12 



GARDENS OLD AND NKW. 



Londesborough's great collection of rings has also been 

 described in a privately printed volume edited by Mr. Crofton 

 Croker. 



Lord Londesborough dieJ in 1860, and the fine church of 

 St. John Baptist, at Kirkby Wharfe, in which parish Grimston 

 lies, possessing many Norman portions, was restored in the 

 following year in his memory. He was succeeded by his son, 

 the present peer, who was elevated to an Earldom, but the 

 estate was sold in 1872 to the late Mr. John Fielden of 

 Dobroyd Castle, near Todmorden, on the borders of Lancashire 

 and Yorkshire, and Mr. Fielden maintained the place in 

 perfection, and added somewhat to its attractions. He 

 died in 1893, and the chancel of Kirkby Wharfe Church 

 was restored in memory of him. His immediate successor 

 in the estate, Mr. Thomas Fielden, D.L., J.P., M.P., died 

 in 1897. 



There is a richly wooded park of about 800 acres, including 

 the home farm, and the estate embraces the township of 

 Grimston and the parish of Kirkby Wharfe. The park is 



where is a large conservatory of stone, there is an 

 attractive garden rich in floral beauty and embowered in 

 gree.iery. Here is a contrast to the more open outlook 

 on the south, and there are classic garden adornments 

 which will be seen in one of our pictures. It is almost 

 unnecessary to insist upon the excellence of the garden 

 stonework, for here, truly, the architect has worked hand 

 in hand with the gardener. There may be different 

 opinions as to the merits of white marble statuary 

 under English skies, but there can be no disagreement 

 as to the beauty of that which adorns Grimston Park, and 

 which has been very skilfully disposed for contrast and 

 effect. 



The gateway of the eastern garden will be noticed also. 

 Here we see how the craftsman in metals has lent his aid, and 

 it will be recognised that in the clinging ivy and cool grey stone 

 an excellent effect is produced. The skill of the ironworker 

 will be observed also in the great entrance gates, which are 

 very imposing and eminently satisfactory in their architectural 



THE HAST GAkUEN GATHS. 



dignified by the presence of many noble trees, including 

 a fine group of sycamores, four of which are remark- 

 able for having been planted within the space of one 

 square yard ; nevertheless, they have now grown to 

 the height of looft. The most striking feature in the 

 garden is the imposing Emperors' Walk, which has been 

 alluded to, and has rich ornamental trees for its near 

 neighbours. 



The garden on the south side presents a formal 

 arrangement, with regular beds and rounded bushes, 

 and "the expanse is enriched by the presence of a number 

 of admirably sculptured vases and urns in marble, as well 

 as by several choice modern statues. A long walk extends 

 parallel to the house, and the garden is terminated by a 

 fine balustrade with a semi-circular extension towards the 

 park, over which, like the house itself, it commands a wide 

 and pleasing view. It will be remarked that the splendid 

 trees which close the prospect to the east add great dignity 

 and character to the place. On the western side also, 



character. There is thus at Grimston Park a union of 

 structural merit and gardening skill, with particularly happy 

 result. 



It has been mentioned that Towton Field lies not far away, 

 and it v/ould be unpardonable to describe Grimston without an 

 allusion to the great Palm Sunday battle in which the red rose 

 of Lancaster was shadowed by an immen .e disaster, and 

 wherein probably 30,000 good Englishmen tell, so desperate 

 and hard-contested was the fray. Hall says that the battle 

 was "sore fought, for hope of life was set on every part," 

 though the hope was dashed for too many on that sanguinary 

 day. 



The Earl of Northumberland, Lord Uacre, and many 

 nobles and knights were killed, and from that field the 

 Earls of Devon and Wiltshire were dragged for beheadal, 

 and their heads place 1 upon Micklegate Bar at York in 

 place of that of Edward's father, which had been set up 

 with a paper crown " that York might overlook the town 

 of York." 



