The History of Castle Bytham (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 Excerpt: ...and those engaged in the kitchen and other menial offices, were not thought too many to attend upon these noble children. In September, 1396, the young ladies, Blanche and Philippa, were sent by their grandmother to live with their knight of the chamber at Eton, where thev remained a year. He received thirteen shillings and fourpence a week for their board and lodging. Afterwards they were removed to London, and lived in their father's house in Bishopsgate Street, that they might be near the Court, and companions for the young queen of Richard II. Their subsequent history is a sad one. When about eleven years of age, Blanche was married to Louis, eldest son of the Emperor Rupert, Elector Palatine of the Rhine; and with her husband usually resided at the Castle of Heidelburg. Soon after her sixteenth birthday she became a mother, and on the 22nd of May, 1409, breathed her last. In 1406 Philippa was espoused to Eric, King of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. The marriage was contracted before she was ten years old; but she remained at home about three years afterwards, and therefore did not actually become queen and wife till nearly fourteen. Eric made her a wretched husband. In private he ill-used her, avoided her society, was a drunkard, a lover of low pleasures and coarse companions. In vain she tried to reclaim him. Finding this impossible, she locked up her sorrows in her own bosom, and bore them with patient resignation. At length, worn out with twenty-six years of grief and suffering, she sought a refuge in the convent of Wadstena in Sweden, and there died broken-hearted. The Lords Grey Of Codnor. From Richard, Lord Grey of Codnor, and Elizabeth, daughter of Alice Basset, descended John, Henry, William, Elizabeth, Eleanor, and Lucy. His Lordship died on the...