306 Murder of Henry Long, Esq. 
contrived in the parlour of the parsonage here. Mr. Atwood was 
then parson. He was drowned coming home.”! 
On the first reading of this sentence, which is the whole of what 
Aubrey says upon the subject, it is not quite clear which of the 
two was drowned—Harry Long or Mr. Atwood. But, by the 
discovery of some documents which will be subjoined, the point is 
quite set at rest. The watery grave was Mr. Atwood’s ; Harry 
Long’s fate was of a very different kind. This is quite certain 
from the evidence to be produced: but though the papers referred 
to give us full particulars of time, place, and other circumstances of 
the murder, they throw no light whatever on the actual motive 
which led to it. This still remains, and is likely to remain, a 
mystery. 
The chief Dramatis Persone were two Wiltshire gentlemen of 
good connexion and rank in the county, who afterwards became, 
in different ways, still more memorable. These were Sir Charles 
and Sir Henry Danvers of Dauntesey, a parish which adjoins that 
of Great Somerford, the residence of their alleged accomplice 
before the fact, Mr. Atwood. A few notes of Dauntesey history 
are necessary to introduce these gentlemen properly to the reader. 
The Manor of Dauntesey had belonged as early as Henry II., to 
a family of the same name. Joan Dauntesey, an heiress, who died 
1455, brought it in marriage to Sir John Stradling. According 
to a strange story, also preserved by Aubrey, the whole family of 
Stradling were murdered at their house at Dauntesey, with the 
exception of one daughter, Anne, who happened to be in London 
at the time. Sir John Danvers of Culworth (near Banbury), 
married her and obtained the property. They were both buried in 
Dauntesey Church; he in 1514, she in 1539. Their grandson, 
Sir John Danvers, made a great alliance: marrying Elizabeth 4th 
daughter and coheiress of Nevill Lord Latimer by Lady Lucy 
Somerset. This Sir John died at Dauntesey, 19th Dec., 1593; 
1 Richard Atwood was Rector of Great Somerford from 1578 to 1605. ( Wilts 
Instit.) The Parish Registers, which might by chance have contained some 
memorandum relating to this transaction, in consideration of one of its rectors 
having been concerned in it (if such really was the case) are not forthcoming. 
They perished in a fire some years ago. 
