52 TROLLING IN STAFFORDSHIRE. 



he had shewn him. Sir Jasper's house was indeed 

 sorrily used on the occasion, and Oliver Cromwell 

 left visible proofs of the loyalty of the old baronet. 

 On ascending the fine oak staircase of the man- 

 sion, we perceived that large splinters of wood 

 had been torn from its massive ballustrades by 

 the cannon balls of the republican army, and 

 indentations were apparent in the walls. The shots 

 were carefully preserved as proofs of the loyalty 

 of the family, and have been safely deposited in 

 the parish chest. Sir Jasper, indeed, suffered still 

 more grievously, for besides having his house bat- 

 tered, certain heavy fines were imposed upon him, 

 and his mansion was plundered during the war. I 

 was informed by the old ladies that he was ' a 



* gentleman well read in most parts of learning, and 



* highly esteemed, being truly just and charitable, 

 ' and exemplary in his life and conversation.' A 

 full length portrait of him in armour was shown 

 me, and I could not help endeavouring to trace in 

 his features the character which had been given of 

 him. He died at the age of eighty-three, and was 

 the founder of the alms-houses I had seen on 

 entering the village. 



At the top of the staircase, we entered a spacious 



had thirteen lordships ; and the latter several in Lincolnshire. 

 They were the sons of the Lord of Guisnes in Picardy, who was 

 descended from the kings of Denmark. See Ward's MS. addi- 

 tions to Professors of Gresham Coll. in Brit. Mus. vol. 2, p. 302. 



