BAALHS PAST EVENTS PAGE

WEDNESDAY 12th OCTOBER 2011. Talk by Dr. David Davies.
Biggleswade's Devilish Duel - The Mysterious Killing of the Master of Gray.

Historian and novelist Dr David Davies spoke on the subject of the mysterious killing of the Master of Gray by another Scottish nobleman, the Earl of Southesk, somewhere in Biggleswade on an unspecified date in August 1660.

He said that the evidence consists of an order to the Sheriff of Bedfordshire to commit the Earl and two other men to the Court of King’s Bench (though no record of a trial – or inquest - has been found), and a broadsheet doggerel poem in 14 verses. This accuses the Earl of murdering the Master of Gray, and contains enough circumstantial detail of the incident to make it appear a reasonably accurate account.

David described the background to the case, including the historic rivalry between the Grays (Royalists) and the Earl’s family the Carnegies (Presbyterians), over such issues as the position of Sheriff of Forfarshire. Both families had links to the French court, where duelling was customary, although it was unusual (and illegal) in England and Scotland.

However, there may not have been a duel as such, and the supposed involvement of the devil relates to the Earl’s education at the University of Padua. He was preceded there by the Earl of Gowrie, who was killed in 1600 in an apparent attempt on the life of King James VI, described in David’s book Blood of Kings (2010). Gowrie too was said to have been in league with the devil, presumably because he had lived in Italy!

The Earl of Southesk died of natural causes in 1668, and the whole business of the Biggleswade ‘duel’ and its aftermath remains shrouded in mystery.

DISPLAY OF ROMAN FINDS FROM MANTON LANE.

After the talk we were able to view a display of finds brought along by Elizabeth Sayer and Steven Cockings from their excavations in Manton Lane, Bedford. Although only a small area has so far been excavated, it has revealed a Roman wall 1.25 metres wide by over 9 metres long. Finds on display, from this previously unknown Iron Age / Romano - British site, included pottery, roof tiles, hypocaust flues, window glass and multi-coloured wall plaster.

These finds, together with a subsequent geophysical survey, suggest the presence of a typical Roman winged villa, and possible bath house, with the wall being part of a substantial outbuilding.

A coach outing to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, organised and led by Sylvia Woods (President) and Margaret Carpenter (Treasurer), took place on Sunday 25th September 2011. Twenty-five members and friends participated. Free admission to both Hardwick Hall and the adjoining Old Hall was included, courtesy of Civic Voice, of which our Society is a founder member.

Most members attended one of the introductory talks by ‘Bess of Hardwick’ herself, in authentic aristocratic costume of the 1590s. We heard about her four marriages, her eight children by her second husband, her meetings with Mary, Queen of Scots, when the latter was in the custody of Bess’s fourth husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury, and of course about her building work at Hardwick and other places.The party travelled to Hardwick Hall and back in a very comfortable Saffords coach, driven by Darren.

Hello Everyone,

Thank you so much for the flowers and print of Bedford at the AGM - I was really touched, especially given that I have been the Secretary for such a very short while.
The flowers are taking pride of place in my dining room (high up so my kittens cannot reach!) and I have decided on a spot for the print in my living room, where I can see it every day.
The week before I moved home, I had bought a "Paintings of Bedford" 2011 calendar from Bedford Tourist Information Centre, to remind me of Bedford - now I have a permanent reminder, which is even better!
Thank you again. I have genuinely enjoyed being part of the committee, and feel it is an honour to have served as secretary - thank you for giving me the opportunity.
As mentioned to the members at the AGM, I will still be a member, and will try and come to some of the meetings, so you won't have seen the last of me!
Kind regards,
Vanessa

A very enjoyable afternoon was spent at the Mill inspecting the machinery and the artefacts on display. This was one of the open days when the milling of flour and oats was taking place. The brochure states that milling will only take place when the water level is high enough, so it was quite surprising that it was possible after the prolonged period of dry weather we have had.

There are four mills listed for Stotfold in the Domesday Book of 1086, so it is reasonable to assume that this was the site of one of them. The present mill however is a complete rebuild on the one burnt to the ground in 1992. Fortunately most of the machinery was considered repairable. The Stotfold Mill Preservation Trust was formed in 2000 to restore the building and machinery and they have done quite an incredible job. A Nature Reserve also adjoins the Mill site.

To find out more about the mill visit their website Stotfold Mill

We concluded the afternoon in their Tea Room and we agree with their brochure which states " no visit would be complete without taking time out to savour the delights of our award winning tea room". If you have not been to see the Mill, we recommend that you do. Entry and car park were free.

Photographs taken by Alan Crawley on the day of the visit.