HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 129 



of land called the Castle Croft, but the part most visible, with the 

 ancient cement, is that which forms the garden of Mr. Jackson, 

 where pavements of Roman brick, and great quantities of foundation 

 stones, have been dug up. 



Aldershaw was formerly a manor. The mansion is neat, with 

 walled gardens, canals, groves, and other rural ornaments. The 

 situation is pleasant, on a rising ground which commands a fine 

 view of Lichfield Cathedral and part of the city. Aldershaw-hill is 

 the residence of Charles Bournes, Esq. 



Freeford is an ancient manor, in a delightful situation, about 

 two miles south of Lichfield : it formerly belonged to a family who 

 took their name from the place. In the reign of Edward I. 

 William de Freeford held half a knight's fee in Freeford of the 

 Bishop of Chester. In the 40th of Edward III. it appears, by a 

 French deed, that Sir John de Freeford was lord of the manor. Ac- 

 cording to the records of this manor, preserved at the family man- 

 sion, it devolved to the family of Dyott by marriage. This re- 

 spectable family suffered much for their attachment to the Royal 

 cause during the Civil wars. 



The manor-house is distinct from the rest of the hamlet, and is 

 extra-parochial. This house is in a retired situation, in a pleasant 

 and highly-cultivated domain : it contains two spacious rooms, 

 appropriated to that genuine hospitality which has long been 

 characteristic of the proprietor, (Mrs. Dyott, widow of the late 

 Richard Dyott, Esq.) and verifies the inscription over the hall-door: 

 Nil nisi bonum, portus amicis. 



Among the antiquities in this house, may be mentioned a curious 

 silver tankard, which holds two quarts, on which is engraved the 

 figure of an Oliverian, in the costume of the age, pointing at a gnat 

 and swallowing a camel. On the lid is the following inscription : 



" The tankard says to Presbiter'an Jack, 

 Th' art Iyer lusty ; in deceit no quack ; 

 Yett sipp, nay drinke, none sees or hears, 

 Come we'll agree like savage beares." 



Underneath the figure are the following lines : 

 ." No ignoramus hypocrites drink here: 



Ye lips of saints with hands of hell forbeare, 

 Profain not (Regicides) our loyal bowles, 

 Sacred to Charles his health, and all true souls." 



Fulfen is a small manor about a mile north of Freeford : it was 

 for several ages in possession of the family of Fulfen. In the 21st of 

 Henry VI. Thomas Fulfen granted it to Oliver Chatterton and his 



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