames could be put out.

The tapestry formed part of a set of four pieces which came from Fontainebleu, and were worked during the time of Louis XV.

A large company of people were being entertained when the fire was discovered.

1895 – Coming of Age of Lady Henry Somerset’s Son

Eastnor rejoiced in the coming of age of Mr. H.C. Somers Somerset, only son of Lady Henry Somerset, the owner of Eastnor Castle.

Lady Somerset presided at a dinner for the tenantry in the great hall, and after the meal Mr. W. Coleman, Estate Agent, presented Mr. Somers Somerset with a set of six silver gilt bowls, and on behalf of the cottagers and employees on the Eastnor estate, with a silver inkstand and illuminated address signed by 125 subscribers.

Mr. Somerset was hugely appreciative of the gifts and assured the company of his intention to carry on the traditions of his mother’s family.

Lady Somerset also made a speech and said that she had spent around £30,000 on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire estates, and £60,000 on repairs.  Because of this, she had had to tighten her belt somewhat in order to remain at Eastnor Castle.

Some three years later, the Hon H.C. Somers Somerset was thrown from his horse near the Castle, and sustained serious head injuries.

See also Eastnor Castle

1898 – New Fountain on Eastnor Village Green

Lady Henry Somerset presented a fountain to Eastnor village, and she and Arthur Somers Cocks, heir to the Eastnor Estate, along with Verena Somers Cocks, walked to the site of the fountain on the green for the official opening.

The Rev. H.S. Sanders gave the address, and said that the villagers were now able to drink the water from the Malvern Hills – reputed to be the best in the UK.

The fountain standing in the centre of the green was on four huge oak pillars, with three entrances and an ornate covering.  On the wall over the well were two pottery panels,modelled by Lady Henry Somerset, depicting Christ and the woman of Samaria.

Alongside the well, there was provided a drinking trough for cattle and horses, and two smaller ones for dogs.

Font

This is possibly the earliest font on show in the country
The story of the old font deserves embellishment. It was found beneath the floor of the Nave when this was being rebuilt in 1851, and the much more modern base was carved early in the 14th century. It was clearly designed for total immersion of babies, and there is a hinged cover with a lock which meant that not only the holy water could be kept safe, but also other valuables. All fonts from the middle of the 13th century up until the Reformation were locked by order of the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1236, as a safeguard against sorcery, and possibly also to prevent “hedge priests” from secretly baptising babies at a fee lower than that of the Parish Priest. The staples for locking the font were removed during the Reformation

This is the modern font, in current use.

Memorials

Charles Somers Cocks

Charles Somers Cocks – 3rd Earl Somers; 2nd Viscount of Eastnor; 4th Baron Somers; 4th Baronet Evesham. Born 14th July 1819 and died 26th September 1883. This tomb is housed in a large family vault where there are very many plaques and memorials to the Somers Cocks family

Charles Wentworth Bell

Charles Wentworth Bell, born Chapel Allerton Nr. Leeds. Warden of this church from 1889 to 1918. Died 20th January 1929 aged 71 after 5 years of suffering.

Staff Capt. Reginald Somers Cocks

Staff Capt. Reginald Somers Cocks, killed by a shell at Ouderdom on 24th April 1918 aged 23. This cross was retrieved from France by the family.

Bertha Mary Gray

A lovely stone angel, monument to Bertha Mary Gray who died 17th November 1900 aged 5. Also Oliver John Gray who was killed in East Africa 9th May 1914 aged 24, and their parents William Valentine Gray who died 3rd March 1926 in Surrey aged 63 and Emmeline Ruth Gray who died 10th May 1939 aged 75