VOL. XVI.(3) | EXCURSION—STROUD, BISLEY 235 
and incapable of much defence, and its garrison was instructed not to 
hold it if any serious attack was intended ; nevertheless, they seem 
to have lost on the occasion a captain and fifty or sixty men, but 
whether slain or taken prisoners is not recorded. 
Tea was served to Members in the handsome dining hall, in the 
midst of art treasures of which Sir John is justifiably proud. During 
the meal the baronet told several stories relating to Bisley and Lypiatt 
—that ‘‘fair house of stone, with brewhouse, malthouse, stables, 
barns, gardens, &c.,” according to Atkyns. The Manor of Lypiatt 
was held of the honour of Hereford, and was anciently in the family 
of the Mansells, for Philip Mansell died seized thereof in 1396. Sir 
Robert Atkyns says that the Whittinghams were formerly lords of 
the Manor, but Rudder seems to doubt this. Mr Fisher says he has 
met with notices of the Court Baron as Thos. Wytington, “‘ held for 
the Manor of Lopeyate,” on the 12th of October, in the 36th and 
37th years of King Henry VI., and again in 1478. After that it was 
held by the family of the Wyes for three descents, and the last Wye 
of Lypiatt was Thomas—sheriff for the county in 1575—and his 
widow, who was entitled to the estates, re-married with John 
Throckmorton, who in 1596 became possessed of the fee of the 
manor and estates. 
Now this John Throckmorton was connected with the Gun- 
powder Plot, and upon this fact has been based the belief that Lypiatt 
played a prominent part in that abortive effort for the overthrow of 
Protestantism in England. It is well that some of these traditions 
still flourish, and better still that under such an accomplished guide 
as the present owner of Lypiatt we may actually enter the room 
where the arch conspirators laid their plans. In the same room are 
two framed documents bearing the signatures respectively of Rupert 
and Maurice, being ‘‘ safe passages” for such persons as happened 
to carry them when those Princes were high in the service of Charles I. 
Time did not permit of a more detailed inspection of the house but a 
short time was spent on the terrace and in examining the Tudor 
Chapel. In 1712 Sir Robert Atkyns described this building as a 
‘handsome chapel, decently kept in repair,” but after that date it 
appears to have degenerated into a store-house for articles of domestic 
use. It is no longer used for service, but should any future tenant 
wish to revert to the old custom, little trouble would be experienced in 
giving effect to the wish. There is some very fine timber at Lypiatt, 
and one tree in particular on the east side, near the terrace, was 
much admired. 
Before separating, Mr Butt extended to Sir John Dorington the 
cordial thanks of the Club for his kindness, courtesy, and hospitality, 
and this having been suitably acknowledged, the company entered 
upon the homeward drive, and were treated to a fine view of the 
shining Severn, the Malvern Hills, and the more distant Welsh 
mountains. 
