BOOK III. is now a ladies' boarding-school. Some coats of arms which were in one of the rooms, having been destroyed about forty years ago, it cannot be ascertained by whom it was built; but Mr. Lysons supposes, both from the external appearance, and from the panels and chimney-pieces of the rooms, that it is of as early a date as the reign of Queen Elizabeth; an octagonal tower, the base of which forms a bay window in a large room, now used as the school, rises somewhat higher than the rest of the house, and terminating in a dome, makes a very singular appearance.

Streatham.

Church.

STREATHAM is a neat village situated on the high road from London to Croydon, at the distance of five miles from the former place. It derives its name from having been situated near the great Roman road from Arundel to London; strete signifying in the Saxon language a highway, and ham a dwelling. The Normans, with little attention to its derivation, call this village in Domesday-book Estraham: in all records of a subsequent date it is written Stretham.* The population in 1821 amounted to 3616.

The church of Streatham is in the diocese of Winchester. The benefice is a rectory, the patronage of which has been always attached to the manor of Tooting Bec, and is now vested in his grace the duke of Bedford. The rectory is valued in the king's books at £18. 13s. 9d. per annum.

The church, which stands in the centre of the village, is dedicated to St. Leonard, and consists of a nave and chancel. The north side is built of flints, and retains

* "In compliance with the universal custom which has prevailed for the last hundred years, I have spelt it Streatham, though the a seems an unnecessary and improper interpolation.”—LYSONS.

some traces of the architecture of the fourteenth century. CHAP.I. The south wall was rebuilt with brick, and a gallery added on that side about sixteen years ago. At the west end is a square tower supporting a spire, which, though of no great height, yet, being situated upon a high spot of ground, forms a conspicuous object for several miles. The interior is neatly fitted up: upon an altar-tomb in the north wall, under a rich Gothic canopy, lies the mutilated figure of an armed knight, having a pointed helmet, mail gorget, and plated cuirasses. The canopy is ornamented with quatrefoils, but the pinnacles and some of the other parts are imperfect. It seems probable, from the situation, that it is the founder's tomb, and its form ascertains it to be of the fourteenth century. In the same wall, higher in the chancel, is another Gothic canopy with a flat arch: beneath this is a marble slab fixed sideways in the wall, which has evidently been displaced. The inscription records the death of Margaret Cantlowe, daughter of Nicholas Aylwin, who died 1486. Here is a monument to Rebecca, wife of William Lynne, who died in 1653. Her epitaph was written by her husband, who, after dwelling upon her several virtues, exclaims in the concluding lines

"Should I ten thousand years enjoy my life,

I could not praise enough so good a wife.”

On the south wall is a monument to a woman of equal excellence-Elizabeth, wife of Major General Hamilton, "who was married near forty-seven years, and never did one thing to displease her husband." She died in 1746. In this church are tablets with inscriptions to the memory of Mr. Thrale and Mrs. Piozzi, by Dr. Johnson.

The celebrated Dr. Benjamin Hoadly, bishop of Bangor, so well known for the controversy, was instituted

BOOK III. to this rectory in the year 1710, on the presentation of Mrs. Howland, who gave it him, without any previous acquaintance, because she admired his political principles. He left Streatham, which was his most beloved retirement, upon his promotion to the see of Salisbury, in 1723.

Manors.

In Domesday-book several manors or estates are recorded as lying within the parish of Streatham; they were held in the Confessor's time by Ulward, Edwin, Harold, the canons of Waltham, Erding, and Estarcher. Ulward's manor was of one carucate, valued at twenty shillings; and was held at the time of the survey by Haimo the sheriff. Edwin's manor, which was of the same extent, but valued at twenty-five shillings, was given by the Conqueror to the bishop of Bayeux, and was held under him by Ansgot. After the suppression of alien priories, the manor of Tooting Bec was granted to John duke of Bedford, constable of France, and was afterwards leased by the crown to John Arderne, Esq. for a rent of nineteen pounds per annum, which formed part of the endowment of Eton college.* The manor was granted by Edward IV. to Lawrence Booth, bishop of Durham, for life; and was afterwards, by the same king, settled upon John Tiptoft, earl of Worcester, master, and Sir John Scott and others, wardens, of St. Mary's Guild, in the church of Allhallows, Barking.+ Upon the suppression of the guild, John Dudley, earl of Warwick, bought the manor of Tooting Bec of the crown, at twenty-two years' purchase. It afterwards

* History of Alien Priories, vol. ii. p. 155.

+ Pat. 5 Edw. IV. pt. 1. m. 19.

office.

Certificate of the sale of chauntry lands, in the Augmentation

came into the Bedford family, and is now the of the present duke.

house.

The manor-house, which is situated at the corner of ManorStreatham common, on the road to Croydon, is large, but contains nothing remarkable. It was probably rebuilt by Sir Giles Howland, whose arms and those of his wife are upon two brick turrets, which appear to have formed the grand entrance to the house. Queen Elizabeth's arms, which were formerly in the hall, serve also to ascertain the date, and no doubt gave rise to a tradition, that it was one of her palaces. It does not appear what became of the other manors mentioned in Domesday-book.

A school was founded in this parish about the begin- School. ning of the last century by Mrs. Elizabeth Howland, mother of the duchess of Bedford, who gave twenty pounds per annum for clothing and educating ten children.

Here is the villa formerly inhabited by Gabriel Piozzi, Villas. Esq. who married the widow of Mr. Thrale, a lady distinguished in the literary world by various publications. During the life-time of Mr. Thrale, Dr. Johnson frequently resided here, and experienced that sincere respect to which his virtues and talents were entitled, and those soothing attentions which his ill health and melancholy demanded. It was sold by auction in 1816, and is now inhabited by R. Elliot, Esq., and called Streatham Park. Here are the seats of the earl of Coventry, Rev. Dr. Hill, G. Barlow, W. Borradaile, and E. Bullock, Esqrs.; and, on the common, those of Joseph Laing, called the Well House; W. Wright, Ralph Fenwick, Burnet, T. Keats, and Rich. Sanderson, Esqrs. Norbury House, the villa of the latter gentleman, is a very tasteful building, by Nash.

BOOK III. A mineral water, of a cathartic quality, was discovered in this parish in 1660, which is still held in esteem; and the water is sent in quantities to some of the hospitals in London. Contiguous to this mineral spring is Lime common, an elevated spot, which takes the pedestrian by surprise, and affords him an extensive and diversified prospect. The more prominent objects are, Windsor castle, to the west; Stanmore, north; and Woolwich, east.

CHAPTER II.

SURVEY OF THE WEST HALF HUNDRED OF BRIXTON.

Battersea. THE parish of BATTERSEA is situated near the river Thames, about three miles from Westminster bridge. The name has undergone several changes. In Domesday-book it is called Patricesy; and has since been written Battrichsey, Battersey, and Battersea, each variation carrying it still farther from its original signification.

Church.

The church of Battersea is dedicated to St. Mary; it is in the diocese of Winchester; the benefice is a vicarage... Laurence, abbot of Westminster, first procured the appropriation of the great tithes for that abbey about the year 1159. The advowson has always been attached to the manor, which is the property of