own notice, he removed to Worcester; and, in 1723, was presented to the rectory of St. Nicholas in that city, by Bishop Hough, the chosen friend and patron to whom he dedicated his three chief productions: Antiquitates Priorates Majoris Mal verne; the continuation of Dugdale; and the Survey of the cathedral church at Worcester. Dr. Thomas had travelled much in the early part of life, and was well acquainted with the most useful modern languages. He was, likewise, a sound classical scholar; and, in order to favour his love of antiquarian pursuits, had made himself master of the Saxon. His industry was so great that he is said to have scarcely allowed time for ordinary refreshment. Mr. Gough has spoken harshly of the most important of the doctor's works, his edition of Dugdale, but it should be recollected that he commenced that arduous task with popular discouragement rather than succour; and if many opportunities of improvement are neglected, still much useful matter is introduced. He died at the age of 68, in the year 1738, and is buried in the cloisters of Worcester cathedral. KINETON HUNDRED lies to the south of the hundred of Knightlow, and is bounded on the east and south-east by a part of Oxfordshire. More than half of its western limits touch the county of Gloucester: in their progress towards the north the same limits abut on the hundred of Barlichway. The Roman Foss way enters this hundred on the south-west, and quits it on the north-east, in the neighbourhood of Chesterton. Kineton hundred is formed into the four divisions*, termed Brailes; Burton-Dasset; Kineton; and Warwick. BRAILES *The town of Warwick may, perhaps, in itself be considered as forming fifth division. BRAILES DIVISION comprises the following parishes, township, and hamlets:Barcheston, with Wellington; Barton on the Heath; Brailes; Burmington; Cherington; Compton-Wynyate (extraparochial) Honington; Idlicote; Long Compton; Pillerton-Hersey; Pillerton-Priors; Stowerton (township ;) Stretton on the Foss; Whatcott; Whichford, with Ascot; Woolford, great; Woolford, little (hamlet.) COMPTON WYNYATE is situate near the eastern border of the county. The term Wynyate appears to be derived from a vineyard formerly cultivated here. Camden styles the place Compton in the Hole, a mode of designation well suited to its local circumstances, but which is a vulgar redundance of expression, as the word Compton signifies in itself a collection of dwellings in a cwm, or valley. A family affluent in men of worth and renown, took its surname from this well-screened and fertile lordship. The first of the Compton family that attained great distinction was Sir William Compton, who was placed, at the age of eleven years, as page or companion to the second son of Henry VII. then Duke of York, and afterwards King Henry VIII. The favour of this illustrious intimate of his youth procured for Sir William, at a subsequent period, state employments, which he supported with credit, and great riches, which he enjoyed withont ostentation. His grandson, Henry, was summoned by writ to the House of Lords, by the title of Baron Compton of Compton; and William, the son of this Henry, the first baron, was created Earl of Northampton, in 1618. Spencer Compton, second Earl of Northampton, was one of the most zealous adherents to Charles I. By this nobleman an opposition was raised in the county of Warwick to the factious influence of Lord Brooke; and the men levied by him in the county for the king's VOL. XV. N use use bore a distinguished part in several actions of importance. This high-spirited and loyal cavalier fell at the battle of Hopton Heath, Staffordshire. In this engagement the royal party, though much inferior in numbers to their adversaries, succeeded in driving their horse from the field. Pursuing with too much heat, the earl was left encompassed by a body of the enemy; and his horse heing killed under him, and the head-piece of his armour stricken off by the butt-end of a musquet, he was called to surrender, on a promise of quarter. To this summons he replied, that he scorned to take quarter from "such base rogues and rebels as they were;" on which he was put to death, receiving almost at the same moment a blow on the hinder part of his head with a halbert, and a deep wound in the face. His lordship left six sons, who were all distinguished for loyalty and active virtue. Five were knighted; and Henry, the youngest, was Bishop of London, and is justly said to have been one of the most eminent prelates that ever sat in that see. He was born at Compton Wynyate, in the year 1632. After pursuing the usual course of academic study, with as much regularity as the unhappy character of the times would permit, he travelled for some years; but on the Restoration entered the king's service as a cornet of horse. He soon became tired of a military life, and dedicated himself to the service of the church. In 1675, he was nominated to the Bishopric of London, and was so highly esteemed by the court that he was entrusted with the important office of educating the Princesses Mary and Anne. To the care of the bishop may be chiefly ascribed the firmness with which those princesses ever adhered to the Protestant mode of faith; for he was one of the most decided opposers of all covert or open en. deavours to introduce the Roman Catholic religion to this country. On account of the undaunted exercise of such principles he was suspended by James II. and only was restored when the king dreaded the arrival of the Prince of Orange. This excellent prelate died, at the age of 81, in the year 1713. By |