224 A BOOK OF ENGLISH GARDENS 



and beauty of his mother to such a degree that 

 few could resist him. Magnificently lavish in all he 

 did, he enlarged Holland House by building on the 

 wings and arcades, said to have been designed by 

 Inigo Jones. He also gave his name to the House, 

 Charles creating him first Baron Kensington, and 

 later Earl of Holland, in recognition of his many 

 services, one being the escorting, with the Duke of 

 Buckingham, of his beautiful Queen to England. 

 Gossip whispers of more than a tender friendship 

 which existed between Holland and his Queen ; but 

 be that as it may, it was of brief duration. The 

 Queen's quick, imperious nature could ill brook his 

 wavering allegiance to the Royal cause, and when 

 danger threatened it Clarendon more than hints 

 that she finally drove Lord Holland to declare 

 himself openly for Cromwell. 



Thus Holland House became the meeting-place 

 of the Parliamentary leaders. The following ex- 

 tract from a journal of the time mentions this : 



" Perfect Diurnal, 2nd August to 9th August, 



"1647. 



"Aug. 6tk. This morning the members of 

 Parliament which were driven by tumults from 

 Westminster, met General (Fairfax) at the Earl of 

 Holland's House, Kensington, and subscribed to 

 the declaration of the army." 



