vii. PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. This little book has been printed in the hope that it may be useful in refreshing the memories of those visitors to Tong Church who are already in some degree acquainted with its ancient and historic associations; while to the many tourists from neighbouring towns who resort to the village, it may be not only a "guide" to the building, but a reminder of a pleasant holiday. The compiler is not unconscious of the importance and delicacy of such a task as the description of Tong Church, but hastens to defend its publication as supplying the great want of a handy comprehensive guide to a much-visited edifice. He has endeavoured to introduce, where possible, comments upon its rich contents by abler hands, completing the remainder with an ordinary notice of things as they are to be seen at present. He hopes that neither such simple language-nor indeed the existence of conflicting opinions upon matters of remote date-will be allowed to detract from the lustre pertaining to the objects themselves. He has to express his thanks to those strangers and friends who have favoured him with interesting notes. Weston Bank, Shifnal, GEO. GRIFFITHS. LETTER FROM THE EARL OF BRADFord. Weston, Shifnal, Feby. 6, 1885. MY DEAR SIR,-Let me thank you very much for the book you have sent me on Tong Church. I think it is very nicely got up, besides the merits of its contents as a guide to Tong Church and Parish. I have looked through it, and it appears to me to be full of correct information, given in a popular way. I hope it may prove successful, and will certainly recommend my friends to buy it. Yrs. very faithfully, (Signed) BRADford. LETTER FROM THE COUNTESS OF BRADFORD. Weston Park, Shifnal, Sept. 6, 1885. DEAR SIR,-I am quite delighted with your book, and accept it with much pleasure. I have read a great part of it, and shall study it one day in the Church of Tong. I cannot but think it is a book that will make its mark in the County. I want a copy at once to With thanks and congive away to a friend, and I doubtless shall want several more. gratulations on its success. Believe me, Yours truly, (Signed) SELINA L. BRADFORD. xi. A Concise Reference to ye Effigies. NOTICE that ye little number placed against each illustrious name refers the industrious reader alike to ye Plan of ye Church, and ye Bodye of ye Boke. From ye Harcourts of the Blood Royale of Saxony, ye famous De Belmeis familie, and La Zouches descended of ye Dukes of Brittany: came Orabel de Harcourt married to Henry de Pembruge of Pembridge, Co. Hereford; "my faithfull and beloved Henry," as His Majesty described him: from whom in very direct descent Benedicta de Ludlow Sir Richard de Vernon, ye Speaker of Lei'ster Sir Will: Vernon=Margaret (Swynfen), heiress of Sir Sir Harry Vernon To ye Ladye Anne Talbot, granddaughter 15 to ye Great Earl Talbot. Sir George Vernon, buried at Bakewell, leaving two lovely daughters co-heires, Margaret Vernon-At Haddon, to Sir Tho: Dorothy Sir John Manners, 19 Stanley, son to ye Earle from whom His Grace of Rutland. Sir Edw: Stanley-Ye Lady Lucie Percie, daughter to ye Duke of 19 Northumberland. Dichy, and others. |