282 



By the Eev. W, H. Jones, M.A., F.S.A. 



JS the Clarendon family for some centuries have held 

 property in the county of Wilts, it is but natural that we 

 should seek to gather up any reminiscences, even though they be 

 trifling, of that great man in whom they became first ennobled. 

 All the main incidents of Lord Clarendon's varied life are of 

 course well known. There is however one tradition connected with 

 his name, which, though possibly more or less founded in truth, 

 has never yet been fully interpreted. We do not profess as yet to 

 be able to explain it; but as we are able to prove that it is not among 

 Lord Clarendon's Wiltshire connections that we must look for its 

 solution, it will be something to have narrowed the field of inquiry. 



The tradition alluded to is the following. It is given from the 

 oldest account as yet found of it, viz., from the " General Evening 

 Post" of March 29, 1787:— 



" Curiout historical fact. — During the troubles in the reign of 

 Charles I. a country girl came to London in search of a place as 

 a servant maid ; but not succeeding she applied herself to carrying 

 out beer from a brewhouse, and was one of those called tub- women. 

 The brewer observing a well-looking girl in this low occupation, 

 took her into his family as a servant, and after a while married 

 her ; but he died while she was yet a young woman and left her a 

 large fortune. The business of the brewery was dropped, and the 

 young woman was recommended to Mr. Hyde, as a gentleman of 

 skill in law, to settle her husband's afiairs. Hyde, who was after- 

 wards the great Earl of Clarendon, finding the widow's fortune 

 very considerable, married her. Of this marriage there was no 

 other issue than a daughter, who was afterwards the wife of James 

 II. and mother of Mary and Anne, Queens of England.'* 



