HISTORY OF STAFFORDSHIRE. 299 



Ingestre Hall is a stately ancient edifice, situated on the decli- 

 vity of a gentle eminence. Behind the mansion the hill is covered 

 with a profusion of trees, among which are many full-grown oaks 

 of a great size. This wood is a part of the pleasure-ground, 

 through which there are several extensive walks in various direc- 

 tions. The mansion, which is huilt in the style of Queen Eliza- 

 beth's reign, is high, with an arched projection at each side, with 

 four windows in each in the second story. Above the entrance a 

 handsome tower projects from the main body of the building, and 

 is adorned by an elegant balustrade, similar to that which extends 

 along the whole front. A high turret rises in the centre, and has 

 the appearance of an observatory. The body of the whole fabric 

 is of brick, but the bows or projections are of stone, adorned with 

 pilasters, which give the whole a most singular appearance. 

 Large sums of money have been from time to time expended in 

 the alterations and repairs of Ingestre Hall. The old front of 

 brick has been decorated with ornaments of stone, so that it is 

 composed in distinct parts of these two materials. 



The pleasure-grounds are laid out with great taste ; they are 

 very beautiful, exhibiting the varieties of full-grown trees, flower- 

 ing shrubs, clean well-rolled walks, lawns, groves, the river Trent 

 and the village of Weston in the valley, and a distant view of the 

 ruins of Ghartley Castle. 



The interior of Ingestre Hall is magnificent, and the apart- 

 ments furnished in a high style of elegance. Over the fire-place 

 in the great hall, there is a portrait of Walter Chetwynd, Esq. 

 the venerable ancestor of the family. 



The Church, which stands near the Hall, is a small fabric of 

 stone, with a square tower. It contains several mural monuments 

 of the Chetwynds and the Bagots. It is dedicated to St. Mary, 

 and is a rectory in the patronage of Earl Talbot. The Hon. and 

 Rev, John Talbot is the present incumbent. 



The manor of Ingestre came into the family of Chetwynd, by 

 the marriage of Sir John Chetwynd with the heiress of the estate, 

 in the reign, of Edward the Third. His descendants were created 

 Barons of Ingestre and Talbot ; and in the year 1784, John Chet- 

 wynd Talbot, who had previously succeeded his uncle AVilliam in 

 the barony, was raised to the dignity of an Earl of the United 

 Kingdom by the title of Earl Talbot of Ingestre. 



All the lands in the manor and parish of Ingestre, are now in - 

 the sole possession of Earl Talbot, who, on the expiration of the 



