Hertfordshire Genealogy Books

Little Gaddesden The Story of an English Parish by Vicars Bell Faber & Faber, London, 1954

Places Little Gaddesden

FOREWORD

I. BEGINNINGS  Topography and geology} their influence on social developmwt. Early inhabitants. The manor of Gatesdene

II. NEW NEIGHBOURS  The College of Ashridge. John of Gaddesden

III. THE LAST OF THE OLD The dissolution of the Monastery

IV. THE FIRST OF THE NEW  A lawsuit. Elizabeth at Ashridge. Thomas Eger­ tOil. First Earl of Bridgewater. Roundheads. Second Earl-the rules of a great house. Third Earl

V. THE PARISH CHEST  Village life in the seventeenth century-the parish officers. Mary Hall possessed by devils

VI. THE VILLAGE IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY  A Swedish traveller visits Little Gaddesden. William Ellis} a 'best-seller' of the eighteenth century

VII. ASHRIDGE IN THE EIGHTEENTH AND NINETEENTH CENTURIES   The first and second Dukes of Bridgewater. The Great Duke. Two strange stories. The destruction of old Ashridge and the building of the present house. The seventh and eight Earls. A great restorer and a great eccentric. The coming of the Brownlows. The making of a model village

VIII. THE VILLAGE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY  Improvements-and their cost. Ghosts, and miscreants, and a white wizard. The School. Gerald Massey-and the last witch. A parson's journal

IX. TO-DAY   The result of all that has gone before

X. THE CHURCH   The First and Last House

APPENDIX A. THE MANOR HOUSE OF LUCIES

APPENDIX B. PARISH CHARITIES

APPENDIX C. SOURCES AND AUTHORITIES

INDEX