SIK LEWIS WATSON, FOURTEENTH MASTER. 205 



England." Thus in following the career of Sir Lewis Watson, 

 we find him, in his capacity of Deputy-Lieutenant of the 

 county of Northampton, called upon by the Council of State 

 in London to make up a return of the money disbursed for 

 billeting soldiers in that county in 1629, amounting to 7001. ; 

 and by a similar order he was enjoined to prepare a com- 

 mission, within his jurisdiction, of martial law. These and 

 similar events are antagonistic to our subject ; they must 

 have also been repugnant to Sir Lewis. Unfortunately there 

 was the other phase of the sentiment yclept •' loyalty " and 

 " duty," which, of course, it was impossible to evade. How- 

 ever, the die was cast; there was no alternative but to side 

 with either the Cavaliers or the Roundheads. Naturally 

 Sir Lewis joined the former. What this step cost him we 

 shall presently relate. 



In the meantime, Sir Lewis Watson was pricked for, and 

 officiated as, sheriff of the county of Northampton in 1633. 

 During this year he purchased the Manor of Little Weldon, 

 of Thomas Brocas, Esq., and through the possession of this 

 holding he acquired the office of Hereditary Master of the 

 Royal Buckhounds. Professor Montague Burrows says Sir 

 Lewis paid 4,000/. for the property, and that it changed 

 owners on June 6, 1633. The deeds being in private hands 

 and not available for reference, we must assume the statement 

 to be correct ; nevertheless, the only consideration mentioned 

 in the fine registered in the Court of Chancery is 240/. That 

 document, which is dated July 8, 9 Charles L, sets forth 

 that Sir Lewis Watson, knight and baronet, acquired the 

 Manor of Little Weldon, alias Hunter's Manor, with the 

 appurtenances, 2 messuages, 1 cottage, 3 tofts, 3 gardens, 

 3 orchards, 150 acres of land, 10 acres of meadow, 40 acres 

 of pasture, 100 acres of wood, 20 acres of firs and heath, 

 and common of pasture for all animals in Great and Little 

 Weldon, Deene, and Corby ; also the custody of the Bailiwick 

 of keeping the King's dogs called Buckhounds, with the 

 emoluments thereunto belonging as held by former owners. 

 The dimensions and peculiarities of the manor, as set out 



