By the Rev. Canon J. E. Jackson, F.S.A. 151 
Somerset intended to build in this his native county. I was more 
particularly struck by the circumstance of the conduit for water 
1600 feet long and 15 feet deep, as a rather important work, not 
likely to be easily obliterated, and one of which some traces might 
still be recoverable. So I went over some little time ago on an ex- 
ploring expedition to Wulfhall, and with Mr. Stallard, walked about 
the hills and fairly identified the outline of the proposed park. 
A day or two afterwards, I had the pleasure of hearing that he 
had been again to the woods, had discovered the remains of the 
conduit for water, had measured it and found it 1598 feet long (see 
the Plan, a little above the letter 8). 
The conduit-digging and other preparations took place, according 
to these letters, in 1548 and 1549, the beginning of Edward VI. 
and of the Protector Somerset’s reign. A few months afterwards, 
the wheel of fortune gave a violent turn. The Protector was de- 
posed from power, and in January 1552, sinking under the assault 
of his rivals, was beheaded on Tower Hill. So the great house was 
never finished on Bedwyn Brail. 
I come now to the next owner of Wulfhall : 
Epwarp Srymour, Ear. or HertrorpD, Son or ProTector SOMERSET. 
The Protector had been twice married ; but through the influence 
of his second wife Anne Stanhope, the children of the first marriage 
were set aside, and the title and larger part of the estate entailed 
upon the children of the second. The eldest of these, Edward, was 
only about 12 or 13 years old at the time of his father’s execution, 
and being wholly deprived (not by his Father’s attainder,which was for 
felony only, not treason, but by a special Act of Parliament procured 
by enemies,) of all dignities and lands, found himself reduced to 
plain, and penniless, Edward Seymour. Sir John Thynne having 
been for so many years intimately acquainted with his father’s affairs, 
was the person immediately applied to and consulted with, about 
measures to be taken for his benefit. (Appendix, No. ix.) Queen 
Mary (though opposed to him in religion) wished to create him Earl 
of Hertford, and restore to him such lands as the Protector had been 
possessed of at the death of King Henry VIII., 1547. (Appendia, 
Q 2 
