164 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



Swinfen, another hamlet in this parish, is pleasantly situated on 

 the road to Lichfield, and has been in possession of the Swinfen 

 family for ages. The mansion-house was built by Mr. Wyatt the 

 architect, for Samuel Swinfen, Esq. It is a magnificent structure, 

 and the lawn, lake, and surrounding pleasure-grounds, present a 

 beautiful variety of rural scenery. 



The Church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a prebend in Lichfield 

 Cathedral. It is a small ancient fabric, in a low situation, near the 

 turnpike-road. 



Hints is situated to the east of Weeford, and the west of Dray- 

 ton, on the side of an eminence which commands an extensive and 

 beautiful prospect of the subjacent vale, and the surrounding coun- 

 try. The manor and estate have for two centuries been in possession 

 of the Floyer family. 



The Church is a modern structure, and is an elegant specimen 

 of Grecian architecture. From its lofty situation, it is a very 

 beautiful and picturesque object. The interior contains several 

 monuments of the Floyers and Lawleys. 



In the year 1792, as some labourers were digging fo,r gravel on 

 Hints common, they found a pig of lead twenty-two inches and a 

 half long, and 150lb. weight, with the following inscription upon it 

 in basso-relievo: 



IMP. VESP. VII. T. IMP. V. COS. 



This curious piece of antiquity was perfect in all its parts ; and 

 the inscription is to be read, " Imperatore Vespasiano septimum, 

 Tito Imperatore quintum, Consulibus. ; 3> and plainly betokens the 

 year of Christ 76, u. c. 828, when Vespasian and Titus were con- 

 suls ; the first, the seventh, and the other, the fifth time. Titus 

 the son, is called Emperor as well as his father, having been asso- 

 ciated in the government of the empire. 



Canwell is a hamlet situated at the south corner of Hints parish. 

 It was the site of a small priory of Benedictine monks, founded in 

 1142, by Geva Ridell, daughter of Hugh, Earl of Chester, and 

 dedicated to St. Mary, St. Giles, and All Saints. It was one of 

 the monasteries seized by Cardinal Wolsey ; and in the time of 

 Queen Mary, it was in possession of Vesey, Bishop of Exon, who 

 died seised of this manor, four messuages, and 1500 acres, held of 

 the Crown. 



The present possessor is Sir Robert Lawley, Bart, and the mag- 

 nificent mansion was erected by his father, under the inspection of 

 Mr. Wyatt, the celebrated architect. The expence of the building, 



