Xxil REPORT. 
battle of Moodkee, in 1845, as second in command to Sir Hugh Gough, he 
contributed much to the winning of the battle, aud took a foremost part in the 
Sikh campaign on the Sutlej. 
The present Rear-Admiral Hardinge is a descendant of this family, and has 
seen much active service. 
The Coke family have never lived at this hall since it was in their possession. 
It has, during the past 60 years, or so been occupied by William Speechley, 
Francis Noel Clarke Mundy, Esq., Edward Abney, Esq., W. Jenney, Esq., 
Geo. Vandeleur, Esq., and finally by Robert Green, Esq., who was the tenant 
when the hall was burnt down on the night of the 17th April, 1859. 
KING’S NEWTON VILLAGE. 
The village belonged to the Crown in the reign of the Conqueror, 
Tradition says that Robin Hood was born at Chellaston, about 3 miles 
distant. In old ballads he was called the Earl of Huntingdon, and it would 
seem probable that a very large wood in the neighbourhood, known as the 
‘* Robin Wood,” was so called after his name. 
It is a matter of history that the Rebels, in their march towards the South 
of England, came as far as Swarkestone Bridge (about a mile distant), and 
sent a message to Melbourne that two thousand troops would be quartered 
there that evening. They béat a speedy retreat however on hearing that the 
Duke of Cumberland was crossing with a superior force from Lichfield to meet 
them. 
An inn in the village is known as the Packhorse Inn, and parts of the old 
Packhorse-road still exist and are in use. 
The foundations of an ancient cross are still to be seen at the junction of 
our roads in the village. The upper part of it is preserved at the adjoining 
house, belonging to P. Hubbersty, Esq. There is also a very old village well, 
called the Holy Well. On it is the following inscription, ‘‘FONS. sacer. 
hic . strvitor . ROBERTO . nominis HARDINGE 1662.” 
Several persons of considerable literary ability have lived here. Amongst 
others, Thomas Hali, a translator of Ovid, about 1640. Mrs. Green, Mr. 
Henry Orton, Mr. Kirke (the author of ‘‘ Thurstan Meverell”’), and last, not 
least, Mr. John Joseph Briggs, the author of ‘‘The History of Melbourne,” 
“Guide to Melbourne and King’s Newton,” ‘‘The Trent and other Poems,” 
and numerous contributions to the ‘‘ Field,” &c., as ‘‘ Naturalist.” 
To his works I am much indebted for many of the foregoing notes. 
May 8th, 1880. 
Proceeding from King’s Newton Hall, by way of the Holy 
Well and Ancient Castle, the party reached Melbourne Church, 
